U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service logo National Wildlife Refuge System Logo Celebrating a Century of Conservation
Banner graphic displaying the Fish & Wildlife Service logo, the National Wildlife Refuge System logo and the Celebrating a Century of Conservation tagline
Rainwater Basin
Wetland Management District		 Vast numbers of waterfowl fly above and around a wetland, darkening the sky. Hundreds of other waterfowl float upon the water at Rainwater Basin Wetland Management District.
2610 Avenue Q
Kearney, NE   68847
E-mail: rainwater@fws.gov
Phone Number: 308-236-5015
Visit the Refuge's Web Site:
http://rainwater.fws.gov		 Millions of migratory birds use the wetlands found in Rainwater Basin Wetland Management District.
Blue horizontal line
  Overview
Rainwater Basin Wetland Management District
The Rainwater Basin Wetland Management District (WMD) staff manages 61 tracts of wetlands, totaling 23,059 acres scattered over more than 14 counties in southeastern Nebraska. Each of the 61 areas, known as waterfowl production areas (WPA), is located in a geographic area known as the Rainwater Basin. The name "Rainwater Basin" originates from the geologic formation of large, wind-blown shallow depressions, which become flooded after rain and snow melt.

WPAs are managed to provide resting stops for millions of migratory water birds. Upland areas are managed for grassland species. WPAs provide excellent recreational opportunities, including hunting, photography, and bird watching.


Getting There . . .
The 61 WPAs in Rainwater Basin WMD are scattered throughout 14 counties in southeastern Nebraska, extending from Gosper County in the west to Seward County in the east. Please contact Rainwater Basin WMD staff for directions to a specific WPA.

Get Google map and directions to this refuge/WMD from a specified address:

Your full starting address AND town and state OR zip code


Google Maps opens in a new window

NOTE: When using this feature, you will be leaving the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service domain. We do not control the content or policies of the site you are about to visit. You should always check site policies before providing personal information or reusing content.

These driving directions are provided as a general guide only. No representation is made or warranty given as to their content, road conditions or route usability or expeditiousness. User assumes all risk of use.

horizontal line

Wildlife and Habitat
Water birds from all along the southern states and coastal areas concentrate in the Rainwater Basin during spring migration.

Learn More>>


History
Historically, the landscape within Rainwater Basin WMD was part of the northern grasslands of the Great Plains. The large expanse of grassland and scattered wetlands provided food and rest for migratory birds during their spring migration.

Learn More>>

    Recreation and Education Opportunities
Environmental Education
Fishing
Hunting
Interpretation
Photography
Wildlife Observation
 Learn More >>

Dark blue horizontal line

Managment Activities

Rainwater Basin wetlands are most valuable to migratory birds when they are managed in an early successional stage. Each of the WPAs was farmed prior to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's purchase of the properties. Thus, management activities on these WPAs focus on restoring the areas to native grasslands with the highest diversity of grassland and wetland plants possible.

Each year, native seeds are harvested from more than 100 species of native plants and planted on newly acquired properties. About one-fifth of the wetlands are burned annually. Domestic livestock grazing is also used to mimic historic grazing by bison and other native ungulates. The combination of fire and grazing promotes open water areas and provides an abundance of native aquatic food sought after by waterfowl and shorebirds. During drought years, natural runoff is supplemented through pumping water into key WPAs.