Water Quantity

We work on water quantity issues in the following ways:

Assistance with xeriscape design

Assistance with drip irrigation systems

Wyoming Water Development Commission Small Water Development grants

Participation in the Platte River Basin Advisory Group

Last Modified on July 16, 2008

SMALL WATER DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS

CCCD and Thunder Basin Grazing Association continued the groundwork for the small water development projects.  Geological reports were completed on the 17 projects which required them.  The USFS is completing their assessment studies of the Thunder Basin Grasslands in conjunction with these projects. 

Converse County Conservation District

Water is the most limiting resource in Converse County.  Landowners manage for maximum beneficial use from all water, whether livestock, domestic, or irrigation.  This requires management diversity for everything from flood events to drought conditions.

Within the Northern/Cheyenne River Watershed, surface water sources include Antelope Creek, Dry Creek, and Lightening Creek. These are ephemeral steams in Converse County.  In the Southern Converse/North Platte River Watershed, the North Platte River and its many tributaries are vital sources of water. 

Since surface water is a limiting factor as well as spacing between streams, groundwater is extremely important to the area. There are over 6,200 water wells which provide over 95% of the stock and domestic water used. Wells, springs, and other water developments are vital to production agriculture, wildlife, and  domestic needs.

Water quantity is the number one natural resource issue facing the district  according to survey results and discussions. The Converse County Conservation District views water developments as a priority in this plan.

The county has about 21 bedrock formations consisting of over 16,000 feet of sedimentary rocks. Nearly all of these, although deep, may be limited by water quality or low yields. Natural gas and salts in some aquifers may cause water quality problems.

The Converse County Conservation District see water quality as an issue in Converse County, although the water quality is believed to be very good at present. The district  views water quality as a place to be proactive rather than reactive.