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Gillette Fishing Lake Water Quality Improvement Plan
A comprehensive natural resource management plan designed to address water quality issues in the Gillette Fishing Lake.
DEVELOPED IN COOPERATION BY: Campbell County Conservation District City of Gillette ASSISTANCE PROVIDED BY: Wyoming Association of Conservation Districts Natural Resources Conservation Service
Campbell County, Wyoming May 2005
Table of Contents
Executive Summary .. 3 Purpose 3 Clean Water Act 3 Wyoming Department of Environmental Qualitys Role 4 Campbell County Conservation Districts Role 4 Conservation Districts Planning Authority 4 Public Participation Strategy 5 Background Information 5 Planning Strategy 5 Gillette Fishing Lake Description 6 Water Quality Description 8 Water Quality Improvement Efforts To Date 10 Watershed Concerns .. 10 Urban/Surface Runoff 10 Coordination With Other Agencies 11 Education And Information 11 Water Quality Monitoring 11 Funding 11 Goals & Objectives .. 11 Urban/Surface Runoff 11 Coordination With WYDEQ & Other Agencies 12 Education And Information 13 Water Quality Monitoring 14 Funding 14 Action Items/Milestone Table appendix Appendix A: Use Classification Table Appendix B: Gillette Fishing Lake Map & Stormceptor Locations Appendix C: Stormceptor Detail Appendix D: CIP Land, Buildings, Public Works, and Utilities Appendix E: Sunburst Drainage Improvement Map Appendix F: Acronyms
Executive Summary Purpose: The purpose of the Gillette Fishing Lake Water Quality Improvement Plan is to: The Clean Water Act (CWA) is the Federal Law that addresses water quality. The CWA was adopted by Congress, in 1972, for two primary purposes. That is to: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has responsibility to ensure that provisions of the CWA are met. With regard to Wyoming, EPA has delegated authority to the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (WYDEQ) to ensure compliance with the CWA. In states without delegated authority, EPA retains responsibility for CWA compliance. The Clean Water Act identified 3 key action items for states: In order to ensure compliance with the CWA, WYDEQ had to establish a system for evaluating and protecting waterbodies. Since all waters are not used for the same purpose, no single set of standards could be established to reasonably address water quality concerns. For this reason, WYDEQ classified each waterbody within the state. The classifications were based on "designated uses" designed to reflect what the water is currently used for or what the water could potentially be used for. Examples of designated uses include agriculture, industry, drinking water and fisheries among others. Different combinations of assigned designated uses resulted in a single classification for each waterbody (Appendix A). WYDEQ then established water quality criteria (narrative or numeric standards) applicable to each classification to ensure that water quality is sufficient to support all of the designated uses. Water quality criteria (standards), therefore, are different for each classification. In addition to establishing a system for evaluating water quality, WYDEQ must also report the condition of the States water(s). Under Section 305(b) of the CWA, the State of Wyoming must report the condition of their water(s) to EPA once every two years. This report is known as the 305(b) report. In addition to the 305(b) report, under section 303(d) of the CWA, States must identify those waters within its boundaries that are not meeting the water quality criteria ("impaired waters") applicable to that waterbody based on its classification. As mentioned earlier, states are required to address impaired waterbodies by establishing water quality standards and pollution control activities designed to achieve and maintain the designated use(s). In 1996 Wyoming Conservation Districts, the Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Wyoming Department of Agriculture saw an increasing need for Conservation Districts to represent local interests and take the lead in watershed planning efforts. As a result they developed the Watershed Strategic Plan to guide watershed-planning efforts across the state. This document insists, "any Watershed effort led by a Conservation District should be landowner driven . . . [and] any participation on behalf of any landowner is strictly voluntary." By coordinating with Campbell County & the City of Gillette planning departments, CCCD has assumed the responsibility of leading information and education programs, providing technical and financial assistance to their constituents to conserve Wyomings natural resources, and to protect the quality of life of all Wyoming citizens. Statutory language granting CCCD the Authority to develop this watershed plan is as follows: Public participation is a vital component of the watershed planning process that was used by CCCD to develop this watershed plan. Watershed planning efforts led by Conservation Districts within the State of Wyoming are completed using the Wyoming Association of Conservation Districts (WACD) Watershed Strategic Plan, which specifically addresses public participation with the following statement: The Gillette Fishing Lake Water Quality Improvement Plan will be available for public comment from July 4 through August 18, 2005 before being submitted to WYDEQ for final approval. Once the watershed plan is adopted by WYDEQ, the CCCD and the City of Gillette will continue with implementation of the plan and continue to work towards the goal of removal of the Gillette Fishing Lake from the WYDEQ 303(d) list of impaired water bodies. Background Information Planning strategy Since Gillette Fishing Lake is owned and maintained by the City of Gillette, a different approach to watershed planning is required. The City, as outlined by the City of Gillettes Approved Capital Improvement Plan Fiscal Year 2004-2009, will address the water quality issues of Gillette Fishing Lake. This water quality improvement plan will serve several purposes specific to the issue of water quality in Gillette Fishing Lake. First, this plan will serve as an outline for the specific purpose of informing the public of issues affecting sediment and phosphate loading of water in Gillette Fishing Lake. Secondly, this plan will include the schedule of project implementation the City will follow to address these water quality concerns. Finally, this water quality improvement plan will outline public information and education activities to be undertaken by CCCD that are not included in the capital improvement plan. In addition, this Gillette Fishing Lake Water Quality Plan meets the top priorities of the Wyoming Non Point Source Management Plan by reporting the condition of surface water, implementing information and education programs which "encourage participation on voluntary efforts to prevent, reduce, and eliminate pollution of the states water resources," and through the involvement of the City of Gillette and CCCD "developing and implementing watershed management plans (Wyoming Non Point Source Management Plan)." The Gillette Fishing Lake Water Quality Improvement Plan is under the direction of the CCCD and the City of Gillette. The final draft was reviewed and approved by the CCCD and the City of Gillette. The plan is intended to be dynamic to adjust to changing conditions. If for some reason, items in the plan need to be changed or removed, the City of Gillette, in consultation with the CCCD, can make necessary changes. The plan is open for public review and the City of Gillette and the CCCD will consider any comments and concerns.
Gillette Fishing Lake Description Fishing Lake Dam was constructed on Donkey Creek in 1949. Gillette Fishing Lake (#BF10120201-150-2) located on the southern edge of Gillette Wyoming, is a highly eutrophic, 25-acre, man-made lake receiving runoff from a 27,000-acre watershed. While the majority of the watershed is not within the City of Gillette, impervious surfaces such as asphalt and concrete impact the amount and quality of storm water runoff, thereby making urban issues a primary consideration. Gillette Fishing Lake provides an important public fishing opportunity in Campbell County. Trout stocked by the Game and Fish Department, and its location within a city park, makes it a popular recreation area. Gillette Fishing Lake is classified as a Class 2AB. Class 2AB waters are defined in Chapter 1 of Wyoming Department of Environmental Qualitys Water Quality Rules and Regulations as: The 27,000-acre watershed that feeds Gillette Fishing Lake can be described as gently rolling. The highest point in the watershed is 4,980 feet above sea level while the surface elevation of the Fishing Lake is 4,516 feet. The soils are predominantly sandy and sandy loams. Riparian conditions along Donkey Creek can be described as good. Abundant aquatic and terrestrial vegetation combine to minimize stream bank erosion. The upper reaches of the lake (about 7 acres) can be described as a marshy mud flat. The main portion of the lake (about 18 acres) is highly eutrophic with a maximum depth of 12 feet. Gillette Fishing Lake is classified as 2AB. The Wyoming Game & Fish Department typically stocks the lake each spring with 6,000 to 8,000 catchable size rainbow trout. Many of these fish do not survive the winter into the following year. The lake becomes anaerobic almost every winter and sometimes in the summer. There was a severe fish kill in August 1992. The lake receives runoff from Donkey Creek, which is a tributary to the Belle Fourche River in the Missouri River Drainage. The Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality rates Donkey Creek as a Class 3B. Class 3B waters are defined in Chapter 1 of Wyoming Department of Environmental Qualitys Water Quality Rules and Regulations as: The mean annual precipitation in Gillette is 15.77 inches. About half of the yearly precipitation comes in April, May, and June as early spring snow thaws and rain comes. The mean annual evaporation rate is over 45 inches.
Water Quality Description Gillette Fishing Lake has a propensity to accumulate sediment, which has produced a marsh out of the upper end of the lake. Water depth in the open water portion is 3 to 7 feet in most places with a maximum depth of 12 feet in one small area near the dam. The reduced depth and increased plant life have created a highly eutrophic condition that has greatly increased the chance of oxygen depletion at certain times of the year. The lake has a history of water quality concerns (Table 1). In 1973 and then again in 1984, sediment had accumulated to a degree that dredging was required to alleviate the problem. On each of these occasions approximately 5 to 7 feet of sediment were removed. Table 1: Brief History of Fishing Lake ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Study initiated to determine sources of sediment and phosphorous 319 grant funds applied for Fishing Lake Improvement project. Funds denied. 319 grant funds applied for Fishing Lake Improvement project. Funds denied. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ In 1993, the City of Gillette and the Campbell County Conservation District recognized the need to again dredge the lake. Before undertaking this activity for the third time in 20 years, it was decided that a study should be conducted to identify/quantify the sources of the sediment. In December 1993, the Conservation District submitted a 205j proposal requesting financial assistance for such a study. The proposal was approved, and a study was conducted from June 1994 through August 1995. The Conservation District contracted with Ecological Services of Greybull, Wyoming to complete the study. Extensive sediment data and limited phosphorous data were collected in the study conducted between June 1994 and August 1995 (funded by the 205j grant). Sediment concentration in Donkey Creek were higher at downstream sites than upstream sites (Table 2), indicating that the vast majority of sediment entering the lake is coming from two small urban sub watersheds located southwest and northwest of the lake, along Highway 59 (Appendix B). There have been four Stormceptors installed since 1993, but some urban storm water drainpipes from these areas still enter directly into Fishing Lake and into Donkey Creek immediately above Fishing Lake. The drainpipes carry runoff containing a relatively large amount of sediment from streets, construction sites located in nearby growing subdivisions and natural sources. Sediment exiting the drainpipes settles out when it reaches the slow moving waters of Fishing Lake. Total phosphorous concentrations, however, did not increase at downstream locations (Table 3). This indicates that phosphorous may be coming from more widespread sources than the sediment. There are numerous well-fertilized suburban lawns along the Donkey Creek drainage, which are suspected of contributing phosphorous (Appendix B). The sediment, plus phosphorous coming from Donkey Creek, has created an expanding marshy mud flat at the upper end of Fishing Lake thereby diminishing the size of the lake. Sediments and nutrients passing through the mud flat are contributing to the eutrophic conditions in the open water portion of the lake. Table 2: Total Suspended Sediment Concentrations at Selected Sites on Donkey Creek -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Site Mean TSS (mg/l) Range TSS (mg/l) # of TSS samples South Park 19.51 0 86.0 35 Barlow 31.63 0 90.0 15 Dalbey Park 102.71 0 460.0 37 (below storm runoff pipes) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Table 3: Total Phosphorous Concentrations at Selected Sites on Donkey Creek -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Site Mean TP (mg/l) Range TP (mg/l) # of TP samples South Park .20 .06-.33 3 Barlow n/a n/a n/a Dalby Park .15 .07-.39 6 (below storm runoff pipes) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
One direct result of the water quality assessment completed in 1994 was the availability of "credible data" which specified the potential Non Point Source (NPS) pollution effects to the Fishing Lake. Therefore, the Wyoming DEQ has listed the Gillette Fishing Lake, as a threatened waterbody requiring the establishment of TMDLs in both its 1996 and 1998 list. The priority given for the establishment of the TMDLs was "HIGH". In both 1995 and 1996, the City of Gillette applied for and was denied Clean Water Act Section 319 funds to implement an improvement program for the storm drain runoff of the Donkey Creek watershed into Fishing Lake. Water Quality Improvement Efforts To Date The City of Gillette has forged ahead with their improvement plans by proposing a two-pronged approach to reduce the sediment load in the storm water drainage into the Fishing Lake. First, the street sweeping program on roadways directly adjacent to the Fishing Lake has been increased to remove scoria and other aggregate particles applied to the city streets during times of winter and icy road conditions before storm waters pick it up. Second, the Department of Public Works has installed four Stormceptors (See Appendix C for Stormceptor schematic) within the Donkey Creek drainage directly leading to Gillette Fishing Lake. (See Appendix B for the locations of the Stormceptors.) These Stormceptors capture and remove the sediment from the runoff water prior to it reaching the Fishing Lake. A schedule of monitoring the water quality of the capture from Stormceptors is tested for nutrients and pH (at a minimum) on a quarterly basis. The captured sediment from the Stormceptors is emptied on a yearly basis. While the City of Gillette has taken proactive measures to reduce and capture the amount of sediment occurring in the storm runoff, it is recognized that their efforts cannot be entirely successful without the active support of knowledged citizens in the area. Therefore, the City of Gillette, Department of Public Works has requested the Campbell County Conservation District to initiate an information and education campaign on the effects of NPS pollution coming from the urban areas of the Donkey Creek drainage which lead into Gillette Fishing Lake, to compliment their efforts of physical removal of sediment from the storm water runoff. To meet the Citys request, the CCCD initiated an information and education project in 1999 through a Section 319 grant. The District produced a video highlighting the effects of NPS pollution in Donkey Creek to the Gillette Fishing Lake. From footage of the video, two commercials were also produced. The commercials ran 960 times on 11 cable channels in the summer of 2001. In August of 2001, the City of Gillette distributed 3000 stickers to the citizens of Gillette with the logo "No Dumping, Drains to Creek" as a public awareness campaign. In relation to this, CCCD provided educational workshops to ten elementary schools in Gillette in 2000 and 2001. CCCD utilized the Enviroscape Model to show the impact of NPS and Point Source pollution on watersheds. It showcased the different functions of a watershed and emphasized impacts of management practices designed to improve water quality.
Watershed Concerns Urban/Surface Runoff As pollutants such as sediment, road salt, fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides accumulate on land surfaces, storm water runoff flushes those pollutants directly into surface waters through storm sewers. Storm sewers may also be improperly used as a means of intentionally discarding waste. Coordination with Other Agencies To ensure successful implementation of this watershed plan, WYDEQ and other agencies involved with water quality regulation, funding and assessment will have to be aware of the status of this planning effort. The City of Gillette will be relied on as the primary entity responsible for Best Management Practice (BMP) implementation, so they will need to have current information available regarding the status of this plan. Education and Information There is a need for information and education to encourage landowners, land managers and the general public to voluntarily address potential water quality threats. Understanding the water quality issue is important and can be achieved through a locally led and effective information dissemination program. The Campbell County Conservation District will play a vital role in keeping the public apprised of water quality issues. Water Quality Monitoring Continued water quality monitoring activities will be important to assess water quality improvement or maintenance. There has been no additional water quality monitoring since the installation of the four Stormceptors. Due to the lack of data collection, the impact of these Stormceptors on water quality is currently unknown. Funding Watershed improvement projects, such as urban Best Management Practices (BMPs), are important in addressing water quality issues. Because the Gillette Fishing Lake is within the City of Gillette, the funding for the BMPs are in the Capital Improvement Plan. Goals And Objectives Urban/Surface Runoff ISSUE Pollutants may be introduced to the Gillette Fishing Lake as a result of storm runoff through storm sewers. OBJECTIVE Utilize BMP implementation to reduce sediment and phosphate loading on waters entering the Gillette Fishing Lake. Sedimentation Control: The City of Gillette has initiated an enhanced street sweeping program on roadways directly adjacent to the Fishing Lake increasing the removal of scoria and other aggregate particles applied to the city streets during times of winter and icy road conditions before storm waters pick it up. Installed one 900-gallon Stormceptor (Appendix C) on Ostlund Street (Appendix B) in 2003. Installed one 900-gallon Stormceptor (Appendix C) on Edwards Street (Appendix B) in 2003. Installed two 900-gallon Stormceptors (Appendix C) on West 4J Road and Sinclair Street (Appendix B) in 1997. Storm water master plan: Feasibility study to update the sewer systems for City of Gillette. They will map out the existing storm water sewer system and use a model to ensure it is adequate to handle any storm water runoff. This will result in a new idea of curves and design criteria. The City of Gillette has budgeted $150,000 in FY 2004-2005 for this study. The information from this study will be utilized to develop a capital improvement plan to itemize specific practices to be installed. Sunburst drainage improvements (west): Construct drainage improvements for the Sunburst subdivision and surrounding areas west of Highway 59. The report is complete and improvements have been designed. The City of Gillette budgeted $340,000 in Arch/Engineering and $1,700,000 in Construction for FYs 2004-2006 (Appendix D, CIP for Sunburst Drainage Improvement West). Two additional Stormceptors will be installed to reduce sediment in runoff from the Sunburst subdivision. Fishing Lake dredging and bank stabilization: Install a bank stabilization system, dredge the Fishing Lake and construct natural sedimentation ponds at the Lakes inlet. This is currently being designed by the City of Gillette and will serve to control the sediment loadings currently entering into the Lake and making it more habitable for fish and other wildlife. The project will be initiated in Fall 2006 and completed by Spring 2008 at an estimated cost of $1,650,000 (Appendix D). Coordination with WYDEQ And Other Agencies ISSUE Separate entities will have different roles in implementation of this plan. The City of Gillette will implement and monitor the effectiveness of BMPs, CCCD will be responsible for implementation of the information and education campaign, and WYDEQ must provide oversight from a regulatory standpoint as it relates to water quality in Gillette Fishing Lake. OBJECTIVE CCCD will compile information regarding BMP implementation, status of information and education efforts, and water quality monitoring and regulatory activities to ensure that agencies and citizens are aware of the status of this planning effort. ACTION ITEMS Education and Information ISSUE Since Gillette Fishing Lake is a highly visible resource, there is a need to keep Gillette residents informed of government agency actions regarding Gillette Fishing Lake. In addition, there is a need to educate citizens about water quality and potential pollutants. OBJECTIVE To implement and conduct a public awareness campaign which would: (1) educate the citizenry of Gillette and Campbell County on the concept of NPS pollution and the effects NPS pollution has on the Donkey Creek Drainage and the Gillette Fishing Lake; and (2) create a public awareness towards NPS pollution and how sediment and nutrients from runoff contribute to polluting the lake, and how the public could contribute towards the long-term enhancement of the Gillette Fishing Lake as a popular recreation site. Enviroscape: The Enviroscape model was developed as an educational tool to increase awareness of water pollution by showing sources and what is being done to manage these and what can be done to better manage potential pollutants. This model specifically demonstrates the difference and interaction of NPS and Point Source pollution. Storm stencils: In August of 2001, the Boys & Girls Club of Gillette distributed 3000 stickers and epoxy to residents along the Donkey Creek drainage and also to residents within the City limits. Video: The District contracted with Grunko Films to create a visual campaign on the effects of NPS pollution in Donkey Creek to the Gillette Fishing Lake. The video also showed proper methods of waste disposal and non-point source elimination. The production of the video was 10-12 minutes. 2 Commercials: From footage of the video, two commercials were completed. The commercials were 30 seconds each and were shown on local cable TV. The spots were aired starting July 23, 2001 and finished on September 16, 2001. They were shown a total of 960 times on 11 cable stations including A&E, CNN, DISC, ESPN, TNN, TNT, WTBS, ESPN2, HGTV, Life, USA. Produce a brochure on effects and strategies for reducing NPS pollution including; car washing, detergents (phosphates), & lawn fertilizers on surface water quality. Since the installation of the Stormceptors in 1997 and 2003, there has been no data collection at the Gillette Fishing Lake to demonstrate their effectiveness. CCCD does not have the equipment, experience or funding for monitoring water quality in lakes. For this reason, WYDEQ will be relied on for water quality monitoring information. Monitoring activities will also be complicated by the plans for dredging Gillette Fishing Lake beginning in 2006. Begin evaluation of water quality monitoring data after dredging operations are complete in 2008 coupled with an evaluation of the data collected on discharges from the Stormceptors. WYDEQ will provide monitoring data at least once every three years on Gillette Fishing Lake. The City of Gillette will monitor effluent from the Stormceptors quarterly for the duration of this planning effort. Funding ISSUE No additional funding will be sought through grant programs sponsored by CCCD. The information and education component will be funded by CCCD through the annual operating budget. BMP implementation will be funded by the City of Gillette through a previously approved 1% Optional Sales Tax. OBJECTIVE Since funding has already been secured, there are no additional objectives relating to funding. ACTION ITEMS There are no action items relating to funding.
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