Wyoming Watersheds Progress 2005
North Platte Watershed
Saratoga-Encampment-Rawlins Conservation District
PO Box 633
101 Cypress Avenue
Saratoga, WY 82331
307-326-8156
jean.runner@wy.nacdnet.net
Waters Addressed
Sage Creek
Background
Sage Creek was listed, from the confluence with North Platte River to
State Highway 71, as threatened for habitat degradation in 1996.
Monitoring Activities
The district has one permanent monitoring station located on Sage Creek
which includes flow, precipitation, daily Total Suspended Solids which
is monitored May through November. Every four hours pH, Total Dissolved
Solids, Conductivity, Temperature, Dissolved Oxygen, Turbidity are
measured May through November. There are also ten remote sampling sites
for the above listed parameters plus flow when runoff dictates. Three
macro-invertebrate (BURP protocol) sampling sites are sampled once
yearly on the North Platte, one above the Sage Creek confluence and two
below.
Planning
Based on the results of monitoring data and implementation of practices,
the district is preparing and submitting a Use Attainability Analysis to
DEQ along with a request for delisting.
Implementation Activities
Projects implemented on Sage Creek include riprap of two reservoirs,
over ten miles of power fence, over six spring developments with
pipelines and tire tanks, and one grazing/allotment management plan.
Participants
Five private landowners, BLM, Wyoming Game and Fish, University of
Wyoming Extension and Range and Watershed Departments, NRCS, Carbon
County Road and Bridge, Wyoming Water Development Commission, Cowboy
Three Shot, Wyoming Outdoor Council, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation,
Wyoming DEQ, Wyoming Non-point Task Force and the City of Rawlins have
participated in the Sage Creek project
Funding
Amount
Sources
Local $ 42,475.10
S-E-R CD
State $ 10,491 .00
WY Game & Fish Dept.
Federal $ 311,651.00 WY Dept. of
Environmental Quality/EPA
Private $184,082.50 Private
landowners/permittees
Anadarko Petroleum Corp.
Prescribed burn creates livestock and wildlife habitat
Spring development provides alternative water to reduce riparian area pressure