Chemical Quality and Sediment Content of Runoff Water from Southeastern Montana Rangeland

Abstract

Chemical quality of surface runoff water from rangeland sites with fine-textured soils in southeastern Montana was good to excellent with average total dissolved solids<300 mg/liter. This quality is better than that of most municipal water supplies in the same geographic area. Erosion from these sites was also low, averaging <1,500 kg/ha per year.