On most ranches, a cattle guard is something you drive over without thinking about it. It sits across a road or at a pasture entrance, doing its job without needing attention. No gate to open, no chain to fasten, no reason to stop. It’s simple, and that’s exactly why it stuck.

Before cattle guards, gates were the only way to control livestock. That worked when travel was slower and less frequent, but as trucks and equipment became part of everyday ranch work, gates became a problem. Every one meant stopping, getting out, opening it, driving through, and closing it again. Over the course of a day, that added up. More importantly, a gate left open could cause trouble fast. Cattle didn’t need much opportunity to end up where they weren’t supposed to be.

The cattle guard solved both issues at once.

The idea is straightforward. A series of parallel bars is set over a shallow pit. Vehicles pass over it easily, but livestock usually won’t. The spacing between the bars makes footing uncertain, and cattle tend to avoid stepping onto it. It doesn’t rely on force. It relies on behavior.

Early cattle guards were built from wood, using poles or timbers laid across a trench. They worked, but they didn’t last. As steel became more available, the design improved. Metal rails held up better under traffic, required less maintenance, and provided more consistent spacing. Over time, that became the standard.

By the early 1900s, cattle guards were becoming more common as rural roads expanded and vehicle use increased. In places like Texas and Oklahoma, where roads often cut through grazing land, they offered a practical way to keep cattle contained without slowing down movement. Fewer gates meant less labor and fewer chances for mistakes.

Modern cattle guards follow the same basic design, with adjustments for durability and use. Heavier versions are built to handle highway traffic and loaded trucks, while lighter ones are used on private roads. Proper installation matters. If the pit is too shallow or the spacing is off, cattle may be more willing to cross. If dirt or debris fills in the gaps, the guard loses effectiveness.

They’re not perfect. Young or pressured animals will sometimes try to cross, and poorly maintained guards can fail. But when built and maintained correctly, they remain one of the most efficient tools for managing livestock around roads.

What makes the cattle guard stand out is its simplicity. It doesn’t require daily effort, and it doesn’t depend on someone remembering to use it. It solves a specific problem in a way that fits how ranches actually operate.

It’s easy to overlook because it works the way it’s supposed to. But across ranch country, it’s one of the reasons things move a little smoother every day.

Adapted from the article by Judy Wade for NTFR

Most days, the Red River doesn’t look like much.

It drifts along the Oklahoma–Texas line, wide and sandy, broken by bars and bends that make it feel more like a boundary than a threat. But that calm can be misleading. When the rains come hard enough, the Red River has a history of reminding people exactly what it’s capable of.

One of those reminders came in 1908.

As recorded by J. M. Dyer in History of Jefferson County, rains fell in what he described as “deluge proportions.” Cow Creek and Beaver Creek near Waurika swelled beyond their banks, pushing water downstream into the Red River. From there, the situation escalated quickly.

Dyer wrote that the river ran out of its banks “throughout its entire reach” as it moved toward the Mississippi River basin. With nowhere for the excess water to go, it backed up into tributaries like Cow and Beaver creeks, pushing floodwaters back toward the communities that fed them.

Waurika took a direct hit.

Water ran two to three feet deep down Main Street. The American Hotel, located just west of where the courthouse now stands, reportedly showed a high-water mark of three feet. Farmland disappeared under water. Homes were overtaken. What had been dry ground turned into a moving sheet of muddy current.

Transportation didn’t stand a chance. The Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad tracks were washed out from Sugden to north of Ryan, and water backed up as far as the depot in Ryan. Communities like Sugden were effectively cut off for days.

And it didn’t end there. Flooding continued to trouble the region for years, though not always at the same scale.

Holding Back a River

By the mid-20th century, efforts to control the Red River began to take shape.

The construction of Denison Dam, completed in 1943, created Lake Texoma. The project provided hydroelectric power, water storage, and recreation, while also helping reduce flooding downstream.

However, it’s worth clarifying one point: Denison Dam primarily controls flooding below the dam. It has limited impact on upstream tributaries like Beaver Creek, which meant areas around Waurika still faced significant flood risk.

That led to another major project.

In 1963, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers began work on a dam northwest of Waurika. The result was Waurika Lake, completed in 1980. The roughly 10,000-acre reservoir was designed to provide municipal water, irrigation support, recreation, and—most importantly—flood control for the surrounding area.

The Flood of 1984

Even with those improvements, the Red River proved it could still cause trouble.

In the fall of 1984, heavy rains across western Oklahoma and Texas sent large volumes of water racing toward the river. This time, Waurika itself fared better. The dam and improved drainage systems did what they were built to do, protecting much of the town from the kind of flooding seen in 1908.

But not everything was spared.

On the Texas side of the river, floodwaters spread outward for nearly half a mile in places. Pastures and cropland were inundated. Livestock losses were reported. Fences disappeared. Debris—from propane tanks to round bales of hay and entire trees—floated downstream beneath the Highway 79 bridge.

The bridge held. The road did not.

A section of Highway 79 just south of the Red River bridge was washed away, forcing travelers to detour through either Burkburnett or Terral. The reroute added roughly 55 to 65 miles for anyone trying to reach Wichita Falls. Repairs took months.

A River That Doesn’t Forget

Today, the Red River has returned to its usual pace, winding its way southeast toward Lake Texoma and beyond. On the surface, it looks harmless again.

But history says otherwise.

Flood control projects have made a difference, especially for towns like Waurika. Still, the river’s behavior depends on rainfall, terrain, and timing—factors that can line up in a hurry. When they do, the Red River can rise fast and spread wide, just as it did more than a century ago.

It’s easy to look at it now and see a lazy river.

It’s harder—but more accurate—to remember that it isn’t.

By Krista Lucas Wynn

            Summer is soon to be in full swing, and equine enthusiasts will be traveling to rodeos, trail rides and other events with their equine partners. Whether traveling across North Texas or across the country, it is important to know the tricks of the trade before leaving home.

            It is vital to carry fresh water when traveling. Offering clean, cool water to horses keeps them hydrated and ready to perform. Water can be hung in a trailer, stall or while tied to the trailer for a horse to be able to drink at leisure. Stalled horses should have at least two buckets in front of them at all times. It may even be beneficial to pack electrolytes to help replace any lost hydration while on the road. Fans are important to have on hand as well. Box fans may be used while stalling away from home, to keep air flowing during these hot summer days.

            Be sure to take plenty of hay and feed, depending on the duration of the trip. If going away for a few hours, one hay bag may suffice. When staying overnight somewhere, it is vital to be able to feed the horse’s usual grain from home while on the road, and owners may need to bring bags of shavings for stalls or the trailer, for more comfortable bedding.

            Grooming supplies are also important to have on hand. Brushes, curry combs and hoof picks are a few to not leave home without, along with fly spray and ShowSheen for the mane and tail. Depending on the discipline, owners may need a few other things besides a saddle, pad, bridle, leg wraps, and bell boots. If going very far from home, it is a good idea to bring multiple of each, just in case something breaks. Some owners even pack a few extra horseshoes and shoeing tools in case of an emergency.

            Speaking of emergencies, it is also important to have certain medical supplies on hand. A veterinarian may not always be on hand or convenient to get ahold of. Horses that are traveling up and down the road, may experience episodes of colic, tying up or other illnesses due to the stress of traveling. Always seek a veterinarian’s help when available, but be prepared by packing an emergency first aid kit. There are plenty of lists available online to help decide what a horse may need while on the road. Properly taking care of and knowing the horse can be critical in avoiding emergencies while traveling.

            Weather can play a factor in travel, and it is important to be prepared for all types. Being weather aware can also help avoid catastrophe on the road with horses. Other items to consider if going very far include auto products like spare tires and tools to change a flat. Also, always fuel up when the opportunity arises. Many northern states do not have as many diesel pumps or diesel exhaust fluid available like Texas.

            Horses will also need proper papers to travel across state lines. Negative coggins papers and a health certificate is a must. Most events or public places require both. Coggins is a yearly blood test checking for antibodies against the transmissible viral disease, Equine Infectious Anemia, and a clean health certificate can be obtained for one specific address or for up to six months if traveling multiple places.

            Before leaving home, go over this checklist to get started on packing for the next adventure with an equine partner. Whether staying in North Texas, or traveling across the country, remember to enjoy the experience, and hopefully this list will help to prepare.