Wyoming Watersheds Progress 2005

South Platte Watershed
Laramie County Conservation District
11221 US Highway 30
Cheyenne, WY 82009
307-772-2600
info@lccdnet.org
www.lccdnet.org
 

Waters Addressed
Crow Creek
Middle Crow Creek
North Branch North Fork Crow Creek

Background
In 1996, Crow Creek, an undetermined distance above and below Cheyenne, was listed as impaired from Ammonia, Cadmium and Fecal Coliform. In 2004, Middle Crow Creek and North Branch North Fork Crow Creek on the National Forest within Albany County, were listed as impaired from fecal coliform.

Monitoring Activities - Sampling and Analysis Plan
Sampling was initiated by the district on Crow Creek on 10 sites in 2001. As a result of data collected, Cadmium was been removed as an impairment on the 2002 list. The Laramie County CD collected bacteria and ammonia samples at seven sites on Crow Creek in 2004. Additional samples were collected on the North Branch North Fork and on Middle Fork of Crow Creek. Bacteria samples were also collected on Crow Creek in 2002 and 2003. Monitoring continues on all three waters.

Planning
The Crow Creek Watershed Plan was completed and approved by DEQ in March 2004. The Laramie County CD, Laramie Rivers CD, and the Medicine Bow National Forest Service are cooperating on a watershed plan amendment to address new listings in the upper portion of the watershed. Both Districts hosted public meetings in March 2005 and have formed a steering committee to develop an amendment to address the impairments on the 2004 listings.

Implementation Activities
The LCCD has assisted with the completion of several projects throughout the watershed. To date, two buffer areas have been installed, riparian fencing and wetlands have been completed, trees and shrubs have been planted in several locations, an oxbow wetland was completed, and corrals have been relocated. The Capitol Basin Storm Drain System Analysis has been completed and extensive information education efforts have been conducted. Off-site water developments and educational efforts are being implemented on the North Branch North Fork and Middle Crow Creek.

Participants
The Crow Creek steering committee included 14 members, representing Laramie County Government, City of Cheyenne, Cheyenne Board of Public Utilities, F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Town of Carpenter, farming, ranching, water quality, water quantity, recreation, urban, wildlife, industry and public lands. Six members served on the technical team and eight other volunteers assisted throughout the planning process. Committee members for the Crow Creek Watershed Plan Amendment will consists of eight representatives including private landowners, recreation, Pole Mountain Grazing Association, Cheyenne Board of Public Utilities and an original member of the Crow Creek Watershed Steering Committee. LCCD, LRCD, NRCS, USFS, WY State Parks, and WY Game & Fish will serve as advisors to the committee.

Funding
Amount                           Sources
Local $ 18,225.75            Laramie County CD
State $108,000.00            Laramie County
Federal $485,733.25        City of Cheyenne
Private $ 5,126.00            WY Dept. of Agriculture
                                         Dept. of Environmental Quality /EPA
                                         WY Dept. of Transportation

Middle Crow Creek on the National Forest

Tree planting to serve as buffer to runoff entering North Crow Reservoir