Wyoming Watersheds Progress 2005

Green River Watershed
Uinta County Conservation District
PO Box 370
100 East Sage Street
Lyman, WY 82937
307-787-3794 ext 4
307-787-3810 fax
kerri.sabey@wy.nacdnet.net
 

Waters Addressed
Blacks Fork River
Smiths Fork River
East Fork Smiths Fork
West Fork Smiths Fork
Willow Creek

Background
The Blacks Fork and Smiths Fork Rivers were listed as impaired in 2000. The Blacks Fork is impaired for fecal coliform and the Smiths Fork for habitat degradation. In 2002, an impairment for fecal was added to the Smiths Fork. The East and West Fork Smiths Fork and Willow Creek are all 1998 listings. These waters are listed as threatened for habitat degradation.

Monitoring Activities
The district conducted chemical, physical and biological monitoring, including fecal and E.coli monitoring, in the spring and late summer on 22 sites in the Blacks Fork and Smiths Fork watersheds in 2003. In 2004, monitoring was conducted on 12 sites.

Planning
The Blacks Fork/Smiths Fork Water Quality Steering Committee has completed a draft watershed management plan on the Blacks Fork, Smiths Fork Rivers and their tributaries. This plan was released for public comment in April 2005 and was submitted to DEQ for approval in September 2005.

Implementation Activities
Implementation on Willow Creek occurred from 1996 through 1999. Practices included water developments and maintenance, sage brush control, snow fences, conifer removal, fencing and seeding.

The district has completed one animal feeding operation project in the Blacks Fork Watershed, and two additional AFO projects are currently being implemented. Other management practices to be implemented include grazing plans, cross fencing, sage brush control, water development projects, riparian fencing, flood irrigation improvements and conversion from flood to sprinkler irrigation projects.

Participants
The Blacks Fork/Smiths Fork Water Quality Steering Committee consists of thirty-three members representing landowners, municipalities, the State Engineer’s Office, Water and Sewer Districts, Conservancy District, Joint Powers Board, Economic Development Board, County Commissioners, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Wyoming Department of Agriculture, UCCD, Resource Conservation & Development.

Funding
Amount                           Sources
Local $ 177,161.00          Uinta County CD
State $ 5,500.00               WY Game & Fish Dept.
Federal $ 212,500.00       Dept. of Environmental Quality/EPA
Private $ 25,855.00          Landowners

Blacks Fork below Meeks Cabin Reservoir

Bug sampling on the Blacks Fork River during 4-H camp