Erosion Control - Pitchstone Waters (Page 2)

Sign in Subscribe

Erosion Control

A collection of 148 posts

Dropping the Fences, Episode 2: RAIN

"Invasion Biology"

Dropping the Fences, Episode 2: RAIN

After reading the signs, Johnny’s predictions of good rain come true after seven years of drought. Within weeks the veld is transformed in a great renewal as seeds that have lain dormant for years come to life. It’s time for Veronica to learn more about regenerative agriculture with

What is Holistic Management?

What is Holistic Management?

From the Savory Institute. The Savory Institute’s mission is to facilitate the large-scale regeneration of the world’s grasslands through Holistic Management. The organization’s educational consulting activities are turning deserts into thriving grasslands, restoring biodiversity, bringing streams, rivers and water sources back to life, combating poverty and hunger,

Lake Powell is Filling Up – With Mud

Lake Powell is Filling Up - With Mud

The basins behind America’s dams are filling up with sediment and the dam structures are aging. As discussed in the article below, this problem is acute at Lake Powell, the enormous reservoir created by the Glenn Canyon Dam in 1963. Meanwhile, the Desert Southwest is critically short of water.

Cost-effectively Wildfire Grazing Steep Ground With Lava Flows (Talus Field) by Wild Horses

Cost-effectively Wildfire Grazing Steep Ground With Lava Flows (Talus Field) by Wild Horses

“As discussed in this video, so-called ‘invasive’ horses – actually North America’s oldest native species, can reduce wildfire and restore habitat in areas unreachable by any other large grazer. Watch this 1-minute video and judge for yourself: NOTE: this post was originally shared with us by Capt. William E. Simpson

idaho_artificial_beaver_dam

Artificial Beaver Dams

Artificial Beaver Dams Are Catching on in Idaho

How and why to build artificial beaver dams. Any property with small streams should consider these. The authors say, “We visited two very different streams in Idaho to learn how beaver dam-like structures can help store water, slow down runoff, enhance the riparian area and improve fish and wildlife habitat.

Re-introducing Beaver on the Escalante River Watershed in Utah

An excellent explanation of the importance of beaver to any watershed. NOTE: this post was originally published to this site on July 13, 2020

beaver_ponds_pitchstone_waters_idaho

Artificial Beaver Dams

Releasing Beavers in Idaho

Fifth in a series about reintroducing beaver on the Fall River in Idaho, 5-miles Southwest of Yellowstone National Park. NOTE: this post was originally published to this site on June 15, 2020

"Invasion Biology"

Beavers in Arizona Deserts

Beavers are keystone species in desert ecosystems. NOTE: this post was originally published to this site on July 30, 2018. And again on May 27, 2020.

stewardship_with_vision_episode_2

Stewardship with Vision – Episode 2: Malpai Borderlands Group

In the high desert of southern Arizona and New Mexico, almost a million acres of important habitats and nearly 30 at-risk species are being protected and conserved…by a coalition of ranchers who manage from “The Radical Center”… – The Malpai Borderlands Group NOTE: this post was originally published to this

Yellowstone Elk Migration Trail: Amazing Camera Trap Highlights

Yellowstone Elk Migration Trail: Amazing Camera Trap Highlights

Like rivers, Yellowstone’s migration corridors have many tributaries. One of these passes through Pitchstone Waters Ranch. We see herds of as many as 100 elk exiting the national forest, passing through our meadows and across the Fall River, and then reentering national forest to the north. They are headed

Pitchstone Waters Artificial Beaver Dams #4

Artificial Beaver Dam Videos

Pitchstone Waters Artificial Beaver Dams #4

At Pitchstone Waters in Idaho, we spanned an entire valley with two artificial beaver dams. Doing this presented special problems. Fourth in a series. NOTE: this post was originally published to this site on December 23, 2019 — For more posts like this, in your inbox weekly – sign up for the

management_allan_savory

Management Comparison - Allan Savory

One minute of your attention could save civilization as we know it. NOTE: this video was originally published to Facebook by Allan Savory. It is provided here with permission. It was originally published to this site on November 25, 2019. All scientists agree that no life can survive without suitable

It Was War. Then, a Rancher’s Truce With Some Pesky Beavers Paid Off

Artificial Beaver Dams

It Was War. Then, a Rancher’s Truce With Some Pesky Beavers Paid Off

The article below has an excellent discussion of the growing recognition that beavers are an essential part of habitat restoration. Quoting one expert, “It may seem trite to say that beavers are a key part of a national climate action plan, but the reality is that they are a force

pitchstone_goats_idaho

Goats Clearing Meadows and Forest at Pitchstone Waters #4

On the Fall River in Idaho, 5-miles from the southwest corner of Yellowstone Park, we use goats instead of herbicides to control weeds and stimulate grasses in sagebrush meadows. Fourth in a series. NOTE: this post was originally published to this site on November 4, 2019

goats_pitchstone_waters_idaho

Goats Clearing Meadows and Forest at Pitchstone Waters #3

Goats Clearing Meadows and Forest at Pitchstone Waters #3 from Christopher Gill on Vimeo. Third in a series: On the Fall River in Idaho, 5-miles from the southwest corner of Yellowstone Park, we use goats instead of herbicides to control weeds and stimulate grasses in sagebrush meadows. NOTE: this post

Goats, Brush, Weeds and Wildfire

Goats, Brush, Weeds and Wildfire

At Pitchstone Waters Ranch in Idaho, 5-miles southwest of Yellowstone Park, we use goats and cattle to reduce brush, control “weeds” and forbs, reduce wildfire and stimulate plant growth on forest floors and meadows.

Five Iconic Animals of Yellowstone

Five Iconic Animals of Yellowstone

“Yellowstone National Park may be best known for Old Faithful geyser and other unique geothermal features, but it’s also home to the largest concentration of mammals in the lower 48 states. Learn about wolves, elk, grizzly bears, bison, and river otters that call Yellowstone home. NOTE: this video was

Living Soil Film

Living Soil Film

Our soils support 95 percent of all food production, and by 2060, our soils will be asked to give us as much food as we have consumed in the last 500 years. They filter our water. They are one of our most cost-effective reservoirs for sequestering carbon. They are our

Understanding ‘Wild Horse Fire Brigade’

"Invasion Biology"

Understanding ‘Wild Horse Fire Brigade’

As discussed in the compelling article published below, “Wild horses that are restored back into their evolutionary roles as keystone herbivores naturally protect forests, wildlife, watersheds and wilderness ecosystems, which benefit through symbiotic grazing by wild horses that naturally maintain wildfire fuels (grass and brush) to nominal levels, thereby reducing

"Invasion Biology"

Restoration of Beaver in Arizona's San Pedro River

Beavers are a keystone species in desert ecosystems. See how beaver restoration is healing a degraded Arizona river and its Mexican tributaries. NOTE: this post was originally published to this site on May 28, 2018

circle_ranch_west_texas_ranch_fall_sunset

Gulleys for Desert Grassland Restoration #2

Using a gulley to create a riparian meadow in the desert. NOTE: this post was originally published to this site on May 31, 2017 To see another example of this practice, click here.

Rangeland Restoration: Subsoil Contour Plowing at Circle Ranch, in far-West Texas

Rangeland Restoration: Subsoil Contour Plowing at Circle Ranch, in far-West Texas

Subsoil contour plowing is an excellent way to increase water absorption in the desert grasslands of far-West Texas and Southern New Mexico. The effectiveness of the practice is shown in these before-and-after comparisons. NOTE: this post was originally published to this site on October 9, 2017.

Gulleys for Grassland Restoration #12: Chupacabra Dam

Gulleys for Grassland Restoration #12: Chupacabra Dam

Another example of a small dam that spills water from an eroded gulley, to reduce road washing and to irrigate a few acres of grassland at Circle Ranch in the high-desert mountains of far-West Texas. NOTE: this post was originally published to this site on October 2, 2017

Gulleys for Grassland Restoration #9: Harvesting Water in Steep Canyons

Gulleys for Grassland Restoration #9: Harvesting Water in Steep Canyons

Restoring the Southwest’s desert grasslands takes water. Most ranches treat eroding gulleys and roads – and their stormwater runoffs – as liabilities. In fact these are potential water assets on every ranch. This little diversion dam harvests water from a steep desert canyon and returns it to water-starved meadows, restoring upstream

Gulleys for Grassland Restoration #5: Upper Pennel Canyon at Circle Ranch

"Invasion Biology"

Gulleys for Grassland Restoration #5: Upper Pennel Canyon at Circle Ranch

Using a mountain gulley for erosion control and desert grassland restoration at Circle Ranch in far-West Texas. NOTE: this post was originally published to this site on August 14, 2017. This little dam took 45-minutes to build.