Wet Meadow

Wet Meadow Hydrology

Wet meadows are biologically diverse and hydrologically complex, providing habitat for numerous species and a range of ecological benefits to humans. However, in the Central Platte River Valley of Nebraska these important systems have vanished from the landscape as a result of human modification of land and water resources. ​

For this on-going study, we use a Platte Basin Timelapse camera system to assess inundation dynamics of an archetype wet meadow on land managed by The Crane Trust in the Central Platte River Valley, Nebraska, USA. Additional sensors, such as sound recorders, groundwater wells, and USGS stream gauges help us understand what is happening in this important yet elusive system. 

Representation of fluctuating water levels at a wet meadow on Mormon Island, Central Platte Nebraska. By Emma Brinley Buckley
Composite of multiple time-lapse images taken with a Platte Basin Timelapse camera showing the diversity of wildlife in a wet meadow. By Emma Brinley Buckley.