Livestock

Livestock grazing in the waterways contributes to stream bank erosion which allows sediment transport into surface waters. Cattle and horse manure are rich in nitrogen and phosphorus and contribute to nutrient pollution and bacterial contamination in our waterways.

All of Fish Creek and portions of  Flat Creek are listed as impaired waterways by the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality due to elevated Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria concentrations, indicating fecal contamination in the water. At times, these waterways contain more E. coli fecal bacteria than is considered safe for swimming and other primary contact recreation.

Grazing animals can negatively affect water quality through stream bank erosion and sediment transport into surface waters. Cutthroat trout lay their eggs in streambed gravel. When fine sediment occupies the space between this gravel, success of reproduction decreases. Sediment and the pollution it carries are also extremely detrimental to the aquatic insects that use the streambed for their complex life stages.

Keeping livestock and their waste out of streams keeps nutrients and pathogens out of the water and protects stream banks from erosion. Ranchers can install fences along streams and rivers to block access from animals to help restore stream banks and prevent excess nutrients from entering the water.