Pinchot - Wentz Pond

Wentz Pond was formerly a farm pond that was built before the park was created in 1961. A previous landowner apparently dug out an existing shallow seepage wetland with backhoe, and used the excavated soils used to build a steep dam around the expanded basin. After the park was established, a  large channel was dug through the dam to drain the pond.  The wetland was restored in 2016 by creating more gentle slopes and  an underground clay dam that helps the basin hold a pool of water. Two new shallow basins were created upslope of the original basin.

This wetland is now home to wood frogs, spotted salamanders, American toads, green frogs, spring peepers, and gray treefrogs, along with a diverse group of insects and other invertebrates.

Photos submitted to Chronolog help us document how this restored wetland matures over time. Learn more about seasonal wetlands at Vernal Pools of Pennsylvania, and learn more about wetland restoration in this Vernal Pool Wetland Restoration Webinar.