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Welcome to the Five Mile/Victory Wetlands!
Boise Urban Wetland Restoration: Five Mile/Victory Wetland: What was done and why?
The Five Mile/Victory Wetland (Site) was originated in 1996. The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) wanted to build a site to demonstrate the value of surface water retention. Their main goal was to create an alternative to common pipe and burial methods used in many residential developments. The Ada County Highway District (ACHD) originally owned the land for the planned project, which they used as a stormwater runoff retention basin. According to the NRCS, this site was essentially a “weedy mess” that contained old tires, broken-up concrete, and 7-ft high Canada thistle. The site consisted of a 1.3 acre, narrow strip of land in a natural drainage of an urban Boise subdivision. A broken and rundown concrete structure was the only thing retaining any water. Downstream of this consisted of a backhoe “sluice box” to direct the water flow.
Soon after initial construction of the wetlands in 1997, the NRCS and the Ada Soil Conservation District (ASCD) organized volunteer efforts to plant 600 trees and shrubs, 13 thousand wetland plants, totaling 31 different species. From then until 2002, the ACHD and ASCD jointly monitored the site. Ada County Parks & Waterways has been managing this site since then, which includes mowing, trash pickup, weed control, and other routine maintenance.
The goals of the Five Mile/Victory Wetland were the following:
- Increase wildlife habitat and use
- Improve water quality (especially stormwater runoff containing petrochemical constituents)
- Demonstrate wetland benefits to city developers and private consultants
- Educate elementary school children and high school and college students to the benefits of wetlands, through the use of interpretive signs and an interpretive trail.
- Increase local property values
- Restore and refurbish native vegetation
- The Ada Soil & Water Conservation District and USDA-NRCS began a plan to convert this neglected area to a restored wetland in 1996. The project, which was a voluntary wetland construction effort rather than a mitigation plan, was funded by grants. Project construction costs totaled $44,000, which does not include in-kind contributions from the NRCS and volunteers. To all those involved, especially the adjacent homeowners, the project has been a great success for urban wetland restoration.
Directions:
From I-84 take Eagle Rd. exit or Cole Rd. exit south to E. Victory Rd.; turn east from Eagle Rd. or west from Cole Rd.; the trailhead parking area is located on the north side of E. Victory just west of the S. Five Mile Rd. intersection
Photo Opportunities
As with many of our other sites, Victory Wetlands have great photo opportunities! If you like to photograph wildlife, this is a wonderful stop to make. Some wildlife here include Great Blue Herons, Red-Winged Blackbird, and Monarch Butterflies. This is a can’t miss stop for any photographer!
Key features: There are educational kiosks along the pathway, and you can see the stormwater basin and the further sediment pools
Traffic: This is a hidden gem in Boise! It is more than likely you’ll be the only person at the site if you visit.
Best time of year to visit: Spring time when the flowers are blooming is the best time. That’s also when you’re most likely to see the stormwater basin full, as well as the largest amounts of waterfowl such as herons and ducks.
Points of Access: Main access is south facing on Victory Rd just West of Five Mile. There is a gated entrance on the north side of the area on Hiawatha Dr.
Parking Availability: There is a small dirt parking lot that can fit roughly 15 cars.
Wildlife in the Area: Mostly birds! These avian species include Heron, Duck, Robin, and Blackbirds.
Amenities: There are trash receptacles on site.