WV Wetland Rapid Assessment Method (WVWRAM)

Overview

The Watershed Assessment Branch of DEP has developed a standardized method for rapidly assessing some of the important natural functions of all types of wetlands present in West Virginia. It is called the West Virginia Wetland Rapid Assessment Method (WVWRAM). WVWRAM uses on-site observations and off-site spatial data. This is a regulatory assessment tool for agency staff and environmental professionals. It requires a knowledge of Geographic Information Systems (GIS), wetland soils, plants, hydrology, and stressors.

WVWRAM has two components:

1. GIS tool for preliminary scoring and off-site metrics.
2. Rapid field method for final scoring.

Both components are required for regulatory use, but the GIS tool can be used as a stand-alone for planning purposes.

Documents

• WVWRAM Introduction

  PowerPoint presentation on introduction to WV Wetland Rapid Assessment Method.

• WVWRAM Field Form

  West Virginia Wetland Rapid Assessment Datasheet.

• WVWRAM Reference Sheets

  Field references for NWI codes and soils.

• WVWRAM User Manual

  The West Virginia Wetland Rapid Assessment Method (WVWRAM) is a standardized protocol for rapidly assessing the functions, services, values, and condition of wetlands.

• WVWRAM Reference Manual

  This technical document describes the data analysis and formulas behind the two-part wetland assessment method, which consists of a rapid field assessment and GIS assessment.

• WVWRAM Reference Manual Appendix

  ArcGIS procedures and Python 2.7.

• WVWRAM Restoration Supplement

  Tips, tools, and case studies for mitigation bankers and restoration professionals.

• WV Common Dominant Wetland Plants

  Pictorial guide to the 100 most common wetland plants in West Virginia.

• Recommended Plant Identification References for West Virginia

  Books and helpful links for plant identification in West Virginia.

• Redox Features for Identifying Aquatic Conditions

  Redoximorphic features for identifying aquic conditions by the North Carolina Agricultural Research Service at North Carolina State University.

• Soil Reference Cards

  Wetland soil reference cards from the National Wetland Condition Assessment 2021 with helpful photos and tips relevant to WVWRAM soil metrics.

• Visual Guide to NWI Wetland Types

  Visual Guide to National Wetland Inventory Palustrine Wetland Classes in West Virginia: Aerial and ground photos of PFO, PSS, PEM, PAB, and PUB types.

Links

• WVWRAM Access Database

  Microsoft Access database for entering field data and final scoring.
  Database Credentials (user/pass):
  Modify Data: user/user1
  View Data: viewer/viewer1

• WVWRAM GIS Tool

  GIS tool for preliminary scoring and off-site metrics.

• Statewide Map of Preliminary WVWRAM Scores

  View mapped wetlands in West Virginia, including wetland types and preliminary wetland function (WVWRAM) scores. Note that West Virginia's wetland maps are based on the National Wetland Inventory, which was mapped in the early 1980's in our area. Many wetlands are only approximately mapped. Smaller, drier, or forested wetlands are often missing from this map. WVDEP hopes to be able to update the wetland maps after LiDAR imagery becomes available for the state.

• Wetlands Decontamination Steps

  It's important to decontaminate all your equipment and tools used at a wetland site to help prevent the spread of disease and invasive plants between wetlands. Just follow these four easy steps to help keep our West Virginia wetlands healthy.​