PLAYAS PROVIDE CLEAN WATER|WILDLIFE HABITAT|A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE

Playas provide clean water for Kansans and habitat for wildlife. By conserving playas, you can help them continue to work for Kansas—for generations to come.

Playa Benefits YOUR OPTIONS
For People, Not Just Wildlife

Playa Benefits

Playas provide important wildlife habitat, but they also provide many benefits for people such as cleaner water going back into the Ogallala aquifer that can support families and towns, recreational activities, and flood control.

Groundwater Recharge

Playas are a primary source of groundwater recharge, with an average rate across the region of about three inches per year.

Cleaner Water

Playas are water filtration systems—keeping fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides out of the groundwater.

Recreation

Playas attract wildlife, providing local waterfowl and upland game bird hunting and wildlife viewing opportunities.

Flood Control

Playas collect runoff during high rains, reducing property damage from flooding and reducing erosion.

Information and Resources

Latest News

Events

Making Playas Profitable Workshop

Want to know more about playas, the benefits they provide, and how to manage them as part of a profitable operation? Learn that and more at the 7th Annual Playa …

Read More News

“Why I Conserve Playas”

Watch these videos to learn why agricultural producers in western Kansas are restoring and preserving their playas. Each video features a farmer or rancher talking about the benefits they receive by enrolling their playas in conservation programs—from financial returns, hunting habitat, and groundwater recharge to preserving history and leaving a legacy for future generations.

Leaving a Legacy Leaving a Legacy
How Playas Work How Playas Work
Tomorrow’s Water Tomorrow's Water
All Sorts of Wildlife All Sorts of Wildlife
From Dust to Ducks From Dust to Ducks
Leaving a Legacy Leaving a Legacy
Making a Difference for Future Generations Making a Difference for Future Generations
Putting Money in My Pocket Putting Money in My Pocket
Water for Communities Water for Communities

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A Temporary Lake or Pond

What Are Playas?

Playas—also called mud holes, buffalo wallows, and lagoons—are relatively small, round, shallow depressions found primarily in the western Great Plains. Their basins are lined with clay soil, which collects and holds water from rainfall and runoff, creating temporary lakes.

Wet-Dry Cycle is Essential

The extreme wet-dry cycle that playas experience is the lifeblood of their ecosystem. When dry, the clay soils contract and form large cracks in the bottom of the playa basin. Plant seeds and invertebrate eggs from the last wet period lay dormant in the soil, waiting for the next large rainfall to germinate and hatch. When the rain comes, the first flush of water runs into the playa and through the cracks, beginning its journey to the underlying aquifer. As the runoff continues, the clay soils expand; the cracks seal and the playa begins to fill with water. Wetland plants and invertebrates complete their life-cycle, and birds and mammals use the playa for food, water, and shelter.

Hot Spot for Wildlife

In this grassland landscape, playas are the main source of water, providing much-needed rest stops and food to migrating waterfowl and shorebirds as well as resident prairie birds. Playas are the center of biodiversity on the plains—supporting 185 bird species, 450 plant species, 13 amphibian species, and 37 mammal species at some point in their life-cycle.

Threats to Playas

The greatest continuing threat to playas is culturally-accelerated sediment accumulation from row-crop agriculture. These sediments may interfere with the shrinking and swelling of the clay layer, which is vital to aquifer recharge, and reduce playa volume and length of time a playa will hold water, which significantly affects the plant and wildlife community supported by the playa. Modifications such as pits, ditches, berms, and roads also pose a threat to playas. These modifications concentrate water in a smaller area, thus reducing suitable habitat for water-dependent birds.

What scientists say

Groundwater Recharge

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. Click on a photo below to read what they had to say.

Amount of Recharge
A primary source of recharge to the Ogallala Aquifer
Water Quality
Higher quality water reaching the Ogallala Aquifer
Direct Benefits
Recharge to the Ogallala Aquifer stays in that area

Clean water for the future

Clean Water for Future Generations

Recharge Directly Benefits Playa Owner

management tools

Playa Recharge & Wetness

Use the Playa Recharge and Wetness Estimators to explore the playa landscape, calculate an estimate of how much water recharges through individual playas, and learn about past patterns of wetness for playas in different seasons.

To learn how to use these tools, watch the Recharge Estimator tutorial and Wetness Estimator tutorial videos.

In their own words

Landowner Stories

Dale Schmidt
Farmer

No More Farming Through a Mudhole

"The wetland is productive when you don’t get too much rain, but drought years are the best years."

In a normal year's precipitation, Dale says he might have been planting in mud or harvesting in mud, and with the cost of inputs these days, well. . .

“I decided to enroll it in a Wetlands Reserve Easement; I went with a lifetime perpetual easement. On a normal year, I was going to lose to flooding maybe 25% of that crop. So I decided to enroll. Since then, I’m very pleased. I put back into conservation what really should have probably stayed in something like that. It is a low lying, very heavily clayed property.”

This project is reaching well beyond the property boundaries to improve watershed health, to help recharge the Equus Beds Aquifer, and to provide wonderful habitat for migratory birds and other wildlife.

Chester Peterson
Rancher

Protecting the Heritage and Legacy of this Land

“This land is historic. Spanish explorer Francisco Vasquez de Coronado came north out of Mexico looking for seven silver cities this Indian told him about. He got up to central Kansas, and being human, you know he’s going to go to the highest point of land in the area to look further north and east for a village or city. On a full-moon night, you might be up there and say, ‘Hey, Coronado may have walked here.’”

“If I put four wind turbines on that 1,335 acres, I would double what I’d make from grass rental, so I can see why it’s attractive to some people. But, you know, when you do that, you’re selling something. You’re selling a part of yourself, a part of your heritage. With this perpetual easement, there can be no wind turbines or oil wells. There can’t be antennas. It can’t be sub-divided. It’s going to look just like it was in primeval times before the white man came. I wanted to preserve that.”

Doug Duell
Farmer

Every Little Bit Helps Replenish the Aquifer

“One of my fields has a pretty large playa—we used to call them lagoons—and it seemed like every other year or so we’d get a big rain and that thing would fill up and whatever we planted would pretty much die by being submerged in water.”

The NRCS approached his dad about enrolling that wetland in a Wetlands Reserve Easement, which they did.

“Wildlife enhancement has a lot to do with it. If in fact it is replenishing the Ogallala Aquifer, that is super great! I realize it takes a lot of these [playas] to make a difference. It’s hard to imagine when you only have one, that when that [water] sinks down it’s going to help the aquifer, but every little bit helps.”

“It takes several good rains over the summer to keep it full, but we did notice there was a lot of wildlife came around there when it had water in it.”

A few facts about Kansas playas
22,046
playas in Kansas
85 %
of acres in cropland
15 %
of acres in grassland
3.7
average size (acres)
We Can Help

Exploring your options

We know that every decision by every landowner is a personal one, driven by unique experiences and circumstances. Understanding those decisions can only be appreciated through personal conversations. Our biologists are here to help—from identifying playa management options that fit with your operational goals to assisting with conservation program enrollment—at no cost to you.

Listen to Your Concerns

We tour your playa, listen to your concerns and discuss your operational and habitat goals.

Weigh Options Against Goals

We explain various management and conservation options and discuss how they fit with your goals.

Provide Recommendations

Based on your goals, we provide recommendations for programs or management changes.

Assist with Paperwork

We help you understand how each conservation program works and navigate the enrollment process.

Discuss Management Options to Fit Your Goals

Contact Us
Financial and Technical Assistance

Playa Conservation Programs

These are a few of the conservation programs for playas. Visit our Conservation Programs page for more information or talk to a biologist to learn more about these and other options that may work for you.

Wetland Reserve Easements

$
Good for wetland and adjacent acres
  • 30-year or permanent easement
  • Up to 75% of restoration cost
  • Payment based on Geographic Area Rate Cap
  • Administered by USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
Learn More

Conservation Reserve Program

Good for fields that contain multiple playas
  • 10-15 year program
  • Entire field must be planted to a native grass/forb mix
  • Annual rental payment based on soil types
  • Enroll during set period
  • Administered by USDA Farm Service Agency
Learn More

Continuous Conservation Reserve Program

$29.9
Good for a playa and adjacent acres
  • 10-15 year program
  • Annual rental payment based on soil types
  • Sign-up incentive
  • Practice incentive
  • Enroll any time
  • Administered by USDA Farm Service Agency
Learn More

Habitat First State Program

Good for buffer or exclusion fence around small playa
  • Up to 75% of establishment costs
  • One-time payment
  • Not enrolled in a multi-year contract
  • Administered by Kansas Department of Wildlife & Parks
Learn More
Management tools

Playa Land Use Calculator

Explore options for managing playas in fields that are typically farmed and determine how USDA conservation programs can meet your operational objectives. Download the Microsoft Excel spreadsheet (version 1.2, updated Feb. 14, 2022) and customize your calculations with individual operational costs, local rates for conservation programs, and more.

To learn how to use the calculator, watch the tutorial video.

Schedule a Visit

Contact Us
talk to a biologist

GET IN TOUCH

Looking for information about how to manage your playas? We can help you sort through the options, provide technical and financial assistance, and find the solution that is right for you. Contact one of our biologists listed below, send us a message or call the Private Landowner Habitat Assistance line at 844.422.2778.

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    Aaron Baugh

    Clark, Ford, Hodgeman, and Meade Counties
    620.227.8609

    Abby McGuire

    Cheyenne, Sherman, and Wallace Counties
    785.462.7993

    Abe Lollar

    Western and Central Kansas
    620.214.2693

    Andy Nelson

    Barton, Ellis, Rush, and Ness Counties
    785.628.8614

    Brandon Tritsch

    Osborne and Smith Counties
    785.545.3345

    Brittany Smith

    Western and Central Kansas
    620.450.6798

    Eric Wiens

    Graham, Norton, Phillips, Rooks, and Trego Counties
    785.250.4298

    Evan Rodgers

    Decatur, Rawlins, and Cheyenne Counties
    785.475.3131

    Jacob Christiansen

    Edwards, Kiowa, and Pratt Counties
    620.549.3321 ext 110

    James Svaty

    Russell County
    785.420.0002

    Joe Kramer

    Western and Central Kansas
    620.388.5878

    Kevin Klag

    Rawlins, Decatur, Thomas, Sheridan, Logan, and Gove Counties
    785.462.3367

    Kevin Luman

    Lane, Gray, and Haskell Counties
    620.227.8609

    Kraig Schultz

    Stanton, Grant, Morton, Stevens, and Seward Counties
    620.450.8287

    Kurtis Meier

    Greeley, Wichita, Hamilton, Kearny, Scott, and Finney Counties
    620.276.8886

    Logan Shoup

    Edwards, Kiowa, Pawnee, and Pratt Counties
    620.450.7215

    Marina Osier

    Finney, Greeley, Hamilton, Hodgeman, Kearny, Lane, Ness, Scott, and Wichita Counties
    620.805.3921

    Matt Hough

    Western and Central Kansas
    308.850.2717

    Matt Smith

    Western and Central Kansas
    785.420.7000

    Tanner Liby

    Clark, Ford, Grant, Gray, Haskell, Meade, Morton, Seward, Stanton, and Stevens Counties
    620.624.2421 ext 117

    USDA Service Centers

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    We're here to help

    Meet Our Team

    Aaron Baugh, KDWPT
    Counties: Clark, Ford, Hodgeman, Meade
    Abby McGuire, KDWPT
    Counties: Cheyenne, Sherman, Wallace
    Abe Lollar, Ducks Unlimited
    Area: Western and Central Kansas
    Andrew Nelson, KDWPT
    Counties: Barton, Ellis, Rush, Ness
    Brandon Tritsch, KDWPT
    Counties: Osborne, Smith
    Brittany Smith, Pheasants Forever
    Area: Western and Central Kansas
    Eric Wiens, KDWPT
    Counties: Graham, Norton, Phillips, Rooks, Trego
    Evan Rodgers, Pheasants Forever
    Counties: Decatur, Rawlins, Cheyenne
    Jacob Christiansen, Pheasants Forever
    Counties: Pratt, Kiowa, Edwards
    James Svaty, KDWPT
    COUNTIES: RUSSELL
    Joe Kramer, DUCKS UNLIMITED
    Area: Western and Central Kansas
    Kevin Klag, KDWPT
    Counties: Decatur, Gove, Logan, Rawlins, Sheridan, Thomas
    Kevin Luman, KDWPT
    Counties: Gray, Haskell, Lane
    Kraig Schultz, KDWPT
    Counties: Grant, Morton, Seward, Stanton, Stevens
    Kurtis Meier, KDWPT
    Counties: Finney, Greeley, Hamilton, Kearny, Wichita
    Logan Shoup, KDWPT
    Counties: Edwards, Kiowa, Pawnee, Pratt
    Marina Osier, Pheasants Forever
    Counties: Greeley, Wichita, Scott, Lane, Ness, Hodgeman, Finney, Kearny, Hamilton
    Matt Hough, DUCKS UNLIMITED
    Area: Western and Central Kansas
    Matt Smith, Playa Lakes Joint Venture
    Area: Western and Central Kansas
    Tanner Liby, Pheasants Forever
    Counties: Seward, Stevens, Morton, Haskell, Stanton, Grant, Ford, Clark, Meade, Gray
    Conservation Partners