October 2021 - 19

A group of workshop participants stand in front of a One Rock Dam installed on the
Bar Cross Ranch. (Photo by Chris Martin/WGFD)
determine which mix of structures might
work best to restore meadows on their own
property, " said Kerry Gold, a habitat mitigation
biologist for Game and Fish. " The West
is known for being especially dry, and so
there's collective interest in finding creative,
affordable solutions that act as an insurance
policy against drought. "
Zeedyk structures help restore meadows
and the range of animals that depend on them.
A zuni bowl helps stop the eroding channel
from progressing up the meadow. The
treatment armors the dirt with a rock shield
to stop valuable soils from washing away.
They also have the added benefit of holding
water in the bowl for livestock and wildlife
to drink when other sources have dried up.
Rock rundowns offer armor for headcuts,
but are implemented on less severe headcuts.
Then there is the One Rock Dam. ORDs
are made up of many rocks, but get their
name because they are one rock high. A string
of rocks are placed across an eroded channel
to slow water down, move some of the water
out of the channel and spread it out across the
meadow. The thin layer of water, known as
sheet flow, is ideal for the meadow to retain
as much water as possible. ORDs work by
slowing water down so sediment sinks and
begins to fill in the eroded channel above
the structure.
Media Lunas, which is Spanish for " half
moon, " are crescent-shaped structures
The top rocks of a zuni bowl sit flush with the top of the headcut to keep valuable soils from washing
away. (Photo by Chris Martin/WGFD)
that create sheet flow, similar to an ORD,
but they work best toward the end of an
roded channel.
In total, participants helped the landowner
of the Bar Cross Ranch install a mix of 43
Zeedyk structures on a small reach of stream.
The area was chosen for the workshop because
it provides valuable habitat for wildlife such as
crucial ranges for pronghorn and mule deer
along with core area for sage grouse.
Drought-fueled wildfires and smoky skies
have been a persistent reminder that much
of the western U.S. is in the grip of a severe
drought. While the drought presents many
challenges, simple solutions like Zeedyk
structures can help make critical habitats
for both wildlife and livestock more resilient
and productive in dry conditions.
- Chris Martin is the digital content creator for the
Wyoming Game and Fish Department.
The moisture-rich, dark soil at the top gives way to drier, light-colored soil at the bottom, showing the sponge-like qualities of
the meadow. (Photo by Chris Martin/WGFD)
Wyoming Wildlife | 19

October 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of October 2021

October 2021 - 1
October 2021 - 2
October 2021 - 3
October 2021 - 4
October 2021 - 5
October 2021 - 6
October 2021 - 7
October 2021 - 8
October 2021 - 9
October 2021 - 10
October 2021 - 11
October 2021 - 12
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October 2021 - 14
October 2021 - 15
October 2021 - 16
October 2021 - 17
October 2021 - 18
October 2021 - 19
October 2021 - 20
October 2021 - 21
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October 2021 - 24
October 2021 - 25
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October 2021 - 27
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October 2021 - 30
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October 2021 - 33
October 2021 - 34
October 2021 - 35
October 2021 - 36
October 2021 - 37
October 2021 - 38
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October 2021 - 40
October 2021 - 41
October 2021 - 42
October 2021 - 43
October 2021 - 44
October 2021 - 45
October 2021 - 46
October 2021 - 47
October 2021 - 48
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