The Santana Grove, located northwest of Little Salt Marsh
The drought at Quivira continues, compounded by 33 days of 100-degrees or more during the summer. By late July 2012, both Big and Little Salt Marshes had dried up completely. By mid-August, the only water of any consequence was a small pond called Park Smith Lake, across from the Environmental Education Classroom. August 2012 proved to be unusually cool and wet. Incredibly, an average of 5 inches of rain fell throughout the Refuge area during August 24-26, 2012. This returned water to most of the Refuge, including both Big and Little Salt Marsh. Water had also returned to the "flats" north and east of Big Salt Marsh, areas that had been dry since late spring. Almost all water management units had at least some water. However, by mid-September, water levels had again dropped, with only about 25% of Little Salt Marsh and 50% of Big Salt Marsh, respectively, covered with water. Most of the smaller water management units were either dry or nearly dry. By late October, both Little and Big Salt Marsh, and Park Smith Lake (across from the Environmental Education Classroom) were almost completely dry again.
Hope began to return, in the form of in-flowing water, by early November. Rattlesnake Creek began flowing into the Refuge, slowly supplying water to Little Salt Marsh. Big Salt Marsh (BSM) began receiving significant amounts of water through spring-water flow from the west, and water began to pool both in Big Salt Marsh proper, as well as in the flats north of Big Salt Marsh. By February 2013, both Little and Big Salt Marshes had over 80% coverage. By early February, BSM and the flats north of NE 170th Street were full. By mid-March, staff was able to finally allow release of water from Little Salt Marsh into areas to the east and north. By mid-April, Units 7, 14A, 28, 29, and 30 all were supplied with ample water from LSM.
The main water-management concern over the next few months is that, if the drought persists, most of the Refuge will dry up even earlier than last year.
A large flock of Snow Geese in the now-full Big Salt Marsh, 7 Feb 2013 (being supplied by Rattlesnake Creek)
A pair of Canada Geese enjoys the newly-flooded Unit 7, east of Little Salt Marsh, 15 March 2013.
Rattlesnake Creek flowing again into the west side of Quivira, 2 November 2012
Drought persists, but a few well-placed rains and snowfall during late winter and spring have allowed some green-up of prairies and salt marshes. Some areas are still trying to recover from two years of limited growth, when many of the upland areas exhibited only stunted growth and low seed production from forbs and grasses. During 2012, rains were too few and too late to help most uplands, although a late green-up occurred in many areas in early September, spurring growth warm-season grasses and many species of late-summer wildflowers .
Salt Flats on the south side of Little Salt Marsh
Downed and damaged trees are still visible in the north half of Quivira from an F3 tornado that tracked through the area on the night of 14 April 2012. The most visible damage is along the NE 140th Street blacktop near the Scenic Overlook, and along the east side of the Wildlife Drive. For the full story, click on the link below:
Tornado Damages portions of Quivira
Firewood cutting permits:
Firewood Cutting Permits Available Beginning August 1, 2011 Notice: Quivira is allowing the cutting and removal of firewood at the Refuge by special permit. Call 620-486-2393 for more information.New wayside exhibits:
New wayside interpretive signs have recently been installed around the Refuge. Eight signs will now help the visitor learn about subjects suchs as whooping cranes, prairie, shorebirds, salt marshes, and woody plant invasion.
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The tallest North American bird, and one of the rarest: now numbering about 600 in the world, there were once as few as 16.