LEA/CHAVES COUNTIES, N.M. — Bryce Peterson has spent his life working the rugged landscape of eastern New Mexico, where ranching, drought, wildlife, and water conservation all intersect in complicated ways.
Operating across a mix of private and state trust land, Peterson understands firsthand the balancing act that comes with managing rangeland in one of the most environmentally and economically complex regions of the Southwest. Now, he’s preparing to restore several playas across his operation — an effort aimed at improving water filtration, reducing erosion, and strengthening habitat in a region where every drop of water matters.
“Water belongs underground in this landscape.”
“Years ago, we relied more on surface water so dug out playas to hold water longer,” Peterson said. “Once our pipeline and water storage systems improved, I realized I no longer needed to hold water on the surface. In my opinion, water belongs underground in this landscape.”
Playas — also called mud holes, buffalo wallows, and lagoons — are shallow, naturally occurring wetlands that temporarily fill with rainwater and provide important wildlife habitat and play a critical role in recharging the Ogallala Aquifer. These shallow, clay-lined depressions collect runoff from the surrounding area, filtering out contaminants and directing water underground.
Peterson’s operation sits near the western edge of the Ogallala Aquifer, where water scarcity remains a constant concern. “We have a gallon of water everywhere,” he said, “we don’t have five gallons of water anywhere.”
That reality has shaped how he approaches conservation. Rather than viewing playa restoration as a standalone project, Peterson sees it as one piece of a much larger effort to improve stewardship across the landscape while maintaining a successful ranching operation. “I think it’s important to keep that cycle working properly,” he said of the natural movement of water from the surface back underground.
The project has not come without challenges. Much of Peterson’s ranch lies within Lesser Prairie-Chicken habitat — an area where seasonal restrictions and conservation regulations can complicate land management projects, fence construction, pipeline installation, and mechanical treatments during nesting season. Still, Peterson says the benefits tied to those conservation efforts have outweighed the frustrations. “The amount of funds that the Lesser Prairie-Chicken has brought to my area for rangeland habitat and improvement far supersedes any negative,” Peterson said. “Projects like this probably exist because of the listing of the Lesser Prairie-Chicken and the attention it brought.”
Because of nesting season restrictions, Peterson cannot begin restoration work until later this summer. The project itself is still in the planning stages as agencies and partners finalize logistics across multiple soil and water conservation districts.
Once restoration begins, Peterson hopes to do more than simply restore these wetlands. Many of the playas on his property have developed erosion channels over time, altering the way water naturally moves across the landscape. His goal is to restore not only the playas themselves, but also the upland areas impacted by past disturbances. “While we have the equipment there, we’re planning to restore the surrounding areas too,” he said. “Kind of taking it back to what it should have been, without the disturbance, prior to mankind.”
For Peterson, success means finding a workable balance between livestock production, conservation, and long-term sustainability. “A successful ranching operation for me is not only livestock, but rangeland health,” he said.
That mindset has become increasingly important following years of severe drought across eastern New Mexico.“If anything will make you be a conservationist, a drought will,” Peterson said. “The next generation is looking at how we do it better.” At the same time, Peterson acknowledges the region faces unique economic pressures, particularly with the influence of oil, gas, and renewable energy development throughout the Permian Basin. “Conservation is important for most,” he said, “but not always the most financially rewarding.”
Even so, he believes more landowners are beginning to explore conservation opportunities and partnerships. “The best thing I would say is educate yourself with who’s out there to help you,” Peterson said. “It’s amazing how much support and knowledge is right around you that you really didn’t know until you reached out.”
Looking ahead, Peterson plans to restore all seven playas on his operation. While he knows those projects alone will not solve the region’s larger water challenges, he believes they are still an important step forward. “It’s a small piece,” he said. “But if we want better results, we need to make a bigger imprint.”
Learn more about Bryce’s story. Hear him talk about how playa restoration is a small piece of a bigger solution.