It wasn't long before students realized that we had a problem with our wetlands model in that the areas that were supposed to be dry on top weren't and our "dry foot" plants didn't look very happy. Because the gravel base was just above the water level when the sandy soil was added it quickly filtered down through the rocks slowing the flow and raising the elevation.

We looked for volunteers from classes who were ahead of the curve to come up with a fix for the problem and to make the necessary adjustments. Students figured that if they removed the muddy gravel and added a new gravel base that was about twice as high the water would flow through the gravel base even though they knew the sandy soil would be filtering down.

We discussed a barrier, clay, but in the end students decided to move forward with their initial plans and set about affecting the changes.

Everything went according to plan in "lowering the water table" in the highlands as per the images above. Students added the soil and the "dry foot" plants shortly thereafter as pictured in the images below.