U.S. flagAn official website of the United States government
                    Here's how you know **Official websites use .gov**
                            
                            A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
 **Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
                            
                            A **lock** (                            
                              A locked padlock                                                      
                            
                            ) or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.


Menu Agricultural Research Service
						
                    U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
 Wind Erosion and Water Conservation Research: Lubbock, TX
 close



    Research

                    Research Projects
                                    Publications
                                    Collaborations
                                    News
                                    Software
                People

                    Staff Listing
                                    CareersSearch small
                    Search
            
            ARS Home
                                About ARS
                                Contact Us




ARS Home Plains Area Lubbock, Texas Cropping Systems Research Laboratory Wind Erosion and Water Conservation Research Research Publications at this Location





- ARS National Programs
- Search for a scientific manuscript
- Search for a research project
- ARS Software
- Programs and Projects
- Collaborations
- Subjects of Investigation
- Publications

Title:   Author  item
                                            VILLARREAL, CARLOS - Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS, USDA)item
                                            ZARTMAN, RICHARD - Texas Tech Universityitem
                                            HUDNALL, WAYNE - Texas Tech Universityitem
                                            Gitz, Dennisitem
                                            RAINWATER, KEN - Texas Tech Universityitem
                                            SMITH, LOREN - Oklahoma State University
  Submitted to: Trade Journal Publication
                                    Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
                                    Publication Acceptance Date: 12/1/2011
                                    Publication  Date: 5/3/2012
                                    Citation: Villarreal, C., Zartman, R., Hudnall, W., Gitz, D.C., Rainwater, K., Smith, L. 2012. Spatial Distribution and Morphology of Sediments in Texas Southern High Plains Playa Wetlands. Texas Water Journal. 3(1):1-13.Interpretive Summary: Fresh water playa wetlands are shallow basin that catch water on the Southern High Plains. The water in playas is used by natural plant species, forage crops such as wheat, wildlife, and cattle. Playas thought to be the primary source of Ogallala Aquifer recharge. When the land around playas is tilled, sediments can wash into the playas, eventually filling them. We found that cropland playas had the most sediments being washed into them. But we also found that playas surrounded by grasslands and used primarily for ranching are also being filled, though much more slowly. This work is important because if the playas fill, more water could be  lost to evaporation and less available for aquifer recharge.
                                Technical Abstract: Playas are depressional geomorphic features on the U.S. High Plains and about 20,000 Southern High Plains playa wetlands serve as runoff catchment basins, which are thought to be focal points of Ogallala aquifer recharge.  Sediments in playas can alter biodiversity services, impede aquifer recharge, and increase evaporative water losses.  The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of watershed cultivation systems on post-cultural sediment deposition in three pairs of cropland/native grassland playas in Briscoe, Floyd, and Swisher counties of Texas.   A hydraulic probe was used to collect soil cores to 2 m or to refusal depth at 25 possible locations in each playa.  Particle size distribution and soil color effectively identified sediment additions to the playas.  Soil color transitions with depth from very dark grayish brown (10YR 3/2) to very dark gray (10YR 3/1) were always found in cropland playas, but not in grassland playas.  Particle size distribution was more useful in identifying sediment distribution than type.  Sediment volume in each playa was calculated from sediment thicknesses at the sampling locations and from sediment thicknesses interpolated between sampling locations using a kriging model.  Sediment volume was directly related to watershed land use with more accumulated sediment in cropped playas than in grassland playas.  Erosion of cultivated watersheds near playas contributes sediments that decrease playa depth and can result in increased evaporative water losses and decreased aquifer recharge.


Return to top


Connect with ARS Sign up


ARS Home
                            USDA.gov
                            Plain Writing
                            Policies & Links
                            Civil Rights Statements
                            FOIA
                            Accessibility Statement
                            Privacy Policy
                            Non-Discrimination Statement
                            Quality of Information
                            USA.gov
                            WhiteHouse.gov