Water Resources of Big Horn County, Wyoming

WATER RESOURCES OF BIG HORN COUNTY, WYOMING

By Maria Plafcan, Earl W. Cassidy, and Myron L. Smalley

U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY Water-Resources Investigations Report 93-4021

Prepared in cooperation with the WYOMING STATE ENGINEER

Cheyenne, Wyoming 1993 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR BRUCE BABBITT, JR., Secretary U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY ROBERT M. HIRSCH, Acting Director

For additional information Copies of this report can be write to: purchased from:

District Chief U.S. Geological Survey U.S. Geological Survey Earth Science Information Center Water Resources Division Open-File Reports Section 2617 E. Lincolnway, Suite B Box 25286, Denver Federal Center Cheyenne, Wyoming 82001-5662 Denver, Colorado 80225 CONTENTS

Page

Abstract...... 1 Introduction...... ^ 2 Purpose and scope...... 4 Physiography...... 4 Climate...... 5 Geology...... 5 Water-right administration By Richard G. Stockdale, Wyoming State Engineer's Office ...... 10 Acknowledgments...... 22 Streamflow...... 22 Streamflow data...... 22 Streamflow characteristics...... 22 Stream types ...... 27 Flow duration...... 29 Low flows...... 32 High flows...... 33 Ground water...... 34 Ground-water data...... 34 Unconsolidated aquifers...... 39 Alluvium andcolluvium...... 39 Gravel, pediment, and fan deposits...... 39 Bedrock aquifers...... 42 Cenozoic and Mesozoic rocks...... 42 Tertiary rocks...... 46 Will wood Formation ...... 46 Fort Union Formation...... 46 Cretaceous rocks...... 46 Upper Cretaceous rocks ...... 46 Lower Cretaceous rocks...... 47 Jurassic and Triassic rocks...... 48 Paleozoic rocks...... 48 Tensleep Sandstone...... 49 Madison Limestone, Darby Formation, and Bighorn Dolomite...... 50 Flathead Sandstone...... 51 Precambrian rocks...... 52 Changes in water levels and hydraulic heads...... 52 Seasonal water-level changes in unconsolidated deposits...... 52 Seasonal water-level changes in Cenozoic and Mesozoic rocks...... 53 Seasonal and daily changes in hydraulic head in flowing wells...... 53 Long-term changes in hydraulic head and yield of flowing wells...... 53 Water use...... 55 Water quality...... 56 Streamflow-quality data...... 59 Streamflow quality...... 63 Ground-water-quality data...... 65 Ground-water quality and suitability for specific uses...... 66 Domestic use...... 67 Agricultural and livestock use...... 67 Industrial use...... 69

CONTENTS iii CONTENTS-Continued

Page

Ground-water quality in unconsolidated aquifers...... 69 Alluvium andcolluvium...... 71 Gravel, pediment, and fan deposits...... 71 Ground-water quality in bedrock aquifers...... 75 Agricultural pesticides in water...... 75 Stream-water samples...... 75 Streambed-material samples...... 77 Ground-water samples...... 77 Radionuclides in ground water...... 81 Summaiy...... ^ 84 Selected references...... 87 Glossary ...... ^ 93 Supplemental data...... 95

PLATES [Plates are in pocket]

1. Geologic map of Big Horn County, Wyoming 2. Map showing locations of surface-water stations and selected wells, springs, drains, and collection galleries measured in Big Horn County, Wyoming

FIGURES 1-3. Map showing: 1. Location of Big Horn County...... 3 2. Generalized physiographic features ...... 6 3. Mean annual precipitation, 1951-80...... 8 4. Graph showing mean monthly precipitation and air temperatures at Emblem, 1951-80 and 9 Burgess Junction, 1960-80...... 9 5. Hydrographs of daily discharge for selected ephemeral and perennial streams and streams affected by irrigation return-flow and regulation for water year 1978...... 28 6. Duration of daily mean discharge for Shell Creek above Shell Reservoir (site 19), Bitter Creek near Garland (site 28), and Big Coulee near Lovell (site 37)...... 30 7. Duration of daily mean discharge for site 26, Bighorn River at Kane, before and after regulation...... 31 8. System of numbering wells, springs, drains, and collection galleries...... 38 9-11. Maps showing water-table contours for: 9. Alluvium and colluvium and gravel, pediment, and fan deposits along the Shoshone River...... 40 10. Gravel, pediment, and fan deposits along Orchard Bench...... 43 11. Gravel, pediment, and fan deposits along Emblem Bench...... 44 12-14. Graphs showing: 12. Daily minimum and maximum hydraulic heads converted from well-head pressures recorded in the Worland No. 1 municipal well completed in the Madison-Bighorn aquifer, January 20, 1988, through May 15, 1989 ...... 54 13. Daily mean discharge and once-daily specific conductance for site 28, Bitter Creek near Garland and site 31, Shoshone River near Lovell, water year 1978...... 64 14. Daily mean discharge and once-monthly specific conductance for site 26, Bighorn River at Kane, Wyo., for water year 1978 ...... 65 15. Diagram showing suitability of water from selected aquifers for use in irrigation based on analyses of water samples from wells...... 70 iv WATER RESOURCES OF BIG HORN COUNTY FIGURES-Continued Page

16. Diagram showing box plots of dissolved-solids concentrations in water samples from wells completed in and springs issuing from selected aquifers...... 72 17. Diagram showing major cations and anions in selected water samples from wells completed in and springs issuing from selected unconsolidated aquifers and bedrock aquifers...... 73 18. Map showing location of surface-water and streambed-material sampling sites for pesticides...... 76 19. Map showing location of ground-water sampling sites for pesticides ...... 78

TABLES 1. Lithologic description and water-yielding characteristics of geologic units, Big Horn County, Wyoming...... 11 2. U.S. Geological Survey surface-water stations in Big Horn County, Wyoming...... 23 3. Seven-day low-flow statistics for selected streamflow-gaging stations in Big Horn County, Wyoming...... 32 4. Record of peak discharge and average discharge at surface-water stations in Big Horn County, Wyoming...... 35 5. Estimated total offstream water use in 1985 in Big Horn County, Wyoming...... 56 6. Annual public water use and public water-user populations in Big Horn County municipalities in 1970 and 1988...... ^ 57 7. Source or cause and importance of most common dissolved-mineral constituents and physical properties of water...... 60 8. Wyoming water-quality standards for domestic, agricultural, and livestock use...... 66 9. Selected maximum and secondary maximum contaminant levels for public drinking-water supplies...... 68 10. Classification of water hardness ...... 69 11. Median dissolved-solids concentrations and chemical types of ground water for water samples from wells completed in alluvium and colluvium in Big Horn County, Wyoming...... 74 12. Median dissolved-solids concentrations and chemical types of ground water for water samples from wells completed in gravel, pediment, and fan deposits in Big Horn County, Wyoming ...... 74 13. Agricultural pesticides detected in water samples collected from selected wells during September 1987 and June and July 1988 in Big Horn County, Wyoming...... 79 14. Radionuclides detected in water samples from wells completed in selected aquifers in Big Horn County, Wyoming...... 82 15. Records of selected wells, springs, drains, and collection galleries in Big Horn County, Wyoming...... 96 16. Statistical summary of chemical analyses by aquifer based on water samples collected from wells and springs, 1925-88, in Big Horn County, Wyoming...... 130

CONTENTS v CONVERSION FACTORS, VERTICAL DATUM, AND ABBREVIATIONS

Multiply _By_ To obtain

4,047 square meter acre 0.4047 hectare cubic foot per second (ft /s) 0.02832 cubic meter per second cubic foot per second per square 0.01093 cubic meter per second per mile [(ft3/s)/mi2] square meter foot (ft) 0.3048 meter foot squared per day (ft2/d) 0.0929 meter squared per day gallon 0.003785 cubic meter gallon per minute (gal/min) 0.06309 liter per second gallon per minute per foot 0.2070 liter per second per meter [(gal/min)/ft] gallon per day per square foot 4.720 x 10'7 meter per second [(gal/d)/ft2] inch (in.) 2.54 centimeter mile (mi) 1.609 kilometer million gallons (Mgal) 3,785 cubic meter million gallons per day (Mgal/d) 0.04381 cubic meter per second pound per square inch (lb/in2) 6.895 kilopascal square mile (mi2) 2.590 square kilometer

Temperature can be converted to degrees Fahrenheit (°F) or degrees Celsius (°C) as follows:

°F = 9/5 (°C) + 32 °C = 5/9 (°F - 32) Shut-in pressure at the wellhead, in pounds per square inch (lb/in ^ ), can be converted to hydraulic head, in feet of water above land surface, as follows:

(lb/in2) x 2.31 = feet of water above land surface

Use of conversion factor of 2.31 assumes that water is at a temperature of 4 degrees Celsius with a density of 1.0 gram per cubic centimeter.

Sea level: In this report, "sea level" refers to the National Geodetic Vertical Datum of 1929~a geodetic datum derived from a general adjustment of the first-order level nets of the United States and Canada, formerly called Sea Level Datum of 1929.

Abbreviated water-quality units used in this report:

L liter mg/kg milligram per kilogram mg/L milligram per liter mrem/yr millirem per year pCi/L picocurie per liter microgram per kilogram microgram per liter um micrometer uS/cm microsiemens per centimeter at 25 degrees Celsius vi WATER RESOURCES OF BIG HORN COUNTY WATER RESOURCES OF BIG HORN COUNTY, WYOMING

By Maria Plafcan, Earl W. Cassidy, and Myron L. Smalley

ABSTRACT

Ground water in unconsolidated aquifers is the most reliable and accessible source of potable water in Big Horn County, Wyoming. Well yields generally ranged from 25 to 200 gal/min (gallons per minute), however, yields of 1,600 gal/min are reported from wells in the gravel, pediment, and fan deposits.

Bedrock aquifers that yield the most abundant water supplies are the Tensleep Sandstone, Madison Limestone, Bighorn Dolomite, and Flathead Sandstone. The aquifers with the most potential for development as a water supply, predominately composed of sandstone, are the Lance, Mesaverde, and Frontier Formations.

The Madison Limestone, the Darby Formation, and the Bighorn Dolomite form the Madison- Bighorn aquifer. Reported yields from the aquifer ranged from 40 to 14,000 gal/min. Flowing wells from the Madison-Bighorn aquifer had shut-in pressures ranging from 41 to 212 pounds per square inch (95 to 490 feet above land surface).

Shut-in pressures from flowing wells in bedrock indicate declines, from the time the wells were completed to 1988, as much as 390 feet. Flows have also decreased over time.

Water samples from wells completed in unconsolidated aquifers have concentrations of dissolved solids less than 2,000 mg/L (milligrams per liter). Water from unconsolidated aquifers are classified as a calcium sulfate type, a sodium sulfate type, and sodium-calcium sulfate type.

Water samples from wells completed in aquifers in Paleozoic and Precambrian rocks had median concentrations of dissolved solids ranging from 111 to 275 mg/L. Water samples from wells in Tertiary and Cretaceous rocks had a median concentration of dissolved solids ranging from 1,107 to 3,320 mg/L. Water types for these aquifers were usually sodium sulfate.

Perennial streams originate in the mountains and ephemeral streams originate in the Bighorn Basin. Irrigation return-flow to streams maintains perennial flow in what would otherwise be ephemeral streams. Streams that originate in the Bighorn Basin have specific conductance values generally greater than 1,000 mg/L, whereas streams that originate in the Bighorn Mountains have specific conductance values generally less than 1,000 mg/L. The predominant dissolved constituents are calcium or sodium and bicarbonate or sulfate.

Concentrations of pesticides detected in surface-water samples were less than the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USHPA) maximum contaminant levels. The detected concentra tions of pesticides in streambed material in the organochlorine insecticide class ranged from 0.1 to

ABSTRACT 1 8.0 micrograms per kilogram. Pesticides detected in ground-water samples included dicamba and picloram at a concentration of 0.40 jig/L (micrograms per liter), atrazines (0.40 jig/L), aldicarb sulfone (1.44 |ig/L), aldicarb sulfoxide (0.52 |ig/L), and malathion (0.02 jig/L).

Analyses of ground-water samples for radionuclides indicate that concentrations from four municipal wells exceeded the maximum contaminant level established by the USEPA. Of these four wells, concentrations in water samples from the municipal well at Frannie consistently exceeded the USEPA maximum contaminant level for dissolved gross alpha activity of 15 pCi/L (picocuries per liter) and radium-226 plus radium-228 (5 pCi/L). The source of the radioactivity is postulated to be the Madison Limestone.

Surface water accounts for 96 percent and ground water accounts for 4 percent of total offstream water use in Big Horn County, Wyoming. Irrigation is the largest offstream use of both surface and ground water. About 99 percent of offstream surface water and 55 percent of ground water is used for irrigation. Eighty-two percent of the water used for irrigation is consumed, which includes a 37-percent conveyance loss and 45 percent consumed by the irrigated crops. Ground water supplies 89 percent of water used for domestic purposes and about 16 percent of water used for public supplies, which shows that ground water is a primary domestic water supply in rural areas where public supplies are not available.

INTRODUCTION

-) Big Horn County, which covers 3,177 mi on the eastern flank of the Bighorn structural basin in north western Wyoming, is the 12th largest county in the State (fig. 1). Eighty percent of the land is managed under Federal authority. The eastern boundary of the county generally is delineated by the crest of the northwesterly trending Bighorn Mountains. The steeply dipping western flanks of these mountains abruptly give way to uplands and plains that are dissected by perennial and ephemeral streams that join the northerly flowing Bighorn River.

The area west of the Bighorn Mountains is about 4,000 ft above sea level and is arid. The intensive irrigation practiced there creates large demands for water. Major population centers are along the Bighorn River and its tributaries. Sources of public water supply in the county are diverse. Treated surface water predomi nantly is used by the larger municipalities (Basin, Greybull, and Lovell). Smaller towns, including Burlington, Byron, Frannie, Cowley, Manderson, and Hyattville, have developed ground-water supplies for potable water. Because of water-supply and water-quality problems, many towns have not developed public-supply systems and must purchase and haul drinking water.

Water-supply needs have slowly increased with the growth of industrial needs. The population of the county (about 12,000 in 1987), as well as percentage of land devoted to farms (25 percent) and crops (6 percent), has remained nearly constant for the past 20 years (Wyoming State Department of Administration and Fiscal Control, 1987). The most substantial increases in water demand have been from oil exploration during the late 1970s and increased water demands for use in secondary oil-recovery operations. Future demands for water resources likely will originate from the private sector.

2 WATER RESOURCES OF BIG HORN COUNTY Approximate boundary of the Bighorn Basin 111 110' 45< r 106° 105°r-JRl 104°

FREMONT I NATRONA CONVERSE

pNe?

Fontenelle IJ.INCOLN \lReservoir ** ' G,

10 20 KILOMETERS

Figure 1.-Location of Big Horn County.

INTRODUCTION 3 To obtain the kinds of information that is needed to plan for and manage the increased demands for water in Big Horn County, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with the Wyoming State Engineer, conducted a study to describe and quantify the water resources of the county. Additional hydrologic data were collected as part of the study where such data were lacking or considered inadequate and where water quality was a concern.

Purpose and Scope

The purpose of this report is to describe the water resources in Big Horn County using data and informa tion currently (1989) available or collected during this study. It is one of a series of reports on the water resources of Wyoming counties. This report includes the following: (1) evaluation of water yields from wells and shut-in pressure trends in artesian wells; (2) summary of water-quality analyses of water samples collected from wells developed in unconsolidated deposits and bedrock; and (3) a summary of data on agricultural pesticides detected in surface water, ground water, and streambed materials.

The principal water resources are streamflow and ground water; streamflow is described first, but the emphasis is on ground water, which is used extensively by landowners for domestic needs and agriculture. Components of the geohydrology of the county are described, including the physiography, climate, and geology, as well as the occurrence, recharge, movement, and discharge of ground water. Both surface- and ground-water occurrence and chemical quality in relation to water use are included.

Most of the existing data were compiled from records of the U.S. Geological Survey and the Wyoming State Engineer. These data are supplemented with data collected primarily during the summers of 1987 and 1988. About 50 percent of the water-quality analyses were from samples collected during 1988. All of the ground-water pesticide data were collected during 1987 and 1988. No effort was made to inventory every well, spring, or drain in the county but rather to select representative wells and springs that yield water from represen tative aquifers for evaluation and water-quality analysis. Pursuant to this goal, data from 388 ground-water sites and 174 water-quality samples were evaluated.

Physiography

Big Horn County is in the Middle Rocky Mountains province on the eastern flank of the Bighorn Basin (Fenneman, 1946). The county may be further divided into the Bighorn Mountains and the comparatively flat and dry areas west of the mountain front (fig. 2). The mountains, which trend northwesterly, rise to about 13,100 ft near Cloud Peak with granite and gneissic rocks of Precambrian age at the highest altitudes and a broad mantle of sedimentary shales, carbonates, and sandstones of Paleozoic age at lower altitudes. The thick sedi mentary sequence is nearly horizontal in the higher altitudes of the mountains. The dip of the strata increases toward the basin. At many locations along the mountain front the strata are nearly vertical, forming abrupt and spectacular flat-iron cliffs. Steep canyons containing deeply incised, westwardly flowing streams originate in the mountains. The mountain front effectively delineates the north-eastern edge of the Bighorn Basin.

To the west of the mountain front, a broad northwesterly trending area 25 to 30 mi wide displays ridges and hogbacks of predominantly Mesozoic strata. South of Greybull the western extent of this area is located approximately by the northward flowing Bighorn River. North of Greybull the western extent of the area is west of the Bighorn River and trends progressively westward. At some locations the Mesozoic strata are flat-lying and eroded into butte-like landforms, but cuestas, domes, and asymmetrical plunging folds are more common. At Cedar Mountain south of Hyattville, and Sheep Mountain north of Greybull, Paleozoic rocks are exposed at the surface in spectacular folds. Northwesterly trending asymmetric folds and strike valleys are other prominent

4 WATER RESOURCES OF BIG HORN COUNTY features. Many small streams that dissect the area are ephemeral. Prominent features include where the Bighorn River traverses the fold axes of Sheep Mountain and Little Sheep Mountain, demonstrating examples of stream superposition.

Farther west, a broad area of flat-lying to gently dipping Tertiary strata is exposed. In the eastern part of this area the Fort Union Formation of Paleocene age crops out and is seen dominantly to the west of the Bighorn River; thinly bedded carbonaceous shale and coal are present here. Farther west and continuing to the western county boundary, the multicolored shales and siltstones of the Willwood Formation of early Eocene age domi nate the landscape. This formation forms badlands where eroded and conceals underlying structural features. Terrace deposits, which are extensively cultivated, overlie the Willwood Formation between Table Mountain and Dry Creek along the Emblem Bench. Prominent features in this area include Table and Tatman Mountains.

Several perennial streams are present in the county, including the Bighorn, Nowood, Greybull, and Shoshone Rivers, and Paint Rock and Shell Creeks. The Bighorn River is the major river in the county. Most of the smaller streams are ephemeral.

Climate

For the period of record (1951-80), the mean annual precipitation in Big Horn County ranged from 5.5 in. at Deaver in the northwestern part of the county to about 30 in. in the alpine and alpine tundra areas in the Bighorn Mountains (fig. 3). The area west of the Bighorn Mountains, which includes the most populated sections in the county, on the average receives less than 10 in. of precipitation per year. This meets the recog nized criterion for classification as desert (Manner, 1986, p. 6).

Variations in precipitation and temperature are related to changes in altitude. Graphs of average monthly precipitation and temperature are shown in figure 4 for weather stations at Emblem in the Bighorn Basin and Burgess Junction (east of Big Horn County in Sheridan County) in the Bighorn Mountains. The widest range in temperature occurs in the Bighorn Basin. At Emblem, the mean monthly temperature ranges from 70.8 °F in July to 15.5 °F in January. Whereas, in the Bighorn Mountains, the mean monthly temperature in July at Burgess Junction is almost 16 degrees cooler than it is at Emblem. The mean monthly temperature at Burgess Junction ranges from 55 °F in July to 14.7 °F in January. All data are from Martner (1986, p. 291, 304, 321, 332,347,370,391,403).

Geology

Big Horn County is on the eastern limb of a deep asymmetrical syncline that forms the Bighorn Basin. The axis of the syncline passes through the southwest corner of the county near Tatman Mountain and follows a northwesterly trend (fig. 2). The structural relief on the Precambrian rocks between the basin axis and the top of the Bighorn Mountains is at least 34,000 ft (Prucha and others, 1965, p. 970). Major structural trends and features are illustrated on plate 2.

The basin is bordered on the east by the westwardly concave, arching Bighorn Mountains, a compres- sional uplift formed during the time of the Laramide orogeny from Late Cretaceous to Middle Eocene time. The mountain uplift was formed, in part, by large scale displacements along basement faults typical of the structural style in the Rocky Mountain foreland. Several major east-west lineaments cross the study area (Cooley, 1983; Hoppin, 1974).

INTRODUCTION 5 Johnson County

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INTRODUCTION 7 108°so- MONTANA 15 EXPLANATION °^ LINE OF EQUAL MEAN ANNUAL PRECIPITATION- Interval is 2 and 10 inches Im DO 3D m (0 O c 30 O m (0 O n 00 O O

44° 15

Washakie County °H 10 15 20 MILES Lines of equal precipitation 0 5 10 15 20 KILOMETERS from Mariner (1986, fig. 6.1) Figure 3.--Mean annual precipitation, 1951-80. I I I I I I I I

JAN. FEB. MAR. APR. MAY JUNE JULY AUG. SEPT. OCT. NOV. DEC.

EXPLANATION PRECIPITATION | Emblem (H Burgess Junction TEMPERATURE Emblem --B Burgess Junction

Figure 4.-Mean monthly precipitation and air temperatures at Emblem, 1951-80 and Burgess Junction, 1960-80 (data from Mariner, 1986).

INTRODUCTION 9 The western outcrops of Tensleep Sandstone of Late and Middle Pennsylvanian age generally mark the boundary between the basin and the mountains (pi. 1). In most of the county, the transition from basin to mountains is a steep, unbroken, westwardly dipping homocline.

Thirty geologic units ranging from Cambrian to Quaternary age have been identified in the thick sequence of sedimentary rocks and deposits that overlie basement rock of Precambrian age in the basin area of Big Horn County. The range of thickness and lithologic description of each of the geologic units is presented in strati- graphic sequence in table 1. The associated water-yielding characteristics, most common well yields, and reported specific capacities of each unit also are presented. The distribution of geologic units cropping out in the county is shown on plate 1.

Water-Right Administration By Richard G. Stockdale, Wyoming State Engineer's Office

According to article 8, section 1 of the Wyoming State constitution, "The water of all natural streams, springs, lakes or other collections of still water, within the boundaries of the state, are hereby declared to be property of the state." Anyone desiring to use water beneficially in Wyoming must apply for and obtain an approved permit from the State Engineer to appropriate water prior to initiating construction of water-diversion structures, such as dams, headgates, spring boxes, and wells. Once a permit to appropriate water has been obtained from the State Engineer, the permittee may proceed with construction of the water-diversion works and with beneficial use of the diverted water for the purposes specified in the permit. Such diversion and beneficial use must be made in accordance with statutory provisions. After the permittee has beneficially used the diverted water for all of the permitted uses at all of the permitted point(s) or area(s) of use, proof of beneficial use is filed, and the water right is adjudicated (finalized). The adjudication process fixes the location of the water-diversion structure, the use, quantity, and points or areas of use for the water right.

Wyoming water rights are administered using the Doctrine of Prior Appropriation, commonly referred to as the "First in time, first in right" system. Article 8, section 3 of the Wyoming constitution states: "Priority of appropriation for beneficial uses shall give the better right." The priority date of an appropriation is established as the date when the application for permit to appropriate water is received in the State Engineer's Office.

Water-right administration is conducted by the State Engineer and the Water Division Superintendents. Article 8, section 5 of the Wyoming constitution provides for the appointment of a State Engineer, and section 4 provides for the creation of four Water Divisions in the State and the appointment of a superintendent in each division. The State Engineer is Wyoming's chief water-administration official and has general supervision of all waters of the State. The superintendents, along with their staff of hydrographers and water commissioners, are responsible for the local administration of water rights and the collection of hydrologic data in their respective divisions.

Deviations from the standard water-right administrative system of "First in time, first in right" might exist. Such deviations might be caused by conditions in compacts, court decrees, and treaties or through the creation of special water-management districts. Virtually every stream exiting the State is subject to a compact, court decree, or treaty that dictates to some degree how the appropriations on that specific stream are administered. While the interstate nature of ground water and the interconnection of ground water with streams are recognized, the development of interstate agreements on use of water from aquifers is still in its infancy. The reason that few ground-water compacts exist is twofold. First, there is a lack of sound technical data on which to base appropriate administrative allocations of ground water between adjoining states, and, second, there is not sufficient competition between Wyoming and adjoining states to require binding interstate agreements or allocations of ground-water resources.

10 WATER RESOURCES OF BIG HORN COUNTY Table 1. Lithologic description and water-yielding characteristics of geologic units, Big Horn County, Wyoming

[modified from Lowry and others, 1976, and Libra and others, 1981; Abbreviations: ft, feet; gal/min, gallons per minute; (gal/min)/ft, gallons per minute per foot; , no data; <, less than]

Range of Range of specific Range of most capacity approximate common (gal/min) Era- Geologic thicknesses Water-yielding yields /ft of them System Series unit (ft) Lithologic description characteristics (gal/min) drawdown

Ceno- Quater- Order does Alluvium 0-50 Mixtures of unconsoli dated Might yield large quanti 25-50 0.2-200 zoic nary not indi and clay, silt, sand, gravel, ties of water to wells. cate age col luvium and boulders. Alluvium is Yields as large as 600 coarser toward the moun gal/min are reported. tains and might contain buried terrace deposits.

Ceno- Quater- Order does Gravel , 0-60 Well sorted to poorly Might yield large quanti 100-200 0.5-300 zoic nary not indi pediment, sorted stratified and ties of water to wells cate age and fan unstratified clay, silt, where saturated by irriga deposits sand, gravel, and boulders. tion water. Yields as Might be mantled with large as 1,600 gal/min slope wash where adjacent are reported. topography is steep.

Ceno- Quater- Order does Glacial Predominantly consists of Might yield quantities of 5-10 <1.0 zoic nary not indi deposits unstratified and unsorted water sufficient for cate age clay, silt, sand, gravel, domestic or stock use. and boulders derived from Paleozoic and Precambrian rocks.

O Ceno- Quater- Order does Landslide Mixtures of angular Horizontal collection 5-10 D C zoic nary not indi deposits fractured rocks. Might galleries yield water O cate age be buried by slope wash from the toes of land- 6 from adjacent highlands slides at some locations. 4- O >i C C O -r~ -P -r- 4- 3: 4- -r- E O O i 00 Q) -r- U -^ TJ i en o (O -p 3: CZ 0) Q. fO 4- (O (O Q. (O cn ~~^ i CD OS to O ^-* TJ CD TJ 0) ZJ c s^+* f 4- C p O C f> -r- c P 0 TJ E i o Q) f) E i -^ i o CO O E Q) 1 C E O !- (0 1 fO O >i Cn cn ca - - c. E O £ TJ 1 (/) to TJ 1 to to Q) cn TJ (O -P 0) O) TJ t 0) TJ Q. -r- i Q. 0) E "QJ c , f f >i o oo i/> O m t/) t/) TJ 4-> o P r- C (O 4- "QJ c 03 P C (O TJ E r i i > C (O Q) IZ O o 4_)l c o (O C. 3: +-* >. r P r ZJ en o > -r- O u o c* Ik. o C. !- 0) tz 0) 0) 0) C 4- -p 0 > -P 0) to 4_) TJ >«j 4_> 0) O c -p en cn TJ I/) o p ^j X f _ o P Q) r ZJ 0) cz r-* »r a) a. z. o 03 0) 0) Q. z O 0) -P (/) 0 (/) t/) o 1_ Q) l_ Xl Q. Q. O Xl Q. Q. to X o c. 0) ZJ CM o r- O 0) , ZJ 0) Q. 0) c t 1 X > > -p O i/> Q) Xl (O O (/) 03 03 o \s TJ 1 U ^ 0) ^- U J^ _ U TJ p u (/) 0) S- (0 4_) -P cn 1 -P c*(O l_ l_ 0) 0) (0 C* "QJ o (O Q) l- IZ Q) IZ 0) (0 c 0) c. f^ f^ 0) TJ p S_ m P fO 3: -P 3 4- 3: P ZJ Q. cz 0) O (0 .c c O 03 O o r- TJ O (0 o O L (O (O ^") (O cn Q. y 3= o 3: C 3: 0 p O"^3 0) 3: o -P 0) S_ i 0) -4-J 4- f _ -p CQ j, to O y f~ cn c* o p C (0 C TJ <*3 r (O TJ SN_ 0) ZJ t3 Q. en u 0) c c O i/) O 1_ C oz. to O CT E o 1 ' p to ZJ ID Z 03 X 0) (t3 (O X 0) (0 p is 4- (t3 (O o cn "o0 0) "oJ -P p -p f__ cn c. > c 0) Jfc^ 4- f~1 tz 0 (O 03 f O TJ r o 0) 4- i- -P £Z +-* *, C 0) (/) 0 , i * o o -P en tz E f~ f^0) 0 i TJ u C Q. 0) 0) , o TJ , t/) (t3 Q) to TJ r o t cz p .f 0) 0) r Q. O H 0) -cT Q) (O 1 c (O c TJ , 0) r O P (/) ^ r^- |P (/) (/^ E E Q) -H i...- 0) , in f~ ^") o f~ -P (/) (0 O3 Q. O3 tz 0) p cz fO CM 'o3 r* r to 0) TJ C 0) 03 Q) 0) Z3 f~p o ^r , TJ 0 O -p ,__ C P Q P ^) f p t/) p t. f X U o a. ^T C r (O -p to 3 f 0) 0 O C (/) M 0) tz p 5 f~ 0) TJ t/) o p (O i- O ^3 TJ * 0 Xl cz ZJ 0 cn tz U Q) i- TJ o 0) TJ , (O X TJ (O (O o 03 (O o o r- TJ Q) 0) TJ 3 0) to E 0) 0) r, $, to 0) 0) t- "o o o -p TJ E TJ p P 0) TJ u (/> tz 03 r~ tz 0) O 0) 03 TJ (O cz to 03 0) o .C .c O 03 E t. f^ -P 1 0) cn o ^ ^3 tz cn -p -P r- "OJ ^ Xt t -P -p t/) O o 0) 0) f~0) o o f r >r IF -P > TJ >i ,« 0) "JO TJ SN_ (/) Xl i_ TJ L f~ _ | 1- (0 tZ TJ r- cn -P 03 03 E TJ O cz Q) g 03 L- 03 IZ tz 4- JZ 03 O 0) 03 p 1 (0 o. cn 00 (O O O cn ' ' to to O C 1 > i to p u i P 0) O 4- (O f) CD 1 0 E W in CO !L- r- 0) x-v CM t f*s^ 0) Q) X C -P 1 | CM -p cn o ^ «*- 1 | 1 1 (O £Z i_ U -~ ' in CD 3: (O Q. -r- f*x O fV Q_ £L ro in TJ ro -P C , 1 (O C c c c. u o 0 TJ o o 1 0) f~ o I en -P O r Q) i_ 4J -p -p p O !- 03 0) -P Q) 03 03 (O 03 Q. . c i_ > r- > E E I E 1^ 'E O 3 !L- (O .C .r- l_ -P L_ SN- 0) Q) S- :s as o 03 o i O 0 O i cn t/) o> TJ O 0) cn 0) c o t/> C Q) 0) "o 0) 0) c o U TJ Q) o .C v_ o c: o cn 0) 0) p 0) r- (O O u u r oo r*- r o o _l 0. S UJ UJ

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I E o u 03 0) C. 'r- L ^f 0) o 0) o Q) O 0) o UJ -P O N O N O N O N

12 WATER RESOURCES OF BIG HORN COUNTY Table 1. Lithologic description and water-yielding characteristics of geologic units, Big Horn County, Wyoming Continued

Ceno- Tertiary Pal eocene Fort 2,000-8,000 Interbedded sandstone, Might yield enough water 10-15 0.08-3.0 zoic Union siltstone, claystone, from sandstones for domes Formation carbonaceous shale, and tic or stock use. Yields thin coal beds. Cliff- as large as 30 gal/min are forming sandstone near reported. the base. Averages about 25 percent sandstone.

Meso- Creta Upper Lance 800-1,800 Upper part contains weakly Yields as large as 65 25-30 0.8-13.3 zoic ceous Creta Formation indurated sandstone inter- gal/min are reported, usu ceous bedded with claystone, ally from discontinuous carbonaceous shale and sandstones. Principal minor coal beds. Massive water supply for the town sandstone near base. of Maderson. Most poten tial for future development as a water supply out of all the Mesozoic rocks in the county.

Meso- Creta Upper Meeteetse 450-1,000 Interbedded lenticular and Sandstones might yield zoic ceous Creta Formation discontinuous claystone, enough water for domestic ceous shale, siltstone, and or stock use. Yields are weakly indurated silty estimated to be less than sandstone. Bentonite and 10 gal/min. thin coal beds are also 33 present. O D O 6 Table 1. Lithologic description and water-yielding characteristics of geologic units, Big Horn County, Wyoming Continued

Range of 5m 33 Range of specific 30m Range of most capacity O approximate common (gal/min) 5 Era- Geologic thicknesses Water-yielding yields /ft of rn them System Series unit (ft) Lithologic description characteristics (gal/min) drawdown O -n Meso- Creta Upper Mesaverde 650-1,300 Upper part is dominantly Sandstones might yield 20-25 0.2-3.8 ro O zoic ceous Creta Formation coarse sandstone. Middle enough water for domestic x ceous part is interbedded sand or stock use. Yields as O"33 Z stone and siltstone. large as 35 gal/min are O Lower part is a ledge- reported. Potential for O C forming sandstone. development as a water supply.

Meso- Creta Upper Cody 2,100-3,250 Upper part consists of Predominantly not a aqui- <5 0.7-1.2 zoic ceous Creta Shale discontinuous interbedded fer but thin sandstones ceous sandy shale and sandstone. might yield enough water Lower part is predominant locally for domestic or ly brown and black marine stock use. Yields as shales. large as 25 gal/min are reported.

Meso- Creta Upper Frontier 450-600 Predominantly consists Discontinuous sandstones 5-16 0.2-0.6 zoic ceous Creta Formation of argillaceous sandstone might yield enough water ceous and sandy bentonitic shale; for domestic or stock use. it also contains some Yields as large as 16 bentonite and lignite beds, gal/min are reported. Conglomeratic sandstone Some potential for future are present near top of development as a water formation. Contains less supply based on lithology than 50 percent sandstone. and permeability data. Table 1. Lithologic description and water-yielding characteristics of geologic units, Big Horn County, Wyoming Continued

Range of Range of specific Range of most capacity approximate common (gal /mi n) Era- Geologic thicknesses Water-yielding yields /ft of them System Series unit (ft) Lithologic description characteristics (gal /mi n) drawdown

Meso- Creta- Upper Mowry 300-400 Dominant! y brittle brown Brittle shales and thin <5 zoic ceous Creta Shale and black siliceous shale sandstones, where frac ceous containing a few thin beds tured, might yield very of siltstone, sandstone limited quantities of water and bentonite. to wells, but generally the unit does not yield water.

Meso- Creta- Lower Thermo- 400-600 Black soft shale that The shale does not yield 10-15 zoic ceous Creta- polis deforms plastically. water, but wells developed ceous Shale Contains some interbedded in the Muddy Sandstone bentonite. The Muddy Member are reported to yield Sandstone Member, ranges enough water for domestic or from 10 to 100 ft in stock use. thickness, is 175-200 ft above the base and thins toward the north.

Meso- Creta Lower Cleverly 150-500 Upper part contains Sykes Sandstones might yield 10-15 zoic ceous Creta Formation Mountain Member, which enough water for domestic ceous consists of interbedded or stock use. Yields as sandstone, siltstone and large as 20 gal/min are shale. Middle part is reported. shaly with lenticular sandstone and sandy clay. Lower part is a varie 30 O gated mudstone, shale and D sandstone with local con O glomerate. O 4- ) C c O .- 4-> - 4- ^ 4- T- E o o 1 1 1 0> - O- fO 4- fO CO O_ CO O) -«^ i_ Q;

4- o c +J O TJ i 1 , 1 0> , O 0 0 CEO r fO < i . I (O U ^ 0)

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i TJ 1 a> | j~ (O a> 4- c ^> TJ 0> E -M U TJ 1 TJ MOO r CZ Q> 1 C O - u a> w i- a> 4-* TJ TJ fS (/5 o TJ TJ O 1 X o c ,- a) TJ i , CD CD Q) i o 4-> 4- i jK "O *^ "O ^D r- XI TJ XI -t-1 fO fO ^ j Q> E M E C C C o CD "O i CH O (/5 i ci M O E Q. Q TJ -r- O O 0> cc t/}_j_ac:fo t-4 O «J 0) i- O x: ® *° i 'M TJ w [I Q> Q) cO l/> Q> -M ^ ) (O CH (1) ^-^ ** (1) +-* (/J £Z (D (/I CZ CZ *!«. , r x: >> s_ t/> TJ 0> E O) Q> i Q> TJ W 4-> CO C M 0> (^ fO r* i r* (^ ^j (/^ (^3 CD , o a> CO XJ ^*. i e - o> i_ o (/I v> M 1_ 4-> C TJTJL. CSJ-i-UE=3-i- 4- w TJ fO ~~\a> in i_ rj 5) cz i_ Q) 0>O -M Q) Q) TJ r (0 TJ C Qi O~ 4 3l Q- "o r- C CO C . O 0 >) ., O flJ ^ ^3 ^) fO a. oa) o^«ocucoa> +J (O x: o W _J O) U 1 =1 I/) XI i -t-1 U O 'i C C -t-> r- o> x: o> o a) "v> Q> 1 +J C (0 C ZJ 4-> ^-o)ca)=34->rj-^jau CZ J" (D CD CD 1 Q> r O 0> O C (O Q. ^-4->OEOS-fO^-S_-r-LO d O 4-^ E f^ t ^^ Q) 't i_ ZJ (-> 1_ +J -r- l_ o. O ^_) «r t^- Q fO 4-1 -C CL E V) U_ W 4-> 0) 1:3 ;E .,_ (/, 1_ rOD_0)0 X 13

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16 WATER RESOURCES OF BIG HORN COUNTY Table 1. Lithologic description and water-yielding characteristics of geologic units, Big Horn County, Wyoming Continued

Range of Range of specific Range of most capacity approximate common (gal /mi n) Era- Geologic thicknesses Water-yielding yields /ft of them System Series unit (ft) Lithologic description characteristics (gal /mi n) drawdown

Meso- Triassic Upper Chugwater 500-700 Red fine-grained sandstone, Sandstones might yield 10-15 zoic and Formation siltstone, and shale with enough water for domestic Lower thin lenticular beds of or stock suppl ies. Triassic limestone and gypsum.

Meso- Triassic Goose Egg 25-625 She!don (1963) indicated an Might yield small quantities 10-15 zoic and Formation intertonguing relation of water to wells as a result and Permian between the Park City of dissolution of gypsum. Paleo Formation (western facies) When shales are present, zoic and the Goose Egg Formation the formation confines the (eastern facies). The underlying Tensleep Sand longitude of Worland in stone. Yields as large as Washakie County (107057'30") 35 gal/min are reported. approximates the facies boundary. The Park City Formation is a cherty dolomitic carbonate sequence. Thickness ranges from 25-325 ft. The Goose Egg Formation is an evaporite sequence of gypsiferous siltstone, mudstone, and silty shale. Thickness ranges from 100- 300 ft. Phosphoria 30 O Formation is equivalent to O the Goose Egg Formation. O Table 1. Lithologic description and water-yielding characteristics of geologic units, Big Horn County, Wyoming Continued

> Range of m 33 Range of specific 33 Range of most capacity m O approximate common (gal/min) §3 Era ~ Geologic thicknesses Water-yielding yields /ft of £3 them System Series unit (ft) Lithologic description characteristics (gal/min) drawdown oj Paleo- Pennsyl- Upper Tensleep 50-200 White and tan massive and Flowing wells along the 10-30 0.2-0.3 o zoic vanian and Sandstone cross-bedded sandstone. western flank of the o Middle Predominantly a well-sorted Bighorn Mountains yield Pennsyl- fine- to medium-grained large and dependable sup o o vanian sandstone cemented by car plies of potable water. c bonate and silica. Upper Yields as large as 200 part is considered to be gal/min are reported. an eolian sand and contains cherty dolomite. Lower part contains discon tinuous marine limestone and dolomite.

Paleo- Pennsyl- Middle Amsden 120-300 Upper part is limestone, Lower sandstone might 10-15 zoic vanian and Lower Formation middle part is red and yield enough water for and Pennsyl- green shale. Lower part domestic and stock use. Missis vanian is the Darwin Sandstone Confining unit for the sippi an and Upper Member that ranges from underlying Madison- Missis- 5-80 ft thick. Bighorn aquifer. sippian 4- U >i C C CM O .1- -P -r- 4- S 4- - E O O ID CD .- 0 - » T3 1 [ CT O ra r -P S , I c CD o_ ra 4- ra . ra D_ ra en --. i- 0 f\* to (j *~ -i TQ TO CD a O c X-V 0 i 4- C CM -p O C f> , c -P O "O E i 1 1 o (D to E r"~ "*** 1 1 o O) O E 0) " O 1 C E O - ra in 1 ra o >> 01 CO 01 'Ec

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INTRODUCTION 19 Table 1. Lithologic description and water-yielding characteristics of geologic units, Big Horn County, Wyoming Continued

Range of Im 3J Range of specific 3J m Range of most capacity O approximate common (gal/min) c 3J Era- Geologic thicknesses Water-yielding yields /ft of O m V) them System Series unit (ft) Lithologic description characteristics (gal/min) drawdown O n CD Paleo- Ordovi- Upper Bighorn 350-450 Upper part consists of In combination with the 350-1,200 0.1-5.2 O zoic cian Ordovi- Dolomite massive and thin-bedded Madison Limestone and I O cian dolomite breccia or con- Jefferson Formation forms 3) z glomerate near the base. the Madison-Bighorn aquifer, O O Distinctive mottled which produces large and C appearance in outcrop. dependable supplies of Lower part is massive potable water. An important dolomite and dolomitic water supply for several limestone overlain by county municipalities. thinly bedded and blocky dolomite. Thin discon tinuous cherty beds and nodules are present throughout the formation.

Paleo- Cambrian Upper Gallatin 400-500 Gray-green glauconitic Not known to be developed zoic Cambrian Limestone shale interbedded with as a water supply in Big pebbly limestone and Horn County. In combina minor sandstone. tion with the underlying Gros Ventre Formation forms a confining layer for the Flathead Sandstone. 4- O >i C C ^f CO O -r- + > -r- 4- 3: 4- T- E O O 1 i 1 CM ' TJ i-H O TJ 0) ^ O C ^-x, o »r 4- C 0 -P O C 10 ! o C -P O TJ E 1 I 1 I 1 o 0) 10 E r *»- 1 1 1 o 0) O E 0) r- o in 1 C E O -r- ra 0 1 ra u >> 01 O) fV* s_^ c: E L. \ 1 U 0 i a) a) i n c T- ici i_o) .C ^ O 3 ^ CU -P 3-P3:cra-p o ra-P4-a)s- crc u E >") O CQ C O O O 10 io>iTJraoo)O ra-r-iora-PO -P r racLio -P TJ -PCS: i-CL .i<:4-c:TJ c: I/ CDCIO TJOJiooic: a) c: a) -pracu cioui-a) 3 O) U > T- air ^rojcra ^3CLO)i-r s_ raco3T-i_ 0 c: -r- 0) C-POJ-PE-r-OO -P O 0) r rO -r-i-lOUO O r~" 4 TJ>>-r-ra-r- T-C UTJ^JCLioO) -pro -r-4- TJ 10 ^ru >»£:_! T-TJ c: ra ras- o-PTJO)4- c. r ! 0) CL i -r- 4-> 4-ra T-OJTJ-PC: ra ccaixru-L. i_ 0) S_ ^JCL TJ< -r-cco) ^rcoi-io 3 i- -P 3 a> o r- Q) 3 c. r ~s. -,- Q n lo+JracLOiTJc: >ioa) IO-P- >> -P oio-T-ra -PO-P r .c: r -r- r E£:4- roo) 1 U P >i Ecra ra r 4-0)4--PO)E -P -POTJSio O) i- ra i_-pioioo« ra« ir- raxra)-p'-O-^ ra Jd O ra O o o ra CI3 E fl) O) L- f~~ fl) < O) 'f ^"> O i 3: u C 2 O 4-C L-.C CrO T > EC>iO IOO 10 -P -^ racer0) -r-OJO-P^jc4- 3:r-Q.TJr CL-PCO XT-PO TJO T- r O)-P c OlOQ-P-r-O>>-PO S--^3CO > i_3'r-C:'r--r-i_ 3 ZlOX«04-»Or «r-«l- U_0)>>lOi-

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INTRODUCTION 21 Acknowledgments

The authors gratefully acknowledge the assistance and cooperation of farmers, ranchers, and drillers of Big Horn County, who not only provided directions and access to their wells, but also often assisted in testing. Officials associated with public-supply systems and water-resources management also were extremely helpful in allowing access to wells and records.

STREAMFLOW

The principal stream in Big Horn County is the Bighorn River, which enters from Washakie County, flows northerly through the central part of the county and exits into Montana. Major tributaries entering the Bighorn River in the county are the Nowood River and Shell Creek from the east, and the Greybull and Shoshone Rivers from the west.

Streamflow Data

The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with State, municipal, county, and other Federal agencies, has collected stage, streamflow, and water-quality data in Big Horn County since 1897. Streamflow records at a station can be either continuous or partial. Continuous streamflow records are obtained from discrete streamflow measurements and a continuous record of stage that is collected annually. Partial streamflow records are obtained from discrete streamflow measurements and continuous records of stage that are collected seasonally. Continuous streamflow records can be used for computing the instantaneous streamflow, the average streamflow for the period of record, and, if the length of the record is adequate, the streamflow characteristics. Partial streamflow records are collected for special purposes, such as peak flow or seasonal flow information, and have limited applications.

The location of streamflow stations with continuous or partial streamflow records are shown on plate 1. Drainage area, type of data collected, period of record for each station, and stream type are included in table 2.

In addition to the data collected at continuous and partial streamflow record stations, data also are collected on a nonrecurring basis for special purposes at miscellaneous streamflow sites and might consist of only one measurement. Information on miscellaneous, as well as continuous and partial streamflow record sites, is published in the U.S. Geological Survey Water-Data Report for the year in which the data were collected (U.S. Geological Survey, 1965-1988).

Streamflow Characteristics

Streamflow characteristics can be illustrated and analyzed using hydrographs and statistical techniques. Hydrographs typically are used to illustrate seasonal variations in streamflow, which are related to stream type. Graphs or tables of the mean discharge illustrate the variability in discharge for which the statistic is computed, either from month to month or year to year for the period of record considered. The mean annual discharge represents the average discharge for all years considered. Flow-duration curves describe the distribution of streamflow at a gaged site for the period that the record is computed. Low-flow data describe the minimum quantity of water that might be available for any extended period, and provide information about water supplies for municipal and industrial uses, irrigation, instream fisheries, and waste disposal. High-flow data describe the magnitude and frequency of floods, aid in planning for floods, and aid in the design of structures, such as bridges, culverts, and dams.

22 WATER RESOURCES OF BIG HORN COUNTY Table 2. U.S. Geological Survey surface-water stations in Big Horn County, Wyoming 2 [mi , square miles; , not computed]

Drainage- Period of record, in water years Site basin Discharge Quality number Station area Daily or Annual (pi . 1) number Station name (mi 2) monthly peak Chemical Sediment Stream type

1 06269000 Bighorn River near Manderson 11,020 1949-54 1949-53 1949-53 Regulated 1956 1967-70 1956

2 06269500 Bighorn River at Manderson 11,048 1941-49 1947-49 1946-49 Regulated

3 06271500 Paint Rock Creek below Lake Solitude 16.0 1946-53 Perennial

4 06272000 Paint Rock Creek at Longview ranger 79.9 *1912 Perennial station, near Hyattville

5 06272500 Paint Rock Creek near Hyattville 164 1920-27 1951-53 Perennial 1941-53

6 06273000 Medicine Lodge Creek near Hyattville 86.8 1943-73 1951-53 Perennial

7 06273500 Paint Rock Creek near Bonanza 376 1910-14 1951-53 Irrigation 1915-23 1968-84 return flow

8 06274000 Nowood River (Creek) at Bonanza 1,730 1910-28 Regulated

9 06274190 Nowood River tributary No. 2 near Basin 1.51 1965-84 Ephemeral

10 06274200 Nowood River tributary No. 2 near 1.59 1961-71 Ephemeral Manderson

11 06274220 Nowood River at Manderson 22,000 1965-86 1965-67 Regulated STREAMFL 12 06274250 Elk Creek near Basin 96.9 1959-81 Irrigation return flow i cu 3: Q. cz o , "U , , a >> ~O TQ TQ T3 T3 0 r- T) -t-> CU cu CU 0) CU cu cu cu Q. a> cu CU cu cu cu I- CU cu CO Cg Cg Qi LU c^ eg O- a. " eg t 1 i_

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24 WATER RESOURCES OF BIG HORN COUNTY Table 2. U.S. Geological Survey surface-water stations in Big Horn County, Wyoming Continued

Drainage- Period of record , in water years Site basin Discharge Quality number Station area Daily or Annual (pi. 1) number Station name (mi^) monthly peak Chemical Sediment Stream type

25 06279090 Shel 1 Creek near Greybu 11 560 1951 1965-67 Regulated 1965-86

26 06279500 Bighorn River at Kane 15,765 3 1928-88 1947-53 1946-64 Regulated 1955-57 1970-88 27 06279700 Wil low Creek near Kane 14.0 1961-75 Ephemeral

28 06284500 Bitter Creek near Garland 80.5 1950-54 1958-61 Irrigation 1958-60 1969-88 return flow 1969-87