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 EventsWWCD Sponsors Watershed Study
Officially 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 InvolvementsNowood 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. Native Rock and Soil Utilized for Streambank Stabilization and Sewer Line Protection
An eroding bank on the Bighorn River exposed a sewer line north of Worland in the summer of 2017. Locally available, free construction materials were utilized to stabilized the streambank and secure the sewer line. Funding for the project was provided by a USDA cost share program sponsored by the Washakie County Conservation District (WCCD).
Record spring snow pack levels in the Windriver Mountains required large releases of water from Boysen Reservoir upstream from Worland, Wyoming. Peak inflows to the reservoir reached 20,000 cubic feet per second (CFS) in early June. According to the Bureau of Reclamation, the peak flows out of Boysen Reservoir into the Bighorn River during the last two weeks of June and early July measured over 9,000 CFS. Reservoir releases upstream, combined with contributions from river tributaries, caused record high river flows where the Bighorn River passes through the town of Worland. The high flows worked to erode a segment of streambank running parallel to a main sewer line going to the city of Worland’s wastewater treatment facility, eventually exposing the line. 
Flagging marks sewer main exposed by high water flows. Temporary rip-rap on the left marks bank location before erosion.
In mid-July, Jeff Schweighart, Director of Washakie County Emergency Management, alerted WCCD to the situation. WCCD, with the support of Washakie County and the City of Worland, began the application process for Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) Program funds. The EWP is a USDA program designed to respond to emergencies created by natural disasters and is administered through the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS).
The program is designed to help people and conserve natural resources by relieving imminent hazards to life and property caused by floods, fires, windstorms, and other natural occurrences. EWP is an emergency recovery program. All projects undertaken must have a project sponsor. Eligible sponsors include conservation districts and other legal subdivisions of the state. The responsibilities of the EWP sponsor include completion of application forms; securing landowner cost share agreements; obtaining the proper permits; securing contractor bids; and monitoring the project through to completion. The local NRCS office supplied technical assistance to engineer the project design and certify the project when completed. Necessary permits were obtained from the Army Corps of Engineers and the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality in August of 2017 so streambank stabilization could begin. A boulder revetment roughly 500 feet long was built along the original bank. Boulder revetments dissipate water energy and provide long term bank stability. The Wyoming Department of Transportation cleared rock slides from Windriver Canyon earlier in the year and made the native boulders available for the project free of charge. 
Native boulders being placed for streambank stabilization
A local contractor placed over 900 ton of native boulders according to NRCS engineers’ specifications. The land area adjacent to the revetment bank was backfilled by City of Worland dump trucks and staff, fulfilling a 25% in-kind match worth over $15,000. The new back fill reburied and secured the sewer line. The back fill was then top dressed with topsoil recovered from processing sugar beets at Wyoming Sugar; utilizing another free, local resource. Finally, the project area was seeded with grass species adapted to the site in order to help stabilize the soil above the revetment; blend the site with the surroundings; and reduce weed infestations.
The total project cost was over $62,600, and is an example of local partnerships working together to find solutions to local natural resource conservation needs. 
Revetment finished, backfilled, and seeded to secure sewer line and prevent future bank erosion
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