Abstract |
Runoff of Escherichia coli (E. coli) and other fecal indicator bacteria from grazing lands has been identified as a significant source of bacterial contamination in need of reductions to improve water quality. Development of best management practices to address these bacterial issues is critical to the success of watershed restoration efforts. The effects of alternative water supplies and grazing management were evaluated to assess their effectiveness as best management practices (BMPs). Providing alternative water supplies for cattle reduced the time cattle spent in the creek by 43% from 3.0 to 1.7 minutes/animal unit/day. Observed pre- and post-treatment E. coli loads suggested similar reductions (57%); however, this project could not conclusively attribute the observed E. coli loading reductions to providing alternative water because of the lack of statistical significance of these observations, the decrease in flow observed during the post-treatment period, and the observed increase in E. coli levels during the post-treatment period. Lack of producer response to extreme drought conditions may have confounded these data. |