Snowfall ranges from 25 cm in the north to 10 cm in the south. The moderate but somewhat erratic precipitation supplies water for range and crops. Small ponds on individual farms provide water for livestock. Some larger ponds on individual farms are used for flood control, recreation, irrigation water, or water for livestock. A few large ponds and reservoirs are a source of municipal water and irrigation water.
Rivers are a potential source of water for irrigation.
Water in some of the larger rivers is highly mineralized. The deep sand and gravel in valleys yield some ground water. In sloping areas where the underlying sandstone and shale are near the surface, ground water is scarce. The major soils are Ustolls, Ustalfs, and Ochrepts. They have a thermic temperature regime, an ustic moisture regime, and mixed mineralogy.