Farming the playa lake had not been profitable for farm manager Bill Smithton. Though he could get his crop seeded, the shallow wetland filled with rainwater and runoff too often, allowing harvest only one out of every four or five years. Bill found an answer. He enrolled the playa lake in the CRP Wetlands Restoration Initiative, aimed at restoring 250,000 acres of playa lakes and prairie potholes throughout the western Great Plains.

Besides recharging groundwater supplies, playa lakes host hundreds of species of waterfowl, shorebirds, songbirds, and other wildlife. Playa area plants offer critical escape, roosting, and thermal cover for the animals, while the wet and dry cycles of playas breed a variety of insect food sources.

Bill appreciates the initiative's tremendous potential for wildlife, as well as its ability to make the playa economically viable. "It's a win/win situation for the producer and FSA," he said. Bill intends to make the farm's playa a showcase for the region.

Geese fly over playa lake newly enrolled in CRP Wetlands Restoration Initiative. Playa lakes provide vital waterfowl habitat.

Harper County FSA CED Johnny Owens, land operator Bill Smithton, and NRCS District Conservationist Jim Shaffer commemorate enrollment of first CRP Playa Lakes Initiative contract in Oklahoma.

Oklahoma FSA State Executive Director Jim Reese, right, presents plaque to Harper County land manager Bill Smithton. Land operated by Smithton and owned by his sister is the first in Oklahoma to be enrolled in CRP through the new CRP Playa Lakes Initiative.

Pictured from left to right are Trapper Heglin of the Oklahoma Wildlife and Prairie Heritage Alliance and Christopher Rustay of the Playa Lakes Joint Venture.

Panoramic View of Smithton Playa Lake, Harper County, Oklahoma.

Playa lakes provide wetland habitat on the High Plains.

Playa lakes host waterfowl, cranes, shorebirds, songbirds, as well as recharge aquifers.