The Funk Lagoon Waterfowl Production Area (WPA) is the largest
marsh in the Rainwater Basin. The Rainwater Basin is a 4,200 square
mile region of flat to gently rolling Peorial Loess Plains in South
Central Nebraska that attracts millions of birds each year during
migration. The basins were formed at the end of the last ice age
when glacial winds carved out thousands of depressions in the
landscape. A glacial wind is “a localized current of air
occurring as a result of a glacier's melting processes; when the
surface of glacial ice melts, the air above the glacier cools and
becomes heavier than the surrounding air and flows
downward.”
Once the glacial winds carved out the large shallow depressions,
clay particles gradually formed a layer in the bottom of the
depressions. This created natural ‘bowls’ in the
landscape capable of holding snowmelt and rainwater throughout the
year. Often, during hot summer months, evaporation occurs and the
marshes dry out. This is a natural cycle and is important for plant
growth which birds use to regain energy to continue their
migration.
The soils that surround the basins are very fertile and consist
of silt loams and silty clay. These soils are optimal for the
cultivation of corn and beans as can be seen surrounding Funk
Lagoon.
In early years of farming a long dry spell would dry out a marsh
for several seasons. This prolonged dryness would entice farmers to
plow into the dry marsh and plant crops. However, the disturbance
of the soil could damage the clay layer and destroy the wetland
permanently. On the other hand, a very wet year might cause a
farmer to lose some of the field to flooding and this led to
marshes being drained.
Biologists have estimated when the first settlers arrived in the
region there may have been close to 4,000 wetland areas. Today,
ninety percent of those wetlands are gone or have severe damage in
the clay pan and can no longer hold water at the Earth’s
surface.
Since 1963 the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, along with many
other groups, has been working to restore the wetlands of the
Rainwater Basin. Agricultural practices have improved and a better
knowledge of the importance of the Rainwater Basin has led to the
preservation of these areas.
Information provided by: U.S. Department of the Interior, US
Fish & Wildlife Service, Rainwater Basin Joint Venture, Ducks
Unlimited, Friends of the Rainwater Basin, National Snow & Ice
Data Center.
To log the Earthcache begin at the posted coordinates. Here you
will find a large sign with a soil cross section illustration.
1) What is the thickness of the clay pan layer beneath the
basins?
Next, follow the concrete trail and read the signs to answer the
following two questions:
2) How many Nebraska counties are contained by the Rainwater
Basin?
3) How can managers control water levels at Funk and other
Rainwater Basin wetlands?
Finally, hike or drive to N 40°29.834 W 099°13.113.
4) What year did Nels P. Peterson homesteaded this
site.
E-mail us the answers (please do not post them with your log)
and if possible, include a picture of yourself or group at the Funk
Lagoon.
The photography blind is a great place to sit and watch birds
and get some great shots!
Permission for placement of this EarthCache was granted by Gene
Mack of the USFWS.