The climate of the basin is characterized by moderate to low precipitation, relatively high wind velocities, fairly rapid rates of evaporation, a wide range of temperatures and abrupt, sometimes violent changes in weather. The economy of the basin is very dependent on agriculture. Crops grown include wheat, com, grain sorghum, soybeans, forage sorghum and alfalfa. Livestock production is an important phase of the area agriculture. Beef cattle are the predominant livestock produced in the basin.
Large cattle feeding operations are common.
Beef processing is also a major economic factor in the basin. Irrigation is widespread and extremely important to the area economy. Just under 90 percent of the basin is cropland of which about 20 percent is irrigated. All or parts of the 12 of the counties in the basin are covered by Groundwater Management District No. 3. This is a highly important water management force in the basin.