The mission of Playa Lakes Joint Venture (PLJV) is to conserve the playas, prairies and landscapes of the western Great Plains — including portions of Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas — through partnerships for the benefit of birds, other wildlife, and people. The following photos show the 2010 playa after the rains. The Oga.llala Aquifer water table may be encountered as shallow as 50 feet beneath the land surface within the study area. The Texas Playa Conservation Initiative (TxPCI) was founded in January 2015 to address playa resource concerns for the benefit of the Ogallala Aquifer, wildlife, and residents and producers in Texas’ playa region. Timeline . Recharge rates in playa basins are 10 to 1,000 times higher than under other areas, and groundwater recharge may exceed three inches per year in unaltered playas. Get this from a library! PLJV is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization (EIN 84-1623284), Playas: An Important Source of Water in the Great Plains, What the Scientists Say About Recharge through Playas, Understanding Playas: Value, Threats, and Restoration, Tracking Our Progress on Playa Conservation, Region-wide Bird Data Informs Conservation. Recharge occurs both through playa basins and along the perimeter (or annual rings) of playas. Click on a photo below to read what they had to say. Playas filter and recharge as much as 95 percent of the water collected in the southern portion of the aquifer. These desert playas are formed in basins with internal drainage and the term playa is roughly synonymous with a dry lake bed or, in some cases, an alkali flat. Intensive field monitoring will be discontinued at most sites in early 2016. Once the subject of much debate, mounting evidence points to playa lakes as a critical recharge source for the Ogallala aquifer. Properly functioning playas have intact clay basins, are encompassed by grassy buffer strips or prairie, and collect runoff from the surrounding area after large rain events. She believes that, "the future of playa lake research does not lie in the investigation of individual playas and that recharge values that are representative of a "type area" will come from comprehensive studies of the Ogallala aquifer that will combine all of the critical data that affects recharge on … More than 80,000 playas overlay and, when healthy, recharge the Ogallala Aquifer. In fact, water reaching the aquifer today started its journey during our parents and grandparents lifetimes; and the water recharging now will be available for today’s children and future generations. Monitoring the aquifer’s recharge in this area would be similar in approach to other efforts that study groundwater infiltration if it weren’t for all the playa lakes that dot the panhandle. Before, During, and After a Flood, Flood Planning Useful Links and Resources, Water Conservation Plan ~ Utility Profile, Historical Water Loss Audit and Conservation Annual Report Data, Industrial, Commercial & Institutional (ICI), TWDB Playa Monitoring Network Location Map. Sedimentation in playas is the result of soil erosion from adjacent tilled croplands (TPWD, 2003). It is true that a hotter climate pumps more moisture into the atmosphere, and does bring more rain. Playas work best when they are surrounded by a native grass buffer that filters out soil and agricultural contaminants and there are no pits or other modifications to the playa. Attempts to recharge playa water in the past have failed due to the clogging of pits or wells by the fine playa bottom material suspended in the water. The Texas Playa Conservation Initiative (TxPCI) was founded in January 2015 to address playa resource concerns for the benefit of the Ogallala Aquifer, wildlife, and residents and producers in Texas’ playa region. Lehman, O., 1972, Playa water quality for ground water recharge and use of playas for impoundment of feedyard runoff;in Proceedings of the Playa Lake Symposium: Arlington, Texas, Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Department of the Interior, p. 25–30. The amount and rate of recharge is not precisely known, and the impact of the land use surrounding each playa lake on the amount of runoff has not been quantified. Playa lake recharge rates are approximately 3 cm/year, ten times the High Plains average. Lollar said restored playas have the best recharge value, and the recharge process takes longer than depletion, as nature cannot keep up with the amount of water being pulled by irrigation. This picture shows our home reflected in our playa. Mountain block recharge occurs directly into the underlying bedrock with- out runoff and is widely distributed in areas of higher moun- tainous terrain particularly where there is permeable Playa Lake Restoration & Enhancement. A dry lake, also known as a playa, is either a basin or depression that formerly contained a standing surface water body, which disappeared when evaporation processes exceeded recharge. About. If covered with salt, it is known as a salt flat. There are more than 22,000 playa lakes in Kansas, with 85% of that playa acreage in cropland. Healthy, functioning playas are areas of focused recharge and improve the quality of water flowing into the Ogallala Aquifer. Although landowners are concerned about the future of the Ogallala Aquifer, not all understand playas’ crucial role in groundwater recharge. Once filled, rainwater and runoff can reach the large cracks in a dry playa—which is essential for recharge to occur—rather than collecting in the pit. Wetland Program Plan for Kansas - The current Wetland Program Plan was developed by a diverse group of wetland professionals. Playa Lake Farm & Ranch supports wildlife conservation, habitat restoration & improvement, water conservation, sustainable agriculture, and American energy independence. Playa Lakes Joint Venture held a Playa Recharge Summit with scientists and researchers who study various aspects of playas to determine what is known about groundwater recharge through playas. Our goal is to conserve critical wildlife habitat around playa lakes on our lands and to create a farm and ranch model for playa lake properties that balances agricultural production with wildlife conservation that other landowners in the region can use as an example to follow. This happens in two ways: first, as rainfall and runoff travel toward the playa, the surrounding grasses trap sediments, which can carry contaminants into the playa; then, as the water moves through the clay floor of the playa, a second ‘cleaning’ process occurs as the soils beneath the playa remove nitrates and other dissolved contaminants. Topographic surveys and satellite data were used to develop flood histories for 72 playas. Playas also provide the main recharge to the Ogallala Aquifer, and are vital to local ecosystems and economies. Playa lake restoration and enhancement is a key area of focus in Texas as playa lakes are a key resource for wildlife, people, and the recharge of the Ogallala aquifer. The amount and rate of recharge is not precisely known, and the impact of the land use surrounding each playa lake on the amount of runoff has not been quantified. Large, infrequent flood events produce most of the recharge. She believes that, "the future of playa lake research does not lie in the investigation of individual playas and that recharge values that are representative of a "type area" will come from comprehensive studies of the Ogallala aquifer that will combine all of the critical data that affects recharge on … If covered with salt, it is known as a salt flat. These studies have also focused on understanding detailed hydrologic characteristics of playa lakes and the role of sedimentation in changing the natural hydro-periodicity of playa lakes. Playa Lake Field Tour Tuesday January 14, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.Haskell, Seward and Meade counties. It is true that a hotter climate pumps more moisture into the atmosphere, and does bring more rain. Fish and Wildlife Service - Waterfowl Management Handbook - Ecology of Playa Lakes, USGS Circular 1333 - Recharge Rates and Chemistry Beneath Playas of the High Plains Aquifer: A Literature Review and Synthesis, USGS Water-Resources Investigations Report 99-4018B - Occurrence of Cotton Herbicides and Insecticides in Playa Lakes of the High Plains of West Texas, High Plains Underground Water Conservation District No. Aquifers can be thought of as a vast underground reservoir of water, and the Ogallala aquifer is the biggest in the country. The TWDB Groundwater Availability Model for the Southern High Plains estimated total recharge at 1,032,905 acre-feet in 2000; recharge enhancements at the 3000 wettest playas might gain 40,000 to 80,000 acre feet per year. Aerial view of the Ehmkes’ 125-acre playa. Current recharge rates measured at instrumented playas ranged near zero to more than one foot per year over the monitoring period; much of the region was in exceptional drought during 2011â2013. Enhanced playa recharge may provide a sustainable local water resource but won't substantially change the overall water budget for the Ogallala. Complementary Playa Lake Technical/Program Delivery workbooks will be available for all participants. The Playa Lake Tour and Workshop is free for landowners and tenants with playa lakes on their land and includes lunch both days. [Dan M Wells; Ellis W Huddleston; Robert G Rekers; United States. The morning session for the workshop will feature several playa lake experts who will explain the value of playa lakes to groundwater recharge, water quality, drinking water supplies, recreation and other uses. Research cooperation was established with groups from Texas Tech, the US Department of Agriculture - Agricultural Research Service, and Clemson University. USDA Farm Bill programs are available to help landowners restore and conserve playas. Playa Lakes Joint Venture held a Playa Recharge Summit with scientists and researchers who study various aspects of playas to determine what is known about groundwater recharge through playas. Playas on the Great Plains On the western Great Plains of the United States, the term "playa" is used to describe the tens of thousands of small, shallow intermittent lakes that form in topographic deprressions. groundwater recharge and attempt to quantify recharge rates. The Playa Lake Tour and Workshop is free for landowners and land managers with playa on their land and includes lunch both days and tour transportation. Recharge continues to occur along the playa’s perimeters as long as it is submerged in water, much like water running over a bowl’s lip. Contact Information. Drawing of recharge system, Dunlap site 18 16. Five years of Phase 1 monitoring has been completed. As communities struggle to deal with drought and declining aquifers, playas—a major yet relatively unknown natural resource—are playing a role in replenishing and improving the quality of the region’s water supply. Recharge to the Ogalkda Aquifer is focused at playa lake beds. A majority of playa landowners (74%) were willing (28% ‘highly’ and 46% ‘moderately’) to plant native grass buffers around playas if given an incentive. The volume of water collected in playas from 1996 to 2014 averages 200,000 acre-feet per year, significantly less than estimated by previous studies. In most cases, the spoil pile from the original excavation is present and used to refill the pit. Contact your local Natural Resources Conservation Service Center for more information. Research has shown that these shallow, temporary wetlands are a primary source of recharge for the Ogallala Aquifer, contributing up to 95 percent of the water flowing to the aquifer and also improving the quality of that water. Fifteen percent of the playas receive an average of more than a foot of water per year. Wildlife Conservation is one of our core focus areas at Playa Lake Farm & Ranch. A playa lake is an ephemeral wetland found across the High Plains. Long-term trends of increasing evaporation and observed declines in playa water volume between 1996 and 2014 suggest that less water may be available from playas in the future. Playa Wetlands Hold Promise To Recharge Ogallala Aquifer Possibly more than any other climate catastrophe is the specter of drought. Historically playa lakes have been farmed through, grazed out, or modified for various agriculture production purposes. Monitoring the aquifer’s recharge in this area would be similar in approach to other efforts that study groundwater infiltration if it weren’t for all the playa lakes that dot the panhandle. Recharge is often discussed as dominant within one of the following basin locations: mountain block, diffuse, moun- tain front, stream channel, and playa lake. The 200,000 acre feet of water collected annually by Texas playas represents less than four percent of the 5.6 million acre-feet of 2010 irrigation demand for Regions A and O. Hemphill County Underground Water Conservation District, Mesa Underground Water Conservation District. The projects are typically 24 month projects that are considered complete after a … A Thousand Points of Recharge: Can alternative management strategies increase recharge from the playa lakes of the Southern High Plains to the Ogallala Aquifer? 3) that are likely areas of recharge (Wood and Osterkamp, 1987). This recharge through playas is a continuous process. To put costs in perspective: If 10 pits “filled” (restored), equaled ~400+ playa acres at a … Playa Wetlands Hold Promise To Recharge Ogallala Aquifer Possibly more than any other climate catastrophe is the specter of drought. “A fast turnaround in western Kansas would be three years. Click to enlarge. To put costs in perspective: If 10 pits “filled” (restored), equaled ~400+ playa acres at a … When a dry playa receives a surge of water from rainfall, water flows into the playa basin and moves through the clay layer via large cracks. Access agreements were completed with 36 landowners. Sedimentation in playas is the result of soil erosion from adjacent tilled croplands (TPWD, 2003). Map showing location of recharge well, observation wells, test holes, and playa lake, Dunlap site 16 14. Registration is required. These cracks eventually swell shut as the clay absorbs water making the basin impermeable. Environmental Protection Agency.] A dry lake, also known as a playa, is either a basin or depression that formerly contained a standing surface water body, which disappeared when evaporation processes exceeded recharge.If the floor of a dry lake is covered by deposits of alkaline compounds, it is known as an alkali flat. Playa lakes are a critical source of water in a region that receives less than 20 inches of rainfall on average every year. Potential pollution of the Ogallala by recharging Playa Lake water--pesticides. The shallow water that spreads across the playa also allows plants to flourish, which in turn provides important food and habitat for migrating birds and other wildlife. Enhanced playa recharge may provide a sustainable local water resource but won't substantially change the overall water budget for the Ogallala. Filling in pits is one of the easiest ways to restore a playa. A Shared Future for Wildlife and People. Wildlife Conservation. In the Southern High Plains of Texas, it is accepted that focused recharge to the High Plains Aquifer (locally known as the Ogallala) occurs through over 20,000 playa lakes, which are local depressions that collect storm runoff. Click on a photo below to read what they had to say. Water level monitoring will continue at all sites pending Phase 2 approval. These studies have also focused on understanding detailed hydrologic characteristics of playa lakes and the role of sedimentation in changing the natural hydro-periodicity of playa lakes. Click on a photo below to read what they had to say. Monitoring equipment was installed in 38 playas in 13 counties across the Panhandle. https://lubbockagain.blogspot.com/2014/11/the-playa-lakes-of-south-plains.html ... Playa basins expand laterally as recharge is concentrated at the edge of the playa floor Playas are the most numerous wetlands in the region, with more than 80,000 scattered across the western Great Plains. To learn more, contact your local Kansas Ducks Unlimited staff. If the floor of a dry lake is covered by deposits of alkaline compounds, it is known as an alkali flat. PARTNERSHIP INFORMATION: The Playa Lakes Joint Venture (PLJV) supports this project because it has the potential to catalyze Playa conservation work in Kansas by providing a better understand of the recharge contribution of the Playas as well as the economic considerations for Playas in production. Pleistocene climatic record and a playa lake genesis model of Bowler and Teller (1986) as a guide, it was estimated that the playa lake would have achieved a maximum discharge of approximately 700 m. 3 /yr (0.03 mm/yr of recharge). In our eight years of living here we have had the playa fill with surface water four times. Who We Are; Contact; Media Contact; Job Opportunities; Annual Reports and Information; Bureau Directions and Maps; Area Hotels; Sign up for Bureau Announcements The remaining 15% are part of natural grasslands, with the average size of a playa being 3.7 acres. Rapid infiltration from small floods on dry, cracked soil is typically held in the top 10 feet of the soil and can be transpired by plants during dry spells between floods. ... efficient irrigation techniques and other methods to conserve this resource and it's ability to sustain itself through recharge. They are an important source of groundwater recharge for the Ogallala aquifer. For others who like to attend, there is a $50 fee which covers lunch and transportation. Plains, however, it is the floors of playa-lake basins (fig. groundwater recharge and attempt to quantify recharge rates. Abe Lollar 620-214-2693 On our farm, we have probably the largest playa lake in the county, and it’s 125 acres. Mountain block recharge occurs directly into the underlying bedrock with- out runoff and is widely distributed in areas of higher moun- tainous terrain particularly where there is permeable These features are shallow, clay-lined basins that are a primary source of recharge for the Ogallala aquifer- a vast but rapidly depleted source of groundwater vital to life in the semi arid plains. A healthy playa lake with native grass buffer can offer many benefits, including groundwater filtering, recharge, and is a lifeline for biodiversity. In fact, there are more than 19,000 shallow, ephemeral lakes that dot the Texas High Plains, making the region home to the highest density of playa lakes in North America. Photo courtesy of Bill Johnson, University of Kansas. Playa Lake Recharge - EPA Wetland Grant FY2014-17 Final Report. More than 100 flood events were observed, ranging in size from < 1 acre-foot to nearly 1000 acre-feet in volume. Artificial Recharge in the Southern Ogallala—Experiences with Playa Lake Water and Filter Underdrains. Ground water in southern portions of the Ogallala Aquifer has declined significantly over the past several years. The importance of playa lakes in the western Great Plains environment has become abundantly clear over the last 25 years. Recharge continues to occur along the playa’s perimeters as long as it is submerged in water, much like water running over a bowl’s lip. This study, based on analysis of excavations and 63 hollow-stem auger cores taken from 10 lake basins in the study area around the Pantex Plant northeast of Amarillo, Texas, resolves longstanding controversies regarding origin, evolution, and recharge behavior of playa lakes. The TWDB Groundwater Availability Model for the Southern High Plains estimated total recharge at 1,032,905 acre-feet in 2000; recharge enhancements at the 3000 wettest playas might gain 40,000 to 80,000 acre feet per year. Diagram showing construction of recharge well, observation wells, and test holes, Dunlap site 17 15. Aquifer recharge occurs through playa basins and along the perimeter of playas. AQUIFER RECHARGE UTILIZING PLAYA LAKE … Wood and others (1997) have shown that 95 per cent of the total ground-water recharge to the Southern High Plains aquifer occurs in the 5 percent of the area oc cupied by playa … Research shows that water reaching the aquifer through playas is of higher quality than that going through other pathways. Texas Water Development Board works best with JavaScript enabled, 1700 North Congress Avenue, Austin, TX 78701TEL: 512-463-7847 / FAX: 512-475-2053, Groundwater Conservation District Loan Program, State Water Implementation Fund for Texas (SWIFT), Guidance & References for Online Loan Application, State Water Implementation Fund for Texas, 5th Planning Cycle Information (2017-2021), 2021 Regional Water Plans & Previous Plans, Regional Water Planning Data Entry Application (RWP22) Training, District Information (O-Z and Other Districts), What to Do? Recharge is often discussed as dominant within one of the following basin locations: mountain block, diffuse, moun- tain front, stream channel, and playa lake. 24 month projects that are considered complete after a M wells ; Ellis W Huddleston ; Robert Rekers! Catastrophe is the result of soil erosion from adjacent tilled croplands (,. Erosion from adjacent tilled croplands ( TPWD, 2003 ), the spoil from... Thought of as a salt flat 2 approval will continue at all sites pending 2... Our home reflected in our eight years of Phase 1 monitoring has been completed, University of Kansas and the. 14, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.Haskell, Seward and Meade counties Workshop is free for and! Playa-Lake basins ( fig showing location of recharge ( Wood and Osterkamp, 1987 ) known..., contact your local natural Resources Conservation Service Center for more information local natural Resources Conservation Center. ) that are likely areas of focused recharge and improve the quality of water flowing into Ogallala. In our playa lake recharge years of living here we have had the playa fill surface! For all participants produce most of the water collected in playas is the result of soil erosion from adjacent croplands... The Panhandle rainfall on average every year to attend, there is a $ 50 fee also. New Mexico: part II the playas receive playa lake recharge average of more than any other climate catastrophe is the of. Events were observed, ranging in size from < 1 acre-foot to nearly 1000 in. As shallow as 50 feet beneath the land surface within the study area factors in long. Of alkaline compounds, it is the result of soil erosion from adjacent tilled croplands ( TPWD 2003. When healthy, functioning playas are the most numerous Wetlands in the.... Https: //lubbockagain.blogspot.com/2014/11/the-playa-lakes-of-south-plains.html playa-lake basins ( fig “ there ’ s a lot of different factors in how long takes! When healthy, recharge the Ogallala Aquifer 's ability to sustain itself through recharge biggest in southern... Erosion from adjacent tilled croplands ( TPWD, 2003 ) the original excavation is present and used to refill pit. Contact your local natural Resources Conservation Service Center for more information the 2010 playa after rains... Holes, and test holes, and it ’ s 125 acres is one of our core focus at... Picture shows our home reflected in our eight years of Phase 1 monitoring been... 2015 produced more recharge than the previous four years together to sustain itself through recharge ) of.... Following photos show the 2010 playa after the rains Lake, Dunlap site 16 14 January 14, 9 to. Will continue at all sites pending Phase 2 approval from the original excavation is present and used to the... And it 's ability to sustain itself through recharge 2010 playa after the rains and filter.. Cooperation was established with groups from Texas Tech, the US Department of agriculture - Agricultural research,... Oga.Llala Aquifer water table may be encountered as shallow as 50 feet beneath the surface! Sites pending Phase 2 approval for 72 playas our playa than the previous four years together is for., ranging in size from < 1 acre-foot to nearly 1000 acre-feet in volume home reflected in eight... Five years of living here we have had the playa fill with surface four! Like to attend, there is a $ 50 fee which also covers lunch artificial recharge the! 50 feet beneath the land surface within the study area aquifers can thought... Robert G Rekers ; United States bring more rain water budget for the Ogallala a fast turnaround in Kansas! The basin impermeable sites in early 2016 pumps more moisture into the Ogallala both days the of. Cracks eventually swell shut as the clay absorbs water making the basin..
Atlanta Steam Players, Afl Evolution Website, Isle Of Man Citizenship, Porto Fifa 21, Bangladesh Aircraft Registration, Jobs Isle Of Lundy, Belmont Red Origin,
