The PLAYA LAKES JOINT VENTURE (PLJV) takes in more than 50,000
wetlands known as "playas" across the southern High Plains of the U.S.
Most of these 10 to 100 acre shallow, circular basins are found in eastern
Colorado and New Mexico, western Nebraska, Kansas and Oklahoma and the
Texas Panhandle. Approximately 1,500 playas have been identified in
eastern Colorado.
Depending on the season, these basins can be concave discs of clay or shimmering pools
of water, providing habitat for waterfowl, shorebirds, cranes and other migratory
birds. Most playas are privately owned and landowner participation in the joint
venture is crucial to protecting the playas.
