Roofs and Covers
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Roofs to Protect Heavy Use Areas
A roofed structure placed over a heavy use area to divert clean water from animal management areas such as barnyards or feedlots.
Description
Installing roofs and covers over an existing or planed heavy use area helps prevent rainwater runoff from mixing with animal manure and transporting pollutants to nearby waterways.
Benefits
- Prevents clean water from entering a barnyard or feedlot where it can become contaminated.
- Provides a temporary animal confinement area during inclement weather.
Planning
Cost-share assistance is available to construct roofs and covers on existing heavily used animal areas that pose a significant water quality problem
To qualify for state cost-share assistance, a minimum of 15 animal units must regularly use or occupy the area to be protected. (One animal unit equals 1,000 lbs of live animal weight). A minimum of 100 square feet of housing per animal unit is required with 40 square feet available or constructed at the owner’s expense.
Tech Notes
- Our office can provide design and construction specifications.
- Obtain necessary permits and authorizations before construction.
- To qualify for cost-share, the roof or cover may not be attached to an existing structure but may be attached to a new structure under construction. Additionally, a roof or cover may only be built over a heavy use area constructed of concrete.
Maintenance
- Inspect areas surrounding the roofed/covered heavy use are after major runoff events and repair promptly.
- Maintain grassed areas around the structure. Reseed as needed according to the operation and maintenance plan.
- Fill in low areas and re-grade as needed using materials similar to those originally installed.