Wyoming Watersheds Progress 2005
Green River Watershed
Lincoln
Conservation District
PO Box 98
110 Pine Street, Cokeville Town Hall
Cokeville, WY 83114
307-279-3256
307-279-3024 fax
brenda.lazcanotegui@wy.nacdnet.net
Hams Fork
Background
The Hams Fork was listed as impaired, approximately 15 miles up stream and 10 miles downstream of the City of Kemmerer, due to exceedences of the pH standard.
Monitoring Activities
The district initiated a water quality monitoring effort to further determine the extent of the impairment. The monitoring was conducted on 10 sites from 2000 to 2001.
Planning
The district, based on the results of monitoring data, petitioned DEQ to delist the Hams Fork based on analysis indicating that the elevated pH level was a result of natural conditions. In 2002, DEQ indicated that the water would be delisted, however due to an oversight, it was not delisted in 2002 and DEQ indicated it would be delisted in 2004. In 2004, the DEQ and EPA determined that the data and report submitted by the district was insufficient to justify delisting.
In May 2004, a meeting was held with the district, WACD, DEQ, Department of Agriculture Analytical Lab and NRCS to discuss future actions. It was determined that prior to any further efforts being pursued, the DEQ would complete an assessment of the Kemmerer/Diamondville Waste Treatment Plant. Pending further information from DEQ, the district requested an extension for a watershed plan, if it is determined necessary, in January 2005.
Implementation Activities
Due to uncertainty as to the outcome of the DEQ investigation, no further efforts of planning and implementation have been pursued.
Participants
Participants in the monitoring effort included the district, DEQ and Town of Kemmerer.
Funding
Amount
Sources
Local $ 10,152.60 Lincoln CD
State $ 20,000.00
Department of Agriculture
Federal $ 35,306.50 WY. Dept. of
Environmental Quality/EPA
Water sampling site on the Hams Fork River near Opal, Wyoming
USGS Water Gauging Station just below
the Town of Diamondville where the
pH problem was first recorded by USGS