THE GREAT PLAINS AND PRAIRIES

(CHAPTER 12)

INTRODUCTION

• The Great Plains and Prairies are outlined on p. 267. • Regional Perspectives

– Coronado explained, "this region is the best I've seen for producing the crops of Spain - the land is flat, soil is black, and is well watered with springs and rivers.”

– Early 1800s - perceived to be wholly unfit for cultivation and uninhabitable for people depending on agriculture

– Mid 1850s - labeled the "Great American Desert." • Historically - drastically different perceptions of the

region's physical geography and its potential for settlement

GREAT PLAINS AND PRAIRIES

PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY

• Terrain Elevation rises gently from east to west (500

meters to 1500 meters). Southern half of the region has unvaried

topography Northern half is more variable and is

characterized by “badlands.” Very irregular topography resulting from wind and

water erosion of sedimentary rock. Widespread on the Missouri Plateau between

northern Nebraska and the Missouri River Best example in western South Dakota.

GREAT PLAINS &THE PRAIRIES

PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY

•Vegetation Grasses are taller and more dense

in the East and shorter and relatively sparse in the West.

Much of the grasses have intricate root systems, which were difficult to plow and often required "Bonanza teams" of about 20 animals to break the sod.

PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY

•Precipitation Most precipitation in the region results from

the interaction of air masses. Amounts vary from 10-40 inches annually,

decreasing from east to west. About 75% of the precipitation falls from

April through August. Major droughts have occurred in 20 year

cycles. Significant droughts in the 1890s, 1910s,

1930s, 1950s, and 1970s

PRECIPITATION VARIABILITY

PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY

•Temperatures Region experiences extremes in

temperatures because of its continental climate

Fluctuations increase from south to north.

Northern Texas has over 240 frost free days each year, whereas Canada's prairies experience less than 90.

PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY

•Winds- serve as a mixed blessing to the region. In late spring and summer, wind velocities

in the central and northern Plains are among the highest in North America. Ensures maximum efficiency for the region's windmills.

High rates of evaporation and transpiration may minimize the effects of precipitation.

WIND POWER“Certainty Rating of the Wind Resource”

PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY

Chinooks - warm, dry, winter winds from the Pacific that bring welcomed relief during the winter months

Blizzards - characterized by snow, wind, & intense cold Occur when cold polar air masses push south along

the Rockies, and can last for several days Tornadoes - pose a significant regional hazard.

Great Plains experience far more tornadoes annually than any other comparable area in the world.

Parts of Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas encounter 200 - 300 per year, largely concentrated in the spring and early summer.

TORNADO FREQUENCY

EARLY SETTLEMENT PATTERNS

•Plains Indians Pre-European occupation was limited. Hunting for buffalo was the primary

activity Semi-permanent settlements were

situated mainly along streams. The Indians greatly improved their

mobility once the early Spanish explorers left behind horses.

EARLY SETTLEMENT PATTERNS

•Early Problem Areas Average annual rainfall <<< that found in the

East Considerable variation in annual rainfall Violent storms - high winds, hail, and tornadoes Winter blizzards intensified the cold and blew

snow into deep, impassable drifts. The hot, dry winds of summer routinely carried

away topsoil in clouds of dust. Sparse natural water supply to support tree

growth, so no wood for building, fuel, fencing, etc. The ground was difficult to plow.

EARLY SETTLEMENT PATTERNS

Settlement had initially halted along the eastern margins.

•Permanent Settlement was initially inspired by the Homestead Act.– Passed in 1863– Gave 160 acres of land free to each settler– Encouraged settlement of the Great Plains.

1867-1885- ranching was a viable alternative. Late 1870s- barbed wire, lumber, and

windmills helped to overcome environmental constraints.

AGRICULTURE•Large scale and machinery intensive•Wheat

Winter wheat Grown from Northern Texas to Southern Nebraska.

Spring wheat Areas with severe winters and cool summers Located from central South Dakota to the south

central Prairie Provinces of Canada. U.S. and Canada are the world's leading exporters Kansas and North Dakota lead all U.S. production. Saskatchewan is by far Canada's largest producer.

AGRICULTURE

•Shipment Patterns Most Canadian wheat goes to

Winnipeg then to Thunder Bay for shipment across the Great Lakes. In the West, it goes to Vancouver by rail and is then shipped by sea.

U.S. wheat shipments travel across the Great Lakes or down the Mississippi River.

AGRICULTURE

•Key Terms Migrant Labor

The term should not to be confused with migrant workers who harvest crops in other regions.

These workers comprise large crews that use numerous combines and trucks.

They travel from Texas in early June and follow the wheat harvest north into the Prairie Provinces

Accounts for about four months total work.

AGRICULTURE

Key Terms (continued)

Sidewalk Farmers are those farmers who live in town and travel to their various acreages nearby.

Suitcase Farmers are farmers who live far from their fields and only visit them occasionally, approximately four or five times a year, as in the case of those who own large wheat farms.

AGRICULTURE

•Other Crops Barley - important in the Canadian

province of Alberta. Sorghum - used for stock feed and

grown throughout the hot, dry margins of the plains

Cotton - a dominant crop in Texas Oats - grown throughout the Northern

Plains area Cattle

OGALLALA AQUIFER

GROUND WATER“OVERDRAFT”

ENERGY RESOURCES

• The Panhandle Field of Northwest Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas is the world's leading supplier of natural gas.

All three states are major petroleum producers, along with Wyoming and Alberta.

Coal is abundant in Wyoming, which may be the leading producer in the U.S. by the year 2002. Lignite, a brownish, soft coal is also readily available in North Dakota.

THE GREAT PLAINS AND PRAIRIES

(CHAPTER 12)