At Snoqualmie Falls, this wetland is part of the park’s storm-water management system, collecting seasonal water flow from the Snoqualmie Falls Park watershed and conveying it to the river. By retaining water from the upper park and hillsides and delaying its release downstream, it serves as a natural area for flood and erosion control. Wetlands link land and water and rank among the world’s most productive ecosystems. Their damp, nutrient-rich soils provide habitat for a wide variety of wildlife and plants while filtering, cleaning, and storing water. A wetland supports more species per unit area than any other terrestrial habitat. Puget Sound Energy restored a series of wetlands throughout the park to collect water and naturally filter it before it reaches the river below. The wetland here was restored to help clean, slow, and gradually convey water from the upper park to the Snoqualmie River. Its ponded area was enlarged, new gradients were created, and a new intake structure was added so water elevation can vary more like a natural wetland. Native wetland vegetation was also added in both wetland and upland planting zones.