How can I find out if my property is in or near a wetland?

For some areas, it’s fairly obvious when you are near a wetland. Streams, rivers, ponds, swamps and similar features are very recognizable. Others, such as a vernal pool during the dry season, floodplains, wet meadows, and others may be a little trickier to identify. The Holliston Conservation Commission is willing to help you identify wetlands on your property. However, in many cases, the hiring of a wetland scientist or botanist to delineate and define the wetlands and their boundaries will serve you much better in the long run. For developing or building upon your land, all wetlands must be mapped, and for that an engineering firm or wetland consultant is highly recommended to provide that service.

Additionally, floodplain maps are provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) shows river floodplains. While they may not be the most up to date and only show those floodplains associated with rivers, they are a valuable tool. Generally speaking, if your property is low lying and near a wetland, there’s a high likelihood you are within a floodplain. A civil engineer or hydrologist can provide the calculations and define the limits of the floodplain for you.