Water Quality Monitoring of the Belle Fourche River

Water Quality Monitoring

Two reaches of the Belle Fourche River were placed on Table A (impaired waters requiring a TMDL or a watershed plan) of the 1998 303(d) list due to exceedences of the standard for fecal coliform or E. coli bacteria. Subsequent monitoring by DEQ in 1998 and 1999 further identified the extent of those reaches as between Keyhole Reservoir to above Rush Creek, and between Hulett and Arch Creek. Monitoring in 1998 also indicated that Donkey Creek below Stonepile Creek to its confluence with the Belle Fourche River as impaired by fecal coliform. Donkey Creek is also listed on Table A of the 303(d) List since 2000. These reaches remain on the WDEQ 2006 303(d) threatened and impaired streams list.

The source of fecal coliform or E. coli bacteria is undetermined (NON-POINT SOURCE POLLUTION), however, potential sources may include but are not limited to: urban areas (septic systems, small package WWTP's, municipal WWTP's), agriculture practices (corrals, feed lots, pasture configurations), recreation (Pet and RV Waste) and wildlife sources.

To address these issues at a local level, the Board of Supervisors of the Crook County Natural Resource District (CCNRD), through a series of community meetings throughout the watershed, formed the Upper Belle Fourche Watershed Advisory Group comprised of local citizens with a vested interest in the integrity of the natural resources found within their watershed. Addressing the impairment issue while maintaining community values and culture through science based land use planning on a watershed scale was an objective of the group. To begin to working toward that objective, the group developed a grant proposal for submission to the Governor’s Non-point Pollution Task Force. The proposal, if funded, would provide the resources required to: 1) inventory existing historical water quality data, 2) develop a comprehensive water quality monitoring program within the Belle Fourche Watershed to supplement existing historical water quality data and, 3) with the results of implementation of that program, develop a locally supported watershed plan which when implemented would address the fecal coliform impairment.

In 2000, that proposal was approved. Subsequently a sampling and analysis plan (SAP), the initial step in developing a local watershed management strategy, was developed through a series of meetings with members of the Upper Belle Fourche Watershed Advisory Group with technical assistance from the CCNRD. The SAP both addressed local concerns and issues while meeting the Wyoming State legislative requirements (Enrolled Act 47) for credible data, as well as the Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) requirements of the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), Water Quality Division, and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). In 2006, a new SAP was written to include a more comprehensive and consistent monitoring plan. This involves sampling once a week during the entire recreation season (From May 1st to September 30th) and includes sampling for discharge (flow) and turbidity.

Currently the CCNRD just finishing up their 7th year of water quality monitoring on the Belle Fourche River and Donkey Creek. The main focus of this monitoring is to build on the data that has been collected since 2001 and to determine whether improvement practices along the river and its direct tributaries are showing any benefits by a reduction of the amount of fecal coliform in the stream. We are also hoping to gather enough consistent data over the years to eventually show documentation that the Belle Fourche River and Donkey Creek are no longer impaired for fecal coliform. Of course this is dependent on whether or not Crook County residents continue to help implement best management practices (BMP's) to help remove bacteria from entering listed water bodies. Preliminary analysis of results from 2005-2007 demonstrate that the impaired stretch of the Belle Fourche River from Arch Creek (below Keyhole Reservoir) to the town of Hulett is meeting it's designated uses (it no longer exceeds fecal coliform standards). However, we are still seeing high levels in the other impaired stretches. In December 2007 CCNRD will begin the process to petition to de-list the impaired stretch of the Belle Fourche River from Arch Creek (below Keyhole Reservoir) to the town of Hulett. While we feel confident in our data, the ultimate decision will be up to WDEQ.

If you would like to learn more about the Belle Fourche River Watershed Plan, Water Quality Monitoring or our Cost Share Program for BMPs please call the office at 283-2501 and talk to Yarrow.