Hello my name is AL CHILDERS, The Soil & Water Conservation office in each county in the state of North Carolina has information & Cost Share for exactly what you are asking about Call 828-264 3943 Ext 3 or 828-264-0842 Talk to Donna, AL or Gary



You will probably get good response from the follwoing persons via the listserve. If not, contact them directly as they have installed these very measures near Brevard College on a cattle ranch and the school's students have adopted this particular site as a restoration project.

Will Harman, NCSU, WRRI will@ncsuwqg.wq.ncsu.edu
Greg Jennings, NCSU, WQG greg_jennings@ncsu.edu
Dick Everhart, NRCS surrysoil@surry.net



How about just providing a watering gap or two? This would allow access to the stream at one point (you could even dig an embayment that's fenced off from the stream so as to keep the stock a few feet away from the stream channel). These would be easier to maintain than a diversion or other upland watering source.

Warren Aney
Senior Wildlife Ecologist
Tigard, OR



Mason Howell and Charlie Farmer of the USDA NRCS in Central Kentucky work with a program that has some experience in cost-sharing and using alternative watering equipment and livestock exclusion practices. They can be reached at 606-224-7413. Mason's e-mail address is

Barry Tonning
Tetratech Environmental



The NRCS has details on construction of "alternative water sources" when they conduct stream fencing. The NRCS in NC should be able to help you. In addition, the Nature Conservation in southeast Virginia conducted lots of fencing of stream and putting in alternative water sources. I dont have the number for their program out there, but they could help. They use several approaches.
1) Construct stabilized fenced access areas along stream to allow cattle access to stream,
2) Cow activated pumps - they bump the pump with their nose and it pumps water to the drinking trough. One of the benefits to the cattle is less time spend in the water and mud, which reduces certain diseases.

Good Luck
Bob Siegfried



How about considering the following and let gravity be your assistant:

1. Allow some short intervals in the fence along the streams where the cattle can obtain drinking water at various places along the stream to be restored. This approach simply will involve fencing in a way that is a barrier to cattle over nearly all of the stream course to be protected but will allow the ranchers to distribute their cattle over the property. If your restoration plans call for the cattle not to contact the stream at all, is it possible to "pipe" water from the stream to float-controlled tanks at key places on the property adjacent to the fencing and near the pipe inlet upslope.

2. If you need to place water well away from the stream course, is it possible to use a small diversion well upstream and run piping (composite material) to tanks that are on contours below the diversion point? I recognize there may be other issues related to a "diversion", but arguably if the cattle can legitimately drink from the stream, does it make a difference if it is piped out or they get it directly. Restoration calls for innovation on the part of regulatory bureaucrats that may be involved.

3. Consider some type of catchment device that collects rain or snow into a tank and then distributes water over time through a float controlled drinker.

The questions you raise also are issues in the western U.S. where it is more arid and water more precious, but cattle and rancher interests still the same. If you want to follow up on this more, send me some more detailed questions and I will be happy to point you toward info sources.

Bruce Thompson, Ph.D.
New Mexico Cooperative Fish & Wildlife Research Unit
P.O. Box 30003 MSC 4901
Las Cruces, NM 88003
505/646-6093 (office)
505/646-1281 (FAX)



Mr. Henderson, Colette Charbonneau, of our regional office, forwarded your message to me, my name is Kelly Srigley Werner and I am the Private Lands Coordinator for Missouri. We work with landowners on similar issues in Missouri, but mostly to protect federally-listed endangered and threatened species. We also promote using electrical fences as there is less maintenence with these along riparian corridors during times of high water.

There are a number of ways to provide alternative watering sources:
1) solar watering systems
2) well systems
3) limited access
4) small crossings
5) water distribution lines for a paddock operation

I do not have a solid reference for you to look at but do recommend looking in livestock magazines, or checking with local Soil and Water Conservation Districts. In Missouri, you can call a few folks for further discussion:

Craig Fuller
Missouri Department of Conservation
417-532-7612


Richard McConnell
Polk County Soil and Water Conservation District
417-326-5993


Also, you can contact my counterpart in North Carolina:
Anita Goetz
551-F Pylon Drive, POB 33726
Raleigh, NC 27636-3726
919-856-4520


We both coordiate the Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program which is a cost share assistance program for landowners who want to restore and enhance fish and wildlife habitat.



University of Wisconsin-Extension and UW-Madison have released a 16 page booklet entitled "grazing streamside pastures" (publication # A3699) which addresses many of these isseus. Written for a farmer audience, I have found it very helpful with rotational grazers and farmers with small streams running through their property.

Cost is $3.00, and you can order one from Extension Publications: 608.262.3346 or on the web (may be viewable but not printable) at UWEX

Kevin Erb



I have seen several types of "nose pumps" that have been used for the purpose that you describe. I believe that people have used them with some success in eastern Oregon.

Here are a couple of links that I found:
Nose Pumps
DU Canada

Kim Gould, Fish/Aquatic Biologist
Fishman Environmental Services, LLC.
Consultants in Ecology and Natural Resource Management
434 NW 6th Ave, Suite 304
Portland, OR 97209-3600
Phone: 503/224-0333 Fax: 503/224-1851




In North Carolina, where there is generally ample rainfall, the least expensive and most effective way to provide water to cattle in pasture is through construction of a farm pond in a drainway that can provide enough runoff to fill the pond. Once ponds are constructed and filled, the floodplain areas you describe can be fenced off with no trouble. Contact the local ASCS (Farm Service Agency) office for free farm pond plans and technical guidance. Most rural dozer workers and contractors in the South know how to build farm ponds (some are more skilled than others). Farm ponds should not be located on larger streams, rather, be placed on a small tributary or drainway leading to a larger stream. A caution in North Carolina, depending on the location of these pastures---floodplains on streams of all sizes in the SE United States are prone to flooding, which takes out fences. I have creeks and streams on my farm in central Mississippi that cannot be fenced because every flood takes down any fence constructed (making some of my pastures over 300 acres in size because of creeks). The only water gaps that hold where public road bridges are located over streams or where the creeks/streams flow onto someone else's property are floating gaps made of cable and tires that swing free most of the time, and float at high water. A strong flood will break a cable. A "fixed" water gap is all but useless, and will be flattened in a flood.

Mary C. Landin, PhD
Collins Farms, Utica, MS
Certified Wildlife Biologist



A coworker of mine provided this net-link for you to check out. We recommend these to our local dairy operators during restoration activities in NH.

Steve Landry
Rife Ram Pumps



Check out the site
UGA

There are a couple of publications on hydraulic ram pumps that may interest you.

Mark Risse
Extension Engineer-Agricultural Pollution Prevention
University of Georgia
Driftmier Engineering Center
Athens, GA 30602
(706)-542-9067 (wk) (706)542-1886 (Fax)



James, I'm not sure exactly the reference but I read an article in the Minnesota Volunteer (DNR publication, March/april/may of 1999) where they were working with the same issues. They found that the streambanks improved with some cow intrusions. I can't repeat all the facts but I found it rather interesting that some movement within the riparian area during certain times of the year improved erosion. Whom ever worked on this project probably also set up alternative drinking devices as well when the cattle were kept out of the streams. It would be worth calling the Minnesota Volunteer magazine or the DNR to get that info.

MaryKay Fox



The Tennessee Valley Authority and other watershed partners installed watering stations in the Bear Creek Watershed in Northwest Alabama that consisted of water that was gravity-fed from either ponds or springs to nose watering stations (i.e. devices in which the cow pushes its nose against a device that when pushed gives way opening a water valve giving water to the cow.

However, I would encourage you to look at other alternatives. Depending upon the size of the stream and number of cattle it may be just as well to fence them out of the stream except for a limited area such as a crossing and to design that area such that appropriately sized stone and gravel protects the stream bottom. If the water is shallow and shade is removed at the crossing cattle will drink and move on eliminating problems of cattle lingering there and defecating in the water. In many cases crossing will be needed for small streams and a bridge may be out of reach financially for the landowner - in such cases an appropriately designed crossing may meet both needs. I don't know who designed these crossings but I do know that they were employed in the Flint Creek Watershed NPS Project (Alabama). I suspect that Steve Foster at the Alabama Department of Environmental Management knows who did the design if you can't catch Brad (scf@adem.state.al.us). The Flint Creek Project Coordinator was/is Brad Bole. Brad's telephone number is 256-773-6541.

Michael Mullen
Alabama NPS Education Coordinator



Through a series of forwarded emails, I received your request for info on off-stream watering. Based on the description you provided, I am throwing in some additional comments. Our program works with cattle producers on a voluntary basis to assist them to maintain or improve riparian health by making suitable and acceptable (to them and for the riparian area) range/pasture management decisions.

In addition to establishing off-stream watering (probably the most important distribution tool, even if nothing else is done), I would encourage you to work with the landowner to find alternatives to streambank fencing for a number of reasons: fencing is an extremely costly venture, both initially and for long-term maintenance, especially if the stream(s) are influenced by floods carrying debris that may destroy/damage the fence. In addition, from experience with landowners we have worked with, a large amount of vegetation and litter builds up, and there is little ability to access/remove it, which can lead to fire hazard and/or weed problems (since weeds may establish in the litter). Encouraging additional planned rotational grazing and balancing stocking rates with forage are likely just as important (if you remove the pressure on the stream, you may just move it elsewhere). A couple effective alternatives to fencing the stream out permanently that we have found very successful, and acceptable to the landowner, include:

--temporary, electric fencing to get recovery started (less costly, moveable to better locations, and removable)
--grazeable corridor--fence a little further back to make it a narrow corridor, but not too tight up to the stream edge, which simplifies the fencing process, and will allow cattle to use it for short, controlled periods when the area has recovered sufficiently and is less susceptible to erosion and browsing (when banks are wet, and when grass has become less desirable (too mature), respectively)
--riparian pasture-fence the area including the stream into manageable sized pastures based on topography-keeping the valley bottom/riparian area as separate pastures from upland, drier areas, which will aid in the correct timing of use, allow rest at the correct season (or for a few years if necessary).

Finally, to off-stream watering: A couple good resources exist on the types available (info below) and if there are any natural springs available, they may want to use some sort of inexpensive, tire waterer (I've attached a couple if images on their layout that some producers we work with have created).

The Stockman's Guide to Range Livestock Watering from Surface Water Sources--produced by Prairie Agriculture Machinery Institute call 1-800-567-7264 ($10 Cndn. for book).

Check out the PFRA web site PFRA They have some good fact sheets, which should all be on line.

Check out the Alberta Agriculture website for pasture watering systems. Alberta Agriculture

Check out the document "Caring For the Green Zone: Riparian Areas and Range Management" by Barry Adams and Lorne Fitch
(soon to up on our new website Cows and Fish)

Norine Ambrose
Assistant Coordinator
Alberta Riparian Habitat Management Program-"Cows and Fish"
403-381-5538 / fax 403-381-5723



Bob Blackwelder (rblackwelder@ci.charlotte.nc.us) is an employee in our office also owns a farm in Cabarrus County where he raises cattle. We discussed a number of options.

1. If water demand is relatively low, and the creek has good fall (>1%), a hydraulic ram is an option. A hydraulic ram moves water from a lower to a higher elevation using the energy from the flowing water. I have a few details here that I could share, though I have no personal experience with this device.

2. Solar powered pumps are available to pump water from the stream to fill watering troughs. Intake points must be carefully chosen and maintained.

3. A pond could be constructed in the fenced-off area provided the hydraulic grade line allows for it to be fed by the stream.

4. Drill a well and install a solar powered well pump.

5. Grade and establish restricted fiord points along the stream for the cattle that will limit the livestock's access to the riparian areas you desire to maintain. Cattle are creatures of habit - if the fiord points can be established and maintained the livestock will stick to these spots to access the stream.

Beef cattle require 12-15 gallons of water per day, and dairy cattle twice that amount.

Guy P. Peters, PE
Maintenance Team Leader, Charlotte Storm Water Services
Charlotte, NC



The Oregon Agricultural Research Service has been involved in using ram pumps to move instream water upslope for use by livestock, and to get the stock off degraded riparian bottomlands. The last time I looked at their research results (interim), it appeared that they had been largely successful in using the pumps to move water upslope and in moving cattle off the riparian bottoms without fencing. This may or may not apply to your situation, but it might reduce the project's capital outlay. If this is of interest to you, I suggest you call Dr. Timonthy DelCurto, Eastern Oregon Ag. Research Center, Union Station, Union, OR. His phone number is 541-562-5129.

Bob Riggs
Boise Cascade Corporation
La Grande, OR 97850
541-962-2046



Here in KY we have a solar power pump that is attached to a cistern that gravity feeds into a watering station. When the cows drink the water down, a ball floating the watering station triggers a release in the cistern which releases more water into the watering station. There is also a ball float in the cistern which, when it reaches a certain level, kicks on the solar powered pump which then refills the cistern. The cows are fenced out, the riparian zone on this farm has recovered substantially and the farmer is delighted with the health of his cattle and the improved habitat on his farm. This project was partially funded with 319(h) funds and was organized through the Woodford County, KY NRCS office. 606-873-4941.

Rosetta Fackler



James: You might address your question about livestock watering systems to:
Livestock Handling Systems. Inc,
Animal Science Department
Colorado State University
Fort Collins, Colorado 80523

They have been a good resource in the past on waste management systems. Are you specifically looking for pumping systems or upstream diversion and gravity feed?

Traditional livestock watering system vendors are:
Edstrom
Miraco
Horse Waterers
Ritchie Pumps

Some of them can provide you information on diversion and pumping systems.

Marshall R. Taylor
61 Turkey Hill Rd.
Ithaca NY 14850
(607) 272-4155



Below is a contact number that might be of use. I spoke with this gentleman on a similar project and the possibility of federal funds to help with it (I own a farm). Although he might not directly know about the systems you are researching, he may be able to provide more contacts.

Buck Kline--e-mail at his office
klinee@r3.forestry.state.va.us (I assume all are small letters) His phone no is 804-977-5193 but I don't have his extension no.

I also spoke to someone from a Northeastern state a few years ago and their state (Mass., I believe) had a system for transporting water uphill from a spring without an electric pump and then gravity feeding it to downhill troughs for cattle for the same reasons as you need it. I will try to find that contact as well.

If you find other souces of info on this topic, I would much appreciate it if you could let me know some of those. My farm is heavily divided by streams and I am looking for cost effective ways to work with the new regulations and not lose the family farm - literally.

If you do send any info, please send it to my home email at confed inf@aol.com. (Try it with or without the "space" between the "d" and "i".

Steve Hensley



There are lots of alternatives; nose pumps, solar powered pumps, ram pumps, gravity diversions, spring developments... the easiest way to get standards, specs, and materials sources for all of these is to contact the State Engineer for NRCS (Natural Resources Conservation Service-USDA) for your state. For suppliers, try Google as a search engine and search on livestock watering equipment. Ram pumps are made by Fleming Corp., but I don't know the names of the other companies off the top of my head. To reach your state's NRCS website (and probably phone directory) go to NRCS or NC NRCS (not sure if every state is the same but the national site will have links to all the states).

Most of these alternatives do not require electricity and are pretty reasonable. You need to pay attention to spacing, # of livestock per device, etc, so again I strongly recommend you contact NRCS. Ask if there is a GLI (Grazing Lands Initiative) in the state; there may be grasslands specialists available to help you with this project.

Also be aware that many farmers are nervous about fencing riparian areas because the fences tend to get torn out during spring floods, and stream crossings can be really awkward. How they are placed can make all the difference. Sometimes a rock-lined ford needs to be provided to move cattle from one side of the stream to the other. We have also dealt a little with dividing the pasture into paddocks and rotating the cattle so they are only using stream-side pasture for short periods during the summer, rather than all the time, to accomplish the same ends.

There are cost-share programs in all states to provide 50% t0 75% of the cost of installing these practices. They are administered through the Soil & Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs) in each county in conjunction with NRCS (EQIP $$$$$) or the state itself.... I know North Carolina has a huge non-point source pollution budget so they also have state funds.... some are allocated in watershed projects. Visit with the SWCD in your project county for more information. Hope this helps.

Susan McLoud
Watershed Management Section Chief
317-232-0019
FAX 232-8406



I remember that The Nature Conservancy and a bunch of partners have done quite a bit of work along these lines in the Clinch-Powell area in Southwest Virginia and on into Tennessee. General bits on web at:
Sustainable.org
and
TNC study

The issues you describe are virtually identical to issues they've been working on at Clinch-Powell for a few years now, so they have a lot of experience.
More specifically, Bill Kittrell of TNC's Abingdon, VA office recommends Bill Keith of NRCS as a resource to discuss your questions. TNC Bill says to dial 1-540-889-1150, enter 3 to get to NRCS through the voicemail system, and then ask for Bill Keith. He advises that you're welcome to mention TNC Bill as the original source of the referral to help set a context.
I hope this is helpful. Cheers,

Steve Young
US EPA Office of Environmental Info

Fenced stream crossing

Unfenced crossing