Wyoming Watersheds Progress 2005
Snake River Watershed
Teton Conservation
District
PO Box 1070
Jackson, WY 83001
307-733-2110
rsw@wyoming.com
www.tetonconservation.org
Flat Creek
Background
Flat Creek, below Cache Creek to the Snake River, was listed in 2000 as threatened for habitat degradation.
Monitoring Activities - Sampling and Analysis Plan
Spring and fall water quality sampling at seven sites for chemical, physical and biological data is collected. In 2003, 80 samples of fecal bacteria were collected and analyzed for source. The district also collects stormwater samples at three outfalls draining to Flat Creek.
Planning
The district, Town of Jackson, Teton County, and Wyoming Department of Transportation are beginning to develop a formal watershed plan which will be completed by the end of 2006. In addition to the plan, previous assessments and planning efforts have included: 1996 Feasibility study for Flat Creek habitat enhancement project; 1998 Flat Creek water quality assessment and storm water characterization; 2000 Flat Creek watershed sampling and analysis plan; 2001 Town of Jackson stormwater master plan; 2003 Rehabilitation of Flat Creek: planning design and implementation; 2005 Feasiblity and preliminary design for Town of Jackson Stormwater retention wetland; Microbial source tracking for E. coli in Flat Creek and fish habitat enhancement final design for a one mile section of Flat Creek in the Town of Jackson.
Implementation Activities
Additional management practices implemented since 2002 include the installation of two storm water treatment cisterns in the Town of Jackson, twice annual cleaning of six existing storm water treatment cisterns, seasonal daily street sweeping and purchase of additional street sweeper (110 tons of sand collected each year). New development is required to retain 2 year storm event onsite with swales or infiltration basins, Town and Jackson Hole Land Trust purchased land in the heart of the Town of Jackson specifically for a storm water retention wetland, wildlife habitat and flood plain function, Flat Creek fish habitat enhanced on quarter mile section of Flat Creek in the Town completed in fall 2004, Town of Jackson revising natural resources protection land development regulations which includes waterbodies and riparian vegetation. New rules will require native vegetation and no disturbance within defined setbacks from waterbodies. USFS/Conservation District trails erosion control and maintenance on Cache Creek, Game Creek and Snow King Mountain area. These tributaries flow directly into Flat Creek.
Participants
Involved in the efforts are 15 participants including the Town of Jackson, private landowners, Wyoming Game and Fish Dept., Trout Unlimited-Jackson Hole Chapter, Jackson Hole One-Fly, and Teton County.
Funding
Amount
Sources
Local $679,493.00 Teton Conservation District
Federal $ 33,499.00 Town of
Jackson
Private $ 57,000.00
Dept. of Environmental Quality/EPA
National Fish & Wildlife Foundation
JH Chapter/JH One Fly
Flat Creek demonstration site using
boulders to narrow and deepen the
stream to improve fisheries
A group of boy scouts installing bioengineering treatments to a disturbed streambank