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Quantity and Quality of Runoff from a Beef Cattle Feedlot in Southern Alberta
Author(s) -
Miller Jim J.,
Handerek Brian P.,
Beasley Bruce W.,
Olson Edith C. S.,
Yanke L. Jay,
Larney Francis J.,
McAllister Tim A.,
Olson Barry M.,
Selinger L. Brent,
Chanasyk David S.,
Hasselback Paul
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
journal of environmental quality
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.888
H-Index - 171
eISSN - 1537-2537
pISSN - 0047-2425
DOI - 10.2134/jeq2004.1088
Subject(s) - surface runoff , environmental science , feedlot , water quality , hydrology (agriculture) , beef cattle , irrigation , runoff curve number , structural basin , zoology , agronomy , ecology , biology , paleontology , geotechnical engineering , engineering
Southern Alberta, which has a cold climate dominated by strong chinook winds, has the highest density of feedlot cattle in Canada. However, the quantity and quality of runoff from beef cattle ( Bos taurus ) feedlots in this unique region has not been investigated. Our objectives were to compare runoff quantity (1998–2002) with catch‐basin design criteria; determine concentrations of selected inorganic chemical parameters (1998–2000) in runoff in relation to water quality guidelines and the potential implications of irrigating adjacent cropland; and determine if total heterotrophs, total coliforms, and Escherichia coli (1998–2000) persisted in the catch‐basin water and soil. Runoff (<0.1 to 42.5 mm) for a 24‐h duration that included maximum peak discharge was less than the recommended design criteria of 90 mm based on runoff from 24 h of rainfall with a 30‐yr return period. We found that curve numbers between 52 and 96 (mode of 90) were required to match the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service predicted runoff and actual runoff volumes. Total P posed the greatest threat to water quality guidelines, and K posed the greatest threat for exceeding crop fertilizer requirements if catch‐basin effluent was used as irrigation water. Water in the catch basin had continually high populations of E. coli throughout the study, with values ranging between log 10 2 and log 10 8 100 mL −1 In contrast, soil in the catch basin generally had low populations of E. coli that were