Wyoming Watersheds Progress 2005

Big Horn River Watershed
Lower Wind River Conservation District
508 North Broadway
Riverton, WY 82501
307-856-7524
307-856-2383 fax
crystal.robinson@wy.nacdnet.net
 

Waters Addressed
Ocean Lake
Muddy Creek
Poison Creek

Background
In 1996, Ocean Lake was listed as threatened in response to a local watershed initiative aimed at reducing the rate at which Ocean Lake was receiving sediment. Ocean Lake provides water for irrigation, wildlife and recreation. Ocean Lake was created to provide water for irrigation.

Muddy and Poison Creek were listed as threatened in 2002 due to one time fecal coliform samples taken by USGS indicating high counts of fecal coliform. Both streams are listed from Boysen Reservoir an undetermined distance upstream. In August 2002, the district held a landowner meeting to get input on district direction on both Muddy and Poison Creeks. Landowners supported further monitoring.

Monitoring Activities
Currently, the DEQ is analyzing data collected by Game & Fish and DEQ on Ocean Lake to determine its designated use support and possible delisting.

The district monitored two sites on Muddy Creek in 2003 and 2004 and added a third site in 2005. The district is also monitoring one site on Poison Creek. Monitoring began in 2003. A Muddy Creek watershed steering committee was formed in July 2005, and will begin developing a watershed plan. Due to the data results that were obtained on Poison Creek, additional monitoring is necessary to determine if an impairment for fecal coliform does exist. Water quality standards were met on Poison in 2003 and flows were insufficient in 2004.

Due to a lack of flow on both Muddy and Poison Creek could not be monitored in 2004.

Planning
The Ocean Lake effort was completed in 1993. The District is in the first stages of developing a Watershed Plan on Muddy Creek.

Implementation Activities
The initial Ocean Lake project was implemented from 1987 to 1993. Implementation practices such as control dikes, fencing, reseeding vegetation, drop structures, inlet pipes, and water gaps were implemented.

A steering committee has begun the process of developing a watershed plan on Muddy Creek. The committee is scheduled to complete the plan by early 2006. Implementation has not been initiated on Poison Creek until further monitoring determines if an impairment exists.

Participants
The Ocean Lake Project was implemented by a group of landowners, the Midvale Irrigation District, and the Game & Fish. The Muddy Creek watershed steering committee includes representation from the landowners, Game & Fish and the Midvale Irrigation District. Due to additional monitoring being necessary on Poison Creek, a steering committee has not been formalized.

Funding
Amount                           Sources
Local $45,621.00              Lower Wind River CD
State $151,416.00            WY Dept. of Agriculture
Federal $148,832.00        WY Game & Fish Department
Private $ 2,000.00            Dept. of Environmental Quality/EPA
                                        Bureau of Reclamation
                                        Landowners

Ocean Lake is a man-made lake created through irrigation water development

Monitoring location on Muddy Creek