Water Quality BMP’s Exhibited at Ranch Field Days

Water Conservation

Improvement of water use efficiency with underground mainline pipes
Improvement of water quality with rotational irrigation and grazing management
Forage quality and quantity increased through improved irrigation management

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E.coli BMP’s

Reduce runoff volumes.
Use vegetated ditches to filter tailwater.
Minimize fecal-stream interaction.
Utilize rotational grazing to minimize flowing water under livestock.
Control-graze fenced buffer strips to  filter tailwater.
Calve in drier areas away from streams.
Develop off-stream stock water.
Set salt & supplements to encourage cattle loafing away from streams.
Consider riparian fencing to manage livestock access to main waterways.

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DO and pH BMP’s

Follow crop & farm-input recommendations.
Minimize tailwater carrying nutrients to main waterways.
Minimize over irrigation to maintain stream flows and higher quality forages.
Maintain streamside vegetation to lessen water temperature increases.


      Upper Feather River Watershed Water Quality

       Monitoring data collected the past three years has shown that
       water quality in the upper Feather River watershed is not just an
     agricultural concern, but is impacted by residential communities,
     public lands, county & state road departments and recreational
     activity areas too.  All groups play some role in the mosaic of water uses
     in the upper Feather River watershed region. To successfully protect
     and enhance water quality will take the cooperation of all users in
     the watershed.   

         As agricultural users, we want to be diligent to do our part in
       addressing any  potential contributions by our operations.  Please review the list of water quality enhancement         
     practices to see if there is one or more that could be implemented on your ranch.

        These practices are proven to improve water quality associated with grazing operations.

        Implementation of these types of projects by landowners will also help the coalition meet the Irrigated Lands
       Regulatory Program requirements.   

       Let’s continue to demonstrate that area ranchers are meeting the challenge for resource conservation.   

          Don't miss our 4th Annual UFRWG Member Ranch Field Day and BBQ in 2011 !!     Date TBA
Upper  Feather  River  Watershed  Group
PO Box 975  Loyalton, Ca  96118
Plumas and Sierra Counties
UFRWG  Agriculture Stakeholders Advancing water stewardship
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Rotational Irrigation and Grazing Management
can be a valuable tool for ranchers to:
1. increase forage production and utilization;
2. achieve water quality goals
3. improve water use efficiency
4. increase weaning weights
5. improve herd health

Annual Ranch Tours, Field Visits and Ag Workshops
are a valuable component of the water quality efforts of the membership of the UFRWG.

Each year UFRWG members volunteer to host these educational opportunities to   
share the water quality and water use efficiency projects they have implemented on their  
family operations.  


  2010 Meyers Ranch Water Quality & Conservation Tour -- Indian Valley               

 2009 Kingdon Ranch Water Quality BMP Tour  -- Indian Valley  
              4th Annual Sustainable Ag Workshop  -- Taylorsville

 2008  Van Vleck Ranch Water Quality Field Day  -- Sierra Valley