Farmhouses
WATER QUALITY
CALIFORNIA VEGETATION
LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION

RANGELAND POLLUTANTS

Main Points

  • There are four pollutants associated with grazing: sediment, nutrients, pathogens and heat (stream temperature).
  • Sediment is a product of erosion from poorly vegetated soils and may result from heavy grazing, dirt roads, construction activity, natural forces and other human activities.
  • When livestock concentrate near stream channels there is increased risk of nutrient and pathogen loading that may effect domestic water sources, fisheries and recreation.
  • Loss of vegetation along streambanks may result in increased heating of streams resulting in stream temperatures that are too hot for cold water fishes (trout, steelhead, salmon) and other aquatic organisms.
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    Sediment Publications

    Nutrient and Pathogen Publications

    Stream Temperature Publications

    Riparian Management Publications