A Simple Way Out

Stock tanks are a common sight across Oklahoma pastures. For livestock producers, they are one of the most practical ways to provide dependable water where natural sources may be limited. A well-placed tank can help cattle, horses and other livestock make better use of a pasture, especially during hot, dry months.

But livestock are not the only animals that find those tanks.

Birds, reptiles, small mammals and other wildlife may also come to a stock tank for a drink. In many cases, that added water source can be a benefit. The problem comes when an animal gets into the tank and cannot get back out.

Anyone who has ever found an animal dead in a stock tank knows it is an awful discovery. It does not really matter whether it is a bird, a squirrel, a raccoon, a snake or something larger. Finding it is bad enough. Having to get it out, dispose of it and then worry about the water your livestock are drinking makes it even worse.

It is one of those jobs no one wants to do, and it is also one that can often be prevented.

A slick-sided tank or trough can easily become a trap. Small animals that fall in may swim along the edge looking for a way out, but without something they can climb, they eventually tire and drown. That is a loss for wildlife, but it can also create water quality concerns for the livestock using the tank.

The good news is that the solution does not have to be complicated or expensive. A wildlife escape ramp can give trapped animals a way to climb out before they drown.

An escape ramp is exactly what it sounds like: a secure, sloped structure placed inside a tank or trough so animals can find it and climb to safety. According to the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, ramps are more effective when they extend into the water, meet the inside wall of the tank and reach the bottom in case water levels drop. They should also be firmly attached so livestock cannot knock them loose.

Not every makeshift ramp works well. A floating log, a pile of rocks or a ramp that does not reach far enough into the tank may help some animals, but it can also be missed entirely. Animals often swim the perimeter of a tank looking for an exit, so a ramp that meets the wall gives them a better chance of finding their way out.

Traction matters, too. Materials such as coated metal grating, rough fiberglass, concrete, rock and mortar or durable plastic composites can help animals climb without sliding back into the water. ODWC notes that ramp slopes should be no steeper than 45 degrees so animals can climb out more easily.

One common design uses expanded metal grating secured to the rim of the tank and angled down into the water. The ramp should be sturdy enough to stay in place, rough enough to provide footing and long enough to remain useful as the water level changes. A rust-inhibiting paint or coating can also help extend the life of metal ramps.

For landowners, this is one of those small projects that can make a real difference. It does not require changing the whole watering system or giving up the benefits of a stock tank. It simply makes the tank safer for the wildlife that may use it.

It may also save you from an unpleasant chore later. There are plenty of hard jobs that come with owning livestock or managing land, but pulling a dead animal from a water tank is one most of us would gladly avoid. A simple escape ramp can help protect water quality, reduce unnecessary wildlife deaths and make a livestock watering system a little more wildlife-friendly.

In a state where agriculture and wildlife often share the same acres, small improvements matter. A stock tank can be a valuable resource for livestock and wildlife alike. Adding a way out helps make sure it stays that way.