Scienceenvironment
Why Great Plains rivers depend on wetlands as well as climate
When studying Great Plains rivers, it is easy to assume that annual water flow depends entirely on precipitation. However, research in the Prairie Pothole Region shows that what happens to water after it reaches the ground is equally vital. Wetlands play a critical role in regulating river levels by absorbing, storing, and slowly releasing moisture across seasons, shaping hydrological cycles beyond simple climate patterns.