The Buffalo Watershed (HUC 06040004) covers approximately 1,088 square miles and includes parts of Wyoming, South Dakota, and Nebraska. The watershed is dominated by grasslands with some forested areas. The hydrology of the watershed is heavily influenced by snowpack, which is typically heaviest in January and February. The snowpack contributes to the surface water in the watershed, which includes several small streams and the Niobrara River. There are several reservoirs in the watershed that are used for irrigation, recreation, and flood control. These reservoirs contain sediments and nutrients that can impact water quality. Interesting climatic facts include the region's vulnerability to drought, with several severe droughts occurring in the past century. Climate change is expected to further exacerbate these droughts and alter the hydrology of the watershed.