Hands-On USACE Wetland Delineation Training

In-depth instruction in USACE protocols for determining wetland presence and boundaries.


This course provides comprehensive instruction in the knowledge and field skills required to delineate wetlands in accordance with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) protocols and commonly adopted state and local methodologies.

The training:

  • Addresses current federal protocols for identifying the presence and boundaries of Waters of the United States

  • Reviews key regulatory developments, including the SWANCC, Rapanos, and Sackett Supreme Court decisions, major U.S. Supreme Court decisions that shaped how the federal government defines and regulates “Waters of the United States” (WOTUS) under the Clean Water Act.

  • Meets training requirements commonly specified by state Departments of Transportation for contractors performing wetland delineations

  • Provides approximately 2.6 semester hours toward the specialized training required for Professional Wetland Scientist (PWS) certification through the Society of Wetland Scientists

  • Includes all core material from the USACE Wetland Delineator Certification Program, plus additional applied wetland management topics relevant to consultants, engineers, developers, land managers, and regulatory staff

  • Supports qualification as a competent wetland delineator for agency and consultant listings, where applicable

  • Is appropriate for beginners, practitioners with limited experience, and experienced professionals seeking a refresher

Course Format:

  • Four-day program consisting of approximately 50% classroom instruction and 50% hands-on field training

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this training, participants will have the skills and knowledge to be able to:

  1. Evaluate whether a site meets hydrophytic vegetation criteria after identifying dominant plant species

  2. Assess wetland hydrology using in-field indicators

  3. Identify hydric soils based on field observations and soil indicators

  4. Understand the biological, chemical, and physical processes that define wetland systems

  5. Apply wetland delineation principles across different regions and ecological settings

  6. Determine whether a site qualifies as a wetland

  7. Delineate wetland boundaries using accepted federal protocols

  8. Evaluate whether a waterbody meets the definition of Waters of the United States under current regulatory guidance

Topics of the Danley Environmental Wetland Course

Core concepts and field skills for accurate delineations.

  1. Introduction to the 1987 USACE Wetland Delineation Manual

  2. History of U.S. wetland regulations and Section 404 authorization

  3. Evolution of WOTUS definitions and key legal decisions (SWANCC, Rapanos, Sackett)

  4. Overview of past USACE delineation manuals (1987, 1989, proposed 1991)

  5. Introduction to wetland hydrology, hydrophytic vegetation, and hydric soils

  6. Growing season determination and wetland classification systems (Cowardin, NWI)

  7. Vegetation sampling methods, strata, and dominance tests (including the 50/20 rule)

  8. Determination of prevalent vegetation and prevalence index

  9. Primary and secondary field indicators of wetland hydrology

  10. Soil surveys, soil taxonomy, and hydric soil development

  11. Oxidation–reduction processes and identification of redox features

  12. Application of A, S, and F hydric soil indicators

  13. Soil color interpretation and redox feature identification

  14. Routine vs. comprehensive determinations

  15. Atypical and problematic wetland situations

  16. Field delineation procedures using the Regional Supplement

  17. Field delineation of atypical situations (when available locally)

Course Logistics and Preparation

Details for a well-rooted, field-tested course experience

All courses are four days in length and are typically held Monday–Thursday or Tuesday–Friday. Daily sessions run from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., including a one-hour lunch break.

You will receive confirmation of your registration within two business days by phone or email. A course receipt will be provided at the end of the training; if you need one in advance for reimbursement or records, please contact us and we will send it prior to the course.

Each participant will receive a comprehensive course workbook on the first day.

Lunch is on your own. On field days, participants may either bring a packed lunch or stop at a nearby restaurant, depending on the location and schedule.

What to Wear and Bring

Please dress appropriately for field conditions and expected weather. Our courses are held in a wide range of climates, from cold to very hot conditions.

  • Cold weather: Insulated, waterproof boots; multiple socks; layered clothing; hat; and gloves or mittens

  • Hot weather: Long sleeves and long pants for sun and insect protection; waterproof or rubber field boots; optional snake chaps where appropriate

All participants should bring:

  • Drinking water

  • A small snack

  • Sunscreen and/or insect repellent as needed

If you have known or suspected allergies to bee, wasp, or ant stings, please consult your physician and inform the instructor before the field portion of the course.

Safety Notice

Due to the outdoor, field-based nature of this course, participants may encounter conditions and hazards that cannot be fully anticipated. These may include, but are not limited to, slips, trips, and falls; uneven terrain; sharp objects; insects; venomous snakes; large wildlife; alligators; heat or cold stress; ticks and chiggers; and contact with irritating vegetation.

That said, the field component of this course presents no greater health or safety risk than what a typical wetland professional would expect during a standard field assignment.

Resources on Wetland Determinations and Delineations

The science and guidance behind every defensible delineation.

National Wetlands Inventory: Interactive maps and data identifying wetlands and deepwater habitats across the United States.

Natural Resources Conservation Service Hydric Soils: Official soil data and guidance used to identify hydric soils, one of the three key wetland criteria.

Section 404 of the Clean Water Act: Federal permitting program that regulates dredge and fill activities in waters of the United States, including wetlands.

Society of Wetland Scientists: Professional organization dedicated to wetland research, practice, education, and policy.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency information on Wetlands Protection and Restoration: Overview of federal programs, guidance, and resources supporting wetland protection, restoration, and regulatory compliance.