Every long-time Steamboat Springs resident we’ve talked to agrees that 2018 is the driest year in memory. Goose Creek normally feeds the pond at La Joya Dulce, and normally it slows to a trickle in the summer. In 2018, the trickle is gone. We still have a pond, but with no fresh water coming in, we worried about whether our fish would survive. Our pond needed an aerator.

We could have chosen solar power for the aerator, but decided a wooden windmill could do the job and look pretty at the same time. That’s in keeping with the theme of La Joya Dulce – weddings on a beautiful working ranch.

The windmill comes as a kit. The wood is all cut to size, but every single piece of it has to be assembled. The tower is assembled on the ground. The finished tower is about 16 feet tall (before the windmill head is attached), very heavy (maybe 1,000 pounds?), and needs to be stood up. Ryan used our tractor to lift the huge, heavy thing. The windmill head and vanes were installed after the tower was standing.

The windmill pumps air through hose lines to specially-drilled stones at the bottom of the pond. When the wind blows, the air adds oxygen to the pond and circulates the water. It seems to be working -- the water level has dropped because it is so dry, but the fish are still fine.

We have no false modesty about the views at La Joya Dulce -- we think we have the most scenic ranch wedding venue in Steamboat Springs. Our windmill had to be functional, because we are still a small working ranch, but it also it keeps the ranch pretty for our couples. Learn more about our amenities and venue facilities →