Heavy Use Area Protection
NRCS National Resources Conservation Service
Alabama Guide Sheet No. AL 561
Definition
The protective treatment of areas that are frequently used
by cattle or farm equipment with suitable
surfacing materials.
General Information
Heavy use area protection can be used for:
•
Stream
crossings for cattle or farm equipment
•
Around cattle
watering troughs or tanks,
•
Around
locations such as hay rings, feeding troughs, or mineral boxes,
•
Pond or stream
watering ramps for cattle, cattle feedlots or walkways,
•
Loafing areas
for dairy cows, or farm roads.
The most proven type of heavy use area protective
treatment utilizes geotextile and stone.
The geotextile fabric used for this application is a
nonwoven, non-heat bonded, and needle punched
material. The class or grade of fabric will be determined
by the technician or engineer according to
the design. Stone for most heavy use area protection
should consist of crusher run or graded stone. If graded stone is used, it
should be topped with at least 1-inchof crusher run to provide a smooth walking
surface for cattle. Stream crossings may require small riprap size stone for
stability. If cattle use the crossing, the riprap should be topped with about 4
inches of a smoother
surfacing material like crusher run. Heavy use area
protection around watering troughs or tanks, hay rings, feeding troughs, or
mineral boxes should slope away from the facility and extend at least
10 feet out from the facility. A 'cattle only' walkway
should be at least 8 feet wide. Stream crossings can be as narrow as 6 feet or
as wide as 20 feet, depending on the purpose of the crossing.
Installation
Areas to receive heavy use area protection should have all
mud, manure, and other debris removed. The stone to be placed for most
applications will be 6 inches thick. Stream crossings may require more
thickness due to the size riprap needed for stability. Areas which require a
smooth transition from the protected area to the surrounding area should be
excavated. Any depressional areas should be smoothed prior to placement of the
heavy use area protection so as not to pond water. The geotextile should be
placed with edges of fabric overlapping at least 12 to 18 inches. The fabric
should be held in place with metal staples provided by the manufacturer.
Staples are generally placed every 5 feet within the fabric surface and 3 feet
along overlaps. Geotextile used for stream crossings is held in place with
larger steel rebar-size pins. Stone is then placed on the geotextile fabric.
Construction equipment should not operate directly on the fabric
surface. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits
discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color,
national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual
orientation, and marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to
all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for
communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.)
should contact the USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD).
Operation and Maintenance
Feedlots and loafing areas will occasional need to be
scraped to properly dispose of manure accumulations. Stream crossings will
require maintenance after major runoff events. Surfacing stone may need to be
replaced and debris removed from the crossing. Fencing should always be
utilized with stream crossings, watering ramps, loafing areas, feed lots, etc.
Fencing should restrict the cattle to the heavy use area protective surface in
order to protect the surrounding soil and water resources.
References
NRCS AL Conservation Practice Standard
Code - 561, Heavy Use Area Protection
Code - 728, Stream Crossing
Code - 614, Trough or Tank
AL NRCS Guide Sheets
AL-728, Stream Crossing
AL-614, Watering Troughs
