A guy-wire, guy-line, or guy-rope, also known as simply a guy, is a tensioned cable designed to add stability to a free-standing structure. Some utility poles buried in the ground have sufficient strength to stand on their own, but others need guy-wires to support loads and to resist ground movement. The lower end where the cable enters the ground is often encased in a length of yellow or orange plastic reflector to make it more visible so that people or vehicles do not run into it.

However, not all free-standing poles or structures may have reflectors. Annually, we remind farmers during seeding and harvest to check your surroundings all day/every day and be certain that they can safely navigate around the power poles, power lines, or guy wires.

Additionally, we have cautioned members who are snowmobilers in rural areas to watch out for guy-wires, as snow depth and weather conditions (in particular snow glare on a sunny day) can compromise the visibility of these guy-wires.

We are now issuing another caution about guy-wires relating to livestock. For example, cattle rubbing on a guy-wire will cause a utility pole to shake and move, decreasing the stability of the pole which could result in a power outage.

Battle River Power Coop members who have cattle pastured or corralled where a guy-wire is present can improve the reliability of their own electricity and the safety of their herd, by installing a fence post on either side of the guy wire. We encourage members to check their property for potential livestock and guy-wire interactions.