ARS | Publication request: FARM PONDS AND ASSOCIATED RIPARIAN BUFFERS FOR LIMITING THE MOVEMENT OF E. COLI AND ENTEROCOCCI BACTERIA FROM GRAZINGLANDS

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: May 17, 2000
Publication Date: N/A

Technical Abstract: Contamination of surface waters with fecal bacteria from grazinglands is a component of non-point source agricultural pollution. Methods are needed to limit the movement of fecal bacteria from grazinglands into surface water. We used two experimental watersheds to test for impact of cattle on total coliform, E. coli, and enterococci bacteria numbers. Grazing cattle elevated these microbe numbers but we found that positioning animals above pond in the landscape was an effective means of reducing total coliform, E. coli, and enterococci bacteria in surface water leaving the grazed watershed. Microbe numbers in the pond outflow were similar to those in surface water from wooded watershed.