Moriarity Big Horn River Ranch

980 & 1000 Highway 20 North,Thermopolis, Wyoming 82443

680+/- acres Deeded with 230+/- under irrigation

Location: The Moriarity Ranch is located in NW Wyoming, 10 miles North of Thermopolis on Highway 20 North. Yellowstone Park is 140 miles to the west and Casper is 130 miles east. There is a local airport, hospital, and K-12 schools. Thermopolis is located near the mouth of the Wind River Canyon and Hot Springs State Park is a local attraction.

Description: The 680+/- acre ranch fronts Highway 20 North where the 2 ranch homes and improvements are located. It follows about 1.75 miles of the Bighorn River to the town of Kirby. Irrigated meadows and dryland pastures lie on both sides of Highway 20. Currently, the ranch is raising hay and used as a winter base for a livestock operation. Calves are backgrounded in the feedlot.The ranch is protected by a conservation easement that is held by the Nature Conservancy. There are two envelopes outside the easement, one on the highway consisting of about 35 acres where the improvements are located, and a 13+/- acre envelope on the east side along the Bighorn River.

Improvements: The location of both sets of improvements sit outside of the Conservation easement. Electricity, natural gas, fiber optic, and city water are available to the 980 Highway 20 North improvements which consist of the following:

Residential 1: 1948 ranch 1677 sq., 2 bath 3 fixtures, vinyl siding metal roof

Residential 2: 1917 ranch 700 sq., 1 bath 3 fixtures, stucco metal roof

Farm equipment shop: 1975 3626 sq., metal frame

Farm utility: 1950 620 sq. wood frame

Farm utility: 1937 228 sq. wood frame

Corrals and Feedlot

The homestead on the river has a well, electricity, and a few improvements consisting of the following:

Farm utility: 1968 850 sq., masonry

Farm equipment: 1968 1536 sq., wood frame, 288 sq. add on concrete slab

Farm utility: 1920 418 sq., wood frame

Farm utility 1930 360 sq. wood frame

Farm utility 1930 192 sq., wood frame

Corrals

Taxes for 2020: 7,300 +/- ( includes irrigation district charge )

Irrigation Water:

The ranch has nearly 2 miles of Bighorn River access. The ranch pumps water to the northern hayfield and irrigation is via wheel line sprinklers. The southern portion of the ranch is under the Owl Creek/Lucerne Irrigation District and has water delivered through the Lucerne canals. Water is known to be reliable. There are 153.4 adjudicated acres under the district, with the remainder irrigated through direct flow from the river. The district charge was $2301 for 2020. The Owl Creek portion is assessed through the annual property tax. There is no charge on the direct flow.

Water: The Bighorn is a major asset to the ranch. It provides irrigation and stock water as well as the recreational benefits of the highly popular river. There are 2 registered wells on the property with one being used for some domestic and livestock. City water is available at the property, and is supplied by the Lucerne Water District, and it is of excellent quality. It comes from a Madison Deep well on the slope of the Bighorn Mountains. This is a property with several excellent sources of water.

Dryland Pasture: The ranch has a mix of dryland pasture, irrigated, and river bottom ground. Most of the dryland pasture fronts Highway 20 and is flat to varied terrain. Pasture is utilized for moving cows off the meadows in the spring before going to summer pasture. Stock water sources are via live stream and a well. City water and electricity are available over most of the ranch.

Agriculture: The ranch is currently being leased as a hay base for winter pasture and feedlot capacity for backgrounding calves. Capacity will depend on management, currently the ranch irrigated hay ground is putting up 2.5-3.5 tons/acre. Soils and climate are suitable for hay and small grains production.

Wildlife and recreational opportunities: The Bighorn River traverses nearly 2 miles of the ranch boundary and is the distinguishing feature of the ranch. The Bighorn has received considerable notoriety for its recreational value as a trout fishery and waterfowl migration corridor. The wide, sub-irrigated river bottoms and lush irrigated meadows are a magnet for a variety of wildlife and waterfowl. Mule deer, Whitetail deer, Antelope, Turkey, and an abundance of upland birds use the rich resources of the ranch. The river is a corridor for a huge variety of migratory birds and waterfowl. Privacy and an abundance of wildlife are just a few of the amenities to enjoy.

The Bighorn Basin is situated in the heart of the scenic wonders of Wyoming where most any outdoor activity is at your backdoor.

Comments: The Moriarity Bighorn River Ranch is being offered for the first time in nearly 30 years, and is a once in several decades opportunity. The agricultural aspects of the ranch are very good, and the recreational amenities are endless. The chance to own a ranch with the amenities this one offers, is very rare in the current times. Western Land Sales is proud to play a part in the offering of the Moriarity Bighorn River Ranch.