Upper Belle Fourche Watershed

Watershed ​Description

The Belle Fourche River basin drains portions of Wyoming, Montana, and South Dakota. The headwaters begin in northeast Wyoming flowing through Keyhole Reservoir and past Devil’s Tower National Monument towards the northeastern corner of the state. Just south of the Wyoming-Montana state line, the Belle Fourche River turns towards the southeast and flows across the Wyoming-South Dakota state line into the City of Belle Fourche, South Dakota. In the northern-most portion of the basin, tributaries of the Belle Fourche River drain a very small portion of the southeastern corner of Montana. The Belle Fourche River eventually flows into the Cheyenne River (and ultimately the Missouri River) after draining portions of Spearfish, Lead, Deadwood, Sturgis, and the Black Hills National Forest in South Dakota.
Citation: Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality, Belle Fourche River Watershed TMDLs for Pathogens, Ammonia, and Chloride.Cheyenne, Wy: WDEQ, August 2013

The Belle Fourche River basin covers nearly 3000 square miles in Campbell County. Sub Watershed of the Upper Belle Fourche Watershed include: Donkey Creek, Caballo Creek, Buffalo Creek-Belle Fourche River, Hay Creek - Belle Fourche River, and Mud Spring Creek - Belle Fourche River
*Sub-Watersheds of the Upper Belle Fourch Watshed, within Campbell County

Donkey Creek Sub-Watershed Discription

The Donkey Creek sub-watershed is located within the Upper Belle Fourche Watershed.  Donkey Creek originates southwest of Gillette, Wyoming and flows east through the Gillette Fishing Lake.  The creek follows Interstate 90 until it flows into the Belle Fourche River, near Moorcroft, Wyoming.  Stonepile Creek originates near Echeta Road west of Gillette.  The creek is confined in an engineered concrete channel through the City of Gillette.  South of Interstate 90, just east of Gillette, the creek returns to its natural channel and continues past the Gillette Waste Water Treatment Facility (GWWTF) prior to flowing into Donkey Creek. ​
                            *Sub-Watershed of the Donkey Creek Watershed

Donkey Creek Water Quality

E.coli continues to be a threat to the surface waters in Campbell County. There are several human health concerns with the presence of E.coli, not only are some strains of E.coli harmful, but it is also an indicator that other harmful bacteria may be present. CCCD has monitored water quality at various sites on Donkey and Stonepile Creeks, since 2002. Donkey and Stonepile Creeks are designated as category 4A, Impaired Waters with an approved TMDL. The Belle Fourche Watershed Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) was complete in 2013 and contains recommendations for the Donkey Creek Sub-Watershed, which includes both Donkey and Stonepile Creeks.
 
In all waters designated for primary contact recreation, during the summer recreation season (May 1 through September 30). Concentrations of E.coli bacteria shall not exceed a geometric mean of 126 organisms per  100 milliliters during any consecutive  60-day period.  (Wyoming Water Quality Rules and Regulations Chapter 1, Section 27)

The monitoring project results indicate that bacteria concentrations remain in excess of the WDEQ’s primary contact recreation standards. Currently the E.coli concentrations do not have a significant trend but instead continue to fluctuate, as in years past.  There was a rise in bacterial counts for the 2016 sampling season; however it is difficult to determine if these increases can be attributed to the recent climatic conditions and/or increased activity of significant sources.
 

Projects and Reports

Donkey Creek Cost Share Program

Through Federal and State grants, the Campbell County Conservation District and the Donkey Creek Watershed Steering Committee are offering financial assistance for projects that will benefit water quality.

Donkey Creek Watershed Plan, 2016

In 2016, members of the Donkey Creek Watershed Steering Committee Met and agreed to initiate a revision to the watershed assessment and planning effort to address bacteria and other concerns within the Donkey Creek Sub Watershed

​Donkey/ Stonepile Creeks Non-Point Source Project, 2016 Summary

Donkey and Stonepile Creeks are located in the Donkey Creek Sub-Watershed of the Upper Belle Fourche Watershed. These streams flow through the City of Gillette and are impacted by the City’s increased population. E.coli continues to be a threat to the surface waters in Campbell County. Due in part to the risks to the community, Campbell County Conservation District (CCCD) has actively monitored and implemented best management practices to aid in improving the quality of the water within the Donkey Creek Watershed.

​Belle Fourche River Watershed TMDL, 2013

The Belle Fourche Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) was complete in 2013 and contains recommendations for the Donkey Creek Sub-Watershed, which includes both Donkey and Stonepile Creeks. Donkey and Stonepile Creeks were removed from the 303 (d) list, following the completion of the Belle Fourche TMDL, and re-designated as category 4A Impaired Waters with an approved TMDL.