Stream Crossing Solves Water Quality Problem      

When Dudley residents Bobby and Jan Allen wanted to keep their cows out of the water and prevent their stream bank from eroding, they called USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) for help.

District Conservationist Britt Parker and Soil Conservation Technician Scotty Thomas worked with the Allen family to develop a conservation plan to prevent soil erosion and keep the cows out of the water. The plan specified fencing the cattle out of the stream, installing a stream crossing, and planting vegetation to create a natural filtering system and to hold the soil in place.

Recently, the area got 9 inches of rain. “It’s (the stream crossing) still standing,” Jan Allen marveled, noting that she has seen other bridges wash out after heavy rains. The plan also called for a watering trough—with a twist. The Allen’s have two goldfish in the trough to help keep the algae growth down.

Even with the recent heavy rains, the trough is clear enough to see the huge goldfish swimming around. Conservation can, indeed, be beautiful! For more information on conservation planning and cost-share programs to help treat natural resource concerns, contact your local USDA-NRCS office or visit online at www.ga.nrcs.usda.gov

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