Playa Lakes William Grooms

What are Playa Lakes? shallow, depressional wetlands that are generally round and small, shallow, depressional wetlands that are generally round and small, average 17 acres in size. average 17 acres in size. They are a precious resource for wildlife, providing oases of water and forage in an otherwise arid and desert-like landscape. They are a precious resource for wildlife, providing oases of water and forage in an otherwise arid and desert-like landscape.

Playas are unique to the Great Plains More than 50,000 playas are found in the western Great Plains. More than 50,000 playas are found in the western Great Plains. More than 95 percent of the world's playa lakes occur in the boundaries of eastern Colorado, New Mexico, western Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma and in the Texas Panhandle. More than 95 percent of the world's playa lakes occur in the boundaries of eastern Colorado, New Mexico, western Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma and in the Texas Panhandle. They have clay-lined basins and naturally fill with water periodically from rainfall and its associated runoff. They have clay-lined basins and naturally fill with water periodically from rainfall and its associated runoff.

How playa lakes work

Precipitation is inconsistent in the playa lake region and drought is a common occurrence. Precipitation is inconsistent in the playa lake region and drought is a common occurrence. The resulting wet-dry cycle of playas produces a highly diverse plant community. The resulting wet-dry cycle of playas produces a highly diverse plant community.

These plants produce large quantities of nutritious seeds, essential for waterfowl and other birds which migrate and winter in the region. These plants produce large quantities of nutritious seeds, essential for waterfowl and other birds which migrate and winter in the region. Playa lakes are a vital habitat for wildlife, especially for migrating birds that depend on the region's resources to "refuel" for their journey between Canada, the United States and South America. Playa lakes are a vital habitat for wildlife, especially for migrating birds that depend on the region's resources to "refuel" for their journey between Canada, the United States and South America.

Playas support....

37 mammal species

more than 200 bird species Sandhill Cranes Sandhill Cranes Northern Pintails Northern Pintails Mountain Plovers Mountain Plovers

13 amphibian species,

124 aquatic invertibrate taxa

more than 340 species of plants

Given the diversity of wildlife found on playas, the wetlands offer rich experiences for

wildlife-watchers

Photographers

hunters

naturalists

More than 99 percent of playas are privately owned

Playas are profitable Playa lakes and other prairie wetlands are literally multi-million dollar resources. Playa lakes and other prairie wetlands are literally multi-million dollar resources.

Farm Bill, state and federal grants more than $2 billion has been set aside for conserving prairie wetlands. more than $2 billion has been set aside for conserving prairie wetlands.

Playas can also be sources of supplementary income for landowners wildlife viewing, wildlife viewing, hunting, hunting, tourism and recreational activities tourism and recreational activities

Playas are the exclusive source of recharge for the Ogallala Aquifer.

Aquifer recharge occurs through playa basins and along the perimeter of playas. When a dry playa receives a surge of water from rainfall or associated runoff, water flows into the playa basin and penetrates the clay layer through large cracks and plant root openings in the floor. occurs through playa basins and along the perimeter of playas. When a dry playa receives a surge of water from rainfall or associated runoff, water flows into the playa basin and penetrates the clay layer through large cracks and plant root openings in the floor.

Recharge cont. These cracks eventually swell shut and become impermeable as the clay absorbs more water. Once a playa is full, recharge also occurs along playa perimeters where clay is thin or non-existent. These cracks eventually swell shut and become impermeable as the clay absorbs more water. Once a playa is full, recharge also occurs along playa perimeters where clay is thin or non-existent.

The Ogallala has long been a major source of water for municipalities, municipalities, industries industries agricultural development agricultural development

In 1949, the Ogallala irrigated four million acres –

by 1997 it irrigated 14 million acres

Although current dry land farming techniques have resulted in reduced pumping, the amount of groundwater being withdrawn still greatly surpasses the aquifer's nature rate of recharge. Although current dry land farming techniques have resulted in reduced pumping, the amount of groundwater being withdrawn still greatly surpasses the aquifer's nature rate of recharge.

More than 70 percent of playas have been altered from their natural state by tilling, pitting, intentional filling or filling through sedimentation. More than 70 percent of playas have been altered from their natural state by tilling, pitting, intentional filling or filling through sedimentation.

sedimentation is the most critical threat to playa function, especially in regard to groundwater recharge. Sedimentation occurs on all playas that are surrounded by tilled lands. sedimentation is the most critical threat to playa function, especially in regard to groundwater recharge. Sedimentation occurs on all playas that are surrounded by tilled lands. Water from rain and irrigation carry soil into playas, gradually filling them. Sediment build up reduces the volume of water playas can hold and increases the rate of water loss through evaporation, thus limiting recharge. Water from rain and irrigation carry soil into playas, gradually filling them. Sediment build up reduces the volume of water playas can hold and increases the rate of water loss through evaporation, thus limiting recharge.

An unsettling trend…. recent measurements show a 1.35-ft. drop per year in the water table of aquifers associated with playa lakes recent measurements show a 1.35-ft. drop per year in the water table of aquifers associated with playa lakes

Playa Lakes Joint Venture helps private landowners identify funding and outreach opportunities, and provides the necessary technical assistance to take advantage of these programs. helps private landowners identify funding and outreach opportunities, and provides the necessary technical assistance to take advantage of these programs. Established in 1989, the (PLJV) was the seventh habitat joint venture to implement the goals of the North American Waterfowl Management Plan. Established in 1989, the (PLJV) was the seventh habitat joint venture to implement the goals of the North American Waterfowl Management Plan.

This public/private partnership is committed to the conservation of playa basins, saline lakes, marshes, riparian areas and associated watersheds through cooperative efforts with landowners. This public/private partnership is committed to the conservation of playa basins, saline lakes, marshes, riparian areas and associated watersheds through cooperative efforts with landowners.

Through grants and partnerships with state and federal agencies, conservation organizations, corporations, communities and individuals have enhanced, restored or protected more than 100,000 acres of habitat. Through grants and partnerships with state and federal agencies, conservation organizations, corporations, communities and individuals have enhanced, restored or protected more than 100,000 acres of habitat.

Playa lakes are a keystone aspect of the ecosystems in which they occur. Playa lakes are a keystone aspect of the ecosystems in which they occur. Under current use and conditions these aquifers are being lost. Under current use and conditions these aquifers are being lost. Education and conservation are the key to reversing current trends and saving these vital habitats. Education and conservation are the key to reversing current trends and saving these vital habitats.

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