If trees are planted too close to the dugout, aeration may be required to prevent water stagnation. Household A multiple row planting should be considered to improve dugout water quantity and quality for household supply, irrigation and recreation purposes. In a multiple row planting, the outer row should consist of a shrub such as caragana or choke cherry and the second row should consist of a fruit bearing shrub or a conifer. Coniferous trees planted as the inside row of a multiple-row planting will grow to a greater height than deciduous trees and will help to filter out tree leaves and other debris. Livestock A reliable source of water can help diversify livestock operations, particularly in areas prone to seasonal droughts.
Dugouts are often the only water source in pastures.
Pasture dugouts are usually smaller than farmyard dugouts so smaller volumes of water will fill them. Because the land upwind of a pasture dugout is rarely cultivated, snow is trapped by the grass residue rather than by the shelterbelt. For this reason, a single-row shelterbelt should be at least 500 m long. Wildlife Wildlife can also benefit from dugout shelterbelts. The cover, nesting habitat and food provided by trees and shrubs around a reliable body of water attract songbirds and other wildlife.