It’s a recurrent theme around here… water projects. We’ve always done them… developing springs and putting stock tanks near them… pipelines to run water somewhere… storage tanks to save water… and this year, I’m grateful for all those projects.
For those of you not in agriculture… the U.S. is in a serious drought.
Yeah, folks, if you haven’t heard of the drought or wildfires already this year (poor Nebraska!), you might want to start paying attention, because, silly me… I believe you probably have eaten and plan to eat more soon.
Anyway, the drought is hitting with pastures not growing feed and springs not flowing. Believe me, ranchers around here are wondering: do they sell some cattle? Rent pasture? Buy hay? Graze differently? Develop springs that aren’t there this year? Haul water? And it all costs money…
We drove up to one leased pasture we have. Years ago, we developed a good spring here… running it into a pond and storage tank and watering trough. But with no snow, that spring isn’t running. An option? Run a pipeline down into the canyon and pump water up.
Oh, did I mention that canyon is 500’ deep with no access but by foot?
While Brandon, Quinlan, and Lorelei took off for the bottom of the canyon… I sat with Daniel as he prepared his drone to see if this is feasible. You can see the little drone at Daniel’s eye level in front of the juniper bush. Walkie-talkies were helpful too…
They flew and hiked and took pictures. Is there enough water in the creek in the canyon to put a pump in? Is there too much timber to allow a temporary water line to be laid? Is it too rocky? Too steep? I wish I had some of their photos to share, but I don’t.
Vernon’s blue sxs is hidden in the trees on the left and the drone is almost dead center in the pic just above the skyline.
Now will come the data… distance, angle, steepness, weight, friction, obstacles, price… and then we will have to decide. The good grass here doesn’t do any good without water for the cows…
These things are on the minds of ranchers everywhere. A few good rains would really help the situation!
