Ranchers Battle Drought and Struggle to Sustain Their Livelihoods

Water Struggles in Montrose, Colorado

In Montrose, Colorado, ranchers face a relentless battle against drought conditions. Scott Snyder, who runs Mex and Sons Ranch with his family, is one of many dealing with water scarcity. Recently, he spent nine hours in scorching heat, making eight trips in three vehicles to ensure his 800 cow-calf pairs had enough water.

Impact of Climate Change

Ranchers like Snyder have traditionally counted on snowmelt to fill stock ponds for their livestock. This year, however, snowpack levels in the Upper Colorado River Basin—covering Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, and New Mexico—hit record lows. A study confirms that human-induced climate change heightened the snow drought’s likelihood by 14 times.

Adaptation Strategies Adopted by Ranchers

Snyder and his brother Monte have implemented several strategies to cope. They have reduced their herd size, purchased additional hay, and moved cattle further afield to find grazing land. They constantly monitor for wildfires. Hauling drinking water has also become a critical task, with a local landowner allowing them to refill their large water tanker from a nearby reservoir.

Shared Challenges and Solutions

Mark Ragsdale, the water commissioner for Norwood, shares similar challenges. He also hauls water for his herd of 45 cow-calf pairs, benefited by a solar-powered well still in operation. Ragsdale notes that it might take a decade of above-average precipitation to restore normal conditions.

Adrienne Marshall from the Colorado School of Mines points out that the odds of experiencing another extreme drought in the near future are low, but warns that continuous lesser droughts can accumulate. Greenhouse gas emissions remain a primary driver.

Efforts and Emotional Strain

Lance Bray and his brother Zandon continue their cattle operations despite emotional and physical tolls, bolstered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture reimbursements, although time lost can’t be regained. Zandon voices the mental strain of pending uncertainties around precipitation.

In New Mexico, Stanford Salazar experiences similar challenges. His trailer suffered a tire blowout due to heavy water tanks, impacting his daily commute to his job. The lack of winter snow further exacerbates water scarcity.

Innovative Approaches to Mitigate Impact

In Utah, Jeff Christensen drills deep wells, hoping to lessen his water hauling duties. Grants from Utah’s Grazing Improvement Program partially fund such initiatives. Christensen remains vigilant in managing water resources and spends significant time addressing water-related concerns.

Overall, ranchers across the region continue adjusting to climate-induced challenges as they work to sustain their livelihoods.