In the winter, at least here in the northern states, our average temperatures aren’t close to being above freezing from December through about March. Which means, that the water supply for our animals, other than the artesian ground water (which is about 90 degrees) is frozen until then. Because you see, even if it gets above freezing it would only be for a day or two and it’s hardly warm enough to melt off 6-12 (or more) inches of ice.
So we head to the river daily- at least one of us does. Right now it’s Zach’s brother Bud (and it will be me on Wednesday and Thursday this week), but this weekend, The Cowboy, his son, Ty and myself, went for a trip to chop ice. We took a trip to see the cows and open water when it was barely double digits- By the way you still open water if its in single digits, snowing, or blowing. It’s one of the beautiful things (or a curse) of living where we do, doing what we do.
Going through the gate into the pasture where the cows are currently living.
Hey mama!
The river is completely frozen.
Looking down into the frozen river:
Walking out to chop a trough.
Ooooh! There’s fish down there! And there are- minnows!
There’s cracks in the ice everywhere (but you could still drive across it- I wouldn’t but people do!). I understand that it cracks sometimes because what is underneath it isn’t stable.
There’s the little man himself, chopping some “toe-holds”, because you know, ice can be slippery!
He is awesome help!
Dad took over and his trough is almost finished:
Once the hole is chopped and you let it fill with water- there was almost 6 inches of ice on the river this particular day, you have to scoop out the ice that you’ve chopped.
See the big chunk of ice that’s being tossed out?
Time for a lesson:
Zach is calling cows by wiggling the shovel around in the opened trough. Ty is goofing off, and you can see yesterday’s frozen trough in the foreground.
Ty gets to work on that one.
Dad comes in to finish, once again:
You’re welcome #121
Chopping ice is an excellent work-out. And if you’re wondering if I did anything besides take photos- the answer is yes. I chopped part of a new trough that they opened the next day. But this week it will be up to me to open water and call the girls to it on Wednesday and Thursday. I’m looking forward to it!
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I think last year I had to chop ice like twice … it’s been so warm here this winter though there has been only a handful of mornings with ice in the drinkers. Also, our ice chopping is much less adventurous 🙂
Loved all of the photos!
Thank you! what a wonderful insight into ranch life in the snow. I just never thought about how you would provide water for the cattle when everything is frozen.
P.S The photos are lovely
honestly I was thinking about you 2 days ago while I was axing away at the water trough trying to get the horses some water! We’ve had a cold winter so far, no snow yet but bitter cold. Lots of breaking ice and shoveling it out, and you’re right it’s definitely a good work out! I loved it today when I went to feed and it was 38 degrees and just the slightest layer of ice… what a gift to me! 🙂 Good luck the next few days!
Looks like it as cold there as it is in in Deadhorse AK. I would rather be in South Dakota though. Sure do miss it. Your family is so very lucky to be where and who they are.
Ooooh- Randy- I’d be it’s colder in Deadhorse than here! it was just about 12 degrees that day when we went down to chop ice.
I think last year I had to chop ice like twice … it’s been so warm here this winter though there has been only a handful of mornings with ice in the drinkers. Also, our ice chopping is much less adventurous 🙂 Loved all of the photos!