A TX Panhandle Rancher Catches Water For His Herd

A Texas Panhandle rancher has found an efficient way to capture rainwater for his herd, and ease pressure on the Ogallala Aquifer in the process. According To Drovers Cattle Network, Hale County rancher Bob Durham has devised a catchment system for his two large livestock barns. The rainfall is captured in six, 5,000-gallon water storage tanks. The system also has a first-flush diverter to clean the water coming off the barn. From each barn, two inches of rain would yield just over 12,000 gallons. That’s enough for 25 head of cattle for a month. Four inches of rain would produce almost 25,000 gallons of water. The water is transported through a gravity-flow pipeline to water troughs in the pastures. In addition to preserving the aquifer, the system should save Durham money. That’s because he won’t have to pump as much groundwater to the surface. The system also reduces soil erosion around the barns.