Wyoming Watersheds Progress 2005

North Platte River Watershed
Natrona County Conservation District
2020 Fairgrounds Road, Suite 101
Casper, WY 82604
307-234-4022
deena.hood@wy.nacdnet.net
 

Waters Addressed
North Platte River
Casper Creek
Poison Spider Creek
Poison Spring Creek
Oregon Trail Drain
Goose Lake
Illco Pond
Rasmus Lee Lake

Background
In 1998, the North Platte River, an undetermined distance upstream and downstream of Casper, was listed as impaired for selenium. In 2000, Casper Creek, Goose Lake, Illco Pond, Oregon Trail Drain, Poison Spider Creek, Poison Spring Creek, Rasmus Leek Lake and Thirty-three Mile Reservoir were added to the selenium impaired waters within the Kendrick Reclamation project.

Monitoring Activities - Sampling and Analysis Plan
The Natrona County CD has monitored 25 sites monthly from 2002 to 2004. Since 2004, the district has monitored 25 sites every other month. The District is currently monitoring for selenium.

Planning
A watershed steering committee was formed in 2000. The Kendrick Watershed Steering Committee completed the Draft Watershed Plan in April 2005. The Plan was released for public comment and the final plan was sent to DEQ in June 2005.

Implementation
In addition to past implementation of management practices such as irrigation efficiency improvements, enhanced irrigation water delivery through canal and lateral lining, two additional main pipelines have been installed. Work has also been done to enclose open ditches and eliminate seepage.

Participants
The Kendrick Watershed Steering Committee, an advisory group to the Natrona County Conservation District, is comprised of local landowners, community leaders, representatives from Casper-Alcova Irrigation District, and the Natural Resources Conservation Service. The Steering Committee has been working in coordination with WDEQ and other state and federal agencies such as the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the U.S. Geological Survey.

Funding
Amount                           Sources
Local $ 64,822 .00           Casper-Alcova Irrigation Dist.
State $ 79,405.00             Natrona County CD
Federal $1,681,941.00     Water Development Commission
Private $ 167,610.00        WY Dept. of Agriculture
                                        Dept. of Environmental Quality
                                        Natural Resources Conservation Service

Water quality monitoring on Bates Creek

Monitoring staff measuring discharge while UW graduate students record data