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Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration |
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Shelterbelts for DugoutsWater supply has always been a primary concern of prairie producers. To secure a reliable source of water, many generations of farmers have developed farm dugouts. Trees planted around a dugout increase the quantity of water stored in the dugout and may help to improve water quality. The combination of trees and water greatly enhance an area for wildife by providing a dependable water source. Increase Water Quantity & QualityRows of trees around a dugout can trap large amounts of snow. Snow trapping is especially important during years when there is minimal runoff. In central Saksatchewan, a caragena shelterbelt 500m long can trap enough snow in an average year to supply a household's water requirements, provided the meltwater is efficiently delivered to the dugout. In areas with low snowfall, a longer shelterbelt may be necessary. The actual amount of snow trapped by the shelterbelt depends on snow fall, density of the tree row and single versus multiple rows. Generally, every 100m of a caragena shelterbelt is capable of capturing up to 300,000 L of meltwater. Snow is blown across fields until it is intercepted by obstacle such as buildings or shelterbelts. Therefore, a shelterbelt will trap more snow if the field upwind of the tree row is flat and open. Blowing soil, spring runoff, livestock slurry, tumbleweeds and herbicide residues are all possible sources of dugout contamination. A well designed tree planting using the appropriate species will improve dugout water quality, thereby filtering out soil, trash and other contaminants. It is important to plant trees at the proper distance form the dugout to allow airflow over the water. If trees are planted too close to the dugout, aeration may be required to prevent water stagnation. 
HouseholdA multiple row planting should be considered to improve dugout water quantity and quality for household supply, irrigation and recreation purposes. In a multiple row planting, the outer row should consist of a shrub such as caragana or choke cherry and the second row should consist of a fruit bearing shrub or a conifer. Coniferous trees planted as the inside row of a multiple-row planting will grow to a greater height than deciduous trees and will help to filter out tree leaves and other debris.LivestockA reliable source of water can help diversify livestock operations, particularly in areas prone to seasonal droughts. Dugouts are often the only water source in pastures. Pasture dugouts are usually smaller than farmyard dugouts so smaller volumes of water will fill them. Because the land upwind of a pasture dugout is rarely cultivated, snow is trapped by the grass residue rather than by the shelterbelt. For this reason, a single-row shelterbelt should be at least 500 m long. If water quality is not of prime importance, the trees can be planted close (15 m) to the dugout although the risk of contamination by leaves is greater.WildlifeWildlife can also benefit from dugout shelterbelts. The cover, nesting habitat and food provided by trees and shrubs around a reliable body of water attract songbirds and other wildlife. In many parts of the prairies the combination of trees and water provides prime habitat for a diversity of wildlife species, especially in years of drought when smaller ponds and natural bodies of water dry up.Shelterbelt DesignSeveral simple guidelines should be followed when planting a shelterbelt adjacent to a dugout.Design tree rows so that snow collection is maximized and runoff water can be efficiently directed to the dugout. Generally, trees should be planted on the north and west sides of dugouts to trap snow and reduce evaporation caused by prevailing winds. Shelterbelts on the south and east sides may also be an effective snowtrap where these winds contribute to large snow accumulations. The number of rows surrounding a dugout may vary depending on the desired results. A single row is an effective snow trap and reduces wind velocities, while multiple rows increase snowtrap. A combination of tree species is more valuable to wildlife and helps to ensure a long-lived shelterbelt.
Topography and soil texture must be considered in the shelterbelt design so that meltwater does not cause gullying, especially on steep slopes. Trees should not be planted on land with a slope greater than 10% unless adjacent land is in forage. Potential problems can be minimized by constructing drainage channels or grassed waterways to control the flow of surface water and to reduce the risk of erosion. Recommended Species and SpacingDense, drought-tolerant trees and shrubs are recommended for planting near dugouts. Caragana is long-lived, bushy shrub with small leaves. It is well suited for reducing windvelocity and trapping snow. Sea-buckthorn, buffaloberry and choke berry are dense, fruti-bearing species which provide excellent snow trap and wildlife habitat.Scots pine is a coniferous species which sheds old needles periodically but accumulates very little litter. Scots pine is faster growing than either white spruce or Colorado spruce. Both Colorado spruce and white spruce will eventually provide a dense, year-round shelterbelt.
MaintenanceCultivate the planting site for one year prior to planting the trees to reduce competition from grass and weeds. Continue to cultivate between the tree rows and keep rows free of weeds for a minimum of five years after planting. Hoeing is one of the most effective methods of weed control. Plastic or fabric mulch can be used to suppress weed growth and although it requires some maintenance, reduces most manual labour. Use herbicides with extreme caution since runoff may pollute the dugout. While some herbicides (eg.Roundup) have no residual activity, it is still important to avoid herbicide drift.Annual maintenance should include planting replacement trees to fill in gaps in the tree row, pruning and removal of dead or diseased branches. Trees should be checked twice annually for damage by insects and diseases. For information on insect and disease control, contact the PFRA Shelterbelt. Livestock access to pasture dugouts should be controlled. Ideally, water should be pumped into troughs to reduce both the impact of animals on the embankments and to eliminate water-fouling from animal wastes. The shelterbelt must also be fenced to prevent livestock from damaging tree trunks and branches and to reduce soil compaction around the tree roots.
Tips for Successful Dugout Shelterbelts
Tips to Maintain Dugout Water Quality
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