I Got Paid to Build Beaver Dams on My Desert Land
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 9 ก.พ. 2025
- Thank you to Bombas for sponsoring this video! One Purchased = One Donated, so head to bombas.com/dus... and use code dustups20 at checkout for 20% off your first purchase.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Catch this bonus episode FREE from Cerro Gordo 👉 dustupsranch.c...
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
In today’s episode, I’m facing a high-stakes moment here at Dustups Ranch as inspectors from the NRCS (National Resources Conservation Service) arrive to evaluate my DIY Beaver Dam Analogues (BDAs).
These structures are designed to mimic natural beaver dams and are part of a government grant to manage water retention and control erosion across the desert landscape. The goal? Slow down floodwater, recharge the soil with much-needed moisture, and create healthier habitats for local wildlife.
I’ll take you through my process of constructing these BDAs step-by-step, from pounding posts to layering materials - all according to the NRCS specifications. This project was more than just stacking rocks; it involved careful planning, countless hours, and some physical toll along the way.
The stakes are high: if these BDAs pass inspection, I’ll receive funding for the next phase of the project. If they don’t, it’s back to the drawing board.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Watch more original Dustups content right now for FREE:
👉 dustupsranch.c...
👉 Shaun's Amazon wish list: amzn.to/4gWzhzI
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
💡 Useful Resources
👉 Sign up to Dustups newsletter dustupsranch.com/
👉 BTC Donations: 3MbcxZzYpRjNRJJP55ZdBtt8TWfp7SS9bR
👉 Get access to Dustups 2D/3D map by joining the membership program at www.buymeacoff...
👉 The Facebook group where like-minded people connect: / dustups
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
👉 In case you missed the previous episode, here’s a shortcut:
I Went to Ghost Town Living to Fight Flooding
• I Went to Ghost Town L...
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
#desertforest #desertranch #greeningthedesert
Thank you to Bombas for sponsoring this video! One Purchased = One Donated, so head to bombas.com/dustups and use code dustups20 at checkout for 20% off your first purchase.
Great job guys!!
Slowly pour a few gallons of water on the spot you are going to drive the post and then wait a few minutes for it to soak in good. Then try it. Trust me.
@@rehoboth_farmCaliche doesn't work like that
Who was that lady? In the hat.
best socks in the world...im a bartender on my feet for 10 hrs at a time
Here's an idea: Add some wildlife cams, specifically for the dams. So when it does rain, if you're not there, you can see things.
I would watch a 4 hr live stream of just this
If the waters gone in a hour you probably won't miss much
Rain doesnt trigger wildlife cams and you cant have them running for days without their own solar. Setting some up for a timelapse if the forecast tells you to might work but getting an accurate reading for the forecast seems to have been rather difficult that far out.
What could work is a camera thats shielded from the sun a little that might take a picture every 15 minutes or so
@eliasniewerth good point. Maybe there's some sort of moisture sensor trigger? That, or a remote trigger, so he can check the weather and start them himself
He has “visitors” come by. They would just steal them unfortunately.
My gran said before they sold root hormone, people would split the base of the cutting by about a centimetre and put bird seed in. The bird seed would germinate very easily within a few days causing the plant itself to shoot roots because of the enzymes and bacteria in the environment.
The base of the what?
@@TheFabledSCP7000 The stick/plant where they want it to germinate.
I like the sound of that idea, but am curious of which factors, like pH for example, would seem to possibly make a difference. Sadly, we might not have the same elements and compounds in the soil which they did (Google naturally produced "taurine's effects on plants" and check osmotic pressure and other amazing differences).
Certainly worth trying 😎
Plain aspirin also is nearly identical to root- tone. Both are basically willow bark plus an antibacterial.
Rooting solution (cheap and easy)
Mix a tablespoon of turmeric powder with a liter of water and soak the roots/ends of the cuttings of your plants in the solution before planting them in the soil. The curcumin in turmeric will help to stimulate the growth of new roots and improve the overall health of your plants.
I would also suggest adding some water saving crystals (water storage crystals) to the hole when planting out the cuttings. Only about a teaspoon or so is needed. They will help keep the moisture close to the baby roots.
These two things help our plants and we live in a really hot and dry part of Australia.
You’re doing really well and I’m sure,as we all are, looking forward to the first big rain event.
Cheers from Australia 🇦🇺
🌵🌴🌿🌱
The roads that decline to the 2 dams, during heavy rain will create streams on top of the dams and this will create dam erosion.Try to make some earthworks in order to guide water to the sides of the road.
I laughed at the transition from "yeah, the cowboy boots sponsor the channel!"
Proceeds to promo not for cowboy boots
A good heart exposed
I think it would be a great idea to number the dams so you can easily track and report on their status.
or maybe name them after supporters as a fundraiser
Doing both a good idea.
1. David's dam.
Sample explanation. Not name for actual dam.
I think the NRCS has done it already, at 24:48 you can see the picture. Makes most sense to just use the official numbers (naming them is great too :p )
Great seeing experts who are familiar and natural with the outdoors and supportive!
Thoose are good people who protect nature. Good people.
They don't look like any beaver dam I've ever seen. Also, you know who does the absolute most for conservation? Hunters and fisherman. Everything we buy sporting equipment and lures and tackle.
@@smelltheglove2038 these are the people getting paid to do the conservation work from our liceneses
Good work. You did what was required and more.
As to your future progress, it will get faster. Your trial and error plantings on the terrace have taught you a lot of what works and doesn't, so future progress will be more productive for the same amount of effort. The more BDAs you manage to build the more the water will be stored and the less erosion your gulleys will suffer. Then, as you say during this video, it will be just a matter of waiting for rain events to test your builds and, hopefully, reward all your effort.
The government inspectors there weren’t expecting the work to exceed the minimum requirements as much as it did, they’re accustomed to “government quality levels”.
Feels like a whole lot of people are just sitting here waiting for the rain
Ironically, tall forest trees can help bring rain in several ways. I think Shaun should consider digging a hole, filling it with mulch and irrigating a local species of tree to try and get it as tall as possible and have roots going as deep as possible. It may act as an ionic rain magnet. The "rain tree" if you will.
I know! Now when I look at my local forecast, I check southwest TX too!
Indeed. Been waiting for over a year.
@@i_be_eternity Life seems to be set to "maximum irony" for a while now. When the "rainy season" started in July, I was hoping for rain by Halloween. Maybe a freak storm will happen over the winter.
Guilty here! Very frustrating that his truck would have been washed away by the rain in an earlier episode, but now no rain for how long?
Way to exceed expectations on the BDAs! Can’t wait to see them in action, hopefully soon
The nursery and well established seedlings will make a massive difference . Can't wait to see the improvement from now to when the next BDAs are done in 2026 . Great work.
Great episode today 💪🏼🔥 it was a really good vibe out there checking the dams. It was great to tag along for the tour. Congrats on passing the inspection. I'm excited to see the nursery grow! Keep up the great work guys.
Thank you
My favorite part of Saturday is a new video
First thing Sunday morning here in Queensland.
Sunday morning in the Philippines.
I really love this project! So so looking forward for the transplants. I hope it rains, there will be amazing progress with a little help of mother nature.
Hoping you get enough rain to kick start all of your hard work!
I am stalking this channel waiting to see it rain on these things.
It will rain it's just when is the question
@@Ifyouarehurtnointentwasapplied The next rainy season starts in less than a year. Maybe as early as July 2025.
After watching Andrew Millison's videos on the African Great Green Wall, it seems It would be most productive to continually dig "bathtubs" or half moon depressions with your bulldozer or new mini digger until they covered your land. It seems you can create much more water gathering potential quicker by spending time on digging depressions. Water is the bottleneck in your process. Keep digging holes to collect it until the rain finally arrives.
If you build it, they will come.
@@Hondodawg the half moon depressions are called Earth Smiles. 🙂
Getting paid to help the environment is a blessing I wish to have.
💯
Collect cardboard boxes and use them staked down to shade your newly planted seedlings . Also you could use flattened out boxes as ground cover around plants which will allow the ground to stay moist longer after watering. Cover with dirt/rocks. Free, lightweight and easy to install.
Sweat-saving suggestion: once youve seen the dams in action over a couple storms, put in the T-posts at the next locations with just a couple branches woven in. They will likely catch a bunch of brush and gravel for you over the rest of the summer monsoon - saving you the effort of transporting a bunch!
Maybe some places, but not here. He doesn't have enough vegetation to get washed out in the first place, so he has to be very deliberate about using everything he has where he needs it.
I think that that is the whole mode of operation of how they work. Surges of rocks and brush get trapped creating a plug.
Unfortunately being efficient like this is counter to how they get paid, I think.
@blackwater77 it sounded like they wouldn't get paid for the second half until the second half was done anyway..?
So not only did the government pay you to play in the dirt, but they wanted to check on your progress as well. You've done so much work. Hooe you get some rain soon to see the results of your efforts
So you think it's not a good thing for our government to be a part of green projects? Scientific research/data is how we learn to make things better. You sound like the stereo typical right-winger who endlessly whines about the government........then votes for fascism.
I think it is a good thing any gvt audit how it spends money.
The government spent nothing. The government stole money and gave it to Shaun. Better than spending it on war, but the government steals and redistributes. Don't get me wrong, I am happy Dustups is getting this money, but it is stolen money.
@Galatian1 WOW. Didn't you miss the mark and not read my whole comment and see I was praising his work. You sound like the kind of reactionary moron who has to jump at every chance to prove your status as a moron. Congratulations, you succeeded.
@user-vo3st8kx7s I agree. It's good to see they are taking an active interest in environmental projects like this. I'm excited to see the results after some rain.
Good work Shaun, those folks seem pretty nice, for Feds!
They are individuals who want to see the earth and its people thrive.
This is how the federal govt is evolving quietly
@@wisconsinfarmer4742 They have a looooong way to go!
Cash that dam check
Great job! Go on und save the earth , a little bit. Greetings🇩🇪
The couple of species of trees that are growing might be the best bet for establishing a shaded canopy but trying more in the nursery can't hurt the pace it's exciting to see it moving forward so fast ✌️👏
I’m hoping Shaun uses all eight of these to foster starter permaculture plots.
It’s overwhelming to see what is possible in the most inhospitable settings.
One comparable example are the approximately 20’ x 40’ successional plots developing along on the great green fence project in Africa. They’re sited around 2-4 15-foot water collection smiley faces. They progress from a wire mesh barrier fence to a tree/shrub/vine fence.
Perennial fruit-bearing vines eventually enclose much of the space, reducing the plot temperature 20 degrees F underneath thereby permitting low-shade crops to boost their own nutrition and bring low-volume crops that can command higher prices.
(Sorry for the monologue but the possibilities are so exciting for their potential to boost the well-being of so many hundreds of millions of people worldwide♥️ I wish I was in a better position to do what Shaun is doing👍🏼
Very Nice that the government has this sort of incentive
Take it while it lasts.
@@mawout Well said
DT will sort it
Yeah, I might not have even shown this project so prominently on the channel, if you know what I mean...
Agree…it is nice, but maybe not for long.
I’m happy that my tax dollars went to something that will actually make things better.
I'm sure Elon gona cut that off 😢
@@turtle1723🔨🧂
Heeeer deeeerrrrr @@turtle1723
@turtle1723 how, exactly?
Truth of the matter is, you contributed maybe half a cent worth of taxes to this project. More likely is that you truly only contributed 1/1000 of a cent.
Great that you can get a site specific seed mix from the Fed biologists! Good luck with the seedling trees
I love your work. I have nothing of value to say I just wanted to "FOR THE ALGORYTIM"
thank you NRCS!!!
Great news. Your commitment is exemplary.
How many times did we see them measure a BDA? It would have been interesting to know where and why you choose the spots, and how they are built. The videos are getting more and more long seance of people doing the same thing for 20 minutes. Videos used to be more fun to watch, no?
Those people were impressed with your work so far.Congratulations.😀👏🏻
12:52 "when i was singing at the top of my lungs" - "wait, you sing?" - "yea when no ones around". And i can recommend it to everybody 🗣🗣✨✨
5 people to oversee the work of 1 guy is crazy
I can't wait to see the rain come and decent amounts of water flow and watch what difference those analogue beaver dams make.
If that little pop up shelter at the end is your new nursery space, I think you're going to be running out of space very soon with your scale. Awesome to see you getting the grant and being able to complete the requirements well beyond the expectations.
For workflow reasons, it might be good to get a numbered post sign for each of the dam analogues. For anyone or Shaun reading, has it been mentioned what trees he eventually plans on planting? I imagine the native cottonwoods.
I like that idea. data base performance notes
Thanks!
It is so damn frustrating to see week after week, month after month, NO rain what so ever. Building a forest in the desert...................Now I see why it's so difficult to achieve. LOL
Yes! This! I thought for sure by now he would have rain so we could see all the waterworks in action.
True but when the rain finally does come, these changes will send so much water deep underground.
Thanks Bombas and Dustups! Best socks I've ever worn
My Dad used raw whole potatoes...drill a hole...stuck in the cutting...voila..roots!
I genuinely love watching your dream come true one step at a time. Nice to see the experts recognize how far you have come and how much has been accomplished on the Dustups Ranch.
Can't wait to see it rain and watch how the BDAs perform. Well done.
Viewership is really starting to push higher. Well done to Shaun and the team
That bird is an organic seed disperser lol
complete with little packets of fertiliser.
I wonder if he's thought about adding little wildlife drinking stations?
Hey Shaun, another idea that might interest you. I once watched a study on desertification and one of the biggest factors in the density of desert flora was the fact that many animals, specifically the kangaroo rat eating and trampling vegetation. In the study, they fenced of areas so that no small rodents could enter specific areas. Within a year the area within the fenced area completely filled in.
Maybe you could try that as part of your experiment. Much less labor than trying to start cuttings or seed in such inhospitable conditions.
Good job creating all the dams! It's gotta feel good to hear that you've more than satisfied the people who decide on the grants approval.
Kind of like Peter Andrew’s leaky weirs idea in his Batural Farming Systems, slow tge water down, holding it up in the landscape. They did similar things in Arizona after WW2 where they had grown hemp for uniforms, putting swales in the landscape to hold moisture, nothing new, nature does this with beavers, we just come along and stuff it up.
Been following you since the second video, and you've come SO far, man. You're sounding more and more like an expert every vid, and the validation from the professionals is a real thumbs up for you. It's very impressive.
Cool project! Hopefully the dams will hold up during heavy rain showers. After watching the clip I have some questions and perhaps working suggestions.
Q: How much rain falls per year? Is it the intention to spread grass seeds on and inside the dams after rain to enforce the dams by the root systems and create biomass more quickly? Do the flows end in a pawn where the delayed water is collected?
Suggestions:
If you place (large) rocks on both sides of the dam, (dirt) erosion will be less, which will save on maintenance. Making several half cirkels with a diameter of 4-6ft with 2 layers of rock and a pit/hole of 0.5-1ft deep in the water path is also very effective. If a dam needs to be reinforced or you are building a new one, you could make a "half moon" of the spot you are digging it from to see if the "half moon" theory also work on your land.
Must see:
Slowing rainwater in Arizona desert: th-cam.com/video/LuO2NVUeLio/w-d-xo.htmlsi=oKt-clk26PEJI5Dv
Green Wall Africa (half moon): th-cam.com/video/xbBdIG--b58/w-d-xo.htmlsi=XyLCmoFk5xAU8Tct
You could move the irrigation tubing from the dirt, and put it on a little mini-fence, so its dripping down from 12" above the soil. It could be easier to maintain and spot problems when they arrise. I wonder if its easier to see if its dripping properly if its elevated.
I don't know if this seed will make the cut, but I'm hoping psorothamnus spinosus makes the list he was talking about at the end. Pea family, desert smoke tree, purple flower, silver/gray foliage. Does well in washes on the way to the Colorado River
Sounds like a nice tree. The more native the better.
This is giving Big Season Finale Energy!!
This project has all of the hallmarks of being successful! Thumb up brother!
I lived on Mesa Verde when it burned. As a utah dry farmer i used my time there to better understand how the people survived. Two common structures i observed on the land....1. Very simm8lar to these "annalougs" a catch was built in upper areas of erosion comming off the mesa. These filled with soil and became planting zones that had deep soil and water retention. If built over a natural declevity it formed a sub soil tenaja or SIPS
2. They placed cobbles on a countour on the mesa top just simple single stone lines on a contour ...prevented overland flow and directs water down.
Of course steeper slopes need more retention structure.. but those are the extreams from neraly verticle to nearly flat.
I gotz a soils and forest hydrology science degree.. shot works KISS
After sighting in some rocks for guideposts, the "cobbles on a contour" is something volunteers could do.
Hey Shaun
Congratulations on the successful completion of the BDAs.
Can't wait to see them after a good rain.
In England and the Netherlands we collect Christmas trees after Christmas and make rows of flat mountains along the coast. In this way we prevent erosion and the dunes are protected and strengthened. Thousands of Christmas trees are also recycled this way. Maybe making a kind of beaver dam with it is something to think about?
visionary. we started these in Oregon years ago. beavers moved in once system was functioning. please do a followup after the rains.
If you pre-drill with an auger, it will be easier to drive in the T-posts. If you are searching for such a auger online, enter in your search “for cordless screwdrivers”, such auger are smaller. For example, if your T-Post is 30x30mm, a 28mm or 25mm auger is enough. The depth (length of the auger) is sufficient if it is 250mm, you just have to pre-drill and drive in your T-Pos, you still have to use your pile-driver.
Looking forward to see your progress next week!!
Good stuff. Keep it up!
A real west Texan…with a ranch and real work. You definitely have learned the skill set to survive in a remote location. I have to say, you have adapted.
Regreening the desert should be a priority in the USA from Cali to Utah to Nevada and New Mexico.
When it rains in the desert the Creosote Bush exudes a smell and that is what your smelling when it rains! Its different from a typical forest rain smell!
This channel is very interesting! Definitely worth the time to watch!
Rooting hormones do help with getting cuttings to form roots. For more woody plants, go with a stronger one. You want roots before leaves, when possible.
Changing the water often helps. I’ve used a fish pump to keep the water aerated. That keeps the mold and bacteria from growing.
Have you thought about building some wind-breaks between the plants until the shading trees grow in. You could just weave branches between some metal stakes, would provide a bit of shade and stop the wind drying out the soil and plants as much too.
Where I live it rains all the time.. if only I could send you some.
maybe there is a quantum way to make that happen. Humans are are way more powerful than we are fooled to believe.
@@wisconsinfarmer4742cringe af
same... 👍🏻🇬🇧
Just going to say it.
Good luck and love to see it rain 😊
Giant cheers for the over achievers! 🎉
Burlap sacks filled with dirt. Build your dam like you are holding back a flood. Pierce the tops of the bags and insert grass seeds and plants of your choice, preferably plants with roots that will penetrate the bottom of the bag. Plant saplings in between the bags and penetrate the layer of soil under the bags. Run the bags a little way above both sides so the water will spill over the lower spot on the bags. Throw soil over the bags. The sacks will help slow down the erosion.
This was very cool to see! These are the most helpful folks from the government I have witnessed. They must be from Texas because they are not like that up here in Washington lol
Great job Brandon!
@13:46 "i can see good" what's the over/under he gets bit within the next three videos? 😂🤣
Hi Shaun
Any chance to see progress on previous experiments and ideas? Like those plants into cactus. Since the last video where you did it, we haven't really seen anything related to it
4:05 pm PST. Are you familiar with Andrew Millison and his Regenerative farming from Oregon State? Lots of desert farming worldwide. Love your ambition!
Brutal work. Good job!
So you got a visit from the resources people.
I think that you impressed them.
Good work to both of you.
Finally, something cool my taxes are paying for.
Great beaver animations at 0:15!
If you put willow branches in water like to get them to root; The liquid then becomes filled with rooting hormones, becoming a great fertilizer and can be used as a rooting liquid for any cuttings.
Finally the government got smart. You should be getting more grants. Congrats
wont be for long lol (sadly)
@@daw5268🔨🧂
Human progress can only be stymied , never eliminated.
@@daw5268Don’t believe the MSM hype. It will stay domestic now.
Sounds like communism to me
I feel kinda bummed that during this entire year I’ve followed you, I’ve only seen 2-3 uploads with rain even tho entire channel is basically about it because you ain’t there.
Give the other guy a camera or put up some cameras you can activate from your cellphone so we actually can see some of these beaver dams in action thx
He's only had about 3 inches of rain year-to-date, since his area had a bad drought this year. Now they're going into the dry season.
Hi guys! Nice to see a new video. I realy hope those agave grows well also.
This is exactly how gov should work to help people restore their lands
Get an auger attachment for the tractor and sink in some logs, get a tip truck and get some boulders and fill from an excavation and make them dams solid and big
That's not his goal. The goal is to slow water in the washes so that it will deposit silt, build soil & slow the water to sink into the the ground but not stop the flow like traditional dams
@ and my way would make that process excelerated. Anyway, Shauns eccentric passion is an awesome project and I cant wait to see it flourish
Oh great! Now they’re taking Beaver jobs too!
maybe dont change the water for a while, willows have really high levels of rooting hormone in and changing water so often might be disrupting the willow and stopping it from rooting. you change water for cut flowers and plants but its not necessarily helpful for willow that often likes to sit in water and release rooting hormone. I'm also currently rooting some willow cuttings, I have had them sitting in a bucket of rainwater and a bit of coconut coir to kind of simulate a muddy wetland type environment that most willows like, to help encourage roots. they've all got white nubs growing into full roots and theres not really an issue with stagnant water or with not changing the water because coconut coir is pretty inert so nothing is rotting. its expensive to use coconut coir on a large scale, but fairly cheap for a small brick to hydrate and use as an inert soil intermedium
Do what they're doing in the Sahara. They are rejuvenating the desert in large areas
I love what you are doing and hoping you get some good rains very soon so you can see what is working and what needs work...
you could try using coco coir bricks to help retain moisture i know they can absorbed moisture like a sponge. and a single 10 pound brick can expand into 2 cubic feet of soil and you can get a lot wile it lacks nutrients i think the soil needs a way to hold onto moisture first and you can probably get why more out there in a single trip then with something like manure.
Keep it up! Love to see the progress 👍
14:05 - I call them wait a minute bushes. Because if you get your closed snagged, you have to wait a minute to get unsnagged.
Good job. Hopefully Beavers will come...
it'll be interesting to see if the effects will be long lasting too, I'm sure I won't be around to see but I have high hopes
Now all you need is some bloody rain. 😂😂 Lets get this party started.
some non bloody rain would also help
Blood has plenty of rich nutrients that could benefit the ecosystem.
if there was any way to incorporate clay like soil in your workings would be cool if possible. Anything to slow or reduce the ground sucking thigs up, but that is part of the goal after all. Wonderful video and nice to see things are picking up.
It’s true about bombas my church gets boxes by the truck donated to give away to those in need
I drive t post through solid rock. No cutting on them required.
I use a hammer drill to predrill 6-7 holes in one little t post sized 2" area. It's still some work since I drive them manually, but they go in gradually at least now.
Somehow two beaver dams formed on my property, It created a 250 acre wetland and essentially created nearly 750 acres of greenspace. Attracted tons of wildlife. Especially eagles, Hawks and owls. .. Sadly the government had a fit and informed me that they sent in excavators and a dozer to unclog the two creeks ..
😭
Normally this is because the beaver dam wetland encroaches on someone else's land, robbing them of utility. It also breaks up the natural drainage system, raising the probability of flooding.