The authors determined the effects of cattle grazing on the structure and function of riparian areas by comparing three stream reaches along Big Creek. Two 600 ft. grazed reaches were bisected by a 600 ft. ungrazed stream segment. Riparian channel, vegetation, and fish species were measured for two years after the cattle exclosure was built. Riparian vegetation and channel morphology responded positively to the exclusion of cattle grazing. The stream became deeper and less wide as the banks became more stable and covered with vegetation, in turn causing the pool:riffle ratio and pool quality became more suitable for fish habitat. However, fish populations did not respond to the enhanced habitat conditions caused by cattle exclusion, possibly because of the influences from the upstream and downstream grazed stream reaches on the fish populations, indicating that large sections of a stream would have to be protected from grazing to affect fish populations.
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