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ARS Home » Plains Area » Lincoln, Nebraska » Agroecosystem Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #164426
Title: IMPACT OF A CONSTRUCTED LOW WATER STREAM CATTLE CROSSING, AN INNOVATIVE BMP, ON MICROBIAL WATER QUALITY OF A RANGELAND PASTURE STREAM

Author
item HENRY, CHRISTOPHER - U NEBRASKA,LINCOLN
item Thurston Enriquez, Jeanette

Submitted to: Meeting Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/11/2003
Publication Date: 6/1/2003
Citation: Henry, C., Thurston Enriquez, J.A. 2003. Impact of a constructed low water stream cattle crossing, an innovative bmp, on microbial water quality of a rangeland pasture stream. American Society for Agricultural Engineers 2003 General Meeting. Paper Number 032313

Interpretive Summary: The impact that livestock in pastures have on microbial water quality is poorly understood. A low water stream crossing (LWSC) was designed and constructed in the middle of a stream pasture segment to evaluate it's effectiveness as a potential best management practice (BMP) and as an alternative to excluding livestock from streams with permanent fencing. The construction and application of the crossing is discussed. The stream segment was investigated for the presence of health-related microorganisms commonly associated with livestock. Stream samples were collected approximately twice per month during a period of 6 months. Numbers of health-related microorganisms exceeded EPA guidelines for secondary contact recreation not only in water collected within the studied pasture but also for samples collected upstream of the pasture. Increased numbers of health-related microorganisms was observed immediately downstream of the LWSC suggesting that the cause of these increased microbial concentrations was due to cattle activity in the pasture and use of the LWSC.

Technical Abstract: The impact that livestock in pastures have on microbial water quality is poorly understood. A low water stream crossing (LWSC) was designed and constructed in the middle of a stream pasture segment to evaluate it's effectiveness as a potential BMP and as an alternative to excluding livestock from streams with permanent fencing. The construction and application of the crossing is discussed. The stream segment was investigated for the presence of indicator microorganisms and protozoan parasites commonly associated with livestock. Stream samples and flow data were collected approximately twice per month during a period of 6 months. Water samples were assayed for total coliforms, Escherichia coli, enterococci, Giardia cysts, and Cryptosporidium oocysts. Concentrations of indicator organisms appear to exceed new recommended EPA guidelines for recreational contact for E. coli and enterococci. The presence of cattle in the studied pasture was the likely cause of increased concentrations of indicator microorganisms downstream of the cattle crossing.