What are the Sandhills?
The Nebraska Sandhills is a unique area, both in size and
appearance. Native grassland covers 19,600 square miles of
wind-deposited sand dunes. Its geology makes the area rich for
wildlife, water and ranching. The area of the Nebraska Sandhills is
19,600 square miles. It is the largest sand dune formation in North
America with 95% grassland 1.3 million acres of wetlands 1 billion
acre-feet of groundwater 2.4 million acre-feet of spring-fed stream
flow discharged annually
The Landscape:
On this journey you will see an unusual
landscape shaped by drought thousands of years ago. Rolling
sand dunes now stabilized by native grasses are interspersed
by lush green valleys with numerous lakes, ponds and streams.
Sparsely populated and vast, this region offers spectacular
views and many surprises. Characterized by hot, dry summers
and cold, harsh winters, the area is unlike any other. The
water table is higher than many of the valleys and is fed by
one of the largest aquifers on Earth - the Ogallala Aquifer.
Click to enlarge the satellite photo of the Hyannis, NE area
to the right for an overview of the sandhills. Occasionally,
high winds still "blowout" areas along the dunes exposing the
sandy structure underneath.
Landscape Ecology
The Sandhills Habitat Program is an ecosystem
management approach based on an understanding of the
Sandhills' geologic and economic forces that shape the natural
environment of the region. Without knowing the land and the
people, management is ineffective. The sand dunes' influence
on the area's hydrology is the basis of the Sandhills ecology.
Hundreds of feet of coarse sand and gravel lie below the
surface and contain one of the largest aquifers on Earth. The
dunes act like a giant sponge that quickly absorbs
precipitation, allowing very little to run off. One fourth to
one-half of the annual rainfall percolates downward to the
groundwater. In the lower interdunal valleys, the water table
is elevated above the surface and forms many of the 1.3
million acres of wetlands scattered throughout the area.
Groundwater movement is relatively unrestricted (up to 500
feet per year) and excess water is discharged into valleys,
wetlands, and streams. As wetlands begin to fill, they buffer
or restrict groundwater discharge and maintain the high water
table. Plants located in the valleys tap into the constant
water source and produce dense stands of vegetation for
wildlife and the ranching industry. In contrast, groundwater
discharged into a drained valley maintains a continual flow of
water from the area. Ninety percent of annual stream flow (2.4
million acre-feet) is groundwater. Wetland drainage began in
the early 1900's to provide additional winter hay for
livestock. The linear orientation of the dunes allowed ditches
to connect from one valley to the next until they reached
natural streams. Drainage extended the reach of natural
streams and affected the balance of groundwater and wetlands.
Wetlands that once buffered the discharge of groundwater were
no longer effective and a continual discharge of groundwater
occurred in the ditches. The added flows cause natural streams
to adjust their shape to wider and deeper channels. As the
streams cut downward, the lower streambeds capture more
groundwater, lower the local water table, drain adjacent
wetlands, and lower the productivity of the
valleys.
Cultivation attempts in the early 1900's
failed because the semi-arid climate did not provide adequate
rainfall to sustain row crops. Today, abundant groundwater
supplies and center pivot irrigation has made it possible to
irrigate the porous and eroding sands. The sandy soils require
large amounts of water and fertilizer to grow crops. Pumping
water from deep depths to the surface has flooded the local
water table and increased stream flows. Thus, adding to the
impact of wetland drainage and channelization.
Wildlife
This area is part of the "Central Flyway" and is home to 720
species of plants 314 species of animals 27 species of migratory
birds. Visiting the The Middle Platte Region is one of
nature's great crossroads. Here the east-west human transportation
corridor provided by the river valley crosses the North American
Central Flyway. Changing land use patterns and development of the
Missouri River have shaped the Flyway into an hourglass figure,
with its narrow waist in south central Nebraska. Millions of
waterfowl pass through the region on their annual migration. Each
spring several hundred thousand Sandhill Cranes spend four to six
weeks in the Platte Valley, gaining strength before moving north to
nesting grounds spread across Canada, Alaska, and Siberia. The
Middle Platte Region provides critical habitat for a number of
endangered species, including the whooping
crane.
Stop #1 N
42º 05.464 W
102º 49.079
Near Alliance. How long were the
runways? |
 Stop #2 N
42º 04.147 W
102º 35.666
Identify the purpose of this
Structure? |
Suggested Side
Trip N 42º
03.101 W 102º 24.482
Crescent Lake National Wildlife Refuge. A 25 Mile one way drive
across a dirt road will show you some of the most typical
landscapes found in the Sandhills. When you arrive at the refuge
you will be treated to a sanctuary for numerous species of wildlife
and birds. For more information visit: http://crescentlake.fws.gov/ |
Stop #3 N
42º 03.590 W
102º 16.847
Spade Ranch Marker. In 1905 What did
Richard's Plead guilty to? |
 Stop #4 N
42º 00.001 W
101º 45.642
Hyannis. What year is on this
sign? |
 Stop #5 N
42º 02.722 W
100º 49.376
Near Seneca. What kind of Ranch is
this?? Continue to the top of the Hill - What Animals do you see
near here |
Stop #6 N
41º 58.711 W
100º 37.410
What is the name of the river
here? |
 Stop #7 N
41º 58.714
W 100º 34.527
In Thedford. Name on this
Building? |
Stop
#8 N 41º
58.918 W 100º 32.222
Thedford Historical Sign. Fill in the
Blank: You are near the _______________ of the
worlds...? |