Riverfork Ranch Preliminary Ranching Information and Ideas
October 19, 2000

These ranch notes are from a conversation with Jerry Whitmeyer, Ranch Manager on October 19, 2000.

Introduction
Jerry has been developing this ranch for the past ten years. When Jerry arrived, the ranch was in poor condition with lots of weeds, broken down fencing, and an irrigation system in need of repair. The ranch needs to have occasional cattle grazing in all areas to help control weeds than can dominate. His cattle are part Brahma, which are natural wanderers. They like to move around and routinely cross rivers and channels as they move from area to area.

Wildlife
Jerry enjoys the ranch wildlife; in particular, a pair of eagles in the spring, deer having breakfast in the alfalfa field, meadow larks galore and of course the ducks and geese. Skunks tend to get most of the baby teal that nest in the river area. Coyotes are o.k. unless they form a pack. At that point Jerry will control. Mountain lions and Black Bear are other predators that keep wildlife in balance.

Irrigation Water
There are 240 acre feet of water rights from the West Fork. East Fork water cannot be used in West Fork areas. There are three points of water diversion all coming from the southeast portion of the ranch. There are ____ acre feet of East Fork water, all of which came from home stream. October 15th is the last date for water delivery. In the spring there is more water available depending on the seasonal snowpack and the rate of snow melt. Water is discussed later in each pasture/field description.

Field and Pasture Ideas and Information
The following discussion has been organized by Ranch areas. Since there is a need to discuss these areas, an attempt has been made to name each of 20 areas. All digital photos are also organized under the same system.

South East Pasture - The West Fork splits this pasture in two. This is productive pasture, a portion of which has been laser leveled. Irrigation water comes from West Fork. There are ____ acre feet allocated to this pasture. (See attached map)

Conservation Plan - A conservation plan #1999007 was adapted on January 20, 2000. This plan calls to laser level four fields: Boot, Center, Triangle and Southwest pastures. These are all areas that receive water rights and are in need of improvement. The Southwest areas have been rough graded and disked. Jerry indicated that when this plan is approved for implementation, he may acquire the necessary equipment to do the land leveling. The water allocated to these four fields is ____, _____, _____, _____.

COE Wetlands - This area was created 12 years ago by authority of the U.S. Corps of Engineers as a result of illegal dredging. Jerry occasionally places cattle in this area to keep down weed growth.

Center Field - This area has been laser leveled and is used to grow crops that support the cattle operation. No hay or alfalfa is sold for a cash crop. The runoff from the ____ acre feet allocated to this field help support the COE wetlands.

West Fork Meadow - This area has no water rights and is used as a seasonal pasture. From here the cattle can range over a large part of the ranch including the bullrush and long pond areas.

Genoa Lane, North Central, and Island Areas - For these three areas Jerry’s idea is to allow a portion that is heavily shrubbed to remain. These areas will provide wildlife shelter and provide shelter for cattle during stormy conditions. The area with meadow grass will be left as is. The areas with thin shrub cover could be disked and seeded with dryland grasses to provide seasonal feed. There are no water rights for these areas.

East Fork Area - This area is a mix of meadow, dryland shrubs, and riparian shrubs. Cattle must cross the East Fork to gain access to this area. Without fencing across the East Fork, cattle occasionally escape the ranch toward the northeast. Jerry indicated that there is a conflict with fencing across the river or channels if canoeing or rafting were a part of the anticipated use for the ranch.

East Pasture - Forty acre feet of water is allocated to this potential pasture, however the water is utilized very inefficiently. There is a need to remove the irrigation ditch to the east and developed a new ditch along the south fence. Then a portion of the area could be laser leveled to better utilize the water. Areas with high sodic soil conditions would be allowed to remain in rabbit brush, greasewood and other shrub and forbs. The area just to the south and east of the dry stream that connect the two forks during a flood is a naturally low area that could be developed into a wetland area. This area could then take advantage of the runoff.

There is a pressing need to build 832 feet of fence to the south of the east fork to help cattle on the ranch.

Confluence Pasture - This area has been leveled but there are no water rights allocated to this field. This area needs improvement through disking and seeding. There is lots of potential here utilizing early spring water and to take advantage of subterranean irrigation. (high water table?)
Home Field - This has been utilized to produce alfalfa for winter feed. Jerry normally gets three cuttings per year. The 27 acre feet of water is applied two or three times per cutting. During the spring irrigation water is shared with the Park Ranch. Later in the season this water comes from the south. The point of diversion is about .6 miles east of the property down Muller Lane.

Summary - Jerry and Carolyn need to review these notes for accuracy, fill in the blanks, and add information. It appears that there are many ways in which to improve areas of the ranch and at the same time improve the wildlife habitat areas.


Tom Stille, Pinyon Design