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Lower Plains: Kansas, Nebraska

Two major waterways—the North Platte River and the South Platte River—meet in western Nebraska to form the Platte River, which then flows across the state to the Missouri River.

also make ideal roosting grounds for sandhill cranes. Every year, up to half a million of the birds—more than 80 percent of the world’s sandhill crane population—rest here for a few weeks during their spring migration. Other major rivers in Nebraska are the Niobrara River, flowing through the north of the state, and the

called it “Nebrathka,” meaning “shal- low water.” True to its name in both languages, the Platte River is relatively shallow and broad. As a result, it made an easy crossing point for 19th-century pio- neers heading westward in covered wagons. The shallow channels of the river