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Pluvial Lake Basins

Ecoregion in Great Basin in CA, NV, OR

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The Pluvial Lake Basins ecoregion of northwestern Nevada, northeastern California, and south-central Oregon was last filled with water during the Pleistocene Epoch. Presently, some basin floor playas seasonally collect and evaporate water. Ecoregion 80d has cooler mean annual temperatures than the Lahontan Salt Shrub Basin ecoregion (13j) in Nevada. Greasewood, inland saltgrass, and seepweed grow in more alkaline soil, and Wyoming big sagebrush, basin big sagebrush, and associated grasses dominate better drained, less alkaline soils. The dry lakebeds near the Cascade Mountains have a significant ash layer. The land is used for rangeland, and alfalfa is grown on a limited basis in irrigated areas. The California part includes Surprise Valley in the north and the Madeline Plains and Grasshopper Valley to the south, with elevations mostly ranging from 4,500 to 5,500 feet.

— EPA

Plants

Scotch Cottonthistle Onopordum acanthium (species), “Cotton Thistle”, “Scotch Thistle”

Pluvial Lake Basins

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