Submission Type
Poster
Abstract
Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOS) are defined as agricultural facilities where 1000 or more animals are born and raised for slaughter in the food industry. Animals are often raised in confined spaces. CAFOs can significantly impact watersheds due to the large quantities of manure they produce. Not only does CAFO manure contain both the artificial hormones and antibiotics they are given, but also excessive amounts of nutrients, bacteria, pathogens and other pollutants, some of which can contribute to eutrophication. The purpose of this project was to map CAFOs in New York State and to compare their locations with watersheds. Data on CAFO locations were collected from the NYS GIS Clearinghouse, and data on NYS watershed boundaries at the 10-digit Hydrologic Unit level were collected from the USGS National Hydrography Products. Using GIS-based overlay techniques and methods, I calculated the number of CAFOs per watershed, as well as the relative density of CAFOs per watershed. Patterns show that most CAFOs are located in Western and Central New York watersheds. In particular, the Oatka Creek, Silver Lake Outlet, and Canandaigua watersheds contain the highest density of CAFOs per unit area. This analysis is useful for understanding which watersheds are at highest risk of CAFO manure contamination, and for informing where mitigation efforts should be focused.
Recommended Citation
Morrison, Aleigha, "245-Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations and Watershed Impacts" (2024). GREAT Day Posters. 67.
https://knightscholar.geneseo.edu/great-day-symposium/great-day-2024/posters-2024/67
245-Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations and Watershed Impacts
Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOS) are defined as agricultural facilities where 1000 or more animals are born and raised for slaughter in the food industry. Animals are often raised in confined spaces. CAFOs can significantly impact watersheds due to the large quantities of manure they produce. Not only does CAFO manure contain both the artificial hormones and antibiotics they are given, but also excessive amounts of nutrients, bacteria, pathogens and other pollutants, some of which can contribute to eutrophication. The purpose of this project was to map CAFOs in New York State and to compare their locations with watersheds. Data on CAFO locations were collected from the NYS GIS Clearinghouse, and data on NYS watershed boundaries at the 10-digit Hydrologic Unit level were collected from the USGS National Hydrography Products. Using GIS-based overlay techniques and methods, I calculated the number of CAFOs per watershed, as well as the relative density of CAFOs per watershed. Patterns show that most CAFOs are located in Western and Central New York watersheds. In particular, the Oatka Creek, Silver Lake Outlet, and Canandaigua watersheds contain the highest density of CAFOs per unit area. This analysis is useful for understanding which watersheds are at highest risk of CAFO manure contamination, and for informing where mitigation efforts should be focused.