Burning Ditches

Springtime in the Rockies usually involves a lot of work. Irrigation is a nonnegotiable in the Big Horn Basin. The canal system around the area, that gets water to ground that would otherwise be barren, is beautiful, but labor intensive. Before you can get water running in them, you have to make sure they are weed free and ready to flow. 

Burning is the best way to get rid of weeds, grass, and trash. Dad was scrambling because water is coming, so I jumped in and gave him a hand. 

Safety first. Good to have a fire truck on hand. Ranch truck is multipurpose. 

Tumbleweeds packed around a bridge is a common effect of the winter winds. 

Situations like this, we just pulled them away from the wood structure. 

And let 'er buck. 

Great conditions for burning. Dried out weeds, no wind, and green grass outlining the ditch. 

That'll work. 

Burning around headgates is also a good idea. Keeps them from getting plugged with trash and allows water to flow in freely. 

Dad takes no chances on fires getting out of control. His philosophy is, Where there's smoke there's fire. Douse it with water.

The crops are well on their way. The barley planted early germinated on its own. But it'll be looking for a drink soon. 

You think driving down your neighborhood alleys reveals some hidden gems? Try cruising the canal roads. There's some unseen treasures laying behind people's farms. 

It's also a good idea to burn the grasses that line the ditch banks. Anything hanging in the water is going to cause friction and hinder the flow. 

Best to burn it now. 

Giddy up. 

This dog should hunt. At least it has been for the past hundred years. The canals around the Basin are remarkable, but they don't operate themselves. Your best bet is to do as much preventative maintenance as you can. Because when a wreck happens, it is usually big. Best to avoid the near occasion of sin and be ready before the water ever hits the dirt. Let's farm.