Abstract
Land-elevation subsidence is an important issue in the Sacramento- San Joaquin (SSJ) Delta region. The West Pond on Twitchell Island in the SSJ Delta is a constructed wetland established to determine methods by which land subsidence can be slowed or reversed. Land-surface elevation change measurements, flow velocity data, and tracer concentration distributions in the West Pond were compared to characterize and better understand the influence of wetland hydraulics on subsidence reversal. Land-surface elevation change measurements and flow velocity data showed spatial variation between measurement sites while tracer experiments suggested the presence of short-circuit pathways through the wetland. Result comparisons suggest some interaction of wetland hydraulics and subsidence reversal. Even more, it demonstrates the need for a new approach to data collection at the wetland to ensure objective and representative data.