Playa LakesPlaya LakesWilliam GroomsWilliam Grooms

What are Playa Lakes?What are Playa Lakes?

shallow, depressional wetlands that shallow, depressional wetlands that are generally round and small, are generally round and small,

average 17 acres in size. average 17 acres in size. They are a precious resource for They are a precious resource for

wildlife, providing oases of water and wildlife, providing oases of water and forage in an otherwise arid and forage in an otherwise arid and desert-like landscape.desert-like landscape.

Playas are unique to the Playas are unique to the Great PlainsGreat Plains

More than 50,000 playas are found in the More than 50,000 playas are found in the western Great Plains.western Great Plains.

More than 95 percent of the world's playa More than 95 percent of the world's playa lakes occur in the boundaries of eastern lakes occur in the boundaries of eastern Colorado, New Mexico, western Nebraska, Colorado, New Mexico, western Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma and in the Texas Kansas, Oklahoma and in the Texas Panhandle.Panhandle.

They have clay-lined basins and naturally They have clay-lined basins and naturally fill with water periodically from rainfall and fill with water periodically from rainfall and its associated runoff. its associated runoff.

How playa lakes workHow playa lakes work

Precipitation is inconsistent in the Precipitation is inconsistent in the playa lake region and drought is a playa lake region and drought is a common occurrence. common occurrence.

The resulting wet-dry cycle of playas The resulting wet-dry cycle of playas produces a highly diverse plant produces a highly diverse plant community. community.

These plants produce large quantities These plants produce large quantities of nutritious seeds, essential for of nutritious seeds, essential for waterfowl and other birds which waterfowl and other birds which migrate and winter in the region. migrate and winter in the region.

Playa lakes are a vital habitat for Playa lakes are a vital habitat for wildlife, especially for migrating birds wildlife, especially for migrating birds that depend on the region's resources that depend on the region's resources to "refuel" for their journey between to "refuel" for their journey between Canada, the United States and South Canada, the United States and South America.America.

Playas support.... Playas support....

37 mammal species37 mammal species

more than 200 bird speciesmore than 200 bird species

Sandhill CranesSandhill Cranes

Northern Pintails Northern Pintails

Mountain Plovers Mountain Plovers

13 amphibian species, 13 amphibian species,

124 aquatic invertibrate 124 aquatic invertibrate taxa taxa

more than 340 species of more than 340 species of plantsplants

Given the diversity of wildlife Given the diversity of wildlife found on playas, the wetlands found on playas, the wetlands

offer rich experiences for offer rich experiences for

wildlife-watchers wildlife-watchers

PhotographersPhotographers

hunters hunters

naturalistsnaturalists

More than 99 percent of playas More than 99 percent of playas are privately owned are privately owned

Playas are profitablePlayas are profitable

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

Farm Bill, state and federal Farm Bill, state and federal grants grants

more than $2 billion has been set more than $2 billion has been set aside for conserving prairie wetlands.aside for conserving prairie wetlands.

Playas can also be sources of Playas can also be sources of supplementary income for supplementary income for

landowners landowners

wildlife viewing, wildlife viewing, hunting, hunting, tourism and recreational activitiestourism and recreational activities

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

Aquifer.Aquifer.

Aquifer rechargeAquifer recharge

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

Recharge cont.Recharge cont.

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

The Ogallala has long been a The Ogallala has long been a major source of water for major source of water for

municipalities, municipalities, industriesindustries agricultural developmentagricultural development

In 1949, the Ogallala irrigated In 1949, the Ogallala irrigated four million acres –four million acres –

by 1997 it irrigated 14 million by 1997 it irrigated 14 million acres acres

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

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

sedimentation is the most critical threat to sedimentation is the most critical threat to playa function, especially in regard to playa function, especially in regard to groundwater recharge. Sedimentation groundwater recharge. Sedimentation occurs on all playas that are surrounded by occurs on all playas that are surrounded by tilled lands.tilled lands.

Water from rain and irrigation carry soil into Water from rain and irrigation carry soil into playas, gradually filling them. Sediment playas, gradually filling them. Sediment build up reduces the volume of water playas build up reduces the volume of water playas can hold and increases the rate of water loss can hold and increases the rate of water loss through evaporation, thus limiting recharge.through evaporation, thus limiting recharge.

An unsettling trend….An unsettling trend….

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

Playa Lakes Joint VenturePlaya Lakes Joint Venture

helps private landowners identify helps private landowners identify funding and outreach opportunities, funding and outreach opportunities, and provides the necessary technical and provides the necessary technical assistance to take advantage of these assistance to take advantage of these programs.programs.

Established in 1989, the (PLJV) was the Established in 1989, the (PLJV) was the seventh habitat joint venture to seventh habitat joint venture to implement the goals of the North implement the goals of the North American Waterfowl Management Plan. American Waterfowl Management Plan.

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

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

Playa lakes are a keystone aspect of Playa lakes are a keystone aspect of the ecosystems in which they occur.the ecosystems in which they occur.

Under current use and conditions Under current use and conditions these aquifers are being lost.these aquifers are being lost.

Education and conservation are the Education and conservation are the key to reversing current trends and key to reversing current trends and saving these vital habitats.saving these vital habitats.

Any Questions?Any Questions?