Just over a year after historic flooding devastated parts of the Texas Hill Country, ranchers are once again cleaning up after another destructive flood. They’re repairing damaged fences, replacing lost hay and assessing damage left behind by swollen rivers and creeks. Heavy rains drenched portions of the Hill Country and parts of South Central Texas in mid-July. Some areas received 20 to 30 inches of rain, sending rivers and creeks out of their banks and damaging homes, crops, pastures and infrastructure across the region.

Driving through the Texas Panhandle, you’ll find the Mallet Ranch, where rich history and heritage meets innovation in range management. Amid the high plains, efforts to balance modern conservation practices with time-honored ranching traditions is underway. The ranch is thriving as a commercial cow-calf operation, exemplifying sustainable land stewardship. The ranch’s legacy continues to evolve, with a strong emphasis on the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) as an ally.

How much water do you consume? The length of your shower, timing of lawn watering and amount of time you run the water while brushing your teeth may seem insignificant. But how do those add up? One way to look at the full picture of your water use is to calculate your water footprint, which is the amount of water a person consumes directly and indirectly. Direct water use is water that you can see in your home and on your water bill. Decreasing this water use may save money and reduce your water footprint.