Water quality was measured before and after the installation of alternate water sources in two pastures, one lightly grazed pasture and one heavily grazed pasture, which was also treated with riparian fencing and plantings. While the alternate water source alone did not significantly affect water quality, the combination of management practices applied in the heavily grazed pasture significantly reduced the amount of fecal coliform and fecal enterococci entering the stream. The stream temperature, specific conductivity and turbidity were also somewhat reduced, however the differences were not significant. The alternate water source combined with riparian fencing and plantings increased water quality. However, the data suggested that water quality was still low at this site, most likely because of upstream influences that also require management.
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.