The Rural Voice, 2003-11, Page 29provides controlled cattle access to
water in yet two more locations. The
sites in this project, however, offered
different challenges — low flow and
gradient, unchannelled flow at one
site, and fish habitat at the other.
At the upstream site, a stream runs
between two pasture fields. As well
as water access for cattle, Jim wanted
a facility that would serve as a
crossing for rotating pastures and as
a cattle -handling area. Using cedar
rail fencing, he constructed a corral,
approximately 40x80 feet, on one
side of the stream.
A fill -covered culvert bounded by
rail fence provides the stream
crossing. The bottom of the culvert is
flush with the stream bed allowing
unimpeded fish passage. Next to the
culvert a corner of the corral reaches
across the stream, giving his cattle
restricted water access. Jim gravelled
the banks and bottom of the stream in
the watering area to stabilize both.
Permanent page -wire fencing extends
along the corral side of the stream.
Jim plans to construct similar
fencing on the other side as part
of his continuing plan. "I prefer
page wire fencing next to water
because it's easier to maintain," Jim
explains. "With electric fencing,
weed control
next to a stream or wetland requires
manual rather than chemical control
(e.g. Round -up) for environmental
reasons. And electric fencing is more
susceptible to deer damage,
especially in more remote locations."
The downstream site is a narrow;
300 -ft. long strip of wetland again
between two pastures. Water was
unchannelled through this stretch and
with unrestricted cattle access, a
muck hole was the inevitable' result.
This wetland strip connects larger
wetlands through which water seeps
downstream to the Bighead River.
A channel existed in the
downstream wetland. From this, Jim
dug a small connecting channel
through the wetland strip. He placed
a 20 -inch diameter, 40 -ft. culvert in
the upstream end of the channel, with
one end of the culvert next to
permanent fencing bordering the
upstream wetland. Fill covering the
culvert creates a dry crossing
connecting the pastures.
Immediately downstream from the
culvert, Jim placed a concrete slab, a
septic tank cover, in the bottom of the
channel, even with the end of the
culvert. He extended the fill from the
crossing to stabilize the banks along
the length of the slab. "The cattle
prefer to drink off the slab, because
the current keeps it clean, and so far
they've stayed out of the channel,"
Jim has observed. Despite this, future
plans include restricted access to the
channel. Jim adds, "I'm so pleased
with the concrete pad that I want to
place one at the corral site as well."
The Couches' commitment has
extended beyond their boundaries as
well. Jim's neighbours, Trevor and
Lisa Falk, provide pasture for his
heifers. The water source is a stock
tank filled by a siphon system
Jim Couch Jr.
has continued
his father's
legacy in
protecting
streams passing
through the
family's farm.
feeding from a nearby pond. Trevor
designed a simple, low-cost, no -
energy device for manually restoring
the siphon's prime as required. As a
result the streams on their property are
not required as a water source at all.
OCA's grant of $5,000 helped
offset the total project cost of
$11,000.
Jim's efforts have provided clean
water for his cattle with the added
benefit of keeping the stream as
sediment -free as possible. All in all
the headwaters of the Bighead River
in this corner of Grey County are in
good hands. Jim and his father are
showing it's possible to have your
cattle pastures and trout streams,
too.0
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NOVEMBER 2003 25