Playa lakes are shallow basins that collect rain water and runoff.
A landform is a feature of the Earth's surface, such as a mountain, island or lake. Playa lakes are prominent landforms in the Texas High Plains, which includes Slaton, nearby Lubbock and the Texas Panhandle. These reservoirs provide habitats for animals and water for use in many locations. The shallowness of playa lakes and the erratic rainfall in the High Plains amplify the need for protection of these landforms as water supplies. Canyons also form part of the landscape and history of areas in the vicinity of Slaton.
Definition and Size of Playas
A playa is a shallow, circular collection of water in a normally small area. Playas can exceed 800 acres, though 87 percent of playas cover less than 30 acres. The average playa is approximately 15 acres.
Formation of Playas
Playa basins develop from ground depression. The National Wildlife Resources Council presents a theory that water interacts with organic material under the soil surface to form acid that erodes caliche, the underlying carbon matter. Water, along with particulate and organic matter, flows more easily through surface openings to create and grow basins. Playas obtain water primarily from rain or irrigation runoff. As a result, playas frequently experience alternating wet and dry periods that are difficult to predict.
Location and Climate
In the United States, most playas are situated in the Southern High Plains. Approximately 19,300 playas dot the Texas High Plains, which includes Slaton and the Panhandle region. Other areas of the Southern High Plains region include eastern New Mexico, western Oklahoma, extreme southeastern Colorado and southwestern Kansas. Thunderstorms in May, June, September and October provide the majority of precipitation for playa basins. The climate in Slaton and other High Plains communities features significant daily temperature ranges, low relative humidity and irregular rainfall.
The Importance of Playas
Playa lakes recharge, or replenish, the Ogallala Aquifer, a major source of water for Texas. An aquifer is a layer of rock, sand or gravel beneath the surface that holds water. Water from playas flows downward through cracks in the basin's clay lining into the aquifer. Recharge also results from the flooding of playa basins following rains. Cap rock, or caliche, hinders the recharging of the Ogallala Aquifer through rainfall, especially since rainfall is limited. Playas can also serve as animal habitats.
Ransom Canyon
Buffalo hunters used Ransom Canyon.
Slaton sits near Ransom Canyon, a popular passage through the Staked Plains of Texas and New Mexico because of the area's gradual elevation increase. In the 1600s, priests and military captains traveled through the canyon from Santa Fe, New Mexico to San Angelo, Texas. The fresh water springs in the canyon attracted Native Americans, cattle herders, buffalo hunters and members of the Untied States Calvary, among others. Ransom Canyon hosted negotiations that secured the release of Spanish and English traders held as Comanche hostages.
Caprock Canyon
Caprock Canyon is located near Slaton.
Caprock Canyon exhibits the product of erosion and the exposure of geological formations. Exposed red sandstones and siltstones fill the area and provide color characteristic of canyons. The state park that features Caprock consists of steep clifffs and rugged terrain for more experienced climbers and cyclists and trails with subtle, more easily navigated trails. The park climbs 1,000 feet from its eastern to western boundaries. As with Ransom Canyon, Comanche Indians, herders, ranchers and buffalo herders traveled in and through Caprock Canyon.
Tags: High Plains, Ransom Canyon, Caprock Canyon, Playa lakes, High Plains which, includes Slaton
