40 / 64
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.
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-
40
Lower Plains: Kansas, Nebraska
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.