The Raw Earth The Otter Creek Trench

Now that the sanctuary is officially recognized, a sudden drought dries up the main creek that supplies water to the valley pastures. A young girl and her best friend discover a family of rare river otters stranded in the shrinking mud pools near the ridge. They must build a temporary water-diversion channel to keep the wild animals alive while rationing the homestead's backup well. Meanwhile, a neighboring rancher accuses the sanctuary of diverting the valley's shared spring water for wild pests instead of working livestock.