WATER RIGHTS IN WYOMING

Posted on January 25, 2012 by Rita Lovell

We often get asked about water rights or irrigation.  In the State of Wyoming, all water is owned by the State and has been adjudicated through a priority system dating back to territorial dates to certain lands.  If a property has adjudicated water rights attached to the legal description, those water rights stay with the land when it is sold.  Wyoming is a high desert, semi-arid climate with average rainfall being 6 to 10 inches per year.  Supplemental water is needed to grow crops or  a landscaped yard.  Irrigation rights on smaller parcels are usually part of a larger water right and are generally shared with neighboring smaller parcels.  In many cases, there are irrigation districts that cover a larger area and oversee the water rights in that district.  There is a yearly charge for the delivery of water.  That assessment covers the maintenance of the canals and ditches in that district.  Fees vary from district to district.  Many times in a neighborhood with small parcels, there will be an association with a water master.  For more detailed information, visit http://seo.state.wy.us/PDF/living_small_acreage.pdf.  Water is gold in Wyoming.  From the fertile ground, lush crops can be produced.

23 Acres with Alkali Creek being the north border located between Cody and Powell. Utilities along the road.

$140,000 

 

 

If you are looking at land for sale that does not have irrigation or just looking for a home site, you most likely will be drilling a well.  This is done by obtaining a permit from the State Engineer’s office.  The cost is $50 for the application.  When the well is complete and hooked up to a power source, a Completion Statement is filled out and sent into the State Engineer’s office.  They will then adjudicate the water right to that property and assign a number.  A domestic well allows for watering of one acre around the home site. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For additional information on water rights in the State of Wyoming, contact the State Engineer’s Office, http://seo.state.wy.us/index.aspx

 

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Rocky Mountain Goats in the Beartooths

Posted on August 1, 2011 by Rita Lovell

Rocky Mountain goats inhabit the alpine meadows in high elevations in the Rocky Mountains. They are not a true goat, but are close relatives. They are sure footed often seen climbing along sheer mountain cliffs. I saw these grazing on a drive over the Beartooth Mountains yesterday. They are a magnificent sight. This elevation was probably about 10,000 feet.

The Beartooth Mountains were named after this formation. In the middle of the picture, you will see the ‘Bear’s Tooth.

As I drove to lower elevations of about 7,000 to 8,000 feet, I passed one field after another of magnificent splashes of color with the wildflowers in a massive bloom.

Indian Paintbrush, Wyoming’s State Flower

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Yellowstone National Park

Posted on July 29, 2011 by Rita Lovell

It was going to be a hot Sunday, so after breakfast, my husband and I decided to go to Yellowstone. At a higher elevation it would be cooler, so we took our 1950 Chevy hardtop and cruised down the road. We went in through the East Gate, 50 miles west of Cody. Teddy Roosevelt called it the ‘most scenic 50 miles in America.’

This rock formation on the way to the East Gate is known as the ‘Holy City.” It is called this as it resembles the sillouette of the ancient city of Jerusalem. It was formed millions of years ago by volacanic activity.

Holy City

Chimney Rock is another unique formation on the road from Cody to Yellowstone.

Elephant Head is another interesting formation on the way YellowstoneElephant Head

As we drive through the East Gate and up Sylvan Pass, we see evidence of the heavy snow melt as water cascades down the sides of the mountain.

As we drive through an open meadow before Yellowstone Lake, we see a field of beautiful wildflowers.This was an exceptional year for snow in the mountains during late Spring. Thus, the rivers are flowing at maximum. This is the Yellowstone River where we had lunch. You can see the trees in the middle of the river.This was a small island now covered by water.

Mud pots in Yellowstone are present where hot water is limited and hydrogen sulfide gas is present and sulfuric acid is generated. The hydrogen sulfide gas emits an odor smelling like rotten eggs. Our next stop was Artist Point and the Grand Canyon of YellowstoneFlowers on Dunraven Pass

Buffalo in Lamar ValleyAnd we came back home through the Northeast Gate, down off Dead Pass in time to barbeque steaks.

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WILD FLOWERS

Posted on July 14, 2011 by Rita Lovell

Wyoming Wild FlowersThis spring we had an abundance of rain, more than usual. This produced green prairies and mountain sides with lush vibrant wildflowers. Many of these flowers I have never seen before.

Last fall, I scattered seeds and was pleasantly surprised this spring to see the results.

Yucca is a native plant to this area. Normally, when you look across the prairie, you will notice them only when you are close up. This year they were in full bloom. I only see displays like this about every 3 years, so this was a very special year for the Yucca.

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Beartooth Highway Opens

Posted on June 15, 2011 by Rita Lovell

Wyoming MountainsThe Beartooth Highway is a stretch of highway that goes from Red Lodge to Cooke City, MT across the rugged Beartooth Mountains. Charles Kuralt called it the most scenic highway in North America. It is the highest highway in the Northern Rockies with the pass at 11,000 feet. Living at the base of the dramatic Beartooths, I look forward annually to the opening of the Beartooth Highway. Usually opening around Memorial weekend, this year it was delayed due to heavy snowpack. The 75th anniversary of the opening of the highway on June 14, 1936 was celebrated this past weekend. It follows a route taken by General Sheridan in 1872 when he was returning from an inspection tour of Yellowstone Park. Wyoming Mountains

On our trip on Sunday, we saw people skiing, snow boarding and snow mobiling. Wyoming MountainsIf you look at the top, you will see 2 skiers ready to launch down the mountain. Wyoming Mountains

Wyoming MountainsReturning home to the base of the Beartooth Mountains in Clark, we came to green prairies and wildflowers blooming.

Wyoming Mountains

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Northeast Entrance to Yellowstone Opens

Posted on May 18, 2011 by Rita Lovell

Yellowstone ParkLast week Coulter Pass from Pilot Creek in Wyoming to Cooke City Montana was plowed alowing Silver Gate, the Northeast entrance to Yellowstone Park to open for the season. We took a drive up the Chief Joseph Highway and continue through Cooke City and into the Park.

Soon after driving into the Park, we saw a young grizzly bear near Soda Butte Creek.

We drove a short way into Lamar Valley and turned around. The East Gate was closed due to avalanches. The Sunday afternoon drive was relaxing as we took in the awe inspiring views of the spectacular mountains in our backyard.Heart MountainYellowstone Park

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Chief Joseph Scenic Highway

Posted on May 1, 2011 by Rita Lovell

Today, May 1, was the perfect day for a drive along the Chief Joseph Scenic Highway. Named after the Nez Perce chief during the conflict of 1877, this highway and area also has significant historical interest. The Nez Perze during the summer of 1877 were flewing the US Calvary through Yellowstone Park and traveled the trails through the mountains east of Yellowstone and out throught the Clarks Fork Canyon. They eventually surrendered 30 miles from the Canadian border with Chief Joseph’s famous speech, ‘From where the sun now stands, I will fight no more forever.’ There are several interprative signs along the highway giving the history of the conflict in this area.

The Chief Joseph Highway starts at Wyoming Highway 120 and ends about 46 miles at the Beartooth Highway. From there you travel through the Two Dot Ranch for about 8 miles till you enter the Shoshone National Forest. Mule deer along with other wildlife is abudant. The rock formations and colors are stunning. Each time I reach the top of Dead Indian Pass, my breath is taken away with the beauty of the snow covered peaks with several peaks being over 12,000 feet.

There are many trailheads for hiking and riding off the highway. Sunlight Basin offers another scenic drive to the back country. As we travel along the Clarks Fork River, we look across to the Beartooth Mountains. The Clarks Fork River and Canyon is the division between the Beartooth Mountains(glacier formation) and the Absaroka Mountains(volcanic formation).After we pass through the community of Crandal, I get my first glimpse of Pilot and Index Peaks. This to me is always the crowning jewel of the drive. Today, they were covered deeply in snow, promising the valleys below a good spring run off.

We enjoyed a picnic lunch and returned home after a relaxing drive. I will travel this highway many more times in the coming months as one of my favorite excursions. All of this is just in our backyard living in Northwestern Wyoming.

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Opening of Yellowstone

Posted on April 17, 2011 by Rita Lovell

As the prairies gradually turn green and the trees start to blossom in the lower elevations, the task of clearing the snow from roads in Yellowstone Park has begun. Remember to check road conditions when traveling to the Park in the spring as there can be temporary closures due to weather conditons. According to the Cody Chamber, these are the anticipated dates of opening for the various entrances.

Yellowstone National Park – Spring Opening Dates

April 15, 2011-Weather permitting, west-side roads open to motor vehicles. Visitors will be able to travel by car through the park’s North & West Entrances to Norris, Madison, Canyon, & Old Faithful beginning at 8:00 a.m.

May 6, 2011-Weather permitting, the road linking Canyon, Fishing Bridge, & the East Entrance opens to wheeled vehicles.

May 13, 2011-Travel from the South Entrance to Grant, West Thumb, Fishing Bridge, & Lake?over Craig Pass to Old Faithful open to wheeled vehicles. Also, Tower Junction to Tower Fall opens to wheeled vehicles. The road from Cooke City over Colter Pass to the Chief Joseph Scenic Highway intersection to the Long Lake gate shall open as soon thereafter as possible. For information on roads outside of the park from Cooke City via the Chief Joseph Scenic Highway, travelers in Wyoming may dial 511; those outside of Wyoming may call 1-888-996-7623, or visit the Wyoming Department of Transportation website at http://www.wyoroad.info/ .

May 27, 2011-Dunraven Pass (Tower to Canyon); Long Lake Gate over the Beartooth Highway to Red Lodge, Montana. For information on the Beartooth Highway to Red Lodge, Montana, which usually opens the Friday before the Memorial Day Holiday weekend, travelers in Montana may dial 511; those outside Montana may call 1-800-226-7623, or visit the Montana Department of Transportation website at http://mdt511.com/ .

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Spring Awakening in the Rocky Mountains

Posted on March 20, 2011 by Rita Lovell

After a sleepy winter, there are subtle signs of an awakening spring. On of the first signs is the yucca turning green. The yucca or soapweed yucca plant is found in the dryer areas of Wyoming. It has a beautiful white flower which blooms every 3 years. The sage will be gradually turning color. And I saw my first blue bird for this year, which is definitely a sure sign of spring.

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Local Wildlife

Posted on March 8, 2011 by Rita Lovell

Antelope in Clark, WyomingI was sitting in our great room enjoying a quiet Sunday afternoon by the fire when the neighbors decided to drop by. Antelope are commonly seen in Wyoming. They are migratory and are seen in different areas different times of the year. I have often seen them in my pasture where they will stop and look at me through the window. Unfortuantely, as soon as I move to get the camera, so do they.

Wyoming is the only state with more antelope than people. They are an amazing animal that can reach speeds of 60 mph. The antelope of North American are called Pronghorns, but more commonly referred to as just antelope. During the winter they form mixed sex herds. In spring, males and females will seperate with young males and females forming seperate groups and adult males living solitarily.

Wildlife viewing here in northwestern Wyoming is spectacular, especially when you can look at them out your front window.

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