TheDrift Prairie is a geographic region in the U.S. states ofNorth Dakota andSouth Dakota.[1]
In North Dakota, the Drift Prairie is the transition zone between two zones. The gently rolling hills and shallow lakes were formed byglacial action, while thebadlands to the west are characterized by the lack of this action, and theRed River Valley to the east was a lakebed. This distinction causes the area considered the Drift Prairie to overlap somewhat with theMissouri Plateau, another of North Dakota's distinct geographic regions, but the Drift Prairie also includes theSouris River basin. Prairie grasses and wheat grow there, making it a perfect place for ranchers. The prairie is filled withdrift, a type of soil consisting of clay, sand, and gravel originating from glacial processes.[2]
In South Dakota, most of the eastern part of the state is covered by the Drift Prairie. TheMissouri River cuts through the center of the state. To the east of the river are low hills and lakes formed by glaciers referred to as the Drift Prairie. The area is bordered on the east by theMinnesota River Valley and on the west by theJames River Basin.[3]
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