An estimated 2.5 to 3.0 million acre‐feet of runoff water accumulate annually in playas on the Southern High Plains. This large water resource should be developed for more intensive use; however, past lack of knowledge about its quality has impeded progress. Thirteen playas were sampled over an area extending about 100 miles from northeast to southwest and covering two major soil types. The water from playas contained less salts than ground water and was of excellent quality for irrigation. Nitrate contents were less than 1.0 mg/1 in nearly all playas. Nitrogen fertilizer applied to farmland added little, if any, nitrate to the surface runoff water. Suspended solids contained in playa waters were high and variable but were substantially reduced by settling in deep reservoirs protected from wind and wave actio