Managed Grazing in Riparian Areas

1. MANAGED GRAZING
IN RIPARIAN AREAS
LIVESTOCK SYSTEMS GUIDE
Abstract: This publication is designed to help farmers and ranchers identify and use locally appropriate grazing
practices to protect riparian resources. Methods for protecting these environmentally fragile areas include
keeping livestock from streambanks, properly resting pastures to restore degraded land, and determining the
proper duration and season for grazing pastures. It examines adjusting general recommendations to fit your
particular management objectives and environmental conditions.
By Barbara C. Bellows
NCAT Agriculture Specialist
June 2003
Introduction
Most riparian areas in the U.S.
evolved with animals feeding on the lush
vegetation and trampling on the
streambanks to get to water. Although
the original grazers were bison, moose,
and deer rather than cattle, sheep, and
goats, this evolutionary pressure means
that most native riparian plant species
regrow following a period of grazing
(Mosley et al., 1998; Ohmart, 1996). When
farmers and ranchers displaced these oc-
casional grazers with continuously graz- ©2003 Photo by USDA-NRCS
ing livestock, riparian areas suffered.
Provided with limited grazing area and
little stimulus to move from one area Related ATTRA Publications
to another, continuously grazed live- • Protecting Riparian Areas: Farmland Management
stock trampled streambanks, congre- Strategies
gated in the shade and cool breezes next • Sustainable Pasture Management
to streams, and overgrazed the lush veg- • Rotational Grazing
etation in these fertile areas. • Nutrient Cycling in Pastures
• Assessing the Pasture Soil Resource
• Matching Livestock and Forage Resources in
Controlled Grazing
• Grazing Networks for Livestock Producers
ATTRA is the national sustainable agriculture information service operated by the National Center
for Appropriate Technology, through a grant from the Rural Business-Cooperative Service, U.S.
Department of Agriculture. These organizations do not recommend or endorse products, companies,
or individuals. NCAT has offices in Fayetteville, Arkansas (P.O. Box 3657, Fayetteville, AR 72702),
Butte, Montana, and Davis, California.

2. Table of Contents
Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 1
Upland Land Management Practices and Riparian Area Protection ............................................ 3
Table 1. Comparison of Management Intensive and Extensive Grazing Practices ................... 4
Managed Grazing for Riparian Protection .................................................................................. 5
Table 2. Unmanaged Grazing Impacts on Riparian Structure and Function ............................. 6
Table 3. Riparian Management Guidelines ............................................................................. 9
Table 4. Managed Riparian Grazing Systems ....................................................................... 12
Table 5. Appropriate Times for Grazing as Affected by Local Environmental Conditions ....... 16
Summary .................................................................................................................................. 17
Recommended References ...................................................................................................... 18
References ............................................................................................................................... 24
Of the original riparian habitats in the western U.S., The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and
the U.S. Forest Service have estimated that only 20% still exist. They further noted that 46% of the
riparian areas managed by the BLM were “functioning at risk,” another 20% were “non-functioning,”
and that “riparian areas continue to decline.” In large part, they attributed this decline in riparian
health to the increased number of cattle on western rangelands (Belsky et al., 1999).
Nationwide, the National Research Council (NRC, 2002), with help from seven federal agencies,
conducted a comprehensive study of riparian areas that found:
Traditional agriculture is probably the
largest contributor to the decline of ripar-
ian areas… The primary effects of live-
stock grazing include the removal and
trampling of vegetation, compaction of
underlying soils, and dispersal of exotic
plant species and pathogens. Grazing
can also alter both hydrologic and fire dis-
turbance regimes, accelerate erosion,
and reduce plant or animal reproductive
success and /or establishment of plants.
Long-term cumulative effects of domes-
tic livestock grazing involve changes in
the structure, composition, and produc-
©2003 Photo by USDA-NRCS tivity of plants and animals at community,
ecosystem, and landscape scales.
PAGE 2 //MANAGED GRAZING IN RIPARIAN AREAS

3. Management intensive or rotational grazing • Sustainable Pasture Management
seeks to protect land resources by mimicking the
• Rotational Grazing
activities of wildlife. Instead of a herd of ani-
mals spreading out across a large pasture and • Matching Livestock and Forage Resources in
grazing it throughout the season or year, live- Controlled Grazing
stock are grouped together and forced to graze a • Nutrient Cycling in Pastures
small pasture or paddock for a limited amount of
time. When they have eaten about half the grass • Assessing the Pasture Soil Resource
in the paddock, they are moved to another pad- Also, prior to reading this publication, you
dock and not allowed to return to the first pad- may want to read the ATTRA publication Pro-
dock until the forage has grown back. tecting Riparian Areas: Farmland Management Strat-
Research studies show that managed graz- egies for background information on the struc-
ing can simultaneously enhance farm productiv- ture and function of riparian areas and how they
ity, decrease input expenses, and protect the en- provide environmental, social, and economic ben-
vironmental conditions on the farm (Macon, 2002; efits.
Herrick et al., 2002; Paine et al., 1999; Berton,
1998). Even government agencies and environ-
mentalists, who implicate continuous grazing as
Upland Land Management
a primary cause of riparian degradation, now join
with farmers and ranchers in promoting managed
Practices and Riparian
rotational grazing as a way to protect riparian
areas (Lyons et al., 2000; Moseley et al., 1998; Area Protection
Leonard et al., 1997; Elmore, 1992). As discussed in the ATTRA publication Pro-
Brush and weed management is the greatest tecting Riparian Areas: Farmland Management Strat-
potential environmental benefit that managed egies, good soil and water conservation practices
grazing provides to riparian areas. In Wiscon- on upland areas represent the first, and perhaps
sin, fisheries managers often contract with farm- the most critical step for the protection of ripar-
ers to rotationally graze riparian areas. Brush ian areas. Healthy riparian areas are able to cap-
removal by cattle maintains grassy buffers that ture runoff water, filter out sediments, recycle
are more effective in protecting water quality and nutrients, decrease pathogen populations, and
providing fish habitat than are some woody buff- degrade some toxic chemicals. However, upland
ers (L. Paine, personal communication). In vari- areas with bare ground, eroded land, and com-
ous locations goats are used to control noxious pacted soil limit the ability of riparian areas to
weeds and non-native brush species in riparian perform these functions. Concentrated runoff
areas, allowing for the growth of plants that pro- from degraded upland areas can flatten riparian
vide healthy riparian conditions (Pittroff, 2001; vegetation and wash in seeds of invasive or up-
Luginbuhl et al., 2000). land plants that compete with native riparian
This publication provides guidelines for us- plant species, while eroded sediments can bury
ing managed grazing to protect riparian areas. preferred, water-loving vegetation (Debano and
These guidelines are based on the understand- Schmidt, 1989). Runoff water can also contami-
ing that upland and riparian areas are not mutu- nate riparian areas and streams with nutrients
ally exclusive systems but are interrelated parts and pathogens carried in from agricultural areas
of the watershed. Thus, the riparian grazing prac- or septic systems.
tices discussed here work together with manage- Unmanaged livestock grazing can degrade
ment intensive grazing of upland areas to main- upland areas in three major ways:
tain farm productivity, economic viability, and
• Livestock compact soil by trampling it, mak-
environmental health. If you are not already fa-
ing paths, or repeately congregating in the
miliar with rotational grazing, Table 1 provides a
same areas.
comparison of rotational and continuous grazing
methods. I also recommend that you refer to the • Livestock without sufficient or good-quality
following ATTRA publications prior to imple- forage will feed selectively on their preferred
menting practices discussed here: forages, reducing the ability of those species
//MANAGED GRAZING IN RIPARIAN AREAS PAGE 3

4. Table 1. Comparison of Management Intensive and
Extensive Grazing Practices
Management
Practice Management Intensive Grazing Extensive Grazing
__________________________________________________________________________________
Number of • numerous small pastures or paddocks • livestock grazed in a large, un-
paddocks • flexible in size divided pasture or range
• delineated using electric fences
_________________________________________________________________________________
Grazing • limited grazing time, then moved to another • livestock graze continually for an
duration paddock entire season within the same
• dairy animals—moved once or twice a day. area
• meat animals—moved approximately every • animals graze on the same
3 to 7 days. pasture, during the same sea-
son, year after year.
__________________________________________________________________________________
Forage use • forage use by animals monitored • monitoring forage use is minimal
monitoring • animals moved when they remove about one- • forage management focus is on
third to one-half of the forage growth whether to cut, fertilize, or spray
pasture
__________________________________________________________________________________
Pasture • pastures rested and provided with sufficient • pastures are not usually rested
forage time for forages to regrow before animals are
regrowth allowed to graze again
• height of forage used to determine when to
permit grazing
__________________________________________________________________________________
Alternative • water troughs or other water sources avail- • water troughs or other water
water sources able systems usually not provided
• water sources are located away from • livestock usually dependent on
streambanks streams for drinking water
__________________________________________________________________________________
Pasture • manager knowledgeable about the soil con- • animals have access to
selection ditions in each paddock streambanks throughout the year
based on soil • animals not allowed to graze in areas with • environmentally sensitive areas
conditions wet soils or erodible land are not protected
__________________________________________________________________________________
• paddocks are set up to optimize forage use • large pastures permit animals to
Pasture shape by grazing animals move around large areas at will
and layout • watering areas, shade, and minerals are lo- • animals are not discouraged
cated in different areas of the paddock from congregating for long times
• pasture arrangement encourages animals to in one location
move rather than to congregate
__________________________________________________________________________________
• continual monitoring of livestock and pasture • managers usually use “techno-
resources logical fixes” to address prob-
Management • management practices revised based on lems in pastures
decision observations • production problems addressed
making • managers look for solutions within the con- after problem is observed
text of the agro-ecosystem • management methods focus on
• land and animals are managed to keep prob- treatments such as spraying or
lems from happening fertilizing
Sources: Angermeier, 1997; Elmore, 1992; Clary and Webster. 1989.
PAGE 4 //MANAGED GRAZING IN RIPARIAN AREAS

5. to survive or reproduce. This creates bare • Construction, road maintenance, logging, or
areas and promotes the growth of weeds. other activities that expose bare soil to the
forces of erosion
• Congregating livestock deposit manure and
urine in concentrated areas. • Poorly constructed or maintained septic sys-
Unmanaged grazing practices can damage the tems
structure and function of riparian areas in simi- • Industrial or municipal activities that involve
lar ways: disposal of toxic materials
• Livestock transport seeds and vegetative
• Runoff of lawn chemicals, road salt, oil and
propagules of noxious weeds into riparian
tar from roads, yard waste, and other urban
areas.
wastes
• Most livestock selectively congregate in ri- Poor upstream land management practices
parian areas, especially during hot weather. can also degrade riparian areas by increasing the
• During hot, dry weather, livestock selectively potential for:
graze on the more palatable species found in • Flooding of pasturelands
moist riparian areas, in preference to woodier
• Streambank erosion and the loss of
or more mature plants found in upland ar-
pastureland into the stream
eas.
• Transport of contaminated soil onto
• Livestock trample on moist riparian soil, caus-
pastureland
ing soil compaction, hindering plant growth,
and breaking down streambanks. • Water contamination that could affect the
health and productivity of livestock
• Congregating livestock deposit manure and
urine in and near streams. • Loss of dependable quantities of water to
meet the needs of livestock
• Livestock trample or congregate in streams,
loosening bottom sediments and damaging The ATTRA publication Protecting Riparian
stream channel shape and structure. Areas: Farmland Management Strategies discusses
strategies for developing effective watershed
Table 2 provides more detailed information
management programs that recognize that every-
on the potential impacts of unmanaged grazing
one living in a watershed contributes to water-
in riparian areas on soil and water resources,
shed problems and has a responsibility to find
wildlife habitat, and human health and economic
and implement solutions to these problems. This
concerns.
publication also provides a list of government
While conservationists and other non-farm
programs that may be able to provide you with
community members often blame farmers and
economic or technical assistance as you seek to
ranchers for riparian degradation, these rural land
implement riparian protection practices.
managers may also be victims of poor upstream
urban and suburban land management practices.
Non-agricultural land use practices such as for-
Managed Grazing for
estry, home building, road construction, and ur-
ban and suburban development can also decrease Riparian Protection
water infiltration and increase runoff, erosion, and
Farmers and ranchers use managed grazing
contaminant transport into riparian areas (Wang
practices in various areas of the country to im-
et al., 1997). These non-agricultural activities that
can degrade downstream grazed pastures or prove pasture productivity, increase livestock
rangelands include: growth, and protect riparian areas (Lyons et al.,
2000; Clark 1998; Skinner and Hiller, 1996). The
• Replacement of forests and fields by houses,
term “managed grazing” encompasses a range
roads, and parking lots that do not permit
of strategies and philosophies. But the most criti-
water infiltration and encourage rapid, short-
cal component is management.
term or flash flooding in streams and ditches
Most riparian grazing results suggest that the
• Artificial stream widening or straightening specific grazing system used is not of dominant
//MANAGED GRAZING IN RIPARIAN AREAS PAGE 5

6. Table 2. Unmanaged Grazing Impacts on Riparian Structure and Function
PAGE 6
Livestock When are Riparian Areas at How do Livestock Affect What are the Effects on Society
Activities High Risk for Damage? Soil and Water Resources? and the Environment?
• Manure deposition • When manure is deposited near • Nutrients and pathogens • Decrease in available oxygen
in and near streams during times of heavy rainfall from manure added to • Formation of toxic compounds
streams or snowmelt streams • Decreased ability of fish to spawn and
• In-stream trampling • When manure is deposited in streams • Sediment loading of riparian grow
and congregating during the dry season when water areas and streams • Change in aquatic species
by livestock levels are low • Human health impacts
• Increased water treatment costs
___________________________________________________________ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
___________________________________________________________ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
• Soil compaction by • When soils are wet or saturated • Increased erosion • Impaired spawning and foraging by aquatic
organisms
livestock trampling• When animals graze or congregate in • Sediment loading of riparian
• Disruption of fish migration
the same area for an extended period areas and streams
• Alteration in aquatic food web
of time • Increased cost of water filtration
___________________________________________________________ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
__________________________________________________________ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
• Reduced water infiltration • Increased flooding
• Loss of vegetation • During plant emergence • Increased runoff • Reduced groundwater recharge
by livestock tram- • When environmental conditions slow _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _Lowered_ _ _ _ _table_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _• _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ water _ _ _ _
pling and grazing plant growth • Removal of submerged vegetation
• When forages are overgrazed • Increased water velocity • Reduced aquatic habitat diversity
• Vulnerability of fish to flash floods
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _Increased_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _• _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _streambank erosion_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
_ _______ ______________
• When soil is wet or saturated • Lowered groundwater table
• When there is little vegetation cover • Narrowing of the riparian zone
• Breakdown of • Change in channel shape, • Replacement of riparian by upland vegeta-
• When it is hot and livestock seek to cool
streambanks by structure, and form tion
themselves in the shade of streamside
trampling • Decreased plant roots to hold banks in
trees
• When livestock seek to cool themselves place
• Increased water turbidity
in the stream
• When alternative water sources are not _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _Fewer _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _and_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _• _ _ _ _ _ hiding_spaces_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _fish _ _ _ _
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ pools for _ _ _
available and livestock have unrestricted • Decreased streambank • Reduced spawning habitat
access to streams for drinking water stability • Suffocation of fish eggs
Table 2 continued on page 7
//MANAGED GRAZING IN RIPARIAN AREAS

7. Table 2. Unmanaged Grazing Impacts on Riparian Structure and Function, cont’d.
Livestock When are Riparian Areas at High How do Livestock Affect What are the Effects on Society
___________________________________ ___
______________ Damage? ___ ___ Water _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ___ __ ___________
Activities_____________________________________________ _ _Soil_and_ _ _ _ _ _Resources?_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _and_the_Environment?_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Risk_for ____________________ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
• Continuous grazing • When soils are wet or saturated • Decreased herbaceous • Less food for stream and aquatic organ-
and trampling by • During plant emergence cover isms
livestock • When environmental conditions slow • Less shade and higher stream tempera-
• Selective grazing plant growth tures
on palatable • When forages are overgrazed • Decrease in streambank stability
species • Less sediment trapping
• Decreased water infiltration
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
• Decreased species and • Replacement of riparian by upland vegeta-
age diversity tion
• Loss of sensitive bird species and wildlife
habitat
• Browsing on trees • When forages are limited • Decreased tree and shrub • Decline in streambank stability
and shrubs • During the hot, dry season when cover • Less shade and higher stream tempera-
//MANAGED GRAZING IN RIPARIAN AREAS
animals congregate near streams tures
• Loss of habitat for wildlife
• Livestock transport • When noxious plants are present in • Displacement of native • Loss of food and habitat for wildlife
of seeds and other areas of the pasture species by noxious weeds • Water table lowered because of high water
vegetative • When riparian areas are sufficiently uptake by noxious species
propagules of degraded to favor propagation of • Decreased amount of palatable forages
noxious weeds into noxious or invasive weed species
riparian areas
Sources: Sovell et al., 2000; Belsky et al., 1999; Leonard et al., 1997; Beegle et al., 1998
PAGE 7

8. importance, but good management is—with con- water that is cleaner, resulting in fewer veteri-
trol of use in riparian areas a key item (Clary and nary bills and more productive growth. The ap-
Webster, 1989). propriate watering system for your farm or ranch
Other critical components of riparian grazing depends on the source of water, terrain of the
practices include (Leonard et al., 1997; Clary and land, and power availability for pumping (Burns
Webster, 1989): and Buschermohle, 2000; Fyck, 2000). For large
• Combining managed upland grazing prac- farms, solar or wind power may be an effective
tices with good riparian grazing management source of energy for pumping water. Of the two,
solar power is usually the more cost-effective
• Installing alternative watering systems and since it is relatively easy to install, requires little
controlling grazing to minimize deposition of maintenance, and remains reliable for a long time
manure in or near streams (Morris et al., 2000; Buschermohle and Burns,
• Adapting grazing management practices to 2000). Further information can be found in the
local conditions and to the species being ATTRA publications Solar-powered Livestock Wa-
grazed tering Systems and Freeze Protection for Solar-pow-
ered Livestock Watering Systems.
• Employing long-term rest from grazing when If livestock need to cross streams, provide
riparian areas are highly degraded them with controlled stream crossings in the form
• Employing short-term or seasonal rest to pro- of bridges, ramps, or designated fords. For des-
tect wet streambanks and riparian vegetation ignated fords, cover the stream bottom with
that is emerging, regenerating, or setting seed coarse gravel to provide the animals with firm
footing, while discouraging them from congre-
• Maintaining streambank structure and func-
gating or wallowing in the stream (Undersander
tion by maintaining a healthy cover of ripar-
and Pillsbury, 1999). In areas where streambanks
ian vegetation
or riparian vegetation is degraded and livestock
• Using a flexible approach that involves docu- exclusion is necessary to allow riparian areas to
menting mistakes so that they are not re- recover, solar-powered electric fences can pro-
peated vide a relatively inexpensive and low-mainte-
Grazing management guidelines to accom- nance method for setting up paddocks and ex-
plish these objectives are provided in Table 3.
Use Practices that Keep Livestock from
Keep from
Streams and Streambanks. As with up-
land grazing practices, livestock should be man-
aged to ensure that they optimize forage use,
graze evenly across
paddocks, and do not
congregate in any cer-
tain area. Constructing
small paddocks that are
more square than rect- ©2003 Photo by USDA-NRCS
angular and placing
water and any supple- Controlled access points for
ments at different cor- stream crossing
ners of the paddocks en-
courages livestock to clusion areas (Morris et al.,
move around pad- 2000). Your local Natural Re-
©2003 Photo by USDA-NRCS
docks. Alternative wa- sources Conservation Service
ter systems and con- can provide technical—and pos-
trolled crossing areas are critical management sibly some economic—assistance in the installa-
tools for riparian areas. Providing livestock with tion of stream crossings.
water away from the stream keeps them from Pastures that include a combination of ripar-
trampling and undercutting streambanks when ian and upland areas should be grazed only when
they go to drink. It also can provide them with both areas have good-quality forages and tem-
PAGE 8 //MANAGED GRAZING IN RIPARIAN AREAS

9. Table 3. Riparian Management Guidelines
Management Objectives Management Practices
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Allow degraded riparian areas to • Fence livestock out of heavily damaged riparian areas
recover • Monitor area to identify regeneration of healthy riparian struc-
tures and functions
• If necessary, revegetate riparian areas using native grasses
and annuals and proper land preparation practices
• Allow new plants to become well established before allowing
livestock to graze in the revegetated area.
Minimize livestock dependency on • Limit grazing to times when the palatability of upland vegeta-
riparian vegetation tion is relatively similar to that of the riparian vegetation
• Install fences to enclose “special use” riparian paddocks which
should be both relatively small to allow for careful manage-
ment and include a combination of ecologically similar upland
and riparian areas
Allow riparian vegetation to grow • Allow grazed plants to reestablish leaf area and build up stored
and reproduce reserves in their roots before regrazing the area
• Do not graze vegetatively reproducing plants while they are
spreading
• Do not graze seed producing plants while they are setting seed
• Do not graze when environmental conditions, such as cold
weather or drought, restrict plant growth
• Control noxious weed growth in upland pastures to minimize
movement of seeds and vegetative propagules into riparian
areas
• Do not allow grazing while the soil is wet or saturated
Reduce soil compaction • Do not graze compacted areas during spring thaws, during
periods in winter before the land freezes, or when thaw condi-
tions are likely
• Do not graze riparian areas when banks are sloughing or break-
ing down
• Minimize prolonged grazing or congregation around water, un-
der shade, or in other favored areas
• Discourage the formation of pathways
• Provide livestock with alternative sources of water
Minimize stream bank degradation • Provide livestock with designated stream crossing areas
• Do not allow livestock to congregate in riparian areas for ex-
tended periods
• Place mineral supplements and watering tanks away from
Reduce concentration of manure streambanks
in or near streams • Place sharp stones in any water crossing areas to discourage
lounging in streams
• Construct ramps or bridges to provide stream crossings that
are not within the stream bed
Sources: Undersander and Pillsbury, 1999; Fitch and Adams, 1998; Moseley et al., 1998; Elmore, 1992
//MANAGED GRAZING IN RIPARIAN AREAS PAGE 9

10. peratures are moderate. In arid areas, this usually occurs in late spring, while in more humid areas it
occurs in late spring to late summer. If forage availability in upland areas is limited, livestock will
selectively graze the riparian areas. They will also congregate in riparian areas during hot weather
since the riparian areas are cooler. Unless grazing times are limited, animals will congregate along
streambanks, causing soil compaction, vegetation loss by trampling and overgrazing, and water qual-
ity problems by depositing manure close to streams.
Methods for attracting livestock away from riparian areas
(Leonard et al., 1997)
• Provide alternative watering systems.
• Plant palatable forage species on adjacent upland areas.
• Graze riparian areas when upland vegetation is abundant and riparian vegetation is in peak growth.
Do not graze riparian areas when they are wet or scorched by drought.
• Use prescribed burning on upland areas to enhance forage production and palatability.
• Place feed supplements such as salt, grain, hay, or molasses in upland areas of paddocks away
from the riparian areas.
• Place brush or boulders along streambanks to discourage livestock from grazing and congregating
in riparian areas .
gaining beef animals feeding on more sparse veg-
Funded by a Southern Sustainable Agricul- etation.
ture Research and Education (SARE) grant, Similarly, guidelines for well-managed ripar-
researchers at Virginia Tech worked with a ian grazing systems cannot be “one size fits all.”
grazier to determine when “alternative water- Instead:
ing systems could attract grazing cattle— The effectiveness of a given system depends on
which naturally seek cool streams during sum- how well it fits both the ecological conditions of
mer—away from the river. The impact was the grazing area and the management require-
dramatic. The cattle clearly preferred to go to ments of the livestock enterprise. Too often a
the water troughs. This resulted in decreased grazing system developed for a specific applica-
nutrient loading and sedimentation in the tion has been used elsewhere without adequate
stream” (Berton, 1998). consideration of local site conditions (Elmore,
1992).
Adapt Grazing Management Practices
to Local Conditions. Upland managed graz-
ing seeks to integrate forage and live-
stock production. This requires pro-
ducers to adapt grazing practices to the
type of livestock being raised, local en-
vironmental conditions, and seasonal
climate changes. Thus, dairy farmers
in Wisconsin or New York use very
intensive rotational schedules for their
milking herds, while beef farmers in
Colorado or New Mexico use a much
more extensive longer-duration rota-
tion schedule. The difference in the
grazing practices of these two situa-
tions reflects differences between high-
production dairy herds feeding on lush,
rapidly growing forages and slower- ©2003 Photo by USDA-NRCS
PAGE 10 //MANAGED GRAZING IN RIPARIAN AREAS

11. Adaptation to local conditions involves understanding the following characteristics of the riparian
areas being managed:
• What is (or was) the native vegetation: forests, shrubs and brush; or grasses, sedges, and reeds?
• What is the stream order: a first-order headwaters or a higher order tributary?
• What is the stream channel geology: is it rocky, gravelly, or composed of sediments?
• Is it a cold (trout) stream or a warm-water stream?
• What are the climatic conditions: is it humid or arid? Are winters cold throughout the season, or
do freeze–thaw conditions occur?
• During which season do the heaviest rains usually fall: when vegetation is actively growing or
during times when vegetation is dormant or emerging?
You need to take these issues into consideration when you develop and implement riparian graz-
ing practices. If, instead, you follow “to the letter” practices developed in an environment different
from your own, your well-intentioned management efforts may prove to be ineffective or even detri-
mental to riparian protection. See Table 4 for guidelines in selecting managed riparian grazing sys-
tems appropriate to your locality and to the management objectives of your farm or ranch.
Sovell et al. (2000), working in southeastern Minnesota, demonstrated that streams with grassy
buffers were able to catch and filter eroded sediments better than woody buffers, which had little
understory vegetation. They also found that when grassy riparian areas were continuously grazed,
streams had high coliform counts and turbidity. But when grassy riparian areas were rotationally
grazed, water quality was not significantly different from that measured in ungrazed grassy buffer
strips.
They noted that rotational grazing did cause coliform counts to rise briefly while the cattle were
grazing on streambanks. However, these counts decreased within two weeks after taking animals
out of the riparian paddocks.
Based on these results, the researchers concluded that for streams that move slowly through the
plains and rolling hills of Minnesota, rotationally grazing riparian areas can protect water quality as
well as, if not better than, some woody buffers. They also found that short-duration rotational
grazing of streambanks had only limited and short-term impacts on water quality.
Employ Long-term Rest from Livestock
from areas (Shock, 2000; Moseley et al., 1998; Whitaker-
Hoagland et al., 1998; Platts and Raleigh, 1984):
when Riparian Areas are Highly Degraded.
While grazing and riparian restoration can coex- • A low water table and decreased water stor-
age capacity
ist in many areas, in highly degraded areas live-
stock exclusion is necessary to initiate the recov- • Slow vegetative growth and poor forage pro-
ery process. The duration of the necessary rest duction
period depends on the amount of degradation, • Limited vegetation and roots to help protect
the local environmental conditions, and whether and stabilize banks
active restoration practices are being implemented
in addition to providing the area with rest from • Change in vegetation species and types, re-
livestock. Ultimately, the objective of providing placement of native vegetation by exotic veg-
rest is the recovery of the streambank and its func- etation, or replacement of water-loving veg-
tional riparian plant community (Clary and etation by upland vegetation
Webster, 1989). • In areas with woody riparian areas, reduced
Before discussing methods for resting and numbers and health of trees, combined with
restoring riparian areas, let’s examine some typi- limited shade and higher temperatures of
cal characteristics of severely damaged riparian stream water
//MANAGED GRAZING IN RIPARIAN AREAS PAGE 11

12. Table 4. Managed Riparian Grazing Systems
Management Description of Grazing
PAGE 12
When to Use This Practice Management Guidelines Comments
Practice System
Pasture Layout
Riparian-Upland • Enough good quality forage • Remove livestock while up- • Designate riparian paddocks
• Relatively small rangeland
Pasture available in upland areas so
paddocks containing both land forages are still plenti- for special use such as reserve
livestock do not depend on ri-
upland and riparian vegeta- ful forage or dormant season
tion parian vegetation for their for- grazing
aging needs
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Riparian Pasture • Paddocks relatively small so • Monitor and manage to re- • Season and duration of graz-
• Riparian areas managed
that livestock impact on soil
separately from uplands store favorable riparian con- ing selected to favor growth of
and vegetation can be care- ditions desired vegetation and to de-
fully monitored and managed ter propagation of undesired
• Useful for obtaining specific species
management objectives, such
as weed management
• Timing of grazing not depen-
dant on condition of upland
vegetation
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Corridor Fencing • Permanent exclusion of live- • Provides rapid recovery of de-
• Permanent fences are costly • Farmers and ranchers are of-
stock from stream-bank ar- graded riparian areas
and may exclude use of ri- ten hesitant to install corridor
eas by fences parian areas that have be- fences
come revegetated and en- • Corridor fencing alone does not
vironmentally functional address management needs of
• Electric or other non-perma- the broader landscape
nent fences allow more man-
agement flexibilty at a lower
cost
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Table 4 continued on page 13
//MANAGED GRAZING IN RIPARIAN AREAS

13. Table 4. Managed Riparian Grazing Systems, cont’d.
Management Description of Grazing
Practice System When to Use This Practice Management Guidelines Comments
Guidelines for Rotating Animals
Time-controlled • Uses recurring periods of • Intensive management allows • Short-duration, intensive
• In most riparian areas, live-
grazing grazing and rest among sev- for protection of critical ripar-stocking can produce hoof ac-
stock should be moved
eral paddocks ian resources when 4 to 6 inches of for-
tion that helps incorporate ma-
• Rate of rotation varies with • Useful for dairy and other high nure and seeds into soil while
ages remain
the rate of plant growth production livestock opera- increasing pathways for water
• Specialized timing and inten-
• Management focuses on ob- tions sity of grazing can be used
infiltration
taining ecological and pro- • Hoof action can be detrimen-
to control weed growth
duction objectives tal in arid areas where micro-
biotic crusts are critical for soil
health
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Seasonal rotation• Livestock grazed only dur- • Good for beef production op- • Implement with alternative • Goats can be grazed in ripar-
ing times when risks to the erations watering systems and other ian areas if brush or less pal-
environment are limited • Riparian areas should be in practices that encourage atable weeds need to be
//MANAGED GRAZING IN RIPARIAN AREAS
• Relatively short grazing pe- healthy condition prior to us- animals to congregate away cleared out
riods used but not managed ing this system from streambanks
as intensively as time-con-
trolled grazing
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Three pasture rotation system • Designed to meet physiologi- • A semi-extensive grazing • If used in woody riparian areas,
Three pasture rest • Only 2 pastures grazed each cal needs of herbaceous practice that rests each pas- limit grazing time during the
rotation system year plants ture area once every 3 years late summer rotation to when
• Rotation schedule for pas- • Not appropriate for use in • Needs to be managed to herbaceous crops are only half
tures - year 1: spring graz- shrub-dominated riparian ar- protect against streambank used. This will limit livestock
ing; year 2: late summer and eas since young woody plants degradation in spring and feeding on woody plants.
fall grazing; year 3: complete do not have sufficient rest time forage depletion in the fall • Adding more pastures will in-
rest to become established crease the amount of time land
is rested and will further pro-
tect woody species
PAGE 13
Sources: Undersander and Pillsbury 1999; Fitch and Adams, 1998; Mosley et al., 1998; Leonard et al., 1997; Clark, 1998; Clary and Webster, 1989; Elmore, 1992.

14. • Excessive sediment in the channel from bank planted through this matting. In less de-
and upland erosion graded areas, grazing once or twice in the
late summer can control weeds.
• Reduced or eliminated late-summer stream
flows • Using the natural regeneration of plants to
guide your choice of plants to use for assisted
• Poor fish habitat because of poor water qual-
revegetation.
ity and/or poor channel morphology
• Planting native grasses and forbs if riparian
• Poor wildlife habitat quality
vegetation is not able to regenerate naturally.
• High coliform bacteria counts from upland
• Stabilizing streambanks with rip-rap or fast-
waters or adjacent land
growing plants before revegetating other por-
Areas that are badly degraded or have been tions of the riparian area.
abused for many years will take a long time to
recover. Similarly, riparian areas in more fragile • Allowing new plants to become well estab-
environments, such as arid regions or areas with lished before allowing livestock to graze in
long winters, will take a longer time to recover the revegetated area. This establishment pe-
than areas with more moderate climates or more riod may last several years, especially in arid
humid conditions. In western ranges, degraded or severely degraded areas.
areas should be rested until vegetation provides Grazing Duration . You can rotationally
a complete cover over the soil surface and at least graze riparian areas that have established a high
half of the vegetation is composed of natural spe- water table and a diverse cover of water-loving
cies (Winward, 1989). For riparian areas across vegetation while not harming, and in some cases
the country, the rest period should also allow for even benefiting, riparian conditions. However,
the establishment of suffi- the length of time that
cient vegetation to stabi- an area can be grazed
lize the streambank, filter and the duration of
sediments, and allow nu- rest periods between
trient recycling. Manage- grazing cycles de-
ment practices that favor pends on the plant
riparian area revegetation species growing in the
include (Askey-Doran, riparian area, the type
2002; Oversby and Smith, of livestock you are
2001; Undersander and grazing, the amount
Pillsbury, 1999; Briggs, of prior degradation,
1993): local environmental
• Checking to see conditions, and your
whether seed sources ©2003 Photo by USDA-NRCS
production objectives.
for native plants are Providing riparian ar-
still present in the area. If they are, allow eas with sufficient rest for critical plant species
these plants to reestablish naturally for one to regrow and reproduce is central to maintain-
year. ing riparian health. In fact, several leading re-
searchers and practitioners stress that timing rest
• Being aware that weed growth will surge for
periods appropriately and providing a sufficient
a time after livestock are excluded from the
duration of rest are more important than the spe-
riparian area. If seed sources for native plants
cific grazing practice used (Leonard et al., 1997;
are present, these plants will be able to com-
Elmore, 1992).
pete with upland plant species as soil condi-
Graziers often use stubble height to monitor
tions improve and the water table rises.
upland pasture conditions and to help them make
• Providing weed control, especially if invasive decisions regarding when to rotate livestock.
or noxious weeds are present. If you prefer Stubble height can also be used as a management
not to use herbicides, you can smother weeds tool in riparian areas. The recommended height
with organic matting. Desired plants can be of forage residues following grazing differs ac-
PAGE 14 //MANAGED GRAZING IN RIPARIAN AREAS

15. cording to environmental conditions (Clary and growth before winter or grazed later in the fall,
Leininger, 2000). For example: but only on a limited and well-monitored basis.
• Four-inch (10 cm) stubble will usually main- Timed grazing can also be used to protect
tain plant vigor, trap sediment, and protect healthy vegetative growth in riparian areas. Pe-
soils from compaction when trampled. riodic grazing can be used to remove the apical
meristems or top portions of grasses and sedges.
• In woody streambanks, moving livestock af- This promotes vegetative reproduction by stimu-
ter they have grazed the forage to 6–8 inches lating the sprouting of additional stalks or tillers
(15–20 cm) may be necessary to ensure that (Mosley et al., 1998). However, in areas where
they are not feeding on willows or other ri- annual plants are critical components of the ri-
parian trees because of a lack of non-woody parian ecosystem, grazing should not occur when
forages. these species are setting seed.
• Stubble height is not a useful guide in areas Table 5 provides a summary of environmen-
where streambanks are rocky or where tal conditions to consider when deciding which
woody vegetation dominates in the riparian seasons are most appropriate for riparian graz-
zone. ing in your area.
Seasonality of rotational grazing prac-
rotational
tices in healthy riparian areas. Besides du- A report from the Saskatchewan Riparian
Project (Huel, 1998) describes how careful tim-
ration of grazing, the time of year when livestock
ing and reduced duration of grazing in ripar-
are allowed access to riparian areas is also criti-
ian areas improved environmental conditions
cal to maintaining and restoring riparian health.
and productivity on a ranch in the east-cen-
Factors that determine the appropriate time to
tral part of the province:
graze animals in riparian areas include:
• Riparian soil moisture following snowmelt, The 3700 acre pasture had previously been
rainfall, and heavy streamflows divided into two very large paddocks which
• Dominant type of riparian vegetation and its were grazed continuously throughout the sum-
periods of peak growth and dormancy mer by two herds of cattle. The cattle spent
most of their time close to the creek, over-
• Reproductive characteristics of critical ripar- grazing this area while areas farther away
ian plants: do they reproduce vegetatively or were hardly grazed at all. This resulted in
by seed? If by seed, when does it set? poor riparian condition, productivity and se-
• Freeze and thaw cycles during the winter vere damage to the streambanks. In 1993, a
Riparian areas should not be grazed when grazing management plan divided the two
they are wet and most vulnerable to compaction. large paddocks into eleven smaller units and
In the northern U.S., this means excluding ani- created additional water sources. The ripar-
mals from riparian areas during late winter snow- ian area was divided into three paddocks, one
melts and spring rains and not allowing animals or two of which are rested each year. When
in until the soil dries. Similarly, in areas with these paddocks are grazed, gazing is deferred
heavy late-season rains, livestock should be until the end of summer. These practices
moved out of riparian areas in the fall. have improved the condition and productivity
Timing of riparian grazing is important for of the riparian area considerably as indicated
preventing erosion and the degradation of soil by plants returning to the areas of bare soil
and water quality. In the spring, grazing should on the streambanks. These environmental
be delayed until vegetation completely covers the benefits have been achieved with no overall
riparian soil. This ensures that animals do not reduction in livestock numbers.
dislodge bare soils and cause erosion. Fall graz-
ing can be used in some areas if it is carefully
monitored, leaving enough vegetation at the end
Understand How Different Livestock
of the season to protect against spring runoff and Species Graze. Grazing managers should un-
erosion. Thus, riparian areas should either be derstand the grazing patterns of the animals they
grazed in the early fall to allow for forage re- manage (Stuth, 1991). Different species prefer
//MANAGED GRAZING IN RIPARIAN AREAS PAGE 15

16. Table 5. Appropriate Times for Grazing
PAGE 16
as Affected by Local Environmental Conditions
Management Description of Is This Practice
Practice Grazing System Appropriate for your Area? Management Guidelines Comments
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Winter grazing • Livestock graze • Requires cold winters that do not have • Remove livestock from riparian areas be- • Vary grazing locations
riparian areas freeze-thaw conditions fore ground thaws from year to year
during winter • Should not be used when trees are • Maintain sufficient vegetation cover for • Cull or exclude animals
after the ground young or becoming established the capture of spring runoff that loaf in riparian
has frozen • Monitor stands of herbaceous vegeta- areas
tion to ensure that livestock are not forced
to depend on trees for forage
• Place salt and minerals away from ripar-
ian areas
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Spring grazing • Livestock graze • In arid areas, time grazing to coincide • Manage grazing to ensure adequate seed • Hoof action in the spring
riparian areas with times when the palatability of up- growth and root production can mix seeds and litter
during spring land forage is similar to that of riparian with the soil
forages • Soil texture determines
• In humid climates, graze after how dry soils need to be
streambanks have dried out, but remove before livestock can
livestock before vegetation growth slows trample on streambanks
down because of late summer dry con- without causing
ditions compaction
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Fall grazing • Livestock grazing • Initiate grazing when cool-season spe- • Monitor vegetation cover to ensure a com- • Promotes the growth of
is deferred until cies have become productive on adja- plete cover remains to protect soil against herbaceous plants
fall cent upland areas winter and spring runoff and erosion • Decreases the growth of
• Defer grazing until grass and sedge • Monitor browsing on woody species to woody species
seeds have ripened and been dispersed ensure protection of these plants
• Effective in areas where cool
streambank temperatures discourage
animals from congregating in riparian
areas
Sources: Undersander and Pillsbury 1999; Mosley et al., 1998; Leonard et al., 1997; Elmore, 1992.
//MANAGED GRAZING IN RIPARIAN AREAS

17. different forages and graze them to different for weed control, see the ATTRA publication,
heights. Species that forage on shrubs and trees Multispecies Grazing.
may do so at different stages in the plants’
growth. Different livestock species also have dif-
ferent herding and camping characteristics. Graz- A ranching family in the Diablo Canyon area
ing management practices should be designed to of California has restored native perennial
work with an animal’s natural preferences and grasses by using high-density short-duration
instincts (Leonard et al., 1997). grazing with cattle and browsing of coastal
Grazing livestock in riparian areas on hot days scrub by goats. They rotate Spanish meat
should be avoided since animals tend to congre- goats through brushy areas two to three times
gate on streambanks where they find shade and per year. This practice has allowed them to
cooling breezes. Conversely, on cool days, cold “demonstrate effective and environmentally
air pockets found in riparian areas will discour- sensitive vegetation management within the
age livestock from grazing or congregating in scope of an economically viable meat goat
these areas (Moseley et al., 1998). Sheep tend to business” (Macon, 2002).
cause less damage to ripar-
ian areas than cattle be-
cause they do not like to
congregate in low-lying ar-
eas where they feel vulner-
Summary
able to predation (Glimp Management intensive rota-
and Swanson, 1994). In tional grazing provides farmers
contrast, large herbivores, and ranchers with a method for
such as cattle, are “central productively managing their
place foragers,” with their livestock while protecting eco-
central place being near logically important riparian eco-
water (Stuth, 1991). systems. To be effective, these
Specialized grazing management practices must be
management practices can flexibly implemented based on
also successfully control knowledge of local climate, na-
weeds and non-native tive riparian vegetation, current
woody species. By under- riparian health, and livestock be-
standing the growth habits havior.
and reproductive cycles of Rotational grazing can also
noxious and non-native be installed incrementally to
plants in relation to those ©2003 Photo by USDA-NRCS obtain the most benefit from
of desired riparian plants, each change. For example:
the timing and duration of livestock grazing can • First, install alternative watering systems
be managed to favor their feeding on weeds or away from streambanks. This will increase
unwanted brush (Paine and Ribic, 2001). Chang- animal productivity by ensuring access to
ing or combining livestock species can also help clean water while protecting riparian areas
control weeds. For example, goats can be used by encouraging animal congregation around
to control blackberries, multiflora rose, honey- the troughs rather than on streambanks or in
suckle, and many other troublesome plants streambeds.
(Luginbuhl et al., 2000). In California, goats are
used to control yellow star thistle (Pittroff, 2001), • Alternatively, install controlled stream access
and in Wisconsin, a research study is using Scot- points. Encouraging animals to drink or cross
tish Highland cattle in rotational grazing to help streams in specific, managed locations will
control prickly ash, multiflora rose, wild pars- cut down on random trampling of
nip, and box elder (Shepard, 2001). For more streambanks, and will also decrease the risk
information on the use of multispecies grazing of animal injury.
//MANAGED GRAZING IN RIPARIAN AREAS PAGE 17

18. • Secondly, improve upland forage quality through a combination of rotational grazing, overseeding,
and fertility management. As upland forage quality improves, animals will be less likely to selec-
tively feed on riparian plants.
• As you install fences for rotational grazing, set up sufficient paddocks to keep livestock out of
riparian areas during times when these areas are most vulnerable to degradation. High-risk times
include when the soil is wet or partially frozen, when plants are emerging or setting seed, or when
plant cover is limited because of dry conditions.
While the guidelines provided in this publication can assist you in the design and initial implemen-
tation of productive and environmentally beneficial riparian grazing practices, locally appropriate
management requires ongoing monitoring of livestock and riparian health. It also requires the flexibil-
ity to revise management practices based on your observations and management objectives. Coop-
erative Extension Educators, Natural Resource Conservation Service grazing specialists, and other
experienced graziers can help you monitor and adjust your grazing practices. Grazing groups pro-
vide an excellent opportunity to learn from the experience of others, while providing you with the
opportunity to ask questions about practices you are trying out on your farm. For a list of grazing
groups in the U.S. and suggestions for starting a group, see the ATTRA publication Grazing Networks
for Livestock Producers.
Recommended References
Citation Annotation
Pasture management in moist climates
Clark, E.A. 1998. Landscape variables affecting live- Provides an overview of grazing impacts on water
stock impacts on water quality in the humid temperate quality in humid climates. This paper argues that the
zone. Canadian Journal of Plant Sciences. Vol. 78. potential impact of grazing on water quality is affected
p. 181–190. by climate, landforms, and biophysical characteris-
tics of the watershed. Managed grazing practices
can minimize impacts of livestock on water quality.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Huel, D. 1998. Streambank Stewardship: A A well-illustrated guide to riparian area ecology, res-
Saskatchewan Riparian Project. Saskatchewan Wet- toration, and agricultural use. Contains several ripar-
land Conservation Corporation. Regina, ian health checklists and case studies of farmers and
Saskatchewan. Accessed at: <http://www.wetland. ranchers who implemented riparian conservation prac-
sk.ca/pdfs/landowner/streamstew_FULL.pdf>. tices.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Moseley, M., R.D. Harmel, R. Blackwell, and T. Bidwell. This short article provides a nice combination of eco-
1998. Grazing and riparian area management. p.47– logical and management guidelines. A description of
53. In: M.S. Cooper (ed.) Riparian Area Manage- the relationship between grazing pressure and forage
ment Handbook. Oklahoma Cooperative Extension growth is followed by strategies to manage grazing in
Service, Division of Agricultural Services and Natural riparian areas. Four grazing management choices
Resources, Oklahoma State University and the Okla- are outlined: encouraging animals to use upland ar-
homa Conservation Commission. Accessed at: <http:/ eas, allocating riparian areas into special use pas-
/pearl.agcomm.okstate.edu/e952/e-952.pdf>. tures, providing total exclusion from riparian areas,
and constructing controlled access points.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Sovell, L.A., B. Vondracek, J.A. Frost, and K.G. A well documented comparison of rotationally-grazed,
Mumford. 2000. Impacts of rotational grazing and fenced grass, and woody riparian buffer areas and
riparian buffers on physiochemical and biological char- their impact on water chemistry, physical habitat, bi-
acteristics of southeastern Minnesota, USA, streams. otic indicators, fecal coliform, and stream turbidity.
Environmental Management. Vol. 26, No. 6. p. 629– Results showed that grassy or rotationally-grazed buff-
641. ers protected against stream sedimentation better than
woody buffers.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Recommended References continued on page 19
PAGE 18 //MANAGED GRAZING IN RIPARIAN AREAS

19. Recommended References, cont’d.
Citation Annotation
Pasture management in moist climates, cont’d.
Shelton, V. No date. Streamside Grazing in Indiana. Natural A Power Point slide presentation that provides guidelines for management of riparian areas in
Resources Conservation Service. Accessed at: <http:// Indiana grazing systems. Focus is primarily on alternative water systems and stream crossing
www.ftw.nrcs.usda.gov/glti/presentations.html>. areas used to minimize the time animals spend in and near streams.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Undersander, D., and B. Pillsbury. 1999. Grazing Streamside A short but clearly written pamphlet focusing on intensive managed grazing of grassy streamside
Pastures. University of Wisconsin Extension, Madison, WI. pastures. Practical advice on paddock layout, installing alternative watering systems, reseeding
16 p. streambanks, and managing trees in riparian areas is provided.
Range management in arid environments
Clary, W.P., and B.F. Webster. 1989. Managing grazing of Provides recommendations for grazing methods appropriate to riparian areas at different levels of
riparian areas in the Intermountain Region. Gen. Tech. Rep. functional health or degradation. Focuses on the use of grazing practices to achieve environ-
INT-263. Ogden, UT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest mental objectives including streambank stabilization and habitat restoration.
Service, Intermountain Research Station.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Elmore, W. 1992. Riparian responses to grazing practices. Describes the role of riparian areas in protecting water quality and storing water for recharge of
In: R.J. Naiman (ed.) Watershed Management: Balancing subsurface aquifers and how poorly managed grazing practices have degraded these functional
//MANAGED GRAZING IN RIPARIAN AREAS
Sustainability and Environmental Change. Springer-Verlag. capabilities of riparian areas. Several types of rotational and seasonal grazing practices are
New York. described, with their application to specific environmental conditions emphasized.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Leonard, S., G. Kinch, V. Elsbernd, M.Borman, and S. A concise overview of riparian management objectives is followed by a detailed discussion of
Swanson. 1997. Riparian Area Management: Grazing Man- livestock interactions with the riparian environment and how grazing practices that protect ripar-
agement for Riparian-Wetland Areas. Technical Reference ian areas take both animal behavior and plant growth characteristics into account. Particular
1737-14. U.S. Department of the Interior. Bureau of Land emphasis is placed on grazing management strategies and their impact on riparian areas. Guide-
Management. National Applied Resource Sciences Center. lines are provided to help producers determine the appropriateness of strategies for their loca-
Denver, CO. tion.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
A very detailed Web page developed by a multi-agency program in Alberta, Canada. Includes
Cows and Fish. Alberta Riparian Habitat Management Pro-
highly illustrated, easy-to-use checklists for monitoring streambank health, water quality in ripar-
gram. 2002. Accessed at: <http://www.cowsandfish.org/
index.html>. ian areas, biodiversity, and grazing practices. Also provides agency personnel with guidelines
for implementing community-based riparian protection programs. Case studies of communities
and producers are available through this Web site.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Recommended References continued on page 20
PAGE 19