While the lake is filling with water and the forage crop tillering and taking off, the property and lots have attracted wildlife along with the great views.  The property looks absolutely great!

In terms of Red Tail Lake, the winter progress has been steady.  A new fence stretching the length of Cow Trail Lane was installed along with a initial gate in December.  Long terms plans have a very nice gate similar to ones seen here. www.trailswestgatecompany.com.  Also during the winter months we have been able to deliver the initial dock steel on site.  Hoping to get started with construction on those docks here early in the spring! 

Spring is almost here.  We received somewhat of a Miracle February in terms of Rain!!!  California needed it.  The “Ski Lake” here at Red Tail Lake captured nearly 2’ of water in the bottom of the lake.  Meanwhile our other on-farm reservoir in Orland was filled through the strong rains.  The water conservation efforts of this otherwise storm runoff has paid off.  We are supplementing our own need for water with these lake/reservoir projects.  Now only if we can stress this sustainability value over the seldom used but more prevalently discussed recreational element.  Which by the way water skiing and recreation in general is a “Non-Consumptive” use of water.  More education on that topic would be helpful show how properly designed lakes have a primary use that offers exceptional secondary benefits.

The lake side wet well was installed on parcel #2 so that the property can be directly irrigated out of the lake. This provides very efficient water use along with maximizing the storm water captured during the winter.  As the lake is holding water extremely well, it has become obvious that we will only be losing evaporation.  With good ground water levels in the Biggs area, this lack of ground water recharge is acceptable and really a huge asset to the parcel owners.  This assures us that we will not be paying for water to recharge the local aquifer that is already in a very plentiful region.  With the Thermalito Afterbay just miles north of this land, I don’t think we could keep up with the ground water recharge that it provides this area.