1996 - 1999 Watershed Assessment

In 1996 and 1998, the SCCD obtained Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) / Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (WDEQ) grants for non-point source, surface water quality assessments and planning on the Tongue River watershed. These grants allowed non-point source pollution issues to be addressed by local communities as an alternative to direct regulation by the EPA and WDEQ.

Water quality monitoring was performed during August 1996 through October 1999. The project area included the Tongue River and five of its major tributaries (Wolf Creek, Little Tongue River, Smith Creek, Columbus Creek, and Five Mile Creek) from the town of Ranchester upstream to the Big Horn National Forest boundary. Monitoring was conducted at 12 sites within the watershed including three on the Tongue River, and an upper and lower site on each tributary except Five Mile Creek, which had a lower station only.  

The findings of this assessment showed that pH, conductivity, benthic macroinvertebrates, and dissolved oxygen were generally within expected ranges and met their intended uses.  Nutrients and pesticide/herbicide levels were found at very low levels or were not detected, suggesting generally good nutrient and pesticide management by landowners. All lower tributary stations as well as the Tongue River at Ranchester exceeded Wyoming Water Quality Standards for fecal coliform bacteria.  High levels of fecal coliform bacteria indicate a potential human health and safety issue concerning recreational uses of these waters because.  High fecal coliform levels are associated with the presence of human pathogens such as E. coli, cryptosporidium, dysentary, giardia, salmonella, and other diseases.  Temperature and turbidity were also issues of concern because of their relationship to bacterial levels and fisheries.  Interim monitoring occurs once every three years to observe long term trends in water quality.  Reports are available at the office. 

Tongue River Watershed Plan

In order to address bacteria levels and other landowner concerns on the watershed, the Tongue River Steering Committee and the Tongue River Watershed Landowners worked with the Sheridan County Conservation District to develop a local, voluntary watershed plan under the direction of Wyoming Statutes (11-16-103, 11-16-122 (b)).  This option was preferred over regulatory intervention and is an allowable option in Wyoming.  The landowners desired to use the local watershed planning process to make needed improvements on the watershed before the regulatory measures are an issue.  In a series of planning meetings, landowners identified, categorized, and prioritized concerns for the watershed. The watershed plan was completed in September 2000 and includes objectives and action items to address Education and Awareness, Water Quality/Quantity, Agricultural Practices, Financial Conditions, Urban Issues, Road Issues, Septic Systems and Wildlife Concerns.  The Steering Committee continues to meet on a periodic basis and is in the process of updates on the original plan.

Several important long-term resource improvements have been implemented on the watershed under the direction of a reorganized steering committee.  Improvement projects constructed or under construction since the initiation of the Tongue River Watershed Project include improvements to Animal Feeding Operations (AFOs) and septic systems, stream channel stabilization projects, riparian buffers, stock water developments, and reservoir construction.

Interim Tongue River Monitoring

During 2003, additional monitoring was performed on the three Tongue River sites and the five lower tributary sites to determine if noticeable improvements in water quality had been achieved.  Results of the monitoring indicated similar bacterial results to those found during the original, 1996-1999 assessment.  The number of factors which can affect bacterial concentrations is quite large, which makes quantifiable bacterial comparisons to the original assessment very difficult.  Therefore, it is assumed that more improvement projects need to be implemented to identify positive changes and this process may take several more years.  Nonetheless, each project implemented does have a positive impact on the watershed whether changes in water quality can be measured or not.  The next monitoring period is scheduled for 2006.

The Upper Tongue River Watershed Regional Curves Project

In 2003, the SCCD received EPA grant funding to develop regional curves for the Upper Tongue River Watershed.  Regional curves relate channel dimensions and to drainage area and provide additional pieces of information during preliminary design efforts for stream channel restoration projects.  During 2004 the SCCD, with the assistance of NRCS staff, began surveying select stations and performing necessary field work to develop the regional curve relationships.  The project was completed in September 2005.  The report is available at the office.