Non-Basin Technologies for Open Feedlot Runoff:
Demonstration, Implementation, and Modeling

Project Leaders

Dr. Robert Burns, Lara Moody, Dr. Matt Helmers, and Dr. John Lawrence

Project Background

CAFO rules released by the EPA in 2003 include verbiage for use of modeled and tested Alternative Technologies proved to be as effective as traditional basin systems. The technologies in this study are settling basins releasing to Vegetated Infiltration Basins (VIBs) combined with Vegetated Treatment Areas (VTAs) or settling basins releasing to VTAs. The results are being compared to potential annual control attainable with traditional containment systems. This work is continued from a project started by Jeff Lorimor.

Settling Basin and a Vegetated Treatment Area

Project Objectives:

• Evaluate through field monitoring, performance of VIBs and VTAs on six sites in Iowa that were designed using the developed models.
• Assess feasiblility of VIBs and VTAs as alternative systems
• Assess feasibility of the models for design of future systems.
• Quantify contaminant concentrations and annual mass flow from treatment areas receiving settled feedlot runoff.

Sites are equipped with automated sampling and monitoring equipment. Sampling occurs on an event basis and includes flow measurement to calculate pollutant mass. Monthly groundwater and annual soil samples are also collected.

Measurement of water volume from VTA using a flume.