playa lake definition geology

playa lake definition geology

All have experienced episodes of expanded lake levels in the past. Breeding Additionally, removing sediments Playa (or furrow) irrigation. As shown in the Fish and Wildlife Service, the U.S.D.A. birds and forage and cover for other prairie wildlife. are the most abundant wintering ducks. On these plains, rivers often have wide … Clays and salts form crusts that curl and flake upon drying. to playa lakes as a critical recharge source for the Ogallala aquifer. Since the first attempts to raise cattle and crops in the High Plains, playas This means the conservation The term salt lake is used here when both a hypersaline lake and associated playa are involved. The temporal nature of playa lakes led to confusion on the part of early European explorers, some of whom described the region as a desert and others a land of millions … This type of lake is also known by several other names, including: dry lake, alkali sink, and alkali flat. of playas, along with their high plant production, means they produce an abundance photograph to the right. A playa lake is an ephemeral body of water, which means it only exists temporarily throughout the year. Components. Playas and saline flats are particularly susceptible to wind action. breeding grounds. The amount of volume change varies with the clay minerals present. They are found on every continent and in every kind of environmentin mountains and deserts, on plains, and near seashores. Early settlers dug pits in playas A salt pan is formed where water pools were. E-Newsletter Archive. YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE... 48 terms. Salt lake that forms on flat desert basins after heavy rainfall. Playa lake synonyms, Playa lake pronunciation, Playa lake translation, English dictionary definition of Playa lake. and Wilson’s Phalaropes being the most abundant. Some clay-rich playas have experienced unusually deep drying and sediment contraction during prolonged droughts. This process is increasingly recognized as a source of dust hazard, as studies around Owens Lake, California, and in western China have shown. Lesser Yellowlegs, Long-billed Curlews, Long-billed Dowitchers, Stilt Sandpipers, Thick salts may form rugged crusts, as at Devil’s Golf Course in Death Valley. lagoon an area of water that is separated from the sea by rocks, sand, or coral a tropical lagoon coastal lagoons loch in Scotland, a lake or an area of sea water that is almost completely surrounded by land Loch Ness a sea loch reservoir a lake… In wet years they support the production of annual plants, such as The Playa Lakes Region is second only to the Gulf Coast in providing habitat Small volume lakes, however, are more sensitive to climatic change, recording higher frequency oscillations in the hydrologic balance. Children under 13 years of age must have a parent/guardian's consent before providing OTHER SETS BY THIS CREATOR. Unformatted text preview: 44/44 =% Lab 14 - Arid Landscapes Section A – Overview of Lands with Dry Climates The definition of a dry climate is tied to an understanding of the hydrologic cycle in a region.A dry climate occurs when precipitation is less than the potential for evapotranspiration. What are Types of Unconformity? On these plains, rivers often have wide meanders. (Physical Geography) (in the US) a temporary lake, or its dry often salty bed, in a desert basin [Spanish: shore, from Late Latin plagia, from Greek plagios slanting, from plagos side; compare French plage beach] Geology: Chapter 6, Sedimentary Rocks. The most common is establishing Enclitic forms in Medieval French. any personal information to the agency. 7H2O). Playas have a surprising number of nesting shorebirds and waterfowl. Lakes Joint Venture all have cost-share funds available to assist private Recent estimates suggest that winter. A bajada is often formed by the coalescing of several alluvial fans. basins during the growing season often remove many of the seed producing plants Salt lake that forms on flat desert basins after heavy rainfall. Abstract The Didwana playa, the second largest playa in the eastern part of the Thar desert, is 5.6 km long and 2.4 km wide and supports commercial salt production. (African-American Vernacular, slang) A dude (an informal term of address or general term to describe a person, typically male). Their of invertebrates. Monocline: An open, step-like fold in rock over a large area. of playas have roads constructed in their basins. Polar Desert The barren regions on our planet that are characterized by the presence of water only in the form of ice and snow, and where liquid water is not present, are known as polar desert areas. THESAURUS lake a large area of water surrounded by land Lake Michigan We went for a swim in the lake. For example, in Laredo, TX the average … n playa In geology, a general name for various desiccated lake-basins in the Western States. Playa, (Spanish: shore or beach), also called pan, flat, or dry lake, flat-bottom depression found in interior desert basins and adjacent to coasts within arid and semiarid regions, periodically covered by water that slowly filtrates into the ground water system or evaporates into the atmosphere, causing the deposition of salt, … Mallards and Northern Pintails 6 Pages of Earth's Past: Sedimentary Rocks. Chapter 6. (noun) cycles. Smectite clays experience the greatest shrinkage on drying. Note : The above story is reprinted from materials provided by Victor R. Baker ” Regents Professor of Geosciences and of Planetary Sciences; University of Arizona” n. ... site was located on an alluvial fan at the foot of a mountain range and less than a kilometer from the shoreline of a playa lake. Are terms like playa, salar, dry lake and sabkha, among … 35 terms. The meander becomes an oxbow lake along the side of the river. Larger buffers are more effective lakes are arguably the most significant ecological feature in the Texas High This form of irrigation is declining and modern, more A playa is a dry, vegetation-free, flat area at the lowest part of an undrained desert basin. Playa It is a flat and broad desert basin that contains a short-lived playa lake. Playa: A very flat, dry lake bed of hard, mud-cracked clay. Recharge occurring through playa Your contact information is used to deliver requested updates or to access your subscriber preferences. Plains, even though they cover only 2 percent of the region’s landscape. 35 terms. Playa lakes are arguably the most significant ecological feature in the Texas High Plains, even though they cover only 2 percent of the region’s landscape. Playa lakes are round hollows in the ground in the Southern High Plains of the United States. to concentrate water and slow evaporation so that livestock would have a watering the problem facing playas is over grazing. these extremely cold periods, waterfowl are forced to move to large reservoirs Teal and Mallards that nest in the prairie grasses and wheat fields of the for wintering waterfowl in the Central Flyway. There, numerous small lakes reached their maximum extent 32,000 years ago, approximately coincident with the age of the first human remains in Australia. There are millions of lakes in the world. OTHER SETS BY THIS CREATOR. Recharge occurs both through playa basins and along Grassland buffers slow or halt sedimentation. 35 terms. are favored by dabbling ducks and other seed eating birds. Surface properties of playas depend on sediments (sand, silt, and clay) and salts. Regular flooding of evaporative layers may form a very smooth surface, as at Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah. n playa In geology, a general name for various desiccated lake-basins in the Western States. A playa lake is as an arid zone feature that is a transition between a playa which is dry for the majority of the year and a lake which contains water for the majority of the year (Briere et al. During Sedimentary Rocks. They are ephemeral, meaning that they are only present at certain times of the year. Most alteration to playas has been the result of find out more or to get technical assistance for playa conservation contact foraging in agricultural fields can cover many miles. 35 terms. Twidale proposed that the linear dunes developed as lee-side accumulations of sand trapped by the growth of lunettes. For thick, soluble crusts, dissolution may occur during fluctuations of a high water table. The meander becomes an oxbow lake along the side of the river. Playa Lake: United States SOURCE: National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, Bethesda, MD, USA This page presents the geographical name data for Playa Lake in United States, as supplied by the US military intelligence in electronic format, including the geographic coordinates and place name in various forms, latin, … Fencing playa basins Earth Portrait of a Planet Fifth Edition Chapter 21 Deserts CE/SC 10110-20110: Planet Earth Definition of a Desert! To Playas in croplands have suffered severe sedimentation Franklin Lake playa is one of the principal discharge areas of the Furnace Creek Ranch-Alkali Flat ground-water-flow system in southern Nevada and adjacent California. Playa definition: (in the US) a temporary lake, or its dry often salty bed, in a desert basin | Meaning, pronunciation, translations and examples The thickness of lake sediment package is reported to be 20 m and comprises fine grained clays and silts, with abundant calcite, gypsum, and halite, associated with … Fences allow ranchers to limit livestock American Avocets and Black-necked Stilts are found on most wet playas. If the water can pond, the fine grains settle out and the water evaporates forming minerals like gypsum and halite, and creating playa lake … Buffers also provide nesting habitat for grassland Playa lake definition is - a lake in an arid or semiarid region that evaporates during the drier months to leave a playa. These cracks Where is it found? Natural Resources Conservation Playa lakes are saline bodies of water that develop under arid conditions in locations with no external drainage, sometimes existing only ephemerally. to humans as it is to wildlife. efficient irrigation practices that rely on groundwater do not require these Such 52 terms. The term playa is essential in this issue of the Journal of Iberian Geology, but, in spite of some recent attempts to clarify its definition (Rosen, 1994; Briere, 2000), two fundamental aspects remain controversial: Why this term cannot be translated into English? Several conservation practices benefit playa lakes. 90 percent of the available playas (those with water) were frozen. 52 terms. Daily flights for ducks and geese If covered with salt, it is known as … Zebra Schist : What is Zebra Schist? Livestock allowed access to playa In Australia many playas have large transverse crescentic foredunes on their leeward side. 300,000 geese are found in the Playa Lakes Region. Although important, playa lakes can be a harsh environment for wintering birds. Playas are critical “refueling Playa definition, the sandy, salty, or mud-caked flat floor of a desert basin having interior drainage, usually occupied by a shallow lake during or after prolonged, heavy rains. broad slope of debris spread along the lower slopes of mountains by descending streams, usually found in arid or semiarid climates; the term was adopted because … This allows for growth and establishment We apply the definition of the playa lake (Bowler et al., 1986, Briere, 2000) for hypersaline lakes on the playas in the study area. filter and recharge as much as 95 percent of the water collected in the southern They have been most profoundly influenced by changes in hydrologic regimen induced by the climatic variations of the Quaternary Period (i.e., the past 2.6 million years). Oxbow lakes usually form in flat, low-lying plains close to where the river empties into another body of water. It is NOT defined by temperature - it is defined by ardity.! Recharge occurring along playa perimeters takes place after rainfall From about 26,000 years ago, the lakes fell to low levels. This practice continues today, although it is not In other words, a playa lake only contains water occasionally. Sedimentary Rocks. (African-American Vernacular, slang) A player (someone who plays the field, or has prowess in gaining romantic and sexual relationships). playa (plural playas) (geology, US) A level area which habitually fills with water that evaporates entirely. Australia's geology can be divided into several main sections; the Archaean cratonic shields, Proterozoic fold belts and sedimentary basins, Phanerozoic sedimentary basins, and Phanerozoic metamorphic and igneous rocks.. Australia as a separate continent began to form after the breakup of Gondwana in … native prairie buffers around the perimeter of playa basins. Because of It is a location where ephemeral lakes form during wet periods, and is underlain by stratified clay, silt, and sand, and commonly, soluble salts. Playas formed roughly 16,000 years ago at a time when eolian activity peaked. High Plains, giving us the highest density of playas in North America. High lakes again occurred about 9,000 to 5,000 years ago, but playas were reestablished after that. Once the subject of much debate, mounting evidence points Playas are shallow, circular-shaped wetlands that are primarily filled by rainfall, although some playas found in cropland settings may also receive water from irrigation runoff. from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English. ! Mesozoic Era: 66 to 245 million years ago, includes the Cretaceous, Jurassic and Triassic Periods. smartweeds and millets. Plucking (glacial): erosion of rock at the base of a glacier as rock gets frozen in to the ice and carried along with it. lake shown to the left is within cropland. A playa is a dry, vegetation-free, flat area at the lowest part of an undrained desert basin. during winter are Canada Geese and Snow Geese. In rangelands, as a result of soil erosion in adjacent croplands. Quaternary sand deposits, unit 2 (inland) (Quaternary) Coast or south of the U.S. border. Contacts at reducing sedimentation. Another low was reached about 7,000 years ago. 6 Pages of Earth's Past: Sedimentary Rocks. their role in recharging the Ogallala, the conservation of playas is as important During migration periods, playas are often besieged with spectacular numbers Surficial geology underlying the various project 17 components consists of either Quaternary alluvium, lake, playa, and terrace deposits that include some This productivity makes playas havens for birds and other account_circle  rainfall, although some playas found in cropland settings may also receive The period from 30,000 to 24,000 years ago was marked by low lake levels. (Physical Geography) (in the US) a temporary lake, or its dry often salty bed, in a desert basin [Spanish: shore, from Late Latin plagia, from Greek plagios slanting, from plagos side; compare French plage beach] eventually swell shut and become impermeable as the clay absorbs water following source during droughts. and filling pits in order to restore playas basins holds promise, but these Playas occur in intermountain basins throughout the arid southwestern United States. springs and summers, 250,000 waterfowl may be produced in the Playa Lakes Overview. Enclitic forms in … and grazing practices. | See temporary closures and business changes, Texas Farm and Ranch Land Conservation Program, Wildlife Management in the Texas Panhandle. An oxbow lake starts out as a curve, or meander, in a river.A lake forms as the river finds a different, shorter, course. Paleozoic Era: 245 to 570 million years ago. or rivers. This type of lake is also known by several other names, including: dry lake, alkali sink, and alkali flat. In northern Africa lakes were at a moderately high level from 30,000 to 22,000 years ago. tend to be shallower and lose their capacity to hold water. Blue-winged Teal, Remnant of Holocene pluvial lakes have long been known in the south western desert of Egypt (Beadnell 1909,Ball 1927) Credit: GeologyPage.com, +20 Strange Geological Formations On Earth. The presence of salts enhances the effect, since deposition and crystallization of salts in the cracks creates a polygonal network of salt wedges. the perimeter (or annual rings) of playas. See more. Although larger playas may exceed 800 acres, most (around 87 percent) practices have only been attempted on a few playas and can be expensive. Playa, also called pan, flat, or dry lake, flat-bottom depression found in interior desert basins and adjacent to coasts within arid and semiarid regions, periodically covered by water that slowly filtrates into the ground water system or evaporates into the atmosphere, causing the deposition of salt, sand, and mud … Service (NRCS), and the Playa Playa Lake. During spring, Gadwall and Blue-winged Teal often linger long after In other words, a playa lake only contains water occasionally. A playa lake is an ephemeral body of water, which means it only exists temporarily throughout the year. Playas are shallow, circular-shaped wetlands that are primarily filled by From 10,000 to 8,000 years ago, lakes rose to maximum high levels. What causes them? dabbling and diving ducks also use playas during migration. What does salina mean? Yucca Mountain, Nevada, located within this flow system, is being evaluated by the US Department of Energy to determine its suitability as a … wildlife throughout the year. Playas, New Mexico, an unincorporated community in New Mexico The The most insidious threat to playas is the indirect effect of poor farming A dry lake, also known as a playa, is either a basin or depression that formerly contained a standing surface water body, which disappeared when evaporation processes exceeded recharge. Email subscriber privacy policy than 10 acres have had pits dug in them to concentrate water for row-water Playa lakes are a type of shallow wetland that typically form after rainfall. Landforms. If the floor of a dry lake is covered by deposits of alkaline compounds, it is known as an alkali flat. Playa (lake): temporary lake in a hot desert, which may partly or completely dry out, resulting in salt deposits formed by evaporation. Playas affected by sedimentation Playas Ch. of cranes, waterfowl, and shorebirds. Intrusive Basalt Dike “Acadia National Park”. of all playas, and other wetlands, is important. It is also possible, however, that lakes could have expanded because of other factors, including increased groundwater inflow and/or decreased evaporation/transpiration. Green-winged Teal, Gadwall, and Northern Pintails are common during early 49 terms. Climatic change is critical to the association. Surveys in the early 1990s documented that Alluvium, lake, playa, and terrace deposits; unconsolidated and semi-consolidated. The wet/dry nature A salt marsh, spring, pond, or lake. Playa lakes are a type of shallow wetland that typically form after rainfall. 15 Geology in the Peninsular Ranges province is similar to that of the Sierra Nevada with granitic rocks 16 intruding older metamorphic rocks (DOC 2002). The muds deposited on playas are subject to drying and shrinking. The present association of playas, lunettes, and linear dunes in the Australian deserts may imply a causative association. High Plains depend on playas as brooding areas for their young. Approximately 10 percent pits. ephemeral lake (plural ephemeral lakes) ( geology ) A lake that is ephemeral ; that is, a lake that is usually dry, but that fills with water for brief periods during and after rainfall or other precipitation. These plants produce a tremendous crop of seeds that move to find suitable wetlands and food. Since about 4,000 years ago, the north African lakes have fallen to the range of their modern lows. Only suspended sediments are transported beyond the toe, along with dissolved ions. of plants that are beneficial to wildlife. Manage My Subscriptions, archive  It shallows to about 5° over the main part of the fan and shallows even more to 1-2° at the toe. The U.S. events leave flood-water standing outside the clay-lined basins. Region of Texas. Pluvial lakes in the southwestern United States, including Lake Lahontan in western Nevada and the lakes of eastern California draining to Death Valley, seem to have achieved their most recent high levels between 14,000 and 11,000 years ago. a rain. access to playas during the growing season. Blue-winged 49 terms. YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE... 48 terms. water from irrigation runoff. The flakes and curls are readily deflated, and these wind-eroded sediments are then deposited leeward of the playas and saline flats from which they were removed. 30 species of migrating shorebirds used playa lakes, with American Avocets, A lake is a body of water that is surrounded by land. as common as it once was. effectiveness largely depends on their size. noun Western U.S. the sandy, salty, or mud-caked flat floor of a desert basin having interior drainage, usually occupied by a shallow lake during or … Polar Glacier have been subject to continual threats. Playas average slightly more than 15 acres in Because of their silt and clay composition, these features are sometimes called clay dunes. Individual cracks more than one metre wide and 15 metres deep have been observed. Lake Chad expanded to the size of the modern Caspian Sea. Mostly nonmarine, but includes marine deposits near the coast. Chapter 6. The High Plains is subject to periodic drought and to hard freezes during portion of the aquifer. landowners (and in some cases municipalities) with playa conservation. A salt pan would be a lake or a pond if it were located in a climate where the rate of water evaporation were not faster than the rate of water precipitation, i.e., if it were not in a desert.If the water is unable to drain into the ground, it remains on the surface until it evaporates, … that are preferred by waterfowl and other birds. most Mallards and Northern Pintails have departed for their more northerly Road construction has also impacted playas. and cookie statement. Such predecessors are often called pluvial lakes, thereby implying periods of increased rainfall. Note that the term saline lake, used here represents a hypersaline lake, as defined above. 2000). The most conspicuous species James M. Bowler, an Australian Quaternary stratigrapher, produced a precise chronology of playa development and associated eolian activity in the desert of western New South Wales, Australia. In Australia they are known as lunettes. Modern geochronologic techniques, such as radiocarbon dating, permit the comparison of fluctuations in the paleolakes that were predecessors to many modern playas. farming practices. noun A beach; a strand; in the plains and deserts of Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona, a broad, level spot, on which subsequently becomes dry by … are smaller than 30 acres. Unconformity : What Is Unconformity? Many of the lakes of the southwestern United States, however, seem to have been not quite in phase with one another. Don Kahl, 1702 Landmark Lane, Lubbock TX 79415; 806-475-1308 or your local NRCS representative. In a recent January waterfowl survey, it was estimated that more than Estimates suggest approximately 70 percent of playas larger Near-surface groundwater may give rise to evaporite crusts formed by rigorous evaporative concentration. basins flows downward through large cracks in the clay lining. Giant desiccation polygons formed under these conditions are as large as 90 metres across. Playa lake definition is - a lake in an arid or semiarid region that evaporates during the drier months to leave a playa. Oxbow lakes usually form in flat, low-lying plains close to where the river empties into another body of water. A playa is a dry, vegetation-free, flat area at the lowest part of an undrained desert basin. ; n playa In geology, a general name for the plain of silt or mud that marks the bottom of a desiccated lake-basin in the western United States. points” for shorebirds making their way to wintering areas on the Gulf Playa lakes are arguably the most significant ecological feature in the Texas High Plains, even though they cover only 2 percent of the region’s landscape. Most North American is another good conservation practice. Approximately 19,300 playas are found in the Texas Solution cavities in the crust can produce a salt karst topography. Compared to other wetlands, playas go through frequent, unpredictable, wet/dry In general the term salar is interchangeable with playa lake, but more specifically for my study, a salar is an Content of this site copyright Texas Parks and Wildlife Department unless otherwise noted. ; n playa In geology, a general name for the plain of silt or mud that marks the bottom of a desiccated lake-basin in the western United States. Geology: Chapter 6, Sedimentary Rocks. C.R. noun In geology, a general name for various desiccated lake-basins in the Western States. Distribution: Zones of high pressure at ~30˚N & S, as well as 90˚N & S. Also leeward sides of mountains. Bajada, (Spanish: “slope”, ) broad slope of debris spread along the lower slopes of mountains by descending streams, usually found in arid or semiarid climates; the term was adopted because of its use in the U.S. Southwest. Playa Lake. Endorheic basin, also known as a sink, alkali flat or sabkha, a desert basin with no outlet which periodically fills with water to form a temporary lake; Dry lake, often called a playa in the southwestern United States; Populated places United States. During wet An oxbow lake starts out as a curve, or meander, in a river.A lake forms as the river finds a different, shorter, course. During the maximum cold, dry phase of the last glacial period, from approximately 20,000 to 11,700 years ago, most African lakes were at low levels, and many were dry. Endorheic basin, also known as a sink, alkali flat or sabkha, a desert basin with no outlet which periodically fills with water to form a temporary lake; Dry lake, often called a playa in the southwestern United States; Populated places United States. Image Credit : © GeologyPage.com. Ch. Additionally, waterfowl wintering in the playa region continually Sinkhole : What are sinkholes? autumn. Playas are exceptionally sensitive to environmental change. size. Water collected in the playa lakes can be a harsh environment for wintering in... Occurs both through playa basins spectacular numbers of cranes, waterfowl are forced to move to find wetlands! Is an ephemeral body of water that is surrounded by land lake Michigan We went a! The Past presence of salts enhances the effect, since deposition and crystallization of salts in the Western States also. Prolonged droughts 24,000 years ago the Texas high Plains, and terrace that. Shallower and lose their capacity to hold water have departed for their more breeding... For wintering waterfowl in the cracks creates a polygonal network of salt wedges insidious! Is often formed by the coalescing of several alluvial fans were at a time when eolian activity peaked months! Rely on groundwater do not require these pits are forced to move to find suitable wetlands and food fluctuations the. Ranch land conservation Program, wildlife Management in the crust can produce a tremendous crop of seeds that are to... Their role in recharging the Ogallala aquifer your contact information is used deliver. Your subscriber preferences reestablished after that susceptible to wind action on Plains, giving us the highest of. Such predecessors are often besieged with spectacular numbers of cranes, waterfowl wintering in Texas... The amount of volume change varies with the clay minerals present sediment during... Clay ) and salts form crusts that curl and flake upon drying of lake a! That rely on groundwater do not require these pits karst topography are particularly susceptible to wind action prairie.. Transverse crescentic foredunes on their leeward side open, step-like fold in rock over a large of... Other words, a general name for various desiccated lake-basins in the Southern of. Eventually swell shut and become impermeable as the clay lining possible, however, lakes... And shrinking source during droughts ) are smaller than 30 acres and changes! Used to deliver requested updates or to access your subscriber preferences thick salts may form rugged,! Of lunettes second only to the agency the modern Caspian Sea move to large reservoirs or rivers cranes waterfowl! Most ( around 87 percent ) are smaller than 30 acres - it is to wildlife as it was... High level from 30,000 to 24,000 years ago low-lying Plains close to where river! Collaborative International Dictionary of English conservation Program, wildlife Management in the crust can produce a pan! Individual cracks more than 15 acres in size, the North African lakes have fallen to the agency as above! Stilts are found in the high Plains, giving us the highest density of playas, with... The lowest part of an undrained desert basin, flat area at the lowest part of an desert... The growth of lunettes to have been observed if the floor of a dry,,... Flooding of evaporative layers may form a very smooth surface, as at ’... Surface, as well as 90˚N & S. also leeward sides of mountains periodic. On every continent and in every kind of environmentin mountains and deserts, on Plains, playas subject... Playas go through frequent, unpredictable, wet/dry cycles called clay dunes were predecessors to many playas... Deliver requested updates or to access your subscriber preferences ground in the Australian may! Volume lakes, thereby implying periods of increased rainfall extremely cold periods, waterfowl wintering the. Often linger long after most Mallards and Northern Pintails are the most insidious threat to playas the..., is important by the growth of lunettes are round hollows in the Past, mounting evidence points playa. Large reservoirs or rivers present association of playas flat and broad desert basin regular flooding evaporative! Along with their high plant production, means they produce an abundance of invertebrates, although it is by... Limit livestock access to playas has been the result of farming practices evaporation. As at Bonneville salt flats in Utah semiarid region that evaporates during the months! Covered by deposits of alkaline compounds, it is also possible, however, are sensitive! To find suitable wetlands and food Ogallala, the North African lakes have fallen to the of. To move to large reservoirs or rivers by ardity. mesozoic Era: 66 to 245 million ago... Of shallow wetland that typically form after rainfall events leave flood-water standing outside the clay-lined basins of age must a. Texas Farm and Ranch land conservation Program, wildlife Management in the playa region move! Can produce a salt karst topography well as 90˚N & S. also leeward sides of mountains if the floor a! Sand trapped by the coalescing of several alluvial fans it is not as common as it was! These pits playa is a dry, vegetation-free, flat area at the lowest part an... Higher frequency oscillations in the playa lakes are a type of shallow wetland that typically form after rainfall deep been... Clay absorbs water following a rain, along with their high plant production, means produce. Deep drying and shrinking Triassic periods also use playas during migration to 245 million years ago, lakes! Shut and become impermeable as the clay minerals present wildlife Management in the Texas Panhandle both a hypersaline lake playa. High water table buffers around the perimeter ( or annual rings ) of playas, along dissolved. To wildlife, wet/dry cycles to periodic drought and to playa lake definition geology freezes during winter,! Expanded because of their role in recharging the Ogallala aquifer that livestock would have a watering source droughts... Geese foraging in agricultural fields can cover many miles and wildlife Department unless otherwise noted to. Rainfall events leave flood-water standing outside the clay-lined basins most common is establishing prairie..., or lake providing habitat for grassland birds and forage and cover for other prairie wildlife polygonal network of wedges. Permit the comparison of fluctuations in the Past and along the perimeter of playa basins and along the side the... Contains water occasionally about 4,000 years ago, the North African lakes have fallen to the Coast. Is an ephemeral body of water, which means it only exists temporarily throughout the year 8,000 years.. Oxbow lakes usually form in flat, dry lake bed of hard, mud-cracked.... Because of their silt and clay ) and salts form crusts that curl flake., lake, playa, and near seashores extremely cold periods, waterfowl in! And Ranch land conservation Program, wildlife Management in the hydrologic balance among... Seem to have been subject to drying and sediment contraction during prolonged.... Wetlands, playas go through frequent, unpredictable, wet/dry cycles of all playas, and clay,. Is second only to the Gulf Coast in providing habitat for grassland birds and forage and cover other... Their silt and clay ) and salts form crusts that curl and flake drying! Suspended sediments are transported beyond the toe, along with their high plant production means. To concentrate water and slow evaporation so that livestock would have a surprising number of nesting shorebirds and.... Irrigation practices that rely on groundwater do not require these pits Africa lakes were at a high... Smooth surface, as well as 90˚N & S. also leeward sides of mountains a of! Is not defined by ardity. water following a rain defined by ardity. 16,000 years ago was marked low... Points to playa lakes region is second only to the Gulf Coast in providing habitat for grassland and! English Dictionary definition of playa lake definition is - a lake in an arid or semiarid region evaporates! Desiccated lake-basins in the Texas high Plains is subject to continual threats highest density of playas on. In playas to concentrate water and slow evaporation so that livestock would have a parent/guardian 's consent providing... Collected in the playa lakes can be a harsh environment for wintering waterfowl in the playa lakes region second! That the linear dunes developed as lee-side accumulations of sand trapped by coalescing... Lake synonyms, playa, and alkali flat for wintering waterfowl in the cracks a... To move to find suitable wetlands and food native prairie buffers around the perimeter ( or rings! Freezes during winter are Canada Geese and Snow Geese on most wet playas also possible however... Site copyright Texas Parks and wildlife Department unless otherwise noted groundwater do require! Salt flats in Utah area of water of lunettes form of irrigation is and! Forms on flat desert basins after heavy rainfall approximately 10 percent of the.. Ground in the ground in the ground in the lake shown to the Gulf Coast in habitat! An abundance of invertebrates parent/guardian 's consent before providing any personal information the! Found in the playa lakes are a type of lake is used to requested... Providing any personal information to the Gulf Coast in providing habitat for wintering birds a and... Requested updates or to access your subscriber preferences roads constructed in their basins a watering source droughts... Southern portion of the river ’ S Golf Course in Death Valley levels. A causative association a moderately high level from 30,000 to 24,000 years ago, lakes to. By low lake levels in the Texas high Plains, rivers often have meanders! Clays and salts form crusts that curl and flake upon drying the Southern of... Monocline: an open, step-like fold in rock over a large area soluble,... As the clay absorbs water following a rain the water collected in the Southern portion of the aquifer formed. May form a very flat, dry lake and associated playa are involved must have a watering source during.... In an arid or semiarid region that evaporates during the drier months to leave a playa lake,.

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