The Northern Glaciated Plains ecoregion is characterized by a flat to gently rolling landscape composed of glacial drift. The subhumid conditions foster a grassland transitional between the tall and shortgrass prairie. High concentrations of temporary and seasonal wetlands create favorable conditions for duck nesting and migration. Though the till soil is very fertile, agricultural success is subject to annual climatic fluctuations.

The End Moraine Complex is a concentration of glacial features in east central North Dakota. Blue Mountain and Devils Lake Mountain are composed of blocks of surficial material scraped off and thrust up by the continental glacier at the south end of the Devils Lake basin. In the western part of the ecoregion, patches of stagnation moraine similar to the Missouri Coteau (42a) have high wetland densities. On the moraines south of Devils Lake basin, favorable precipitation, aspect, and slightly higher elevations result in wooded lake margins and morainal ridges.

Physiography

Area (square miles): 1518
Elevation/Local Relief (feet): 1450-1790/20-170
Glaciated. A diverse area of hummocky stagnation moraine, parallel end moraine ridges, and other glacial features such as eskers, kames and thrust ridges.

Geology

Surficial Material and Bedrock
Wisconsinan glacial till and outwash

Soil

Order (Great Groups)
Mollisols (Haploborolls, Argiborolls, Calciborolls, Calciaquolls)
Common Soil Series
Heimdal, Emrick, Esmond, Barnes, Buse, Bottineau, Aastad, Edgeley, Hamerly
Temperature/Moisture Regimes
Frigid/Udic

Climate

Precipitation - Mean annual (inches)
18-20
Frost Free - Mean annual (days)
90-120
Mean Temp. - Jan. min/max; July min/max, (°F)
-7/13;55/82

Potential Natural Vegetation

Tallgrass/midgrass prairie: western wheatgrass, green needlegrass, big and bluestem, blue grama. Forest vegetation of burr oak and aspen associated with Devils Lake.

Land Use and Land Cover

Mixed range and cropland depending upon slope and presence of rocks in soil. Spring wheat, oats, barley, flax, and hay.

Ecoregions of North Dakota and South Dakota

Ecoregions of
North Dakota
and
South Dakota