sunset over Ute Creek
We are in New Mexico, visiting our great good friends, Jack and Tuda Crews. Several years ago (can it be 15?!), they left Wyoming and moved to Bueyeros, New Mexico, where Tuda’s family has ranched for many generations. The Ute Creek Ranch has been recognized for its conservation practices, including the New Mexico Society for Range Management Excellence in Range Management award. Tuda and Jack have vastly improved their range and their riparian areas, in spite of many years of drought.
Pat, Jack and Tuda look at the Aqua Balls on their watering tank
The Aqua Balls reduce evaporation by 91 percent. This saves 16,000 gallons of groundwater in a year, at this tank alone. The tank is windmill driven and also provides water for wildlife.
Each watering tank on The ranch has an overflow pond, which provides bird habitat.
St. Francis overlooks the ranch headquarters, and the Tuda Libby Crews Wild Bird Sanctuary.
Northern New Mexico used to have lots of sheep, but these were the only ones we could find.
Ladder Ranch
Mike Buchanan
September 20, 2015 at 1:12 PM
do the aqua balls prevent freezing as well as evaporation?
Ladder Ranch
September 20, 2015 at 1:35 PM
Jack and Tuda said that six below, a thin layer of ice formed. The black balls absorb heat.
daleenc
September 20, 2015 at 4:19 PM
Wow!!!! Now that’s pretty cool!! Aqua balls huh? I’ll have to look in to them!
Linda
September 21, 2015 at 4:40 PM
Great to see Tuda Crews is still doing good work for ranching and the environment; we met at the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering in Elko. And I definitely will look into aqua balls!