Snowfall in the Big Horn Basin prompts cautious optimism, changes for farmers

Farmers and ranchers throughout the basin have been watching the snow and rainfall numbers cautiously over the last several months. Wyoming has had an unusually dry winter with historically low snowfall levels after a wet autumn. Shell Creek’s snowfall is hovering around 40% of where it needs to be (8.6 inches accumulated to 21 inches on average), while Kirwin is faring better at roughly 58% (8.8 inches to 15.2 inches on average). Cloud Peak is at 40% (8.2 inches accumulated, 20.4 inches on average), Soldier Park is at 27% (2.5 inches accumulated, 9.4 inches on average) and Sylvan Lake is at 37.5% (10.8 inches accumulated, 28.8 inches on average).

“It’s hard to tell,” Linda Galloway, the District Conservation Supervisor, says, of a potential drought. “Obviously, snowfall correlates to irrigation, and it’s looking pretty dry, but it’s still early.

“The good news is that we had a very wet fall, so that got the water table up higher and closer to where it needs to be. If there is a drought this year, then I expect it won’t be as bad as it could be, based on the fact that we had a lot of moisture in the ground going into the winter.”

She explained that the low snowpack may have additional impacts on ranchers leasing public lands. The U.S. Forest Service recently issued a statement advising farmers and ranchers to be cognizant of their herd numbers and prepared to reduce or alter grazing patterns. While formal restrictions have not yet been implemented, the USFS will revisit the matter later this spring when snowfall and rain totals are more final.

“(On public range land,) there’s a ‘take 50%, leave 50%’ rule, but there’s a big difference between taking 50% of 12-inch grasses and 50% of 4-inch grasses,” explained Galloway. “As a result, farmers may need to haul not just water, but feed, or adjust their numbers, or bring down their herds earlier from the range itself to preserve the land.

“If you manage your land properly in good years, then bad years and their impact will be lessened. But if you’re someone who isn’t managing their range equitably, then the effects of a bad year will be felt more severely.”

The lack of snow has already impacted Keith and Linda Hamilton of Hyattville, and their sheep.

“The biggest problem we have now,” Linda said, “is that without snow, we’re having to haul water. Normally, when (our sheep) are on BLM range, there’s snow for moisture. This year, it’s lacking and we’re having to supplement.”

The Hamiltons also raise hay, corn, and pasture grass but feel it’s too early to say whether precipitation levels will influence their planting.

“We normally take the cattle to the BLM fairly early,” Linda continued, looking ahead at the spring and summer, “then up the slopes to end on the mountain around the beginning of July, while our sheep go to the northern Big Horns on July 1st and come down on Labor Day. Lack of moisture could affect those plans.

“It’s early days yet, though,” she added. “There’s still some time to get snow or rain on the mountains, and even down here. We’re fortunate to have enough range and pasture to accommodate our stock if we have to come back earlier than anticipated.”

The Hamiltons’ eyes wide open perspective is one shared by other farmers in the area, who are similarly pragmatic.

 “We still have a ways to go,” said Richard Russell of Basin, echoing Linda Hamilton’s assessment. “Normally, March, April and May are our wettest months, so there’s time for us to get to where we want to be.” He pointed toward the snowpack in Wind River and above Greybull, adding, “Right now, those look good. The Upper and Lower Sunshine and Basin reservoirs look good.”

Russell farms corn, beets and barley. When pressed for any changes he might anticipate when it comes time to plant, he considers.

“If it stopped raining tomorrow and we didn’t get any more moisture, then I would switch my barley and beet fields based on the amount of water they use,” he said. “I might use less fertilizer. But with the way things look right now, I would say I am cautiously optimistic.”

The NRCS and Farm Service Agency both provide drought relief programs. Anyone seeking information should visit a local office in Greybull or Lovell or visit the USDA website. The Farm Service Agency’s newsletter also provides additional updates on when those drought programs go into effect.