Watch Spring Runoff Tips from Mark Heyn with Heyn Real Estate:
Winter in SD this year seemed to go on and on…and on…and then a little more. We were still getting snow towards the end of May. While, yes, everyone was ready for some Vitamin D, as anyone in agriculture knows, we were so thankful for the moisture.
While we are Realtors in Wyoming, South Dakota, and Nebraska, our hearts really went out to our neighbors to the north. Here in SD, we couldn’t complain one bit compared to the intense storms Montana and North Dakota received one right after the other. There were a lot of calves, many brand new, that ranchers lost, and people without power for days. It’s been a tough spring for many in the agriculture business. (Check out these photos of one of the storms.) Throughout it all, the water runoff is in the back of every ranchers mind. Read on for spring runoff tips.
1. Watch Your Fences
So let’s dive in. Naturally with these kind of storms, fences can get knocked down. You’ll definitely want to check your fence lines and keep a count of your livestock. Yes, this is an obvious one, but cannot be overlooked.
Once the runoff begins, watch for debris that attached to the fences. While the little pieces here and there will release on their own, it would be worth your time to remove the large portions of debris. It’ll be easier than fixing fence if it’s heavy enough to cause some damage.
2. The Melt-Off
Once the snow starts melting, or if you get a heavy rain, naturally your creeks and streams will begin rising. You need to have a plan in place for how you will get to your livestock if the water source is impassable. Your animals may not be able to get to enough food, so how will you get your feed to them? Keep a secondary feed supply in the area animals may be stranded in. Whether a boat, trolley pull cart, or even a plane, you’ll need access to the area.
Another general spring runoff tip is to always pay attention to running water. Even if you think the water isn’t too deep, often the water is moving much faster than it looks. The water can quickly become very dangerous. It is never worth it to risk it.
Side note, but in the event you ever find yourself in a water emergency, US Water Rescue of Billings, MT, would be the experts to call.
3. Final Spring Runoff Tip: Erosion
Erosion can create a serious problem when water comes if you don’t have a proper plan. Whether it be your ranchland, farmland, developmental piece of property, or simply your home, water needs a place to properly go so it doesn’t damage the property. Even with the best made plan, sometimes, the water can come with such force, that it doesn’t care about your “plan”. While you can’t help that, do what you can do. Direct the water on your property down a path to a collect-all of some sort. That may vary from excavated pathways leading to a dam or stream to pointing your gutters towards the city street and anything in between. While this is an expense, and depending on the size of your property, potentially a very large one, it will be far more expensive to fix the damage that may be caused otherwise.
If you’re looking for land for sale or land to buy, Heyn Real Estate is the brokerage you want. Licensed in SD, WY, and NE, their expertise, access to properties, and personalized customer service is what sets them apart. Give them a call.
