Title:
Phosphorus, sediment, and e. Coli loads in unfenced streams of the Georgia Piedmont, USA
Phosphorus, sediment, and e. Coli loads in unfenced streams of the Georgia Piedmont, USA
Author(s)
Byers, Harris L.
Cabrera, Miguel L.
Matthews, Monte K.
Franklin, Dorcas H.
Andrae, John G.
Radcliffe, David E.
McCann, Mark A.
Kuykendall, Holli A.
Hoveland, Carl S.
Calvert, Vaughn H., II
Cabrera, Miguel L.
Matthews, Monte K.
Franklin, Dorcas H.
Andrae, John G.
Radcliffe, David E.
McCann, Mark A.
Kuykendall, Holli A.
Hoveland, Carl S.
Calvert, Vaughn H., II
Advisor(s)
Editor(s)
Hatcher, Kathryn J.
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Abstract
Contamination of unfenced streams with
phosphorus, sediments, and pathogenic bacteria from
cattle activity may be affected by the availability of
shade and alternative water sources. The objectives of
this study were to evaluate water quality in two streams
draining tall fescue/ bermudagrass pastures with
different shade distributions, and to quantify the effects
of alternative water sources on stream water quality.
Loads of DRP, TP, and TSS were measured during
storm flow, and loads of DRP, TP, TSS, and E.coli
were measured every 14 d during base flow in two
streams located in the Piedmont region of Georgia.
Our results showed that grazing cattle in pastures with
unfenced streams contributed significant loads of DRP,
TP, TSS, and E. coli to surface waters (p<0.01).
Although storm flow was similar in both streams, loads
of DRP, TP, and TSS were larger (p< 0.08) in the
pasture with the smaller amount of non-riparian shade.
Water trough availability significantly decreased (p<
0.08) base flow loads of TSS and E. coli in both
streams. Our results indicate that possible BMPs to
reduce P, sediment, and E. coli contamination from
beef-cattle-grazed pastures may be to develop or
encourage non-riparian shade and to provide cattle with
an alternative water supply away from the stream.
Sponsor
Sponsored by:
Georgia Environmental Protection Division
U.S. Geological Survey, Georgia Water Science Center
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service
Georgia Institute of Technology, Georgia Water Resources Institute
The University of Georgia, Water Resources Faculty
Date Issued
2005-04
Extent
Resource Type
Text
Resource Subtype
Proceedings