The Great Black Swamp and the old swamps that once dotted the floodplain of Council Bluffs, Iowa, are both emblematic of the United States’ wetland history. While they share a common identity as wetlands that were once abundant across the Midwest, they diverge markedly in size, ecological legacy, and the extent to which they have been altered by human activity. Examining these differences and similarities provides insight into how wetlands have shaped, and been shaped by, human settlement and environmental policy across this region.

The Great Black Swamp, which once covered portions of northwestern Ohio and southwestern Michigan, was an expansive and almost continuous marsh that drained slowly into the Maumee and St. Joseph rivers. In contrast, the old swamps of Council Bluffs were relatively smaller, localized wetland pockets along the Missouri River’s floodplain. The scale of the Great Black Swamp meant that its ecological influence—particularly its rich biodiversity of marsh plants, amphibians, and waterfowl—was felt over a much larger geographic area. The Council Bluffs swamps, while significant locally, supported a more limited range of species, largely tied to the immediate riverine environment. Both, however, were once integral to the regional hydrology, acting as natural flood buffers and groundwater recharge zones before widespread drainage and land conversion.

Historically, the transformation of these wetlands has followed similar patterns of agricultural expansion, yet the intensity and timeline differed. The Great Black Swamp was aggressively drained in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, largely through a network of ditches and levees, in order to convert fertile loess soils into productive farmland. This large‑scale drainage project permanently altered the landscape, leaving behind a patchwork of cultivated fields and isolated wetlands. Meanwhile, the old swamps of Council Bluffs experienced a more gradual, piecemeal drainage. Early settlers carved out land for homesteads and railroads, but much of the wetland matrix remained intact into the mid‑20th century. Consequently, many of these swamps have retained some of their original hydrological character, and a few have been incorporated into modern conservation efforts, such as the Missouri River Conservation and Recreation Areas.

In terms of ecological resilience, both regions illustrate the fragility of wetlands. The Great Black Swamp’s disappearance created a noticeable loss in regional biodiversity, particularly for species dependent on extensive marsh habitats, such as the northern river otter and various wading birds. The Council Bluffs swamps, though smaller, have shown remarkable capacity to support migratory birds and serve as critical stopover sites for species traveling along the Mississippi–Missouri Flyway. Yet both areas now face similar pressures from invasive species, altered water regimes, and climate change, underscoring the universal challenges of wetland conservation in the Midwest.

Ultimately, the Great Black Swamp and the old swamps of Council Bluffs share a legacy as once‑thick, natural wetlands that contributed to the ecological and cultural tapestry of the Midwest. They also differ in their scale, the extent of human alteration, and the degree to which they have been reclaimed or protected in modern times. By comparing and contrasting these two wetland narratives, we gain a broader understanding of how wetlands have been valued, exploited, and preserved across different contexts, offering lessons for future conservation and land‑use planning in the region.