Protecting Surface Water

Protecting surface water is a best management strategy.  By using Best Management Practices for soil and water conservation, manure management and natural habitats, agricultural impact on water quality is reduced. Remember, it IS a water cycle - you're always 'upstream' and 'downstream' from somebody else.

Manure runoff can be prevented by avoiding or reducing application near surface waters. Separation distances for application can be calculated using information about soil nutrient levels, soil infiltration and runoff potential, field topography, manure nutrient levels and commercial fertilizer application rates. Separation distances must also take the proximity to surface water inlets into account.

Soil and water conservation Best Management Practices such as strip cropping will help protect surface waters by increasing field roughness and infiltration rates plus reducing runoff potential.

Soil conservation structures such as this series of terraces and drop inlet structures contain runoff in ponding areas as that sediments can settle out before entering surface waters.

Buffer strips along watercourses can curb surface water contamination by reducing field runoff and maintaining separation distances for nutrient and pesticide application.

A fenced pond to restrict access can provide livestock with a clean water source.

Refer to the following Best Management Practices for further information:

• Field Crop Production
• Horticultural Crops
• No-Till: Making it Work
• Water Management
• Soil Management
• Managing Crop Nutrients
• Fish and Wildlife Habitat Management

Best Management Practices: A First Look