(2) Soil. Soils are present and have been classified as 



hydric, or they possess characteristics that are asso- j-^ 

 ciated with reducing soil conditions. Indicators of soils f 

 developed under reducing conditions are listed in 

 paragraphs 44 and 45. 



(3) Hydrology. The area is inundated either permanently or 

 periodically at mean water depths ^6.6 ft, or the soil is 

 saturated to the surface at some time during the growing 

 season of the prevalent vegetation.* Indicators of hydro- 

 logic conditions that occur in wetlands are listed in 

 paragraph 49. 



c. Technical approach for the identification and delineation of 



wetlands . Except in certain situations defined in this manual, 

 evidence of a minimum of one positive wetland indicator from 

 each parameter (hydrology, soil, and vegetation) must be found 

 in order to make a positive wetland determination. 



Deepwater Aquatic Habitats 



27. The following definition, diagnostic environmental characteristics, 

 and technical approach comprise a guideline for deepwater aquatic habitats: 



a. Definition. Deepwater aquatic habitats are areas that are 

 permanently inundated at mean annual water depths >6.6 ft or 

 permanently inundated areas <6.6 ft in depth that do not sup- * * 

 port rooted-emergent or woody plant species.** 



b. Diagnostic environmental characteristics. Deepwater aquatic 

 habitats have the following diagnostic environmental 

 characteristics : 



(1) Vegetation. No rooted-emergent or woody plant species are 

 present in these permanently inundated areas. 



(2) Soil. The substrate technically is not defined as a soil 

 if the mean water depth is >6.6 ft or if it will not sup- 

 port rooted emergent or woody plants. 



(3) Hydrology. The area is permanently inundated at mean 

 water depths >6.6 ft. 



c. Technical approach for the identification and delineation of 

 ~ deepwater aquatic habitats. When any one of the diagnostic 



characteristics identified in b above is present, the area is a 

 deepwater aquatic habitat. 



* The period of inundation or soil saturation varies according to the 

 hydrologic/soil moisture regime and occurs in both tidal and nontidal 

 situations. 

 ** Areas <6.6 ft mean annual depth that support only submergent aquatic 

 plants are vegetated shallows, not wetlands. 



14 



