Water Quality Projects
Update

The South Big Horn Conservation District has been actively involved in water quality issues in the area for many years.  The District has monitored approximately 20 sites since the early 2000's.  Water monitoring has been primarily conducted for E-coli. contamination-- that being the criteria for which the streams in the area were listed on the 303(d) list.

The Water Quality Steering Committee applied for DEQ Section 319 funds to set up a cost-share program to rehabilitate both faulty septics and non-compliant feedlots and working corrals.  After being approved for those grants, the committee accepted applications from interested individuals.  Applications were reviewed and approved, if the applicants met the criteria governing the grants.  Since 2004 the District has helped 19 landowners rehabilitate non-compliant septic systems.  Four systems were completed on the Paintrock/Nowood River watershed, three on the Greybull River, eight on the Big Horn River, three in the Shell Watershed, and one in the Emblem area.  In addition 13 feedlots and working corrals were approved for cost-share monies.  Many of them are now compliant and several are still in the process of being brought up to EPA standards. Six facilities were located on the Paintrock/Nowood drainage, four on the Big Horn River, two on the Greybull River, and one on Shell Creek.

During the same time period the above Best Management Practices were being implemented, the Water Quality Steering Committee met monthly to develop and write a watershed management plan for the entire District's watersheds.  That document received final DEQ approval in January, 2007.  The plan at a minimum had to include historical data, watershed improvement actions and recommendations, timelines for actions and goals, and monitoring and evaluation.  Each year some of the goals from the watershed plan are incorporated into the Annual Plan for the District.

Examples of Septic Projects in the District

            Examples of Feedlot Projects in the District

   Feedlots Before Rehabilitation and Removal