McPherson Valley Wetlands
At the turn of the century the marshes were drained and the land was turned over to agriculture. Lake Inman (the largest natural lake in Kansas), Clear Pond, and a few small marshes were all that was left of the formerly extensive wetlands network. In 1989 the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, Ducks Unlimited, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service jointly began to acquire land (on a willing-seller basis) and restore the wetlands. Clear Pond and Lake Inman are, at this time, the best sites for viewing migrating waterfowl and water birds. Wetlands being restored near Clear Pond are the Kubin Marshes, Big Basin Marshes and Chain of Lakes. The Little Sinkhole marshes are being restored south of Inman. Watch for ducks: northern pintails, American wigeons, northern shovelers, mallards, green-winged teal, ring-necked ducks, lesser scaup, blue-winged teal, redheads, buffleheads, and common goldeneyes. Geese are common. Watch also for sandpipers, plovers, herons, cormorants, and pelicans.
Ownership, McPherson wetlands:
The entity responsible for management of
McPherson Wetlands is the
Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks
& Tourism.
Contact them at (316) 683-8069 if you have specific
questions about use or management of this site. 3,000 acres (with pending expansions) Ownership, Lake Inman: Private
Questions or comments about Natural Kansas may be directed to
|