Vegetative Treatment Systems for Open Feedlot Runoff: Project Design and Monitoring Methods for Five Commercial Beef Feedlots

Abstract

A project to demonstrate, implement, and model non-basin technologies for open beeffeedlot runoff at five commercial locations is in progress. The investigation will evaluate through fieldmonitoring the performance of these technologies. This information will be used to address whetherthe systems are feasible alternatives to traditional basin technologies and used to assess non-basincomputer models for planning and design of future systems. The non-basin technologiesdemonstrated in the study include either a vegetated treatment area (VTA) or a vegetated infiltrationbasin (VIB) in combination with a VTA. The paper will cover the experimental design, monitoringequipment, and methodologies established to meet the projects objectives. The objectives of theexperimental design will be to quantify contaminant concentrations and annual mass flow of nutrientsfrom treatment areas receiving settled feedlot runoff. Results will be compared to potential annualcontrol attainable with traditional containment systems. Monitoring equipment and methodologiesdiscussed in the paper will cover the following:<br><br>1) measurement of the quantity and quality of effluent leaving the solids settling basin (enteringthe treatment area),<br>2) measurement of the quantity and quality of runoff leaving the receiving treatment area belowthe settling basin,<br>3) measurement of the groundwater quality beneath the receiving treatment area, and<br>4) if applicable, measurement of receiving stream water quality upstream and downstream ofthe site.