A functioning playa provides water to recharge the aquifer. There's also a whole community of wetland plants and invertebrates that need the very shallow water found in a healthy playa. These plants and invertebrates provide food for migrating birds. But when a playa has a pit, it is like "pulling the drain in a bathtub" and it no longer holds water very well. Rehabilitating playas by filling pits restores natural function to those wetlands.
PARTICIPANTS:
Angela Safranek
Rangeland Mgmt Spec
U.S. Forest Service
Pueblo, CO
Dr. Ken Rainwater
Prof. Civil & Environmental Engineering
Texas Tech University
Lubbock, TX
Grady Grissom
Partner-Rancho Largo Cattle Co.
Fowler, CO
Dr. Anne Bartuszevige
Conservation Science Director
Playa Lakes Joint Venture
Lafayette, CO
Produced by Playa Lakes Joint Venture.