Wyoming Nonpoint Source Program

The  Wyoming Nonpoint Source Program  is part of the  Water Quality Division  (WQD) of the  Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality  (DEQ).

Its goals are to identify sources of nonpoint source pollution to surface water and groundwater of the State of Wyoming, and to prevent and reduce nonpoint source pollution such that water quality standards are achieved and maintained. 

The program works through a set of overarching principles that emphasize voluntary and incentive-based participation, locally led projects, partnerships, measurable water quality improvement, and effective and efficient program administration.

This report provides a summary of the activities and accomplishments of the Wyoming Nonpoint Source Program for 2021 in order to educate the public about actions being taken by state, local, and federal agencies to address nonpoint source pollution in Wyoming.

Did you know that nonpoint sources of pollution cause the majority of Wyoming's (and the nation's) surface water quality impairments? Impaired waterbodies are those streams, rivers, lakes, and reservoirs that are not meeting water quality standards. Standards are established to ensure waters support their designated uses, such as drinking water, recreation, fisheries, agriculture, industry, and others.

A total of 223 projects have been sponsored by local, state, or federal partners.

Over $23.1 million in grant funds have been invested in nonpoint source pollution reduction projects. Over $22.3 million in nonfederal funds have matched these projects.

A total of 56 agencies or organizations have sponsored projects. Conservation districts continue to sponsor the majority (57%) of projects.

Out of four broad project types (implementation, education, planning/assessment, and groundwater), the majority of funds ( 78%) continue to be spent toward implementation projects that install on-the-ground best management practices for water quality improvement in Wyoming's streams, rivers, lakes, and reservoirs.

Water quality monitoring data continue to show positive results. To date, 17 stream and river segments totaling over 200 miles have been restored to meeting water quality standards using technical and financial assistance provided by the DEQ. All of Wyoming's restoration success stories can be viewed on  EPA's Nonpoint Source Success Stories website .

Wyoming received $967,000 with the 2021 Section 319 grant; funds were awarded to nine projects.

Wyoming received $40,000 with the 2021 Section 205(j) grant; funds were awarded to one new project. The project received partial funding from both the Section 319 and Section 205(j) grants.

A total of 36 projects were active in 2021 (33 Section 319 projects and three Section 205(j) projects). Click  here  for a complete list of projects.

Twelve projects were completed in 2021 (10 Section 319 projects and two Section 205(j) projects).

It is estimated that Section 319 projects completed in 2021 reduced:

• sediment loading by over 1,280 tons/year
• nitrogen loading by over 1,015 pounds/year
• phosphorus loading by over 140 pounds/year
• E. coli loading by over 1.3E+13 MPN*/year
• (MPN = Most Probable Number)

Numerous best management practices were implemented in 2021, including:

• 193 acres of cropland converted from flood to sprinkler irrigation
• nearly 20,000 feet of open irrigation ditch converted to closed pipeline
• 104 acres of cropland improved with soil health practices
• 7 off-channel water projects completed
• nearly 4,450 feet of riparian fencing and cross fencing for grazing management installed
• over 11,000 feet of stream channel/bank restoration or protection completed
• 3 push-up dams replaced with natural channel design features
• 2 riparian revegetation projects completed
• 1 faulty septic system replaced
• 1 municipal stormwater treatment unit installed
• 4 pet waste stations installed

The Nonpoint Source Program works each year to meet nine objectives established in the Wyoming Nonpoint Source Management Plan (2013 Update). This next section describes those objectives and highlighted accomplishments for 2021.

Addressing nonpoint source pollution is a team effort, and the Nonpoint Source Program wishes to acknowledge the contributions of all staff in the DEQ/WQD Watershed Section.

The Nonpoint Source Program also wishes to thank the project sponsors and other program partners who contributed information, photos, and visuals for this report.

This report was prepared by Alex Jeffers, Nonpoint Source Program Coordinator with the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality, Water Quality Division. She can be reached at 307-777-6733 or alexandria.jeffers@wyo.gov. Assistance was provided by numerous staff in the WQD Watershed Protection and Groundwater sections.