Two new, underground water guzzler systems rests in the foothills of the Beaver Dam Mountain range in the Mojave desert in southern Utah.
This arid patch of Utah is home to a new herd of desert big horn sheep, gambels quail, and other wildlife.With little rainfall, this new watering system will supply drinking water for wildlife during the driest conditions.
"Water is the number one factor in Utah that limits our herds in these dryer areas," says Darrell McMahan, habitat biologist for the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources.
The DWR has installed other guzzler systems throughout Utah. Their aluminum structure and exposed water catching system make them vulnerable to vandalism and drying out during a long, hot season.
This new, underground system will hold more than 6,000 gallons of water and carry wildlife through most any drought.
The system consists of a large reservoir tank, similar to storage tanks used for gasoline, and a drinking trough. The trough will hold over 1,500 gallons of water.
With concrete steps placed inside the trough, animals can easily walk down to the water.
With everything underground, there is no float valve to check, no collection system to fix after being vandalized, and no visible impact to the habitat.
After the tank is covered over with dirt, biologists spread grass seed similar to the terrain.
Rainwater runs down a small gully and funnels down a long pipe to fill the tank and trough. A metal screen mesh is placed at the head of the dam, keeping sediment out of the system.
In an area that may receive only 6 to 12 inches of water annually, two storms will likely fill the reservoir to last all year long.