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Pleistocene Lake Basins

Ecoregion on Columbia Plateau in WA, OR

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The Pleistocene Lake Basins ecoregion once contained vast temporary lakes that were created by flood waters from glacial Lake Missoula. Faint high water marks and shorelines, still visible between the 1,000 and 1,200 foot elevation contours, mark the margins of the former lakes. Today, The Pleistocene Lake Basins ecoregion is the lowest and driest area on the Columbia Plateau (10) and receives an annual average precipitation of only 6 to 12 inches. Native vegetation consists of bluebunch wheatgrass and sagebrush. Major irrigation projects provide Columbia River water to The Pleistocene Lake Basins ecoregion and have allowed the conversion of large areas of sagebrush to agriculture.

— EPA

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Ecoregion