Wetland Classification and Mapping of Seward, Alaska     Map Unit Descriptions   Ecosystem: Kettle   Map Component: K2   Seward Area Extent: 4 wetland polygons; 4.2 acres

A relatively homogeneous K2 kettle dominated by Sphagnum moss and tall cottongrass in Two Lakes Park above the town of Seward.

Wetland Indicators Type: Peat Depth to water table: 5 cm Organic layer thickness: 140 cm Depth to redoximorphic features: n/a Soils: Hydric Cryofibrists Common Plant communities: Fewflower sedge - tall cottongrass (Carex pauciflora - Eriophorum angustifolium) Tufted bulrush- Alpine bulrush  (Tricophorum caespitosum - Tricophorum alpinum) Sphagnum moss - tall cottongrass (Sphagnum spp. - Eriophorum angustifolium) Sitka sedge (Carex sitchensis)   NWI: PEM1Bg HGM: Terrene Basin groundwater-dominated Throughflow (headwater).  When adjacent to a central lake: Lentic Fringe Throughflow (headwater).

K2 is the Kettle Ecosystem wetland component with a water table at or very near the surface, and frequently dominated by sedges.  Kettle Ecosystem wetlands are connected through other wetlands to streams and eventually Resurrection Bay.  Seward area Kettles are encountered on the large rock drumlin northeast of town, and in other ice-scoured bedrock low spots, especially near the South Fork of the Snow River.  K2 Kettle components are most often found with other wetland components, especially K3 the shrub-dominated component, in small peatland complexes.  Four small Kettle Ecosystem wetlands occur as relatively homogeneous K2 peatlands; one at the base of the mountainside in the town of Seward, two on the large rock drumlin northeast of town, and the fourth on a bedrock knob above the South Fork of the Snow River.