Keeping vegetation under control is an important part of protecting NID’s reservoirs, canals, and other facilities. Each summer, the District brings in some hungry helpers to tackle the job: herds of goats and sheep.
The four-legged crews graze around reservoirs, tank sites, and other District properties, munching through blackberry thickets, poison oak, brush, and other vegetation that can fuel wildfires. Their work helps reduce fire risk, minimize the use of herbicides, and frees up NID maintenance crews to focus on other important projects during the busy summer season.
This year’s “rent-a-goat” crews worked at Cunningham Reservoir in south Nevada County, Sugarloaf Reservoir and the Snow Mountain site near Nevada City, Rex Reservoir near Rough and Ready, Union Reservoir near Smartsville, and the Timber Ridge tank site near Lake of the Pines.
The herds, primarily Nubian-Kiko and Nubian goats plus sheep, were provided by three local goatscaping companies. Sure-footed and always hungry, they’re especially effective on steep slopes and in areas where heavy equipment can’t easily reach.
Goat grazing is just one tool in NID’s vegetation management program. The District uses a combination of methods, including mechanical removal, targeted herbicide use, and biological controls, to keep more than 475 miles of canals and numerous reservoirs and facilities operating safely and reliably.
The goats may be the most popular members of the vegetation management team, but they’re also some of the hardest working.
One bite at a time, they’re helping protect critical infrastructure, reduce wildfire risk, and keep reliable water flowing to our communities.