Miller Farm Hot Springs County Wyoming

581 Highway 20 North

Thermopolis, Wyoming

Location: 5 miles north of Thermopolis Wyoming, the farm is accessed off Highway 20 North on the east boundary and West Sunnyside Lane on the Southern Boundary. Owl Creek meanders through the farm for nearly a mile on the North boundary.

Description: The 95+/- farm is situated in the Lucerne Valley, including close to a mile of Owl Creek before it’s confluence with the Bighorn River. With 62 acres of water rights out of the Lucerne Irrigation district, there are currently 25+/- acres of newer alfalfa in production. The remaining rights are used on irrigated and sub irrigated pastures along the creek. This is a productive and very scenic small farm with a nice custom home.

Improvements: The home is a 2850 sq.ft. custom log home, and   has a panoramic  view of the creek, valley, and surrounding mountains. There are 3 equipment and loafing sheds and no other buildings. This is a well kept farm with several options for added improvements.

Home: 2850+/- sq ft. custom log home has 1808 feet on the main level with a 900 sq. ft finished basement and 143 sq. ft. loft. There is an additional small garage at the basement level. A small barn and two small equipment sheds complete the improvements. There is natural gas, city water, fiber optic and highway access.

Farm Production: The farm has hayfields on a flat bench overlooking a flat, wide, creek bottom that Owl Creek meanders through. The soil is of a sandy loam type typical of river bottom land and is productive. Gravity irrigation through gated pipe out of the Lower Lucerne canal, it is currently in alfalfa  with the stand being 3 years old. The creek is about a mile of oxbows and meanders that has been cleared of russian olive and has mature cottonwoods and sub irrigated meadows lining the banks. It is currently utilized as pasture and is partially irrigated. The farm is cross fenced into 3 separate pastures. The owners historically sold some hay and pasture, as well as kept a small herd of pack mules.

Water: The farm has water rights out of the Lucerne and Owl Creek irrigation district with water being supplied by the Lucerne Canal. Water cost is assessed through the county and the  Lucerne Irrigation District. 2020 cost for the Lucerne district was $1362 and Lower Owl Creek charges are included in annual tax assessment.

Domestic water is the Lucerne water district and is part of a regional water system that sources its water from a well at the base of the Bighorn Mountains in the limestone Madison Formation. Water cost is $80/month. A well is utilized for livestock.

Owl Creek traverses the farm for nearly a mile. It is a perennial stream with seasonal high flows and year around running water.

A small seasonal pond is on the west boundary of the farm.

Recreational amenities: The Miller Farm has a number of game birds including pheasants and turkeys as well as some migratory waterfowl. Whitetail and Muledeer are abundant and frequent the lush meadows and hayfields. Just to the south of the farm, the Bighorn river has become a destination for fly fishermen around the country. Public access points offer abundant opportunities for fishing and hunting. There are many options for boating, horseback riding, hiking, and hunting on, or within minutes of the farm. 

Comments: Miller farm is unique in its location and size for farms in the area. There is a limited amount of irrigated farm ground in this region and this one checks a lot of boxes for someone who is looking for a nice home and manageable small farm with enough land for livestock and hay production. Great access, five minutes from town, and a year around flowing stream winding through the pastures make it a rare find.

2020 Taxes: $4322.74 ( includes the LOC irrigation assessment)