Responses of Fecal Coliform in Streamwater to Four Grazing Strategies

Concentrations and loadings (output, number day-1 km-2) of fecal coliform (FC) indicator bacteria were measured from 1979 through 1984 in streamflow from 13 forested watersheds under the following range management strategies: (A) no grazing; (B) grazing without management for livestock distribution; (C) grazing with management to obtain livestock distribution, and (D) grazing with management to obtain livestock distribution and cultural practices to increase forage. Both FC concentrations (number/100 ml) and instantaneous loadings differed significantly among strategies, seasons, and water years. Differences among strategies for mean concentrations were A<C=B<D. For instantaneous loadings, significant differences were A<C, B or D; and C<D. FC concentrations were the same for winter and for snowmelt runoff seasons but concentrations of both were significantly lower than during the summer period. Loadings were different for each season with winter<summer