Water quality monitoring was begun in
March of 1999 on the Redbud Farm near Calhoun,
Georgia to evaluate the effects of beef cattle production on
water quality. The monitoring network includes
streamwater entering and leaving the farm, and sites
comparing areas where the cattle have no access to the
stream and unrestricted access. Overall water quality
during baseflow is good. Average nutrient and sediment
concentrations increase where cattle have stream access.
Average stormflow concentrations of nutrients and
sediment are five to 15 times higher than baseflow
concentrations. Preliminary data indicate water quality can
be maintained by restricting cattle access to the stream.