Living lawnmowers

Living lawnmowers

By Ashley Shah

Those visiting Miramar Reservoir may have seen some unexpected guests earlier this month: more than 200 goats were grazing on the hillside. 

But they weren’t merely feeding. They were working.

“The goats clear dry brush to allow for inspection of the dam and help reduce fire risk,” said Jennifer McBride, supervising public information officer for the City of San Diego. “The goats are an energy-efficient and low-carbon alternative to mechanized equipment.” 

The goats cleared about eight acres of dry brush around the reservoir this year. They were there for about four weeks and had completed their time at the reservoir on April 10. 

“Twenty to 30 goats can clear an acre within a few days,” McBride said. 

The goats were supplied by ELM goats. 

“ELM is a brush management company that has been working around San Diego and Southern California since 1999,” McBride said. 

Alongside the herd of goats were two dogs that accompanied them. 

“The dogs are companion animals. They accompany the goats and, in some instances, deter predators. Often these goats work in rural, remote backcountry areas,” McBride said. 

This specific program is part of the city’s ongoing Dam Operation and Maintenance. 

“The goats perform vegetation maintenance on and around the dam annually. Currently, they are only working at Miramar, but we are exploring the possibility of using them at other reservoirs,” McBride said. 

The City of San Diego has allowed the use of goats to remove dry brush since 2005, according to McBride. 

While it is unlikely that the goats will come to the Miramar Reservoir again this year, they might return next year. 

For more information about the Miramar Reservoir, visit sandiego.gov/blog/miramarreservoir.