Runoff is affected by slope, rainfall and maintenance of the feedyard. Your livestock operation should be located downslope from your well, so that runoff will not drain toward the well. Surface water should be diverted around the feedyard and any waste storage facility. Snow melt can generally be controlled by proper location of shelterbelts or a shallow ditch that interrupts snow melt and diverts it past the feedyard area. Dead animal disposal on a farm can be a possible risk to groundwater contamination.
Dead animals can be carriers of disease.
If animals are thrown into an open pit or improperly buried in a high water table area, they can contaminate your water source. In regard to dead animal disposal, local health laws may be in effect. In the absence of local ordinances, there are three proper ways to dispose of dead animals according to North Dakota law. They are burning, burial and using a rendering service. If a rendering service is used, it must be done within 36 hours of the animal's death.