The objective of this study was to determine the impact of sediment-bound bacteria on water quality, in a rangeland stream in Oregon. The stream bottom was disrupted (raked) at three locations along Bear Creek. The controlled raking experiments in this research may be used to assess the recent history of animal access to a stream. The experiments indicate the range of fecal coliform (FC) organisms suspended by stream bottom disturbance ranged from 1.8 to 760 million per m2. For fecal streptococcus (FS) the range was 0.8 to 5,610 million per m2. Highest values were obtained in the vicinity of concentrated feeding areas. Resuspension will occur when stream flow increases or when animals walk through a stream. When fresh fecal matter is added to a stream, most of the FC and FS are deposited on the stream bottom. When the stream bottom is immediately disturbed, these coliforms are subject to resuspension.
Citations and enhanced abstracts for journals articles and documents focused on rangeland ecology and management. RSIS is a collaboration between Montana State University, University of Idaho, and University of Wyoming.