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Bitter Creek and Killpecker Creek Watershed Management Plan and Implementation Project

2019 Report

May 2020 EDE Project Number SWC1901

for Sweetwater County Conservation District

79 Winston Drive, Suite 103 Rock Springs, WY 82901


2019 Report May 2020 EDE Project Number SWC1901

by EDE Consultants LLC

23 North Scott Street Suite 27 Sheridan, Wyoming 82801 (307) 672-3793

BITTER CREEK AND KILLPECKER CREEK WATERSHED MANAGEMENT MAY 2020 AND IMPLEMENTATION PROJECT - 2019 REPORT

EDE CONSULTANTS LLC SWC1901

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CONTENTS

1.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ...................................................................................................... 1

2.0 BACKGROUND ................................................................................................................... 3

3.0 MONITORING DESIGN ....................................................................................................... 5

3.1 Monitoring Objectives ..................................................................................................... 5

3.2 Monitoring Site Location ................................................................................................. 6

3.3 Sample Parameters .......................................................................................................10

4.0 2019 MONITORING ............................................................................................................11

4.1 Chloride .........................................................................................................................12

4.2 E. coli ............................................................................................................................19

4.3 Watershed Reconnaissance and Observations .............................................................19

4.4 Biological Sampling .......................................................................................................20

5.0 ADDITIONAL PROJECTS ...................................................................................................22

6.0 RECOMENDATIONS ..........................................................................................................23

7.0 REFERENCES CITED ........................................................................................................24

FIGURES Figure 1 - Bitter Creek Watershed Location ............................................................................... 6

Figure 2 - Life of Project Monitoring Locations ........................................................................... 7

Figure 3 - WDEQ 2019 Bitter Creek Monitoring Site Locations .................................................. 8

Figure 4 - WDEQ 2017-2019 Monitoring Site Locations at Rock Springs ................................... 9

Figure 5 - WDEQ 2017-2019 Average Chloride Observed, Concentration Ranges ...................13

Figure 6 - WDEQ 2017-2019 Maximum Chloride Observed, Concentration Ranges .................14

Figure 7 - SWCCD 2004 thru 2016 Maximum Chloride Observed, Concentration Ranges ........15

Figure 8 - 2017-2019 WDEQ Bitter and Killpecker Creek Chloride Concentrations ...................17

Figure 9 - 2017-2019 WDEQ Bitter and Killpecker Creek Chloride Loading ..............................18

Figure 10 – WDEQ Biological Sample Sites/Methods ...............................................................21



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TABLES Table 1, 2019 WDEQ Monitoring Sites ....................................................................................... 9

Table 2, 2019 SWCCD Watershed Reconnaissance Monitoring Sites ......................................10

Table 3, WDEQ 2017 - 2019 Monitoring Parameters ................................................................10

Table 4, WDEQ 2019 Bitter Creek Watershed Measured Flows ...............................................16

Table 5, WDEQ 2019 Biological Sample Sites ..........................................................................20

ADDENDUMS Addendum 1 Select 2019 SWCCD Bitter Creek Monitoring Photographs

Cover Photo: WDEQ sein netting for fish during biological sampling run; Site BC-24 on July 16th, 2019 - looking upstream.



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LIST OF ACRONYMS AND ABREVIATIONS

AML Abandoned Mine Lands

BC Bitter Creek

BKWAG Bitter Killpecker Creek watershed Assessment Group

BMP Best Management Practices

cfs Cubic Feet per Second

COVID-19 Corona Virus 2019

EDE EDE Consultants LLC, Sheridan, Wyoming

KC Killpecker Creek

mg/L Milligrams per Liter

QAQC Quality Assurance Quality Control

SAP Sampling and Analysis Plan

SWCCD Sweetwater County Conservation District

TMDL Total Maximum Daily Load

WDEQ Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality

WWDC Wyoming Water Development Commission

WWTP Waste Water Treatment Plant



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1.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Sweetwater County Conservation District (SWCCD) continued to monitor site conditions

and provided support to the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (WDEQ) during

water quality and quantity monitoring in the Bitter Creek watershed during 2019. Data collected

from monitoring will be used to catalog watershed characteristics and evaluate and manage the

WDEQ 303(d) chloride impairment listing in the watershed.

E. coli total maximum daily load (TMDL) development was completed by WDEQ during

2018 to address the WDEQ 305(b) E. coli impairment listing in the Bitter Creek watershed. No

E. coli monitoring was conducted by SWCCD or WDEQ in 2019.

During 2019, SWCCD assisted with WDEQ chloride sampling during June and July and

conducted separate watershed reconnaissance monitoring at select project locations in April

and June. WDEQ monitoring was conducted monthly from January through June excluding

April. Results from 2017-2019 WDEQ chloride sampling provided to the SWCCD were

reviewed against the project data set for indications of changes in water quality occurring in the

watershed. No significant changes were noted. The 2019 chloride analysis results continue to

support the conclusions of previous project data evaluations and support the impairment listing.

Generally, flows observed during 2019 monitoring were within ranges observed in the

watershed over the course of the project (since 2004). No evidence of significant events or

changes in trends of channel morphology were noted during site investigations at project

locations.

Findings during the 2019 project sampling include:

Bitter Creek flow through BC-5 was occurring during each January-July monitoring round

unlike previous years where it has been discontinuous during rounds in this same period.

Bitter Creek flow from downstream of Killpecker Creek to downstream of Rock Springs

consistently increased.

Chloride concentrations along Bitter Creek within and downstream of Rock Springs were

generally increased over those observed upstream.

Chloride loading in Bitter Creek and Killpecker Creek generally increased from upstream

to downstream under base flow conditions.



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Due to the COVID-19 restrictions in place in the state the Spring Bitter Killpecker Creek

Watershed Assessment Group (BKWAG) meeting was postponed. SWCCD watershed

assessment project goals for 2020 may be discussed during a rescheduled BKWAG meeting

later this year. In the interim a preliminary SWCCD watershed assessment project work scope

will be developed for 2020 via discussions between EDE and the SWCCD Board. SWCCD

continues to develop the Watershed-Based Plan for the Bitter Creek watershed under a 205(j)

grant, completion of this plan is scheduled by December 2020.

It is anticipated that SWCCD will continue to provide TMDL and monitoring support to

WDEQ in 2020 as requested. Support is projected to include:

Providing context on the project data set.

Conducting sampling independent of WDEQ chloride monitoring to meet WDEQ

suggested goals.

This report presents an overview of data collected for the watershed assessment project

during 2017 - 2019. Select photographs taken during 2019 sampling are available in Addendum

1 to this report.



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2.0 BACKGROUND

Bitter Creek is listed as impaired for chloride on the Wyoming Department of

Environmental Quality (WDEQ) 303(d) list (WDEQ 2020) from the Green River to Point of Rocks,

WY. Bitter and Killpecker Creeks are listed as impaired for E. coli from the Green River to Point

of Rocks and from Bitter Creek to Reliance, WY respectively, on the WDEQ 305(b) list (WDEQ

2020).

The Sweetwater County Conservation District (SWCCD) has conducted monitoring from

2004 through 2019 under the Bitter Creek and Killpecker Creek Watershed Management Plan

and Implementation Project to verify and monitor the status of these impairment listings. Project

oversight is by the Bitter and Killpecker Creek Watershed Assessment Group (BKWAG), which

is comprised of individuals representing both governmental and private interests within the

watershed. The SWCCD has retained EDE Consultants LLC of Sheridan, Wyoming (EDE)

since 2003 to perform monitoring and reporting tasks for the project.

A Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) document addressing the E. coli impairment was

completed on March 14th, 2018 (Tetra-Tech 2018) and Biter and Killpecker Creeks were

subsequently removed from the 303(d) list and placed on the 305(b) list as noted above.

Evaluation of the chloride impairment is scheduled to continue into 2020; WDEQ is conducting

analysis of collected data which will be used to address the chloride impairment under a TMDL

or by using site specific criteria.

The E. coli TMDLs were based on calculations of maximum E. coli load that allow the

State’s water quality standards to be met within the impairment reaches. The calculations

reflect loading contributions from both point sources and nonpoint sources, and incorporate a

margin of safety. Bitter Creek E. coli TMDLs were only developed for the summer season

lacking sufficient data collected in the winter season.

Development of a chloride TMDL would proceed similarly to that for E. coli. Site specific

criteria for chloride would establish an alternate water quality standard specific to portions of

Bitter Creek based on findings of a use attainability analysis (UAA) developed adhering to

WDEQ requirements. The site specific criteria would allow areas along Bitter Creek that would

otherwise exceed the State’s chloride standard to be held only to the site specific standard. Site



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specific criteria may be developed under scenarios such as if review of data collected from

monitoring indicates elevated chloride concentrations within Bitter Creek are naturally occurring.

SWCCD monitoring data has indicated that this is a possibility, with chloride concentration

increases in some areas apparently correlating to natural chloride found in adjacent soils of

marine origin.

This report provides a review of SWCCD and WDEQ monitoring within the Bitter Creek

watershed during 2019. The report provides details on the monitoring design, describes site

locations and site characteristics, and is intended as a reference source for 2019 Bitter Creek

watershed monitoring activities and results. Review of project sampling design (location, site

selection, monitoring objectives and parameters) is presented in Section 3. A review of Bitter

Creek 2019 monitoring activities and data results is presented in Section 4. A brief review of

additional projects conducted or completed in 2019 relevant to SWCCD water quality planning is

provided in Section 5. Recommendations for application of collected data and continued Bitter

Creek watershed project evaluations are provided in Section 6. References are listed in Section

7. This report is supplemental to previous project monitoring reports and review documents

prepared for the Bitter and Killpecker Creek studies since project inception in 2004.



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3.0 MONITORING DESIGN

During 2019 SWCCD Bitter Creek monitoring activities continued to be of lesser scale

than those previous to 2017 when WDEQ began their chloride monitoring program to augment

the watershed data set. As in 2018, in 2019 the BKWAG and SWCCD again chose to conduct

observation of, and provide assistance to, WDEQ monitoring in the watershed rather than

conduct legacy site sampling. General watershed reconnaissance including observations at

historic project site locations was performed by EDE in April and during two field visits

associated with WDEQ sampling runs in June and July. WDEQ monitored thirteen sites

monthly from January through July (excluding April) and added a fourteenth site (BC-25) which

was visited in June and July.

This Section provides an overview of WDEQ and SWCCD monitoring design in 2019 in

the Bitter Creek watershed including monitoring objectives, site selection methodology, and

monitoring parameters.

3.1 Monitoring Objectives

Per the project sampling and analysis plan (SAP) WDEQ sampling in the Bitter Creek

watershed in 2019 was done to characterize chloride concentrations, flow, and other relevant

data at historic and newly identified sampling locations (WDEQ 2017). Additionally, WDEQ

conducted a biological sampling run in July. Objectives were to:

Compare new data against previous findings.

Use paired chloride and flow data to strengthen load relationships for TMDL

development.

Explore the practicality of site-specific criteria for chloride.

Collect biological samples to determine whether the currently assigned designated uses

and water quality criteria are appropriate for Bitter Creek.

SWCCD general watershed reconnaissance objectives remained as:

Identify and observe changes within the watershed and at project monitoring locations

which may affect water quality, channel stability, or site integrity.

Weigh observations in context with water quality and quantity data collected at sites.



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3.2 Monitoring Site Location

The Bitter Creek watershed is situated within the Green River drainage basin in

southwestern Wyoming. The Bitter Creek watershed encompasses 2,229 square miles and is

located entirely within, and in the center of, Sweetwater County. The Bitter Creek watershed

location in Sweetwater County is shown on Figure 1.

Figure 1 - Bitter Creek Watershed Location



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SWCCD monitoring within the Biter Creek drainage has been focused primarily in the

areas of the listed impairments, and on main stem reaches or tributaries exhibiting perennial or

intermittent flows to the impairments. This is principally on the main stems of Bitter and

Killpecker Creeks through and downstream of Rock Springs, WY, and upstream on Bitter Creek

to Point of Rocks, WY. Life of project SWCCD surface water monitoring locations and the

impairment reaches are shown on Figure 2.

Figure 2 - Life of Project Monitoring Locations



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WDEQ 2019 monitoring in the Bitter Creek watershed included nine historic SWCCD

project sites (BC-4, 5, 6, 9A, 14, and KC-1, 2, 1B, and 5) and four previously sampled WDEQ

locations (BC-3D, 23, 24, and KC-16). Additionally, one new WDEQ site was added (BC-25).

Site BC-25 is located approximately one mile upstream of the headcut and site BC-11. WDEQ

2019 monitoring and SWCCD reconnaissance sites are shown on Figure 3. WDEQ 2019

monitoring site dates, location data, and ownership are shown in Table 1. 2019 monitoring

locations in the immediate Rock Springs area are shown in greater detail on Figure 4.

Figure 3 - WDEQ 2019 Bitter Creek Monitoring Site Locations



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Table 1, 2019 WDEQ Monitoring Sites

Figure 4 - WDEQ 2017-2019 Monitoring Site Locations at Rock Springs

Site Stream Dates(1)

Latitude Longitude Township Range Section Ownership

BC-14 Bitter Creek all 41.51017 -108.63985 18 N 100 W 26 BLM

BC-6 Bitter Creek all 41.67409 -108.77729 20 N 101 W 34 BLM

BC-25 Bitter Creek 6/12, 7/15 41.66751 -108.93089 20 N 102 W 32 BLM

BC-5 Bitter Creek all 41.60290 -109.12880 19 N 104 W 27 Private

BC-9A Bitter Creek all 41.59415 -109.20150 19 N 105 W 25 Private

BC-4 Bitter Creek all 41.59177 -109.22577 19 N 105 W 26 City

BC-3D Bitter Creek all 41.59079 -109.22689 19 N 105 W 26 Private



KC-16 Killpecker Creek all 41.65840 -109.22690 19 N 105 W 2 Private



KC-1B Killpecker Creek all 41.60983 -109.23207 19 N 105 W 23 Private

KC-1 Killpecker Creek all 41.59522 -109.23291 19 N 105 W 27 City(1) Visited during each WDEQ round: January 8-9, February 12, March 20, May 7-8, June 12-13, July 15-17.



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SWCCD Reconnaissance sites visited in 2019 as shown on Figures 3 and 4 are listed in

Table 2 with monitoring dates, location data, and ownership information.

Table 2, 2019 SWCCD Watershed Reconnaissance Monitoring Sites

3.3 Sample Parameters

In 2019 WDEQ monitoring was conducted for the same suites of chemical and physical

parameters at each site. The WDEQ SAP for the Bitter and Killpecker Watershed Study

Supplemental Sampling (WDEQ 2017) provides a detailed description of sampling parameters

and methods used by WDEQ. A summary of parameters analyzed for is provided in Table 3.

No sample collection was conducted by EDE during watershed reconnaissance monitoring in

April and June.

Table 3, WDEQ 2017 - 2019 Monitoring Parameters

Site Stream Dates Latitude Longitude Township Range Section Ownership

DM-1 Deadman Draw 4/2, 6/11 41.68003 -108.73389 20 N 100 W 30 BLM

TM-1 Ten Mile Draw 6/11 41.67816 -108.73274 20 N 100 W 30 BLM

BC-18 Bitter Creek 4/2, 6/11 41.67727 -108.79097 20 N 101 W 27 County

SWC-1 Salt Wells Creek 4/2, 6/11 41.63084 -108.98807 19 N 103 W 14 BLM


BC-22 Bitter Creek 6/11 41.66490 -108.95430 20 N 102 W 31 County

BC-11 Bitter Creek 6/11 41.66426 -108.95253 20 N 102 W 31 County

BC-2 Bitter Creek 4/3, 6/12 41.56026 -109.29172 18 N 105 W 7 Private

LBC-1 Little Bitter Creek 4/3, 6/12 41.56009 -109.29087 18 N 105 W 8 BLM

RSTRIB RS Storm Channel 4/3 41.57590 -109.26208 19 N 105 W 33 County

HT-1 Horsethief Canyon 4/2 41.67923 -108.91728 20 N 102 W 28 WYDOT

PD-1 Patrick Draw 4/2, 6/11 41.55888 -108.55290 18 N 99 W 3 Private


KC-3 Killpecker Creek 6/12 41.75774 -109.25338 21 N 105 W 36 BLM

KC-7 Killpecker Creek 6/12 41.72903 -109.24430 20 N 105 W 10 BLM

Chemical Physical

TDS Qualitative Site and Stream Condition Observations

Chlorides Discharge, Flow Depth, and Width

Sulfates

Calcium

Magnesium

Potassium

Sodium

TOC Combustion

Alkalinity

Field data: temperature, pH, conductivity, dissolved

oxygen, and turbidity



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4.0 2019 MONITORING

WDEQ monitoring was primarily conducted during the second week of each month

through July of 2019 (see Table 1 footnote for dates). No WDEQ monitoring was conducted

during the month of April. Additionally, no monitoring was done by WDEQ after July as they had

completed their planned monitoring for the year at that point. EDE assisted WDEQ in June and

July. Monitoring was conducted at each site to collect chemical water quality samples,

discharge data, and stream condition and stability observations. Monitoring parameters are

listed in Table 3 (Section 3). All sampling was conducted in accordance with the project SAP

and WDEQ “Manual of Standard Operating Procedures for Sample Collection and Analysis”

(WDEQ 2018a).

In addition to the usual water quality monitoring, WDEQ also conducted biological

sampling for macroinvertebrates and fish during 2019. This sampling was done during the July

visit using a combination of netting and Hester Dendy macroinvertebrate samplers. The Hester

Dendy samplers were set in June and then recovered in July. Dip netting was conducted during

the July visit to collect additional macroinvertebrates in a variety of substrate environments.

Sein netting was used in order to collect fish samples at these same sites.

SWCCD reconnaissance monitoring occurred on April 2nd and June 11th. Monitoring was

conducted at each site to record stream condition and channel stability observations.

Photographs were taken during site visits and typically include photographs facing

across the channel, upstream, and downstream, at the site location. A photograph taken at

each site during one of the 2019 monitoring rounds is available in Addendum 1 to this report.

Permission to conduct monitoring and access monitoring locations was obtained from

landowners by WDEQ and SWCCD prior to any monitoring activities.

Chemical analysis was conducted by WDEQ’s Water Quality Laboratory in Cheyenne.

WDEQ completed quality assurance / quality control (QAQC) review of the 2019 records and

analysis results and provided the data to SWCCD for review.



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4.1 Chloride

WDEQ chloride water quality standards apply to Class 1, 2AB, 2B, and 2C waters only.

WDEQ classifies Bitter and Killpecker Creeks as 2C and 3B respectively (WDEQ 2013).

Although Killpecker Creek samples have had high chloride concentrations, as a 3B classified

stream Killpecker Creek is not listed as impaired for chloride. Previous SWCCD sampling

implicates Killpecker Creek as a major contributor of chloride to Bitter Creek (2C), which is listed

as impaired for chloride. The WDEQ chloride criterion consists of a chronic and an acute

standard (WDEQ 2018b):

The acute standard for chloride is exceeded when the one hour average concentration

exceeds 860 mg/L more than once every three years on average.

The chronic standard for chloride is exceeded when the four day average concentration

exceeds 230 mg/L more than once every three years on average.

Frequency of chloride sample collection for the WDEQ study does not provide a sample

density to absolutely confirm exceedences of the chloride criterion (i.e. monthly single-sample

sampling does not provide a high definition of what one hour or four day average concentrations

may be). However, sampling results do indicate where water quality at Bitter Creek sites may

exceed the criterion when the single sample is considered as the average one hour or average

four day result.

Average and maximum chloride concentrations observed from 2017-2019 at each site

(grouped by ranges above and below the criterion) are shown spatially on Figures 5 and 6

respectively.

The chloride results indicate the chronic standard (230 mg/L) may be exceeded at all

sites monitored with the exception of site BC-14 which is located upstream of the listed

impairment. Further, monitoring data indicates that the acute standard for chloride (860 mg/L)

may also be exceeded at all sites except BC-14. The sampling results corroborate the 303(d)

listed impairment for chloride in Bitter Creek; from the Green River to Point of Rocks, WY and

closely match the SWCCD results in the watershed from 2004 through 2016 (Figure 7).



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Figure 5 - WDEQ 2017-2019 Average Chloride Observed, Concentration Ranges

Note: BC-25 is a new site and therefore only has data for 2019. KC-16 was not sampled in 2019 so only includes data from

2017-2018.



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Figure 6 - WDEQ 2017-2019 Maximum Chloride Observed, Concentration Ranges

Note: BC-25 is a new site and therefore only has data for 2019. KC-16 was not sampled in 2019 so only includes data from

2017-2018.



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Figure 7 - SWCCD 2004 thru 2016 Maximum Chloride Observed, Concentration Ranges

Site KC-16 was observed to not be flowing May through July, therefore there was no

influence on water quality observed downstream in Killpecker Creek from the upper Killpecker

Creek watershed during those sampling rounds. During January through March KC-16 was

frozen, preventing samples from being taken. In 2019 flow generally increased about 2 cfs on

average from BC-23 to BC-24 due to the WWTP outfall discharge located between the two sites

(down from about a 3 cfs increase during 2018 sampling runs). Table 4 presents a flow

summary at the sites during the 2019 WDEQ sampling rounds.



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Table 4, WDEQ 2019 Bitter Creek Watershed Measured Flows

WDEQ 2019 flow data supports previous (2017-2018) WDEQ and SWCCD flow data,

showing additional discharges to Bitter Creek occur between BC-3D and BC-23 (Table 4).

Sources of this flow are thought to be primarily historic mine dewatering discharge and

groundwater seepage, as well as bank/alluvial storage returns charged by spring high flow

events. During 2019 this flow increase ranged from 31% (March) to 503% (June). Sources in

this reach will continue to be evaluated during future monitoring. WDEQ is gathering available

underground mine dewatering discharge records for review from AML and other entities and will

incorporate it into their data assessments for the chloride impairment.

Monthly chloride results for May 2017 through July 2019 arranged upstream to

downstream and grouped as Bitter Creek upstream of Killpecker Creek, lower Bitter Creek, and

Killpecker Creek are shown on Figure 8; associated chloride loading is shown on Figure 9. The

greatest chloride concentrations recorded occurred at KC-1B and KC-1 during 18 of the 26

monitoring rounds, while concentrations at these sites are markedly lower (relative to Killpecker

Creek chloride concentrations) in the other eight rounds (Figure 8). No correlation for these

changes is apparent, though influence from precipitation and snowmelt runoff may have

contributed. Maximum chloride loads observed appear to correlate to precipitation runoff flows

observed during monitoring in July, August, and September 2017 at sites BC-23 and KC-1

(Figure 9). This was also true in March, May, and July of 2019 where significant flow events

correspond with high chloride load observed at BC-23 and BC-24. Chloride loading observed

during 2017-2019 generally increased upstream to downstream with peaks at BC-24 ranging

between 15 and 58 tons/day (Figure 9).

Jan Feb Mar May Jun Jul

BC-14 frozen frozen 1.18 0.61 0.69 0.66

BC-6 frozen frozen 9.58 1.61 0.60 0.206

BC-25 n/a n/a n/a n/a 1.08 0.401

BC-5 frozen frozen 6.35 1.14 0.01 0.024

BC-9A frozen frozen 13.84 2.18 0.29 0.13

BC-4 0.11 0.11 14.13 2.48 0.49 0.299

BC-3D 0.29 0.22 19.82 3.9 0.77 0.653

BC-23 1.42 0.69 25.92 8 4.64 2.086

BC-24 4.98 5.15 28.63 9.84 6.58 4.5

KC-16 frozen frozen frozen 0.00 0.00 0.00

KC-2 frozen frozen 0.037 0.048 0.029 0.018

KC-5 frozen frozen 0.106 0.013 0.011 0.058

KC-1B frozen frozen 1.44 1.42 0.5 0.318

KC-1 frozen frozen 1.13 1.42 0.53 0.496

Site 2019 Flow (cfs)



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Figure 8 - 2017-2019 WDEQ Bitter and Killpecker Creek Chloride Concentrations

0

2,000

4,000

6,000

8,000

10,000

12,000

Ch

lori

de

(m

g/L)

Sampling Event

Chloride vs Time - Bitter Creek Sites Upstream of Killpecker Creek

BC-14

BC-6

BC-5

BC-9A

BC-4

0

2,000

4,000

6,000

8,000

10,000

12,000

Ch

lori

de

(m

g/L)

Sampling Event

Chloride vs Time - Killpecker Creek Sites

KC-16

KC-2

KC-5

KC-1B

KC-1

0

2,000

4,000

6,000

8,000

10,000

12,000

Ch

lori

de

(m

g/L)

Sampling Event

Chloride vs Time - Lower Bitter Creek Sites

BC-9A

BC-4

BC-3D

BC-23

BC-24



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Figure 9 - 2017-2019 WDEQ Bitter and Killpecker Creek Chloride Loading

1

10

100

Ch

lori

de

Lo

ad (

ton

s/d

ay)

Sampling Event

Chloride Load vs Time - Bitter Creek Sites Upstream of Killpecker Creek

BC-14

BC-6

BC-5

BC-9A

BC-4

1

10

100

Ch

lori

de

Lo

ad (

ton

s/d

ay)

Sampling Event

Chloride Load vs Time - Killpecker Creek Sites

KC-16

KC-2

KC-5

KC-1B

KC-1

1

10

100

Ch

lori

de

Lo

ad (

ton

s/d

ay)

Sampling Event

Chloride Load vs Time - Lower Bitter Creek Sites

BC-9A

BC-4

BC-3D

BC-23

BC-24



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4.2 E. coli

No E. coli monitoring was conducted by the SWCCD or WDEQ within the Bitter Creek

watershed during 2019. The Bitter Creek TMDL document was completed on March 14th, 2018

(Tetra-Tech 2018). SWCCD may decide to conduct future sampling associated with potential

best management practices (BMP) implementation as applicable.

The Bitter Creek E. Coli TMDL was set at 63.9 billion organisms per day necessitating a

58% reduction of loading observed from data collection. The Killpecker Creek E. coli TMDL was

set at 10.3 billion organisms per day necessitating an 88% reduction of loading observed from

data collection. A broad approach was incorporated whereby an overall load reduction goal was

established, to be achieved as possible from all potential sources. This approach is believed to

provide flexibility that allows stakeholders to determine how best to reduce bacteria loads from

each source. Approaches to put management practices in place to reduce E. coli loads will be

evaluated within the Watershed-Based Plan scheduled to be completed in 2020.

4.3 Watershed Reconnaissance and Observations

Reconnaissance observations in 2019 were made to investigate watershed and channel

conditions at fifteen historic project site locations (independent of 2019 WDEQ monitoring) as

listed in Table 2 and presented on Figures 3 and 4.

April reconnaissance was conducted the week of the 2019 BKWAG meeting (on April

3rd). Sites BC-7, PD-1, DM-1, BC-18, HT-1, SWC-1, BC-10, BC-2, and LBC-1 were visited

(Figure 3). All sites were flowing except PD-1, HT-1, and SWC-1 which are all located within

typically dry tributaries. Evidence of winter/spring runoff was apparent at most sites but erosion

and deposition of debris was limited and much less apparent than the channel erosion and

changes which followed the 2016-2017 winter at the sites.

June reconnaissance monitoring was conducted on June 11th, prior to sampling with

WDEQ. Sites visited included DM-1, TM-1, BC-18, SWC-1, BC-10, BC-22, BC-11, BC-2, LBC-1,

PD-1, BC-7, KC-3, and KC-7. All sites were flowing except PD-1, SWC-1, KC-7, and KC-3.

No reconnaissance site visits were done after June in 2019.



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4.4 Biological Sampling

Biological sampling for macroinvertebrates and fish was conducted by WDEQ at select

monitoring site locations during July of 2019. Biological sites and sample methods are listed in

Table 5 and shown on Figure 10. The biological sampling will allow determination of whether

the currently assigned designated uses and water quality criteria are appropriate for Bitter Creek,

and in circumstances where they are not, it may be used by WDEQ to support modification of

the uses and/or criteria.

Table 5, WDEQ 2019 Biological Sample Sites

Macroinvertebrate sampling was conducted using Hester Dendy samplers which act as

artificial substrate. They are constructed from disks, spaced at gradually increasing distances

from one another, along a metal rod (see photos 27 and 28 in Addendum 1). The Hester Dendy

samplers were placed in pairs at select sites during the WDEQ/EDE visit in June and retrieved

during the following visit in July. The results of the Hester Dendy sampling were mostly

inconclusive with very few macroinvertebrates recovered from the disks. These samples were

not considered representative of the macroinvertebrate population. The poor sample quantity in

the Hester Dendy samplers was partly due to many of them being silted in with sediment. It was

also speculated that, for those which had not been silted in, a longer deployment time may have

produced better results.

To supplement the Hester Dendy sampling, WDEQ also used dip netting as a method

for collecting macroinvertebrate samples during the July visit. This was done using a dip net

along a 300 foot stretch of stream at each Biological site. No dip netting was conducted at KC-2

due to the very low flow and poor stream conditions. In order to get a representative sample,

Date Sample MethodsMacroinvertebrate

Samples

Fish

Samples

BC-14 7/15/2019 Hester Dendy, Dip Netting, Sein Netting Yes Yes



BC-3D 7/16/2019 Hester Dendy, Dip Netting, Sein Netting Yes None



KC-2 7/17/2019 Hester Dendy Only None None

KC-1B 7/17/2019 Hester Dendy, Dip Netting, Sein Netting Yes None

2019 Biological Sampling

Site



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dip netting was done targeting a variety of habitat along the 300 foot section, including stream

banks and bottom. Macroinvertebrate samples collected were preserved in the field using Ethyl

Alcohol. Samples were sent to Rhithron’s laboratory in Missoula, Montana for identification.

Sampling for fish was conducted by WDEQ using a sein net during the July site visits.

The fish sampling was done at the same biological sites as macroinvertebrate sampling. There

was no sein netting conducted at KC-2 due to the low flow conditions. In order to maintain

consistency in sampling, there were eight sein pulls done at each biological site over a distance

of approximately 300 feet. Fish samples were collected at all but two sites, BC-3D and KC-1B.

Notable specimens included one small Burbot caught at BC-25 and one Flannelmouth Sucker

hybrid caught at BC-14. Specimens were preserved in the field with 10% formalin and sent to

Wyoming Game and Fish for official identification. Due to the threatened status of the

Flannelmouth Sucker it was not kept; instead several photos were taken and it was released.

Figure 10 – WDEQ Biological Sample Sites/Methods



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5.0 ADDITIONAL PROJECTS

Work on the SWCCD Watershed-Based Plan for the Bitter Creek watershed

commenced in fall 2019 under a state of Wyoming 205j grant. This document will be completed

in 2020 and serve to update the SWCCD 2006 Watershed Management Plan for present

conditions and to develop mitigation planning for addressing the E. coli TMDLs and chloride

impairment. The Watershed-Based Plan will be developed according to Environmental

Protection Agency and WDEQ guidelines and include:

Identification of impairment causes and sources.

Estimation of suspected load reductions.

Description of proposed management measures.

Estimation of technical and financial assistance needed, costs, and sources.

Public outreach/involvement.

Implementation schedules.

Milestone assessment.

Criteria for determining progress and whether plan or TMDL revision is needed.

Description of monitoring programs to assess BMP effectiveness.

The completed plan will be submitted for WDEQ approval; an approved Watershed-Based Plan

will allow pursuit of funding for BMP and watershed enhancements via 319 and other sources.



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6.0 RECOMENDATIONS

Monitoring data collected over the course of the Bitter and Killpecker Creek watershed

assessment allows detailed evaluation of water quality trends within Bitter and Killpecker Creeks.

These assessments have provided documentation and awareness of the high levels of E. coli

and chloride found along these streams. Awareness of watershed conditions and cooperation

within the community is crucial to developing and implementing mitigation plans which aim to

reduce E. coli and chloride concentrations in the streams. To promote public safety and to

garner support to improve water quality within the watershed SWCCD should continue to

provide local residents and community leaders with information collected. Avenues that should

continue to be utilized to promote involvement, increase communication, and collect information

beneficial to improving water quality in the watershed include public meetings (including the

annual BKWAG meeting), the SWCCD newsletter, and community workshops.

In 2019/2020, development of the Watershed-Based Plan for the Bitter Creek watershed

will include promotion of awareness and public involvement in addressing impairments within

the watershed. An implementation plan identifying areas where water quality improvements can

be made through reductions in loading will be part of the Watershed-Based Plan. This will

include recommendations for BMP to reduce loading. When BMP are implemented to improve

watershed conditions, monitoring will allow assessment of the effectiveness of BMP measures.

During 2020 WDEQ will conduct evaluations of data collected through 2019 to determine

if more sampling is needed. In the interim SWCCD may conduct historic site visits and limited

sampling in 2020 if considered appropriate by the BKWAG.

Specific project goals for the SWCCD during 2020 are recommended to be:

Support WDEQ data review and assessment as needed.

Maintain contacts with citizens and agencies within the watershed and solicit

participation and support as the Watershed-Based Plan is developed.

Solicit participation and support as needed to address chloride TMDL/site specific

planning and development.

Conduct monitoring as determined by the BKWAG and SWCCD Board.

Conduct field reconnaissance and reporting of Killpecker Creek channel condition and

erosion under a WDA grant obtained for this purpose.



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7.0 REFERENCES CITED

ACE 2018, Final Report for Bitter Creek / East Flaming Gorge Watershed Study, Level 1,

Anderson Consultants Inc., Fort Collins, Colorado.

EDE 2017, Bitter Creek and Killpecker Creek Watershed Management Plan and

Implementation Project 2016 Report, EDE Consultants LLC, Sheridan, Wyoming.

Tetra Tech 2018, E. coli Total Maximum Daily Loads - Bitter and Killpecker Creeks,

Wyoming, Tetra Tech, Inc., Jackson, Wyoming.

WDEQ 2013, Wyoming Surface Water Classification List, Wyoming Department of

Environmental Quality, Water Quality Division, Cheyenne, Wyoming.

WDEQ 2017, Wyoming’s Methods for Determining Surface Water Quality Condition,

Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality, Water Quality Division, Cheyenne, Wyoming.

WDEQ 2017, Sampling and Analysis Plan Bitter and Killpecker Creek Watershed Study

Supplemental Sampling Fiscal Years 2017-2019, Wyoming Department of Environmental

Quality, Water Quality Division, Cheyenne, Wyoming.

WDEQ 2020, Draft Wyoming 2020 Integrated 305(b) and 303(d) Report, Wyoming

Department of Environmental Quality, Water Quality Division, Cheyenne, Wyoming.

WDEQ 2018a, Manual of Standard Operating Procedures for Sample Collection and

Analysis, Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality, Water Quality Division, Cheyenne,

Wyoming.

WDEQ 2018b, Chapter 1, Wyoming Surface Water Quality Standards, Wyoming Department

of Environmental Quality, Water Quality Division, Cheyenne, Wyoming.


EDE CONSULTANTS LLC ADDENDUM 1 SWC1901


2019 Report ADDENDUM 1 Select 2019 SWCCD Bitter Creek Monitoring Photographs

One photograph for each site, random dates, presented from upstream to downstream through the watershed (see Figure 3). May 2020 EDE Project Number SWC1901

by EDE Consultants LLC

23 North Scott Street Suite 27 Sheridan, Wyoming 82801

(307) 672-3793



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(1) Site BC-7: Bitter Creek, 04/02/2019. Looking downstream through site location. Photo

taken during monitoring recon. Not sampled in 2019. Note channel migration away from staff and crest gages since 2004.

(2) Site BC-14: Bitter Creek, 07/15/2019. Looking upstream over the site. Photo taken during

WDEQ monitoring. Sampled four times in 2019.



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(3) Site DM-1: Deadman Draw, 04/02/2019. Looking upstream through site location. Photo

taken during monitoring recon. Not sampled in 2019. Note down-cutting occurring has lowered the channel approximately six inches since installation in 2004.

(4) Site TM-1: Ten Mile Draw, 06/11/2019. Looking upstream through site location and

equipment. Photo taken during monitoring recon. Not sampled in 2019.



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(5) Site BC-6: Bitter Creek, 06/13/2019. Looking downstream through site. Photo taken

during WDEQ monitoring. Sampled four times in 2019.

(6) Site BC-18: Bitter Creek, 04/02/2019. Looking downstream from county road. Photo

taken during monitoring recon. Not sampled in 2019.



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(7) Site BC-25: Bitter Creek, 07/15/2019. Looking upstream. Photo taken during WDEQ

monitoring. Sampled two times in 2019.

(8) Site BC-11: Bitter Creek, 06/11/2019. Looking upstream. New Pierotto Ditch head gate in

foreground. Photo taken during monitoring recon. Not sampled in 2019.



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(9) Site BC-22: Bitter Creek, 06/11/2019. Looking upstream through site toward headcut

stabilization structure. Photo taken during monitoring recon. Not sampled in 2019.

(10) Site BC-10: Bitter Creek, 06/11/2019. Looking upstream from site. Photo taken during

monitoring recon. Not sampled in 2019.



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(11) Site SWC-1: Salt Wells Creek, 04/02/2019. Looking downstream through site equipment.

Photo taken during monitoring recon. Not sampled in 2019.

(12) Site BC-5: Bitter Creek, 07/15/2019. Looking upstream from site. Photo taken during

WDEQ monitoring. Sampled four times in 2019.



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(13) Site BC-9A: Bitter Creek, 06/13/2019. Looking downstream from sample location. Photo

taken during WDEQ monitoring. Sampled four times in 2019.

(14) Site BC-4: Bitter Creek, 07/16/2019. Looking upstream from sample location. Photo

taken during WDEQ monitoring. Sampled six times in 2019.



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(15) Site KC-3: Killpecker Creek, 06/12/2019. Looking upstream. Photo taken during

monitoring recon. Not sampled in 2019.

(16) Site KC-7: Killpecker Creek, 06/12/2019. Looking upstream from county road. Photo

taken during monitoring recon. Not sampled in 2019.



-9-

(17) Site KC-16: Killpecker Creek, 07/17/2019. Looking upstream through site. Photo taken

during WDEQ monitoring. Not sampled in 2019.

(18) Site KC-2: Killpecker Creek, 06/12/2019. Looking upstream from the site. Photo taken

during WDEQ monitoring. Sampled four times in 2019.



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(19) Site KC-5: Killpecker Creek, 06/13/2019. Looking upstream under Yellowstone Road

bridge. Photo taken during WDEQ monitoring. Sampled four times in 2019.

(20) Site KC-1B: Killpecker Creek, 07/17/2019. Looking upstream from site location. Photo




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(21) Site KC-1: Killpecker Creek, 06/13/2019. Looking upstream through site location. Photo


(22) Site BC-3D: Bitter Creek, 06/12/2019. Looking upstream to Killpecker Creek confluence.

Photo taken during WDEQ monitoring. Sampled six times in 2019.



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(23) Site BC-23: Bitter Creek, 07/16/2019. Looking upstream at sample collection location.


(24) Site BC-24: Bitter Creek, 06/12/2019. Looking upstream from sample collection location.




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(25) Site LBC-1: Bitter Creek, 04/03/2019. Looking upstream toward site location. Photo taken

during monitoring recon. Not sampled in 2019.

(26) Site BC-2: Bitter Creek, 04/03/2019. Looking upstream through sample collection location

and site equipment. Photo taken during monitoring recon. Not sampled in 2019.



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(27) Hester Dendy macroinvertebrate sampler being deployed, June 2019.

(28) Hester Dendy macroinvertebrate sampler retrieved, July 2019.



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(29) Flannelmouth Sucker hybrid caught at BC-14. July 2019.

(30) Small Burbot caught at site BC-25. July 2019.

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