Crook CountyWater Quality
In order to AVOID regulatory action and address this issue on a local level, a landowner advisory group made up of Crook County residents was developed with assistance from CCNRD and WACD to write a watershed plan and begin the implementation process to clean up the listed water bodies. The watershed plan has five purposes designed to address the fecal coliform impairment and work with landowners in Crook County to clean up the river. The main components of the watershed plan are: Water Quality Monitoring, Addressing Agricultural, Recreational, Urban and Wildlife Impacts within the watershed and Information and Education.
In order to fund this watershed plan and learn more about the water quality impairment an initial EPA Section 319 grant was written, obtained and successfully completed between 2000 and 2005. In October 2005, a new Section 319 Grant was obtained to further implement the watershed plan and continue to help clean up the listed water bodies on a VOLUNTARY and LOCAL level.
So far, over the past three years, water quality sampling results show some improvements in bacteria (E. coli) levels throughout the watershed. HOWEVER, there is still a lot of work to be done. This will involve participation by Crook County residents ensuring their septic systems are properly installed and maintained an that proper practices are implemented to remove bacteria (non-point source pollution) from entering the Belle Fourche River, Donkey Creek or their tributaires.
As part of our watershed plan and current 319 grant, we have a COST SHARE PROGRAM for Best Management Practices (BMPs) that are designed to remove non-point source pollution from entering impaired water bodies. Click here to learn more about this program.
Read our Watershed Plan
