Forage on grazing lands and hay crop are not the only concerns ranchers and others face during drought conditions, water resources such as reservoirs, streams and rivers are much lower. BLM's Pinedale Field Office Range Management Specialist Doug Powell said that because conditions were dry last year, they are anticipating problems again this year. Everyone has been thinking about it all winter. Wildlife and fish are also affected by lower water levels in streams and reservoirs, and they too are sometimes dependent upon water troughs. As humans we focus on the short term, one to two years.
Natural cycles are a lot longer than that.
Roadifer said by definition riparian areas are water areas. During a drought cycle there is less habitat for fish and other riparian animals in these areas. However, if there is no mismangement through harvesting and grazing regulations of the area, the populations within will return. See The Archives for past articles. All rights reserved.