The Sidney herald., 1956-02-23
Conservation
Accomplishments
In E. Montana
BY David j. Tokach.
Area Engineer
Soil Conservation Service

Many new conservation practic-
es were initiated in Eastern Mon
tana in 1855. This Eastern Mon
tana rea is known as Area 2 to
the Soil Conservation Service and
consists of nine counties which
are Carter, Custer, Dawson, Fall
Ion, McCone, Powder River, Prair-
lie, Highland and Wibaux. These
counties with the exception of
Prairie County are in soil con-
servation districts. In the case of
Prairie County, a State Grazing
District operates in the develop
ment and promotion of soil and
water conservation.
Conservation practices were put
on the land in 1855 in this area
through the guidance of Soil Con-
servation Districts and with the
assistance of Soil Conservation
Technicians.
Dryland conservation consists of
measures to check wind and water
erosion. There were 5,182 acres
of farmland put under contour
strip cropping and 62,412 acres
were stubble mulched. One hun
dred seventeen acres of trees were
planted. Most of these trees are
farmstead shelterbelts for protec-
ton of farmsteads and wildlife.
Four hundred fifteen acres of
grassed waterways to help excess
water off fields we're constructed.
Rangeland conservation consists
of practices which contribute to
efficient use of surrounding range.
In this respect, 252 stockwater
dams, SO springs and 158 wells
were constructed to help distri-
butte grazing. Three thousand five
hundred acres of range in poor
condition were reseeded. Water
spreading, where flood waters are
spread over flatter lanes and help
to conserve water and prevent
erosion, was applied on 1858 acres
with 142 diversion dams and 80
miles of bitches helping to spread
the water.
Irrigation conservation is main
ly the more efficient application
and distribution of irrigation wa
ter. There were 993 acres of land
leveled, ii irrigation reservoirs
storing 1900 acre feet of water
constructed and 4 irrigation pump
ing plants installed. In addition,
1853 acres of irrigated land had
conservation measures applied
which will improve water appli-
cation. Practices like border bikes,
contour bitches, length of run
studies, and use of siphon tubes
are all methods used to improve
water application. There were $50
water control structures installed,
SO of these especially designed,
which included drops, turnouts,
checks, chutes, drop inlet spill
ways, etc.
AS important as water applica-
is excess water removal or
drainage, of which 8 miles of open
drains were constructed during
1855.
Si~xty-five farmers and ranchers
developed conservation plans.
These plans, also known as con-
servation blueprints, contain a soil
survey map showing the different
types of soil. By studying the
.ypes of soil the operator and
.echnician plan what conservation
practices are needed and where
n order to prevent wind and wa
.er erosion and thereby sustain
high production without soil de-
erioriation.
These are just a few of the many
conservation practices completed
1855 by the farmers and ranch
rs of Eastern Montana. A ire
nendous job still remains to be
lone before every acre of land
S used according to its capacities
nd treated according to its needs.