ASWM has been involved with the discussion on wetlands in the context of floodplains, flooding events and other natural hazards for over 20 years. ASWM recently published its draft report, "Assessing the Natural & Beneficial Functions of Floodplains" here. In addition to the resources published here, please also visit the Association of State Floodplain Managers, a long-time partner and "sister" organization of ASWM's.

Wetlands are a part of a larger watershed context. A watershed is an area of land where all of the water is somehow connected to each other (above ground or underground) in a water system made up of a tributary of headwater streams, different kinds of wetlands, lakes or ponds (or both), rivers, creeks and/or major streams, flowing into another water body, possibly a large lake, large river, or ocean. Often when wetland managers talk about protecting wetlands, they are also considering the watershed (streams, lakes, ponds, other waters, ocean) that are part of the bigger picture. On this webpage, there are resources and publications related to watersheds.

Common Questions: Establishing Local Government Wetlands and Watershed Management Programs

by Jon Kusler, Association of State Wetland Managers, Inc. (6/26/06) This guide is based upon several more detailed reports available from ASWM including Wetlands and Watershed Management, A Guidebook for Local Governments and Wetlands and Watershed Management: A Collection of Papers. To download guide in PDF, click here. 

Multi-Objective Wetland Restoration in Watershed Contexts

by Jon Kusler, Ph.D., Association of State Wetland Managers, Inc. (11/1/04)This report focuses on multi-objective wetland restoration projects. Fifteen case study profiles are included.To view report in PDF, click here.

Since the events of the Mississippi River floods of 2011, ASWM has kept a finger on the pulse of important media coverage, valuable information, reports --especially as related to wetlands and floodplains management, and interesting blog posts. This page is updated regularly. The information is sorted below into groups to aid in finding information about the flooding events and subsequent coverage.

For Mississippi River Flood News of Interest, click here.

The Natural Floodplain Function Alliance (NFFA) is an affiliation of nonprofit and private organizations, government agencies and individuals dedicated to the protection and preservation of the natural functions of floodplains, including coastal areas.  As a founding member of the NFFA, the Association of State Wetland Managers is pleased to provide a place on its website, but ASWM is one of many NFFA members and these webpages represent the collective work and contributions of NFFA member organizations.  These webpages provide information about NFFA, its activities and publications and reports useful to those interested in learning more about the importance of natural floodplains.  NFFA was established to “promote, protect, and enhance the protection, restoration, and management of natural floodplain resources.”  Members share information and may elect to coordinate actions on issues of interest, but the Natural Floodplain Function Alliance does not take formal positions on matters of national policy, guidance or legislation.  For a copy of the Natural Floodplain Function Alliance mission statement, goals and objectives click here.

For more information or if you are interested in joining the alliance, please contact Dave Fowler with the Association of State Floodplain Managers or Jeanne Christie ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) with the Association of State Wetland Managers.