Cheyenne Area
Crow
Creek
Watershed
Water
Quality
In 1998, Crow Creek
was identified by the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality as being
impaired for fecal coliform bacteria, ammonia and cadmium. Because of
these impairments, Crow Creek was included on the Clean Water Act, Section
303(d) list of impaired water bodies. In 2002, cadmium was removed from
the list of impairments since it was no longer detected in Crow Creek.
Ammonia and fecal coliform bacteria continue to be found at levels above the
state standards.
Ammonia appears to be localized to the area below Cheyenne's two waste water treatment plants. The facilities are undergoing upgrades that should be completed by 2007, which will address ammonia discharges into Crow Creek. If ammonia continues to be detected above acceptable levels after the facility upgrades, the district will increase monitoring efforts for ammonia.
Fecal coliform bacteria
levels in the urban area of Cheyenne consistently exceed state standards and are
likely the result of storm water runoff. The Laramie County Conservation
District has worked cooperatively with the City of Cheyenne and Laramie County
Government to implement urban Best Management Practices (BMPs) for storm water
runoff. Additional information can be found in the
Crow Creek Watershed Plan.
2009 Water Quality Data Report
for Cheyenne Area of Crow Creek
Appendices ABC Appendix D (map) Appendix E (Flow)
Recommended BMPs
Wetlands
- In 1998, Cheyenne
LEADS approached the Natural Resource Conservation Service and the Laramie
County Conservation District to assist in developing the flood plain area in the
Cheyenne Business Parkway. Since the area is in a 100-year flood plain, no
construction of buildings can ever occur. The Dry Creek Wetland includes a
retention area to improve water quality of surface water runoff and a wetland
mitigation area. Approximately 1,200 feet of trees were planted in the
area to create wildlife habitat and there is hope that nature trails will be
developed in the future.
The City of Cheyenne installed a wetland at Missile Drive and 24th Street along Crow Creek. The area frequently receives stormwater runoff from nearby roads and neighborhoods. The wetland includes a retention area to allow runoff water to settle before reaching the creek. In 2004, the Laramie County Master Gardeners and a local 4-H club helped the city plant a variety of riparian plants in and around the wetland.
Infiltration Trenches - Infiltration trenches have been installed in two areas of urban Cheyenne to help stormwater runoff infiltrate into the soil. Trenches are dug in areas that normally receive runoff from storm events and the trenches are filled with gravel to allow the runoff water to penetrate the soil surface. Examples of infiltration trenches are located near Crow Creek on Morrie Avenue and Missile Drive in Cheyenne.
Small Acreage Grazing - With increasing numbers of small acreage developments in Laramie County, the district has been working with small acreage landowners on grazing management. The projects target landowners with 10-40 acre parcels who need advice on overgrazing issues, bare soil, weed invasion, manure management, erosion control and animal health. The grazing demonstrations are examples of good management practices within the Crow Creek Watershed.
Public
Awareness
Storm
drain stenciling
- The storm drains throughout the City of Cheyenne are being marked with the
message, "No Dumping - Drains to Creek" to warn residents of the dangers
associated with RV tanks and harmful materials being dumped down the drains. The
district adheres a decal near the storm drain, making this a great project for
4-H clubs, girl scouts or boy scouts in be involved in. If you are interested or
for more information call the district office at 772-2600.
Pet waste decals - The Laramie County Conservation District recently received grant funding to promote picking up pet waste along the Cheyenne Greenway. Pet waste has been abundant along the greenway and is a possible contributor to the fecal coliform bacteria levels in Crow Creek. Many sections of the greenway follow Crow Creek and Dry Creek and have steep banks with short grass, causing pet waste to be washed into the creeks. Pet owners are encouraged to pick up pet waste for a cleaner community.
Landscaping - The district promotes wise water use in domestic and commercial landscapes. Over watering of landscapes is one way that pollutants are carried to nearby streams. Rain gardens are used at the bases of downspouts to utilize runoff water from roofs. The rain gardens utilize shrubs, perennials and rocks to aid infiltration.