A deer walks in the very shallow water of the Republican River outside of Red Cloud, Neb. Its water has long been used for irrigation, but it has been so dry in recent years because of prolonged drought. Red Cloud, a town with a population of 935, down 17% in the 2009 census, has all the charm and challenges that face small towns in rural America. Famed turn-of-the-century author Willa Cather grew up in Red Cloud.