Not Florida, Not Louisiana: This State Has More Wetlands Than The Rest Of The US Combined

For many, just the mention of the term "wetlands" conjures images of the Southeastern United States. After all, Louisiana's famous bayous and swamps, as well as Florida's famous Everglades, are located in that area. However, neither Florida nor Louisiana boasts the most wetlands in the U.S. In fact, in order to explore the U.S. state with the top total acreage of wetlands, one would have to go to the exact opposite side of the country. In the far northwest portion of the country, Alaska actually has more wetlands than the rest of the U.S. states combined, at around 174 million acres (per the EPA).

The fact that Alaska has the most wetlands in the country may come as a surprise to those who are unfamiliar with the features of the state. Given that Alaska is America's least visited state, as well as one of the least populated, it stands to reason that the number of people who have experience with these vast wetlands is relatively small. However, there is actually a logical explanation for how the northernmost state in the U.S. has the most acres of wetlands.

Alaska's far north location actually aids in the formation of wetlands. That's because in portions of the state where permafrost occurs, this permanently frozen layer of Earth forces water to stay near the surface instead of penetrating deep into the ground. This results in massive wetlands during the warmer times of year. Alaska also has numerous large rivers which form deltas along the coastal region. Additionally, much of the state receives a high amount of precipitation each year and, thanks to its cool climate, has relatively little evaporation. Due to these factors, Alaska has not only a high amount, but also a diverse variety of wetlands.

Of course, when you understand the reasons why Alaska has wetlands and take into account that it is the largest state in the country, more than double the size of the second-largest, it is much easier to see how it would have the most wetlands. It's not just size that accounts for Alaska having more wetlands than any other state. What is perhaps even more impressive is that Alaska also has a higher percentage of its land covered by wetlands. More than 40% of Alaska's surface area is comprised of wetlands (via the State of Alaska), which accounts for 63% of the total amount of wetlands in all of the U.S. (via the Alaska Division of Water).

So, where do Florida and Louisiana, two states famous for their wetlands, stack up? When it comes to total acreage of wetlands, Florida is second with 11.4 million acres. That is largely due to the Everglades, the famed "River of Grass" that blankets around 1.5 million acres in South Florida. While Louisiana ranks fourth in total acres (behind third-place Minnesota), it is second for overall percentage. Around a third of the Bayou State is covered in wetlands, with the Atchafalaya Basin, America's largest swamp, comprising a good portion of that.

For anyone who wishes to view some of Alaska's myriad wetlands, Potter Marsh at the edge of Anchorage Coastal Wildlife Refuge is a good place to start. The 300-acre Potter Marsh Watershed Park features miles of trails from which visitors can explore the wetlands. Best of all, the marsh is only 15 minutes from downtown Anchorage. Just 35 miles outside of Anchorage, Chugach National Forest, home to the largest contiguous wetlands in North America, is another area well worth checking out.