Nebraska's Wetlands

Wetlands Guide (PDF) | Wetlands Web Guide | Trail Tales Wetland Edition | Wetland Conditions and Pumping Plans| Wetland projects | Wetland Program Plan |

Nebraska contains more acres of wetlands than any surrounding state. These wetlands are very diverse and dynamic and include marshes, lakes, river and stream backwaters, oxbows, wet meadows, fens, forested swamps, and seep areas. To help you explore the varying roles that wetlands can play, this site defines wetlands, discusses their importance and dynamics, identifies status and trends, describes conservation programs, and takes an in-depth look at Nebraska’s regional wetland complexes. Take time to visit Nebraska’s wetlands and learn more about the wealth of opportunities they provide.

Guide to Nebraska's Wetlands

The guide is a full-color 59-page special publication by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. It defines and describes Nebraska wetlands and discusses wetland functions, dynamics, classification, inventory and conservation efforts. Fourteen wetland complexes are covered in depth. A listing of wetland plants and animals is provided as well as literature references. Funding was provided by the U.S. Enviornmental Protection here to order copies.

Download the Wetlands Guide

Trail Tales Magazine: Special Wetlands Edition

Trail Tales is a quarterly publication produced by NEBRASKAland Magazine and sent to nearly every fourth-grade student in the state. The Spring 2006 issue is a special wetlands edition. The edition describes Nebraska's wetlands, their functions and associated wildlife. Also included are several games and trading cards featuring some of Nebraska's wetland wildlife. Funding was provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. Click here to order copies.

Download Wetlands Trail Tales

Wetlands of Nebraska Video

These videos contain scenes from a variety of Nebraska wetlands, including their associated wildlife. The featured segments explore the values wetlands provide and the role they play in the lives of Nebraskans.

The educational video is 27 minutes long and is targeted to 4th-6th grade students, but is appropriate for younger and older audiences as well.

Nebraska Educational Telecommunications produced the video, with funding provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Ducks Unlimited and the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. FREE Copies are available in DVD or VHS format. Click here to order copies. The videos are also available below to view online.

Wetlands of Nebraska Video Part 1

Wetlands of Nebraska Video Part 2

For additional information please contact:

Ted LaGrange, Wetland Program Manager
Nebraska Game and Parks Commission
P.O. Box 30370
Lincoln, NE 68503
Phone: (402) 471-5436
Email:Ted.LaGrange@nebraska.gov

Sedimentation of Nebraska's Playa Wetlands

Download the Sediment Document | Click here to Order Copies

This document describes Nebraska's playa wetlands, discusses the process of sedimentation of playas, summarizes data on historic and recent wetland soil profiles, describes the impact that culturally accelerated sedimentation has on numerous wetland functions, and provides recommendations on restoration considerations. Many depressional wetlands, such as Nebraska's playas, are now embedded in agricultural landscapes where tillage of their watershed leads to increased surface runoff and sediment inputs relative to a grassland condition. Eroded sediment from culturally accelerated sources can greatly shorten the life of playa wetlands. Some key conclusions of this document are:

• Data collected in Nebraska playas confirms that over the long-term, the movement of sediment into depressional playa wetlands due to human activities has accelerated. Cumulatively, these alterations have resulted in culturally accelerated sedimentation into a majority of the playa wetlands in Nebraska.

• Culturally accelerated sedimentation has completely eliminated some wetlands.

• The literature that is summarized in this paper clearly demonstrates that culturally accelerated sedimentation, even as little as a few inches, has negative impacts on wetland hydroperiod, vegetation, bio-geochemical cycling, invertebrates, and wildlife.

• To address these negative impacts, we provide recommendations regarding ways to evaluate sediment inputs and depths and methods to address culturally accelerated sedimentation.