Carpenter Area
Crow
Creek
Watershed
Water
Quality
In 1998, Crow
Creek was identified by the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) as
being impaired for fecal coliform bacteria, ammonia and cadmium. Fecal coliform bacteria
levels in the Carpenter area exceed DEQ standards and appear to be linked to
storm events. Possible fecal coliform bacteria contributors in the rural
areas near Carpenter include septic systems, livestock waste and wildlife waste.
At this time, the Laramie County Conservation District has focused most of its
efforts on the urban Cheyenne area where higher levels of bacteria and public
access to Crow Creek pose greater human health concerns. Additional
information about water quality concerns in the Carpenter area is located in the
Crow Creek Watershed Plan
Recommended BMPs
Riparian
buffers -
Vegetation along stream banks are useful for bank stabilization and filtering
stormwater runoff before it enters the stream. Much of Crow Creek already
has natural riparian buffers of willows, sedges and grasses in place. The
riparian buffers are most useful in places where they can intercept water from
rain events or snow melt. Planting willows and sedges along stream banks
or allowing grass to grow tall along the banks are good ways to create buffers.
Grazing management - The district's Range & Wildlife Specialist assists landowners in developing grazing management plans. Management plans address overgrazing issues, bare soil, weed invasion, manure management, erosion control and animal health.
Animal Feeding Operations - The Wyoming Association of Conservation Districts (WACD) is currently implementing a grant program aimed at assisting agriculture producers in addressing water quality concerns caused by animal feeding operations. The technical assistance for these projects is being provided in part by the USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service and it is funded in part through a section 319 grant from the US EPA and the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality. WACD developed a brochure aimed at educating producers on laws & liabilities, potential pollutants, best management practices and other issues related to confined livestock operations. Included in this brochure is a producer self-evaluation that can be utilized to determine if the operation has the potential to impact water quality. For more information, please visit the WACD website at www.conservewy.com.
Public
Awareness
Septic design & Maintenance
- Faulty septic design or improper maintenance of septic tanks may be
impacting the quality of Wyoming waters. To help homeowners assess their
septic systems, the Wyoming Association of Conservation Districts created a
Septic Brochure for
homeowners on septic design and maintenance. In Laramie County, the
Health Department consults with homeowners on septic requirements in the
county and conducts inspections of all residential and commercial small
wastewater systems.