Agricultural Impacts

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Agriculture in the Huff Run Watershed is primarily in the upper portion of the watershed in Carroll County, with very little agriculture in the lower portion of the watershed in Tuscarawas County.

Government programs for manure managment Effects agriculture can have on riparian aeras

Ag problems in Huff Run: Woodlot grazing along riparian corridors by livestock is taking place in some areas causing bank erosion. Also, livestock drink directly from tributaries of Huff Run causing high nutrient loadings from their defecation in the streams as well as erosion. Cause: Many farmers do not have alternative water sources (spring developments, man made ponds, well water lines) for their animals beyond tributaries and streams. They may not be aware of government sources of funds to help them find such water sources. Also, many landowners and farmers do not understand the value of riparian corridors and allow farm animals access the streams. See Figure 14: Huff Run Agricultural Influences. Effects: In areas where woodlot grazing occurs, low light conditions hinder grass regeneration creating potential non-point source pollution by increasing sediment yields to Huff Run. This also harms valuable wildlife habitat and causes severe degradation of riparian buffers. In areas where animals have access to the streams and drink directly from the tributaries, stream beds are impacted due to repeated ingress by animals.  At these same drinking stations, manure deposits from the livestock are created high levels of nutrients and bacteria. See Septic and Sewer Effects for complete effects of high nutrient levels. Plans: The HRWRP still needs to conduct a complete inventory of agricultural problems in the watershed. Once complete, they hope to work with farmers to create alternative water sources for livestock.