Keeping the Cows Out of the River

Keeping Cows Out of Rivers: Protecting Clean Water and Healthy Riparian Areas

At Clean Rivers Fund, we believe healthy rivers are at the heart of healthy communities. They provide clean water for people, habitat for fish and wildlife, and resilient landscapes that sustain life. Yet one of the biggest—and often overlooked—threats to river health comes from livestock with direct access to waterways.

When cattle are allowed to wade into rivers and streams, the damage can be severe and long-lasting.

How Cattle Harm Rivers and Riparian Areas

1. Water Pollution
Cow manure carries bacteria such as E. coli, along with excess nitrogen and phosphorus. When this waste washes into streams, it contaminates drinking water, fuels harmful algae blooms, and robs fish and other aquatic life of the oxygen they need to survive.

2. Erosion and Sediment
Cattle hooves churn up streambanks, breaking down soil and vegetation. That soil washes into the water, making streams muddy and clogging fish spawning beds. What should be a clean, flowing stream becomes a silty, degraded waterway.

3. Loss of Riparian Vegetation
Riparian plants—grasses, shrubs, and trees along the banks—are nature’s filtration system. They stabilize banks, shade the water, and filter out pollutants before they reach the stream. Cattle grazing and trampling strip away this vegetation, leaving streams vulnerable and exposed.

4. Wildlife Habitat Loss
From migratory birds to amphibians to pollinators, countless species rely on riparian zones. Degraded riverbanks mean less food, cover, and nesting habitat for the wildlife that depends on them.

Solutions That Work for Ranchers and Rivers

Protecting rivers doesn’t mean choosing between clean water and cattle health. There are practical, cost-effective solutions that benefit both:

• Fencing livestock out of streams while providing safe, designated crossings.

• Installing off-stream watering systems so cattle can drink clean water without damaging rivers.

• Using rotational grazing to protect riparian zones and prevent overuse.

Our Shared Responsibility

Healthy rivers benefit everyone—ranchers, communities, recreationists, and wildlife. At Clean Rivers Fund, we’re working to restore and protect rivers across the West by supporting landowners, funding river-friendly infrastructure, and engaging communities in watershed stewardship.

When we keep cattle out of rivers and streams, we protect water quality, strengthen ecosystems, and ensure vibrant landscapes for future generations. Together, we can keep our rivers clean and resilient.