Depending on when you visit, you may observe standing water where wading birds or waterfowl can gather. Other times, the mudflat will be exposed and you might spot shorebirds searching for food. Flooding by tidal water is crucial for a salt marsh to keep up with sea level rise. The marshes at Parker River Refuge are at a relatively high elevation, and historically flood once a month. This flood water carries and deposits sediment up onto the marsh, which helps increase its elevation. The flood water is also rich in nutrients and invertebrates, providing wildlife with a reliable source of food.  

In general, a salt panne is a shallow depression in the marsh surface where water can pool and evaporate. The salt panne in front of you is man-made, but mimics the hydrology of a natural salt panne. Add your photo helps to see how the water level and wildlife use changes in different months.