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Influence of streambank fencing with a cattle crossing on riparian health and water quality of the Lower Little Bow River in Southern Alberta, Canada

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  • Miller, J.
  • Chanasyk, D.
  • Curtis, T.
  • Entz, T.
  • Willms, W.

Abstract

The goal of beneficial management practices (BMPs) such as streambank fencing is to prevent or reduce water pollution of surface water bodies. We conducted a four year (2004-2007) study on a fenced 800-m reach of the Lower Little Bow (LLB) River in southern Alberta, Canada. Our hypothesis was that riparian health would be improved by streambank fencing, and that cattle exclusion would prevent water pollution within the fenced reach. Physical, chemical, and microbiological variables in the river were determined throughout the four years, and water quality variables at the upstream (control) and downstream (BMP-impact) sites during the post-BMP phase were evaluated using a paired t-test. The overall health of the riparian area, based on a visual assessment of vegetative, soils, and hydrologic features, was improved from a score of 65% (healthy but with problems) for pre-BMP phase in 2001 to 81% (healthy) for post-BMP phase in 2005. The majority of water quality variables were not significantly (P>0.10) different at the downstream and upstream sites during streambank fencing. The evidence from our study indicated that streambank fencing improved the riparian health, and that the BMP prevented the majority of water quality variables from increasing downstream.

Suggested Citation

  • Miller, J. & Chanasyk, D. & Curtis, T. & Entz, T. & Willms, W., 2010. "Influence of streambank fencing with a cattle crossing on riparian health and water quality of the Lower Little Bow River in Southern Alberta, Canada," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 97(2), pages 247-258, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:agiwat:v:97:y:2010:i:2:p:247-258
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Vidon, Philippe & Campbell, Marie A. & Gray, Mark, 2008. "Unrestricted cattle access to streams and water quality in till landscape of the Midwest," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 95(3), pages 322-330, March.
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    Cited by:

    1. Mustafa Tufekcioglu & Richard C. Schultz & Thomas M. Isenhart & John L. Kovar & James R. Russell, 2020. "Riparian Land-Use, Stream Morphology and Streambank Erosion within Grazed Pastures in Southern Iowa, USA: A Catchment-Wide Perspective," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(16), pages 1-13, August.
    2. Curtis L. Rollins & Stephanie R. Simpson & Peter C. Boxall, 2018. "Evaluating an Agricultural Extension Program Aimed at Improving Biodiversity in Alberta, Canada," Canadian Journal of Agricultural Economics/Revue canadienne d'agroeconomie, Canadian Agricultural Economics Society/Societe canadienne d'agroeconomie, vol. 66(2), pages 331-353, June.
    3. Horak, Cristina Natalia & Assef, Yanina Andrea & Miserendino, María Laura, 2019. "Assessing effects of confined animal production systems on water quality, ecological integrity, and macroinvertebrates at small piedmont streams (Patagonia, Argentina)," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 216(C), pages 242-253.
    4. Miller, J. & Chanasyk, D. & Curtis, T. & Entz, T. & Willms, W., 2011. "Environmental quality of Lower Little Bow River and riparian zone along an unfenced reach with off-stream watering," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 98(10), pages 1505-1515, August.

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