When Arizonans talk about “cattle tanks,” they’re not talking about those big silver metal tanks that hold water for livestock. No, we’re talking about this:
Cattle tank
Cattle tank. Arizonan for mucky ranch pond.
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The Dragonfly Woman 
That’s a nice one! The ones I used to work in had way more cow pies.
This was in the spring so the cows weren’t at this one yet. It’s much worse during the summer. And you’ve been to this tank! It’s one of the ones we went to on that day-long trip to the Altar.
“Well-Nigh Wordless Wednesday” teaches me a new words. Irony much?
In return, I offer “obstreperous”, my grandmother’s favorite word for describing our behavior as children, especially after we went playing in the pond without permission.
Obstreperous: Unruly, out of control.
Ha ha! That’s why I call it well-nigh wordless Wednesday rather than wordless Wednesday. And I love the word obstreperous. It’s a great one!
is this tank on the Navajo reservation near Moenave?
Is a tank like this natural – or is it “man-made” is it spring fed?
I am doing a project on water and have found some “ponds” which look kind of natural and don’t appear to be near any ranches – (Although this one by Movenave is near peoples homes).
I am trying to find out if any tanks are natural?
Thank you in advance for your help.
Best
Bremner Benedict
This is in the Altar Valley on a ranch that I was given access to, so not on the Navajo reservation. To the best of my knowledge, most of the ponds that people call “tanks” are areas that collected water naturally already, but have been altered by building up an earthen dam at the low point to help them hold more water. This tank is not 100% natural, for example, and has been modified by people to make it a more effective water source for cattle.
I’d bet if you ask the people in the area of the ponds you’re interested in, someone will know whether a pond has been modified or not. Doesn’t hurt to ask at least!
Hope this helps!
Thank you very much. Will do! Your answer helps a great deal.