Wyoming Watersheds Progress 2005
Big Horn River Watershed
Hot Springs Conservation District
318 N 6th
Thermopolis, WY 82513
307-864-3488
candy.whitt@wy.nacdnet.net
Owl Creek
Cottonwood Creek
Background
Owl Creek was listed in 2002, based on a one time sample taken by USGS, indicating elevated levels of fecal coliform. The Hot Springs CD held a community meeting in October 2002. The direction provided to the district was to initiate additional monitoring to determine if an impairment exists. Cottonwood Creek was listed in 2004, from the Bighorn River up to Hamilton Dome Oil Field, as impaired for Selenium and Chloride.
After the data collection the district again held a meeting in March 2005 and the input provided to the district was to continue monitoring.
Monitoring Activities
The District is developing a Sampling and Analysis Plan and has issued a request for proposals for further monitoring for fecal coliform bacteria. In 2003 and 2004, a broad assessment of the watershed was conducted on Owl Creek drainage. However, the data was insufficient to determine whether the fecal coliform standard was being met. The District is in the process of revising the Sampling and Analysis Plan to collect additional data based on 5 samples collected within a 30 day period to determine the geometric mean. The district anticipates sampling this fall and again next summer on approximately five sites.
Planning
A planning process will not be initiated until additional data is collected to determine if an impairment exists.
Merit Energy has submitted a Use Attainability Analysis to DEQ petitioning for a site specific standard for Cottonwood Creek. The conservation district has supported this petition.
Implementation Activities
Although a plan is not being pursued, as part of its efforts to assist livestock producers, the Hot Springs CD in coordination with the NRCS has assisted with the implementation of three animal feeding operation projects in the Owl Creek drainage. In addition, the district hosted two animal feeding operation workshops for livestock producers.
Participants
A steering committee has been formed to guide the additional monitoring efforts and includes local landowners, district supervisors, the Arapahoe Ranch and Owl Creek Irrigation District.
Funding
Amount
Sources
Local $ 6,000.00
Hot Springs CD
State $40,000.00
WY Department of Agriculture
Federal $19,998.00 Natural Resources
Conservation Service
The upper part of Owl Creek
Watershed
A monitoring site on Owl Creek