Sand Wash Basin Herd Management Area
Sand Wash Basin is a 155,000 acre Herd Management Area (HMA). It is a fenced HMA where the Wild Horses run free. Sand Wash Basin is a multi use area, with public access. The Wild Horses share the HMA with Greater-Sage Grouse, Elk, Deer, Pronghorn, Coyotes, Mountain Lions, Badgers, Golden and Bald Eagles, along with Dirt Bikes and ATV Riders.
Sand Wash Basin is a Special Draw area for Elk and Deer Hunting.
Sand Wash Basin is located Northwest of Maybell, Colorado, on CR 318. The Wild Horses in Sand Wash Basin are protected by
The Free Roaming Wild Horse and Burro Act of 1971.
Colorado Wild Horse Working Group
Colorado Senate Bill 23-275
On May 20, 2023, Colorado Governor Polis signed Colorado Senate Bill 23-275. This bill created the Colorado Wild Horse Working Group.
The Governor appointed a very diverse group of people to work together to make recommendations to the State of Colorado that would support the Bureau of Land Management in their management of the wild horses of Colorado.
Each of the Colorado Herd Management Areas had a representative in the Working Group.
Sand Wash Basin has two organizations with MOUs, (memorandums of understanding), both Sand Wash Basin Wild Horse Advocate Team, (SWAT, wild horse documentation and fertility control), and Wild Horse Warriors for Sand Wash Basin, (WHW, range management), had a representative in the CWHWG.
The Colorado WIld Horse Working Groups Recommendations
Recommendation One:
Establish a Program
Establish and provide funding for a wild horse program within the CDA; establish a five-year sunset review cycle.
Recommendation 1.1:
Support Immunocontraceptive Darting
Provide material support for on-the-ground immunocontraceptive darting on the HMAs and the Wild Horse Range in Colorado.
Recommendation 1.2
Ensure Long-Term Adoption Success
Provide staff and resources to expand adoption and long-term adoption success.
Recommendation Two:
Establish a Wild Horse Advisory Board
Establish a Wild Horse Advisory Board to provide CDA non-binding, expert advice regarding wild
horse adoption support, education, training, and certification in Colorado.
To read the entire bill, the summaries of our meetings, and detailed information on our recommendations, click on the link below.
Colorado SB23-275 gave WHW $100,000 for Infrastructure
Coffeepot Spring Our First Project using the Sate Funds
Coffeepot Spring Our First Project using the Sate Funds
In the spring of 2017 CoffeePot Spring was just a spring that ran from the side of an embankment. WHW and volunteers worked to create an area to hold the water.
BLM Installed A Tire Water Tank
Coffeepot Spring Our First Project using the Sate Funds
Later in 2017 the Little Snake Field Office BLM installed a tire water tank.
BY June of 2018 CoffeePot Spring was Dry
By June of 2018 the drought was in full force and the wild horses of Sand Wash Basin struggled to find water.
Using Fund from SB 23-275 to repurpose CoffeePot Spring
Using Fund from SB 23-275 to repurpose CoffeePot Spring
In the 1980's the BLM had worked with the permit holders to establish a second watering area at CoffeePot Spring.
This area included a holding tank that fed into several water troughs. There had been a pipe run from the original spring down to the new area.
At some point this pipe failed and the second area was abondaned.
Installing New Pipe
Using Fund from SB 23-275 to repurpose CoffeePot Spring
Elk at CoffeePot Spring
With the advances in the types available for underground water movement, working with the BLM and a contractor we decided to replace the old pipe. The olde pipe was removed and new pipe was installed leading to the existing system that was still in usable condition.
Elk at CoffeePot Spring
Using Fund from SB 23-275 to repurpose CoffeePot Spring
Elk at CoffeePot Spring
Once our project was completed all the wildlife, including the wild horses benefited from the additional water source.
Our Second Project Paid for by SB 23-275 Funds
Historical Sheepherder Springs
In the spring of 2018 WHW and Volunteers worked on making repairs to the historical water tanks at Sheepherder Spring. The original well had been drilled in the 1960;s which is when we assume the tanks were installed. There were several places that had rusted through. We cleaned and sanded the tanks then painted on truck bed liner.
Sheepherder Spring Fall of 2018
Once the temporary repairs had been completed there was a steady flow of water into the tanks at Sheepherder Spring. We still needed to watch the temporary PCV pipe to make sure the wild horses did not change the direction of the flow.
Replacing the Solar Panels
Replacing the Solar Panels
During the summer of 2019 WHW worked with the local BLM to replace the solar panels at Sheepherder Spring. The were no longer efficient. The BLM had funds from their 8100 fund that could be used. These funds are the monies collected from the grazing fees. Most if not all of the water sources within Sand Wash Basin were created by the original grazing permit holders, at the time of the Homestead Act or the Taylor Grazing Act. At that time they owned 100% of the water rights in Sand Wash Basin.
Preparing for the New Well
Replacing the Solar Panels
While we waited for the approval from the State to move the location of the well there was clean up to be done.
Colorado State Funds Paid for a New Well to be Drilled
In early June of 2024 Wild Horse Warriors had a new well drilled at Sheepherder Spring.
The BLM had to apply for a relocation of an existing well. Once that was approved we were able to hire the contractor to drill the new well.
The Final Product
Once the well was drilled Wild Horse Warriors hired a contractor to repair and line the historical water troughs. The repair includes an overflow pipe that will allow excess water to flow into the pond.
The third project paid for with funds from sb 23-275
SheepPen Pond
And More Damage
Making Repairs
Several years ago Wild Horse Warriors paid to have some repairs made to SheepPen Pond. We knew at that time that more repairs might be needed in the future. The original dam had some major flaws in the design
Making Repairs
And More Damage
Making Repairs
We continued to make repairs as funds were available. We believed this was an important water source and we should do what we could to make it stable.
And More Damage
And More Damage
Laying down the Poly Liner
The lower area of the dam continued to wash out during a heavy rainstorm or heavy winter runoff.
We were doing the best we could with the funds available.
When SB 23-275 gave us funds we knew this was one of our priorities.
Laying down the Poly Liner
Laying down the Poly Liner
Laying down the Poly Liner
Once the contractor removed the lower front section of the dam, in the area that continued to fail, he installed a poly liner.
Rebuilding the Dam
Laying down the Poly Liner
Rebuilding the Dam
The dam has been rebuilt.
SheepPen Pond
Laying down the Poly Liner
Rebuilding the Dam
Once it was completed and had filled with runoff it is one of the largest water sources in Sand Wash Basin.
PROJECTS YOUR DONATIONS HAVE MADE POSSIBLE
Lake Draw
Bethell Trucking Hauling Water
Hauling Water in 2018
Our very first project in 2018, was creating a permanent water source at Lake Draw. Today this remains the main reliable water source in Sand Wash Basin.
Hauling Water in 2018
Bethell Trucking Hauling Water
Hauling Water in 2018
On July 6, 2018 we hauled our first water to the wild horses in Sand Wash Basin.
Bethell Trucking Hauling Water
Bethell Trucking Hauling Water
Bethell Trucking Hauling Water
It did not take long for us to realize that our truck and water tanks could not keep up with the demands of the wild horses. Bethell has hauled water for us in 2018, 2020 and in 2021.
Rebuilding Ponds
Share the big news
Bethell Trucking Hauling Water
With your donations we have rebuilt two ponds. Both are currently full of water.
Share the big news
Share the big news
Share the big news
With the help of volunteers we sealed three ponds. Two of these ponds are now holding water longer than they previously had. The third pond has never had enough run off or rain to fill it.
Generators
Share the big news
Share the big news
The old solar panels could not produce any wattage on cloudy days. We purchased two generators to run at two different sites to keep up with the demand of the wild horses.
New Solar Panels
Sheephearder Spring
Sheephearder Spring
In 2020 we were able to purchase new updated solar panels for two locations. Thd BLM split the cost with us. The new panels are ready for a backup battery system if needed, but also are stronger and can still pump water on cloudy days.
Sheephearder Spring
Sheephearder Spring
Sheephearder Spring
Volunteers helped Wild Horse Warriors clean, repair and reline the trough at Sheepherder Spring.
Repairing Fence
Sheephearder Spring
Opening an Old Well
Volunteers have helped repair fence.
Opening an Old Well
Opening an Old Well
Opening an Old Well
Opening the old well on 7 was one of the most rewarding projects we have attempted. Solar panels have been installed and the well is ready for use.
Moss Control
Opening an Old Well
Moss Control
Moss control is a twice weekly requirement at Lake Draw and sometimes a sewer snake is needed to unplug the longer pipes.
Van Gogh Legacy Fence
The Van Gogh Legacy Fence was by far our biggest project.
The Van Gogh Legacy Fence was by far our biggest project.
The Van Gogh Legacy Fence was by far our biggest project.
From the fall of 2017 to the fist post in the ground June 21, 2021. Aletha followed this through to the
completion.
The Van Gogh Legacy Fence was by far our biggest project.
The Van Gogh Legacy Fence was by far our biggest project.
Gates installed at the OHV entrances .
The Van Gogh Legacy Fence was by far our biggest project.
Moffat County Road and Bridge installed the livestock safe cattle guard on
County Road 67.
Wild Horse Warriors worked directly with Colorado Department pf Transportation, (CDOT).
On August 27, 2021 CDOT conducted their final inspection and the Van Gogh Legacy Fence was complete.
Wild Horse Warriors making our final payment to Isidro Quezada.
He was a great contactor to work with.
WHAT'S NEXT FOR SAND WASH BASIN?
As we look forward to 2022, and beyond, we will continue to work towards making Sand Wash Basin self-sustaining.
Water will always be a top priority. We hope to make improvements to Two Bar that will increase production. We also have several more wells we plan to investigate to see if they can be opened and repurposed to water our wild horses.There are also numerous ponds that could be rebuilt
The BLM is working with us to determine which might be the most beneficial and most likely to still provide water.
When a well is repurposed the BLM has what they call 81-100 dollars that can sometimes be used to help pay for the improvements. Those funds are dollars that have been collected by the grazing allotments, or in our case the sheepherders. Those dollars can only be used if the improvement is also beneficial to the grazers. When we opened the well on Cty Rd 75, WHW paid $10,000 the BLM paid $10,000 from the 81-100 funds and the stakeholder or the grazer will pay $10,000 towards the final water system.
Wild Horse Warriors and the BLM are also talking about the possibility of reseeding some areas. This is very expensive, but WHW feels it needs to be done. We do have one possible partner that we are working with that might be able to contribute to this project.