Animal access to surface waters, such as streams and wetlands, greatly increases the risk of contamination from animal wastes, as well as the possibility of stream bank degradation, compaction of soils, and loss of vegetation in these areas. Streams and ponds often play a major role in maintaining livestock water consumption; access to abundant supplies of cool, fresh water is essential for grazing animals. However, having access may increase the risk of water contamination from animal wastes and pathogens. A balance between the environment and animal welfare must be found.
The use of stream bank buffers and fencing should be considered to keep animals from sensitive water sources to prevent wastes from entering water bodies, as well as preventing stream bank degradation, compaction of soils, and loss of vegetation in these areas.
If surface waters are used as a source of water for livestock consumption, then the use of fences, crossings, and limited access points can help to control risks that might occur. Other fresh water strategies, such as water wells, should be considered as new water supplies. The use of low-water stream crossings should be used in places where traffic patterns are heavy at stream segments. See the following link for more information on low-water stream crossings for cattle on the afo.unl.edu Web site.
Contact your nearest Natural Resources Conservation Service Center for advice on how to design and build appropriate stream and surface water controls to limit grazing animal access to sensitive water supplies.
More information about pasture management can be found at:
• The ABC's of Pasture Management
• This fact sheet discusses the regulations concerning animals and their contact with surface water: Pasture-based operations: Could part of my operation be an AFO?
Author: Michael Westendorf, Department of Animal Science, Rutgers, State University of New Jersey
Edited by Chris Henry, Biological Systems Engineering, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
