Our Work

One of the most limiting and precious resources in arid environments is water. Water is a requisite of all living things. Though water can come in many forms, it is one of the most necessary resources that landowners and living organisms seek in the desert mountains of the Trans-Pecos.

With most rainfall occurring in the monsoonal season of July through September, perennial water sources are important to maximize habitat suitability. Water guzzlers have been around since the 1940s, featuring an apron for catching rainwater, a pipe to direct the water, a cistern for water storage, and a trough for drinking. If designed properly, guzzlers can provide water year-round in the harshest of environments.

We conducted a study on the Black Gap WMA and documented more than 12 different species that utilized guzzlers. Bighorn sheep accounted for 15% of occurrences at the guzzlers and peaked, as expected, during the hottest times of the day and the hottest times of the year. Once high temperatures consistently topped 100°F, guzzler use by bighorns was more prominent.

By comparing rainfall patterns, we were able to demonstrate that guzzler use decreased after rainfall events because more surface water was present, water in vegetation was higher, and temperatures were cooler.

In our study, we also documented high use of guzzlers by aoudads, an exotic species coexisting with desert bighorn sheep. Unlike bighorn, aoudad used guzzlers in a more generalized fashion. Aoudad consistently used guzzlers year-round and throughout the day. Also of concern was the considerable time aoudad spent using guzzlers: loafing around troughs, bedding there, taking mud and dust baths, and climbing into the troughs. As aoudad use increased at a particular guzzler, bighorn use decreased, so we believe these behaviors prevented bighorns from using those specific guzzlers.

When developing guzzlers, landowners and wildlife managers need to consider habitat requirements and specific watering hole attributes of managed species.