PROJECTS

Clarks Fork/Upper Shoshone River
Watershed Study

Generate a Comprehensive Planning Document That Addresses Resources and Provides Planning Guidance for Water-Related Issues

Partners

The Cody Conservation District, The Powell Clarks Fork Conservation District, Trihydro Corporation, Laramie, Wyoming

WANTED: LANDOWNERS WITH WATER RELATED ISSUES
CONTACT THE CODY CONSERVATION DISTRICT

The Cody Conservation District and the Powell Clarks Fork Conservation District have partnered to initiate the Clarks Fork Upper Shoshone River Watershed Study. Trihydro Corporation, based in Laramie, Wyoming, has been selected to complete the project, which is fully funded by the Wyoming Water Development Commission and planned for completion by November 2023.

The project study area consists of the Shoshone River from its headwaters in Yellowstone National Park, extending downstream to the vicinity of Powell. In addition, the portion of the Clarks Fork drainage that lies within Wyoming is included.

The purpose of the study is to generate a comprehensive planning document to the conservation districts that addresses the study area's resources and provides planning guidance for water-related issues.

The project's specific objectives and activities include:

• Completing a comprehensive evaluation and description of the study area, which will include quantifying surface water resources, riparian/upland conditions, and stream channel conditions.
• Meeting with interested stakeholders to discuss their water-related issues and conduct on-site visits to discuss potential solutions. Conceptual project designs and cost estimates will be prepared for those participants and applications for funding assistance will be provided. Site evaluations can consider a wide range of new construction or rehabilitation projects, including irrigation infrastructure (diversions, headgates, etc.), upland water sources (stock reservoirs, pipelines/stock tanks, etc.), wells, solar platforms, and stream channel restoration efforts. There is no cost for stakeholders to participate.
• Developing a Watershed Management Plan that identifies problem areas within the watershed and proposes practical economic solutions. The Watershed Management Plan will include information about permitting requirements and funding opportunities. The Watershed Management Plan will represent an additional opportunity for the State of Wyoming to provide benefit to the local community and the State of Wyoming through the completion of another in their series of watershed studies being completed throughout the state.
• As a direct result of the Level I watershed investigation process and the completion of the watershed management plans to date, numerous conservation districts and stakeholders have reaped the benefits of this program.

The Cody Conservation District is looking for interested landowners and stakeholders that have water related issues and are looking for potential solutions. If you are interested in learning more or would like to schedule a site visit, please contact the Cody Conservation District!

Reestablish Native Vegetation
Achieve Natural Stabilization

Sulphur Creek Bentonite Mine Erosion Control Pilot Project

Partners

Willwood Working Group 3, Bureau of Land Management, Wyoming Game and Fish Department, Trout Unlimited, Powell Clarks Fork Conservation District.

This project aims to reestablish native vegetation and achieve natural stabilization an old American Colloid bentonite mine. The mine is in Diamond Basin in the Sulphur Creek Watershed. The project began October 2021.

Reconnect Stream and Riparian Area

Sulphur Creek Floodplain and Riparian Area Restoration Project

Partners

Willwood Working Group 3, Bureau of Land Management, Wyoming Game and Fish Department, Trout Unlimited, Powell Clarks Fork Conservation District.

Beaver Dam Analogues (BDAs) will be installed in a section of Sulphur Creek to reconnect the stream and the riparian area and to stimulate vegetation growth. Once revegetation occurs, this site may be suitable to use for beaver transplants. The BDAs will also be used to filter out unnatural amounts of sediment in the stream. This project will begin in Summer 2022.

Outreach & Produce Donation

University of Wyoming Extension Outreach Garden

Partners

Park County UW Extension Office and the Park County Library.

The CCD is assisting in the building and caretaking of the UW Extension Outreach Garden. The garden is located at the Park County Complex. All produce will be donated to the local food bank. The garden will also be used as an outreach tool. The CCD plans to offer and assist with hands-on classes.

Reduce Sediment Loading & Improve Habitat

Protecting the Shoshone River

Partners

Willwood Working Group #3

The CCD is directly involved with Willwood Working Group #3, one of three working groups in Cody that is addressing sediment loading to the Shoshone River. These working groups were established at the direction of the Governor following the release of a large quantity of sediment from Willwood Dam in 2016 that resulted in a fish kill and degraded habitat. Working Group #3 is in the initial stages of implementing a watershed plan to reduce sediment loading to the Shoshone River.

To learn more about Working Together to Protect the Shoshone River visit:

The Story Map
The Story Map 2

Monitor Changes in Water Levels
and Other Physical Attributes

The Shoshone River Camera Study

Partners

Powell Clarks Fork Conservation District (PCFCD)

The CCD is partnering with the PCFCD to spearhead this study. This project will monitor changes in water levels and other physical attributes in the tributaries to the Shoshone River. Changes caused by snowmelt, rain events, irrigation practices and other discharge sources are of interest. There will be twelve cameras set up at the confluences of major tributaries between Buffalo Bill Dam and Willwood Dam. Eventually, cameras will be set up further downstream to assess tributaries in the McCullough Peaks area.

Assisting Wyoming Game and Fish Department
and Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality

Sediment Sampling

Partners

Willwood Working Group #3, Wyoming Game and Fish Department, Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality

To evaluate sediment contributions to the Shoshone River, the CCD has been assisting Wyoming Game and Fish Department personnel and the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality with collecting water samples from tributaries between Buffalo Bill Dam and Willwood Dam. The results of these and other monitoring efforts by Willwood Working Group #2 are expected to be available sometime in late 2022 or 2023.

Opportunities to Improve Water Quality
in the Sage Creek Watershed

National Water Quality Initiative

Partners

Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), Wyoming Association of Conservation Districts (WACD), Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD), Willwood Working Group #3 (WG3)

The CCD and partners are actively looking for opportunities to identify projects and partnerships in the Sage Creek Watershed that help improve water quality in Sage Creek. Potential projects include irrigation and grazing improvements, streambank stabilization, and other conservation measures. The NWQI funding opportunity is under a USDA- Natural Resource Conservation Service funded program, which will assist landowners in implementing conservation practices to improve natural resource concerns.

Technical Assistance to Landowners

Program Technical Assistance

Partners

Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS)

The CCD assists NRCS personnel by offering technical assistance to landowners enrolled in NRCS programs. The CCD can help with projects regarding irrigation improvements, high tunnels, cover crops, nutrient management, and forage and biomass plantings.