Water Quality Update
2013
Recap
The CCCD completed water quality monitoring in The Little Powder Watershed (HUC 10090208), The Middle Powder Watershed (HUC 10090207), and The Upper Belle Fourche Watershed (HUC 10120201). The CCCD monitored a total of 18 sites throughout the three watersheds to determine current water quality and to assess the effectiveness of implemented Best Management Practices. Each site was monitored 10 times during the Primary Contact season (May- September) by the CCCD staff for Chemical, Biological, and Physical parameters. The data for these parameters were analyzed and is in the process of being compiled in a Final Report to be submitted to the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (WDEQ) and the Wyoming Department of Agriculture (WDA). Printed Copies of this report and copies of past reports are available at the Campbell County Conservation District office.
2014
Little Powder River
After Compiling over 10 years of data at two (2) sites on Little Powder River, the CCCD Board decided to take another approach to address the E. coli listing in Campbell County and through this effort the Little Powder River E. coli Source Project was born. The purpose of the Little Powder River E. coli Source Project is to attempt to define the host organisms (e.g. wildlife, humans, and livestock) from which E. coli is entering the river. For this project CCCD will utilize a process called DNA pyrosequencing to determine the host organism. DNA pyrosequencing is a laboratory process used to determine the precise order of nucleotides within a DNA molecule and to determine the order of 4 bases (adenine, guanine, cytosine and thymine) in the DNA strand. Through this process the DNA in E. coli and other bacteria contained in a water sample can be analyzed, compared and traced back to the host organisms that produced them. With this method not only can the host organisms be defined in a sample, but also the concentration of each host in the sample (ex. 20% cattle, 70% wildlife, 10% human). By defining the source of E .coli through the DNA pyrosequencing process the District can recommend future Best Management Practices or immediately petition the Little Powder River for removal from the Department of Environmental Quality 303(d) List. The implementation of this project will hopefully begin in May of 2014 and will run for two (2) years with monitoring occurring two (2) to three (3) times a month year round.
Middle Prong of Wild Horse Creek
Last year the WDEQ released a Draft Categorical Use Attainability Analysis (CUAA) for Recreation for public comment. In the CUAA the WDEQ examined all the rivers and streams in Wyoming and through using certain criteria agreed upon by the EPA (flow, proximity to recreation areas etc.) determined and changed the classification of some streams in Wyoming. This affect a number of streams and draws in Campbell County by changing their designation from primary to secondary recreation, which increases the detection limit of E. coli from 126 colonies per 100 mL (col. /100mL) to 630 col. /100 mL. One stream in particular was changed to secondary recreation, Middle Prong of Wild Horse Creek which has been on the WDEQ 303 (d) list as impaired for E. coli since 2006. With this designation change pending final approval from the EPA, Middle Prong of Wild Horse Creek would be removed from the WDEQ 303 (d) due to the fact it has never exceeded the 630 col. /100 mL limit.
Donkey Creek and Stonepile Creek
After much discussion and over 10 years of data at 13 sites, the CCCD board decided to take a different approach to Donkey and Stonepile Creek than it has in previous years. The CCCD is currently reviewing monitoring locations and funding sources on both Donkey and Stonepile Creek in order to more effectively understand and target the E. coli impairment in Donkey Creek and Stonepile Creek. Due to funding, the district is uncertain when monitoring will continue on Donkey Creek and Stonepile Creek.
Recap
The CCCD completed water quality monitoring in The Little Powder Watershed (HUC 10090208), The Middle Powder Watershed (HUC 10090207), and The Upper Belle Fourche Watershed (HUC 10120201). The CCCD monitored a total of 18 sites throughout the three watersheds to determine current water quality and to assess the effectiveness of implemented Best Management Practices. Each site was monitored 10 times during the Primary Contact season (May- September) by the CCCD staff for Chemical, Biological, and Physical parameters. The data for these parameters were analyzed and is in the process of being compiled in a Final Report to be submitted to the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (WDEQ) and the Wyoming Department of Agriculture (WDA). Printed Copies of this report and copies of past reports are available at the Campbell County Conservation District office.
2014
Little Powder River
After Compiling over 10 years of data at two (2) sites on Little Powder River, the CCCD Board decided to take another approach to address the E. coli listing in Campbell County and through this effort the Little Powder River E. coli Source Project was born. The purpose of the Little Powder River E. coli Source Project is to attempt to define the host organisms (e.g. wildlife, humans, and livestock) from which E. coli is entering the river. For this project CCCD will utilize a process called DNA pyrosequencing to determine the host organism. DNA pyrosequencing is a laboratory process used to determine the precise order of nucleotides within a DNA molecule and to determine the order of 4 bases (adenine, guanine, cytosine and thymine) in the DNA strand. Through this process the DNA in E. coli and other bacteria contained in a water sample can be analyzed, compared and traced back to the host organisms that produced them. With this method not only can the host organisms be defined in a sample, but also the concentration of each host in the sample (ex. 20% cattle, 70% wildlife, 10% human). By defining the source of E .coli through the DNA pyrosequencing process the District can recommend future Best Management Practices or immediately petition the Little Powder River for removal from the Department of Environmental Quality 303(d) List. The implementation of this project will hopefully begin in May of 2014 and will run for two (2) years with monitoring occurring two (2) to three (3) times a month year round.
Middle Prong of Wild Horse Creek
Last year the WDEQ released a Draft Categorical Use Attainability Analysis (CUAA) for Recreation for public comment. In the CUAA the WDEQ examined all the rivers and streams in Wyoming and through using certain criteria agreed upon by the EPA (flow, proximity to recreation areas etc.) determined and changed the classification of some streams in Wyoming. This affect a number of streams and draws in Campbell County by changing their designation from primary to secondary recreation, which increases the detection limit of E. coli from 126 colonies per 100 mL (col. /100mL) to 630 col. /100 mL. One stream in particular was changed to secondary recreation, Middle Prong of Wild Horse Creek which has been on the WDEQ 303 (d) list as impaired for E. coli since 2006. With this designation change pending final approval from the EPA, Middle Prong of Wild Horse Creek would be removed from the WDEQ 303 (d) due to the fact it has never exceeded the 630 col. /100 mL limit.
Donkey Creek and Stonepile Creek
After much discussion and over 10 years of data at 13 sites, the CCCD board decided to take a different approach to Donkey and Stonepile Creek than it has in previous years. The CCCD is currently reviewing monitoring locations and funding sources on both Donkey and Stonepile Creek in order to more effectively understand and target the E. coli impairment in Donkey Creek and Stonepile Creek. Due to funding, the district is uncertain when monitoring will continue on Donkey Creek and Stonepile Creek.
