Red Desert Information

The Red Desert is part of the Great Divide Basin - a high altitude (average elevation around 6,800 feet) arid to semiarid region along the eastern slope of the continental divide. It is characterized by copious amounts of sunshine, immoderate winds, a substantial moisture deficit, marked diurnal and seasonal temperature fluctuations, typically sodic and saline soils, and a sparse ( ten to twenty percent of the surface area) vegetative cover restricted primarily to salt tolerant species.

The operative word is "desert."

Information about several aspects of the Red Desert follows. Feel free to read down the page, or jump to a particular area of interest:

Water

Water is scarce. Rivers, streams or lakes can be ephemeral at best - appearing briefly in the spring or during a flash flood. Annual precipitation averages less than ten inches and winter snowfall accounts for much of it. Average annual evaporation rates are four or five times higher than precipitation rates. It is a very dry place.

According to the Wyoming State Engineer's Office, the potential for drilling and obtaining potable ground water for domestic use in the Red Desert is largely unknown. Past ground water development in the Great Divide Basin has been for oil and gas well drilling needs or remote stock wells. The best reported source of ground water in the area is the Wasatch Formation aquifer, but it is unproven as to water quality and sustainability of long term production. Deep drilling (up to 1000 feet) may be required to bring in a well. It is suggested that ground water as a source of supply for residential, stock, or agricultural use be thoroughly explored and judged to be viable to support your proposed use. To obtain more information about water rights, ground water possibilities, and permits for drilling water wells, diverting stream flow, or storing water (reservoirs) in the State of Wyoming, contact the State Engineer's Office in Cheyenne, Wyoming (307) 777-7354.

Growing Season

According to the Bureau of Land Management the growing season in the Red Desert is about 90 days. Average summer air temperature is 63 to 66 degrees Fahrenheit (but diurnal fluctuations can be quite dramatic). Soils on the uplands are generally well drained sandy loams, sandy clay loams, and loamy soils. Due to limited precipitation (average annual precipitation of six to eight inches) concentrations of calcium carbonate and/or sodium are common within 18 inches of the surface, and pH levels are high. Sandstone and shale bedrock commonly outcrops at or within 20 inches of the surface.

Soils

Soils in lowland areas (basins and drainages) are dominated by highly saline and/or alkaline silty clay and silty clay loam soils with high pH levels. When wet, these soils become practically impermeable and have a low bearing strength. The high salt content of the soil limits vegetative cover to some 10 to 20 percent of the surface area and restricts vegetation to salt tolerant species.

Oil and Gas Exploration

The Great Divide Basin comprises one of the largest developing oil and gas fields in the continental United States. Well site densities in some parts of the basin are increasing. As a general rule the surface estate (which you may be purchasing - please check the deed or contract) is subservient to the oil and gas or mineral estate. You may not be able to prevent oil and gas or mineral development on your property and you may have to allow a right-of-way across your property to access oil and gas or mineral development on adjoining tracts. However, the surface estate owner may be entitled to some sort of compensation. You should consider consulting with an attorney. In addition, you may want to contact those who hold oil and gas or mineral rights on and around your property to discuss their development plans.

Open Range

Wyoming is an open range state. If you do not want someone else's livestock roaming and grazing on your property you are responsible for erecting and maintaining fences. You are also responsible, and may face criminal liability, if your pets harass, kill, or wound livestock (or wildlife) on or off your property.

Zoning

Most of the property in the Red Desert area of Sweetwater County has been zoned as an Agricultural District. Some areas are zoned for Mineral Development. There is no Residential Zoning. Most likely the property you are considering lies within an Agricultural District (a specific determination will be made if you apply for a permit). Note the distinction drawn in the regulations between permitted and accessory uses. Understand that any accessory use is dependent upon the actual establishment and continued operation of a legitimate Agricultural District Permitted Use. If the Permitted Use ends, the accessory uses must be abandoned and accessory structures may have to be removed. Realize that residential occupancy is allowed only as an accessory use under specific parameters.

Under district regulations the term "agriculture" includes ranching and farming operations. Historically, in the Red Desert and throughout the Great Basin, ranching operations have utilized thousands of acres and have been dependent upon establishing a source and supply of water.

Development

Developing your property or establishing a permitted use will require a county zoning permit. The County issues two types of zoning permits. A "use permit" to establish a new use on a parcel of land or in a structure, and a "construction permit" to erect or alter structures. Often, to obtain a zoning permit, you must establish a "zone lot." Every zone lot must have frontage (a lot line paralleling and abutting) on a public street or highway.