Wyoming Watersheds Progress 2005
Belle Fourche River Watershed
Crook County Natural Resource District
PO Box 1070
117 South 21st Street
Sundance, WY 82729
307-283-2501
307-283-2170 fax
yarrow.wolfe@wy.nacdnet.net
www.ccnrd.org
Belle Fourche River
Donkey Creek
Background
In 1998, two segments of the Belle Fourche River, one from Arch Creek to Hulett and from Keyhole Reservoir upstream an undetermined distance above Rush Creek were listed as impaired for fecal coliform. After the listing, the Crook County NRD held three local community meetings in Hulett, Sundance and Moorcroft to seek input and direction for addressing the listings. Based on that input, the district proceeded with additional monitoring and watershed planning activities.
Monitoring Activities
The Crook County NRD, under an approved Sampling and Analysis Plan, began monitoring the Belle Fourche River in 2002. The district has continued to monitor the Belle Fourche and initiated monitoring on Donkey Creek within Crook County during the summer 2003 for fecal coliform and in the fall 2004 for fecal coliform and E.coli. The CCNRD monitored nine sites in 2003 and seven sites in 2004.
Planning
The Crook County NRD under the guidance and leadership of the Belle Fourche Watershed Advisory Committee completed and received DEQ approval of a watershed plan to address the impairment. This plan was approved and signed by DEQ in April 2004.
The Crook County NRD and the Campbell County CD also entered into an agreement for water quality monitoring and planning coordination.
Implementation Activities
The CCNRD has implemented one septic system remediation and five animal feeding operation projects, including corral relocation and renovations. Two workshops/tours for ag producers were held by the district and another is planned for the fall 2005. In addition, three homeowner workshops related to septic system evaluations are planned for 2006.
The district has created a website at www.ccnrd.org, which includes information on the watershed efforts. Educational brochures were created and distributed on proper RV/camp and pet waste disposal and management. As well, urban stormwater drains were labeled to inform residents that storm water drainage ends up in the River.
Participants
The Belle Fourche Watershed Advisory committee includes local landowners, the National Park Service, and the Crook County Commissioners. The Crook County Land Use Planning and Zoning Board also participated in the watershed planning process.
Funding
Amount
Source
Local $ 12,048.00 Crook County NRD
State $ 80,728.00
WY Dept. of Agriculture
Federal $1,080,902.00 Dept. of Environmental
Quality/EPA
Private $ 244,626.00 Natural
Resources Conservation Service
Private landowners/homeowners
The Belle Fourche River
Pipeline project aimed at dispersing
livestock and wildlife in Crook County