Four creeks give Hansford County's prairie its shape

Four intermittent creeks cut Hansford County's level and rolling prairie: Frisco, Coldwater, Palo Duro, and Horse. The county sits on the High Plains between about 2,950 and 3,300 feet above sea level, with creek breaks folding through the grassland.

Those folds mattered to early land use. Much of the county once belonged to the Turkey Track Ranch, while smaller ranching operations planted crops in the creekbottoms. Black, sandy, and loam soils support native grasses along with wheat, corn, sorghum, oats, and other small grains.

The landscape is not one flat sheet. It has broad prairie above and creekbottoms tucked into the low folds. Hansford County's ranching and farming history grew around both levels.