Several guzzlers on the Mineral Mountains were lost in fires. Constructing a wildlife guzzler will provide water for wildlife in areas where water is not available during hot summer and early fall months and during extended drought periods. The construction of a 10,200 gallon guzzler will improve habitat conditions for bighorn sheep, elk, mule deer, small mammal and avian species near the north end of the mountain range where water is a limiting resource. Many of the big game species utilize water sources established for livestock.

Increase water availability to bighorn, elk, deer, and pronghorn in the area thereby decreasing dependence on livestock and agriculture and thereby reducing that conflict.

Availability of water limits wildlife use in the area. Without placement the habitat would become less available for wildlife to utilize if other water sources currently used were eliminated.

Water would increase summer range for big game species. Summer range is identified as a limiting factor in the mule deer herd unit management plan for the Beaver unit.

N/A

This guzzler will increase the water quantity for wildlife within the Mineral Mountains where water is a limiting factor for bighorn, elk, mule deer, pronghorn and other mammals and avian species.

Archaeologist survey will be completed in-house by DWR or BLM. Archaeology clearance will be completed prior to project implementation

UDWR would install 10,200 gallon big game guzzler by purchasing the materials and contracting with an excavator to come out and assist with the installation.

Guzzler will be added to UDWR inventory list and monitored at least every other year. District biologist may monitor for wildlife usage during annual deer and elk classification. Game Camera will also be placed to determine level of use.

BLM, DWR, SFW, UFNAWS

Grazing would not be impacted by this action. Guzzler would be added to UDWR inventory and checked regularly to monitor repair needs.

The guzzler will be fenced to exclude livestock. It will be built for use by wildlife.

03/04/2019

06/06/2019

2019

UDWR contracted with a local excavation company out of Milford UT, (Rollins Construction) to remove the old guzzler and install the new one. The newly installed guzzler consists of a 24' x 36' metal catchment apron and 6 underground cistern tanks totaling 10,200 gallons of storage. UDWR worked alongside the excavation company and placed the metal frame along with cemented legs that serve as the structure that tin is placed on and a gutter attached to a down pipe that leads to a feeder bar on top of the tanks to catch the water. While one crew worked on installing the framework, another worked on plumbing the tanks as the excavator dug and leveled a hole to set them in. Once the tanks were set leveled and plumb a connection was made to a drinker line that is connected to a float box and a drinker box. After all of this is set and connected together the contractor will then bury all of the tanks and the line from the tanks to the drinker and most of the float box and drinker box, allowing for a natural feel as animals approach the drinker. Finally UDWR installed a lodgepole rail fence around the drinker to allow easy access/use for wildlife while excluding feral horses and livestock. A barbed wire fence was also placed around the apron to protect it from damage.

Multiple contracts were used to complete the work. RJ Fabrication provided the metal apron kit. Tank equipment inc. provided the cistern tanks. Rollins Construction provided the excavation and removal. Several local hardware and plumbing stores provided additional parts and pieces as needed. Southern Utah Lumber provided the concrete and the rebar used on the project. Construction steel provided the angle iron used for the legs and feet for the steel structure. UDWR Full time staff and habitat seasonal crew along with dedicated hunters provided the labor outside the excavation contract to complete the install. The majority of the install took place the week of June 3-6, 2019.

Now that guzzler has been replaced it is part of the guzzler maintenance database and will be visited at least once every other year to check condition and function and repaired and adjusted as needed.