Who We are & What We do
We are a local governmental subdivision of the state of Wyoming as defined and established by Wyoming Conservation
Districts Law. The Washakie County Conservation District's Board of Supervisors are elected by the people of Washakie County at General Elections by popular vote. Conservation District Board members are the only locally elected board charged specifically with the responsibility of representing local people on natural resource issues.
Districts Law. The Washakie County Conservation District's Board of Supervisors are elected by the people of Washakie County at General Elections by popular vote. Conservation District Board members are the only locally elected board charged specifically with the responsibility of representing local people on natural resource issues.
We do provide locally led leadership, encourage, and promote and inform through education, the conservation of natural resources. The Washakie County Conservation District assists landowners and land managers in practicing good natural resource stewardship and conservation for the long term benefit of the people by using monitoring, partnerships, staffing resources, and the taxpayer's money as efficiently and effectively as possible.
To learn more about Who We Are and What We Do, view our new story map by clicking on the image below.
News and EventsLocal Weather DataTo better understand climate variation and the consumptive use of water, the Wyoming State Engineer's Office maintains a network of twenty climate stations, known as the Wyoming Agricultural Climate Network (WACNet). These climate stations are located around the state. Data collected includes air temperature, humidity, wind speed, wind direction, solar radiation and precipitation. The data is used to calculate evapotranspiration rates.
Farmers and Ranchers rely on weather data to make many decisions. Prior to 2010 no weather stations existed in the Worland area. In 2010, the Washakie Conservation District helped fund an automated weather station located near Wyoming Sugar. WCCD gave $5,000 to the University of Wyoming to help establish the weather station so that local ag producers could get local weather data. In 2012, WCCD gave $1,050 to help fund a network where all the weather station data could be found online. Due to staff changes, the network was dropped in 2015. WCCD is happy to announce that WACNet is up and running and includes data from the automated weather station located at Wyoming Sugar. Local, real time weather data is available to the public by using the quick link on the Conservation District’s website, www.washakiecd.com or by visiting www.wrds.uwyo.edu/WACNet/WAC.html. WWCD Sponsors Watershed StudyOfficially titled the Middle Big Horn Watershed Level 1 Study, the project physically includes an area of the Middle Big Horn River Watershed in Big Horn, Washakie, Hot Springs and Park counties. The overall objective of the study is to evaluate existing conditions and develop a watershed management plan.
The watershed “includes the primary stream system of the Middle Big Horn River from south of Worland to Greybull, where the Big Horn River confluences with the Greybull River. Tributaries in the study area include Elk Creek, Fifteenmile Creek, Gooseberry Creek, Nowater Creek and the East Fork Nowater Creek. If you have questions regarding the watershed study call the office at 307-347-2456 Ext 101. Lower Nowater Cost Share Available
Cost share funds are available for landowners within the Lower Nowater watershed, along with Sage and Slick Creeks. The targeted practices will reduce bacteria contributions to surface waters.
Eligible projects include improving irrigation and delivery systems by applying effective tillage practices, implementing crop rotation practices, planting cover crops, establishing/improving riparian buffers, implementing relocation of animal waste and/or proper manure application practices, managing stubble height, and developing off-site watering facilities. The amount of cost share available for each project ranked as a high priority is a maximum of 60% cost share. Cost share available for each project ranked as a medium priority is a maximum of 50% cost share. Applications are due by the last Friday of every month and arrangements will need to be made by the applicant to schedule an on-site visit of the proposed project. Applicants will be required to present their project to the Washakie Watersheds Steering Committee during a regularly scheduled meeting, held the second Tuesday of March, June, September, and December. |
Current InvolvementsFederal Funds Awarded for Flood Damage Repair A berm along the Bighorn River in the town of Worland, Wyoming has been eroding since high river flows of 2017. Federal grant funds have been secured to repair the berm along a 1200 foot section of the bank.
The Washakie County Conservation District (WCCD) received funding approval from the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) under their Emergency Watershed Protection Program (EWP), in April of 2018. These funds will be utilized for streambank stabilization along the north side of the Big Horn River, behind Big Horn Co-Op Marketing Association and Paxton Automotive in Worland, WY.
Higher than average (200%-300% above average) snowpack in the Windriver Mountains during the winter of 2016/2017 created large amounts of melt water filling Boysen Reservoir upstream of Worland. This necessitated high release rates from Boysen in July of 2017, and the high flows impacted the berm which protects private property on the west side of Worland. In places along the 1200 foot section of the bank, more than one third of the berm width has been scoured away or is badly eroded. WCCD has been working with Washakie Emergency Management, Washakie County Commissioners, City of Worland, and the property owners to implement streambank stabilization measures. Nelson Engineering has been hired to complete an engineering design for the project. Streambank stabilization will be achieved using natural materials, including rock removed from slide areas in the Windriver Canyon, donated by Wyoming Department of Transportation. It is anticipated that construction will begin mid-August of 2019. The estimated cost of the project, which includes the engineering design, is $1,039.268. Nowood Watershed Stockwater Development Grant
Washakie County Conservation District (WCCD) has received a grant from the Wyoming Department of Agriculture to identify stockwater development projects on both private and BLM lands in Washakie County which lie within the Nowood watershed.
WCCD believes there are opportunities to implement livestock water management practices to benefit water quality in the Nowood watershed. In 2002, the Nowood River, from the confluence with the Bighorn River to a point 13.4 miles upstream was listed as impaired for not supporting its recreational designated use due to fecal coliform levels. Best management practices implemented upstream from the listed stream reach can have positive impacts on water quality. WCCD would like help in identifying potential sites where additional stock water structures could be installed to increase flexibility in grazing management; improve grazing distribution; catch sediment; and improve rangeland condition and soil health. Expected water development opportunities include spring development and protection, reservoir cleaning and repair, new reservoir sites, and well/pipeline/tank systems. WCCD would also like to hear from ag producers who have interest in off-stream water development. Off-stream water developments remove livestock access to surface water by installing systems which provide stock water away from streams. WCCD would like to view installed systems and hear from producers who would like to install systems. Our purpose in this effort is to help facilitate the process for land owners or BLM permittees who have a need for additional stockwater development to get those projects implemented on the ground. WCCD has cost share opportunities, and we can help identify other sources of funding for the right kind of projects. We can use these grant funds to identify and help with planning projects that can help improve the water quality of the Nowood watershed. We would like to hear from Washakie County livestock producers on this topic. Either those who already have projects in mind, or those who are interested in learning more about off-stream water development. They can give us a call at 307-347-2456 Ext 121, or stop by the office at 208 Shiloh Rd, 8AM to 4PM, Monday through Thursday. |