Wetland vegetation helps break down pollutants and protect clean water supplies. Cheyenne Bottoms is a Kansas wetland area that provides food and shelter for millions of migrating waterfowl. Kansas has more than 25 reservoirs and lakes that provide water for boating, skiing, and fishing. A few recreational and fishing lakes are located in Southwest Kansas. Lakes and reservoirs serve as collection basins for watersheds, thus helping to control rainfall run-off.
Some reservoirs furnish a water supply for Kansas cities.