Wyoming Watersheds Progress 2005
Big Horn
River Watershed
Powell-Clarks Fork
Conservation District
781 Lane 9
Powell, WY 82435
307-754-9301
307-754-2761 Fax
katilley@tritel.net
Bitter Creek
Background
In 2000, Bitter Creek was listed as impaired from the Shoshone River upstream an undetermined distance above Powell due to fecal coliform.
Monitoring Activities
The district monitored nine sites from 2001 to 2003 in the Bitter Creek watershed for fecal coliform and chemical parameters and one site for physical data. The district also monitored one site on Alkali Creek and three sites on Line Creek for both chemical and physical parameters.
Planning
Under the guidance of a watershed steering committee, a watershed plan was developed to address the impairment of Bitter Creek. This plan was finalized and approved on April 26, 2005 by the DEQ.
Implementation Activities
The district, concurrent to planning efforts, has implemented several projects aimed at reducing fecal coliform. Projects to date include four animal feeding operation/livestock waste projects, coordinated with Park County’s Fairground Stormwater Improvement project, and provided cost share on two septic system demonstration projects. Educational efforts have included the publication of three newsletters that have featured Bitter Creek watershed information and education, newspaper articles, and nine public presentations. The district is in the process of securing additional funding to provide septic system rehabilitation and replacement cost share to home owners.
Participants
The Bitter Creek Steering Committee included several landowners within the watershed, representatives of the Shoshone Irrigation District, Park County Commission, Park County Small Waste Water Treatment, City of Powell Waste Water Treatment, and the conservation district.
Funding
Amount
Sources
State $ 78,400.00
WY Department of Agriculture
Federal $ 17,865.73 Dept. of
Environmental Quality/EPA
Private $ 14,797.54
Natural Resources Conservation Service
Landowners/Homeowners
Attendees of the WACD area meeting tour a septic project
Monitoring site on Bitter Creek looking
east from Highway 295 north of Powell