Prairie potholes

Rouen D, Scher H, Blunt M (1997) On the structure and flow processes in the capillary fringe of phreatic aquifers. Transp Porous Media 28 159-180 Rose CW (1993) The transport of adsorbed chemicals in eroded sediments. In Russo D, Dagan G (eds) Water flow and solute transport in soils. Springer, Heidelberg, pp 180-199 Rosenberry DO, Winter TC (1997) Dynamics of water-table fluctuations in an upland between two prairie-pothole wetlands in North Dakota. J Hydrol 191 266-289 Russo D (1997) On the estimation of parameters of log-unsaturated conductivity covariance from solute transport data. Adv Water Resour 20 191-205 Russo D, Toiber-Yasur 1, Laufer A, Yaron B (1998) Numerical analysis of field scale transport of bromacU. Adv Water Resour 21 637-647... 

Surface freshwater ecosystems consist of wetlands (e.g., bogs, fens, marshes, swamps, prairie potholes, etc.), streams, lakes (and artificial reservoirs), and rivers. Surface freshwater ecosystems receive most of their Nr from their associated watersheds, from atmospheric deposition, and from BNF within the system. There is hmited potential for Nr to accumulate within surface-water ecosystems, because the residence time of Nr within surface waters, like the water itself, is very brief. Residence times may be relatively longer in the sediments associated with wetlands and some larger lakes but are still short when compared to terrestrial ecosystems or the oceans. 

Prairie potholes are characterized as depressional wetlands often found in the upper Midwest including North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, and Wisconsin. Hydrology is controlled by snowmelt and rain during spring, which fills low-lying areas forming concentric circles. 

Reductions in wetland area and distribution can be expected with increases in temperature or reduced precipitation in prairie pothole regions, which provide habitat for about half of the nation s waterfowl (Poiani et al., 1995). Virtually all wetlands provide storage of carbon in trees, shrubs, grasses, organic debris, and soils. Due to anaerobic conditions, carbon is stored in wetlands for much longer periods than in most upland systems (see Chapter 5). 

Waters of the United States—(1) All waters that are currently used, were used in the past, or may be susceptible to use in interstate or foreign commerce, including all waters that are subject to the ebb and flow of the tide. (2) All interstate waters, including interstate wetlands. (3) All other waters such as interstate lakes, rivers, streams, mudflats, sandflats, wetlands, sloughs, prairie potholes, wet meadows, playa lakes, or natural ponds, the use, degradation, or destruction of which would affect interstate or foreign commerce. 

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