978-1-4222-3326-9

40

Lower Plains: Kansas, Nebraska

Extending across Nebraska’s pan- handle is the High Plains region. In general, this area is flat and covered with a stubble of short prairie grasses. In places, sharp ridges and other rock formations jut up over the landscape. At the western edge of the High Plains are two low groups of pine-forested mountains: Pine Ridge and the Wild Cat Hills. Chimney Rock, one of Nebraska’s most famous landmarks, is in the High Plains region. Towering almost 300 feet (91 m) above ground, it was visi-

area of sand dunes. In addition to the dunes, more than one thousand shal- low lakes dot the landscape here. The Sandhills area also has Nebraska’s largest stores of ground- water, supplied by the Ogallala Aquifer. This vast reservoir of water stretches underground from South Dakota to Texas. Groundwater pro- vides nearly two-thirds of the water used in Nebraska for irrigation . Irrigation allows farmers to grow crops on lands once considered too dry for agriculture.

Chimney Rock rises above the North Platte River valley in west- ern Nebraska. During the 19th century, it was a prominent land- mark for settlers traveling west. Today the Nebraska State Historical Society manages the land around Chimney Rock, and operates a visitors center that has exhibits and information about the pioneers who passed through this region.