Shell Valley-Watershed Plan Level I Study-Final Report-2010.Pdf
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This is a digital document from the collections of the Wyoming Water Resources Data System (WRDS) Library. For additional information about this document and the document conversion process, please contact WRDS at [email protected] and include the phrase “Digital Documents” in your subject heading. To view other documents please visit the WRDS Library online at: http://library.wrds.uwyo.edu Mailing Address: Water Resources Data System University of Wyoming, Dept 3943 1000 E University Avenue Laramie, WY 82071 Physical Address: Wyoming Hall, Room 249 University of Wyoming Laramie, WY 82071 Phone: (307) 766-6651 Fax: (307) 766-3785 Funding for WRDS and the creation of this electronic document was provided by the Wyoming Water Development Commission (http://wwdc.state.wy.us) Watershed Plan ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Level I Study Submitted by: ENGINEERING ASSOCIATES 130 NORTH BENT STREET POWELL WY 82435 GEOMATRIX CONSULTANTS 1824 NORTH LAST CHANCE GULCH PO BOX 7118 HELENA MT 59601 WESTECH ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES PO BOX 6045 HELENA MT 59604 FINAL REPORT March 2010 SHELL VALLEY WATERSHED PLAN LEVEL I STUDY TABLE OF CONTENTS TABLE OF CONTENTS .............................................................................................................................. I LIST OF APPENDICES ............................................................................................................................ IV 1.0 INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................................................... 1 2.0 EXISTING DATA REVIEW ............................................................................................................ 1 3.0 WATERSHED DESCRIPTION AND INVENTORY ............................................................................. 2 4.0 SHELL CREEK WATERSHED‐BIOLOGICAL ..................................................................................... 3 4.1 VEGETATION ................................................................................................................................. 3 4.1.1 LAND COVER TYPES ................................................................................................................... 4 4.1.2 RANGE CONDITION ................................................................................................................... 6 4.1.2.1 ECOLOGICAL SITE DESCRIPTIONS .................................................................................................. 12 4.1.3 FORESTRY RESOURCES ............................................................................................................ 12 4.1.4 WETLAND AND RIPARIAN RESOURCES.................................................................................... 14 4.1.5 SPECIAL STATUS SPECIES ......................................................................................................... 17 4.2 WILDLIFE ..................................................................................................................................... 19 4.3 FISHERIES .................................................................................................................................... 21 5.0 SHELL CREEK WATERSHED ....................................................................................................... 22 5.1 CLIMATE ...................................................................................................................................... 22 5.2 GEOLOGY ..................................................................................................................................... 25 5.2.1 GEOLOGIC SETTING ................................................................................................................. 25 5.2.2 SEISMIC CONDITIONS .............................................................................................................. 25 5.2.3 LANDSLIDES ............................................................................................................................ 25 5.3 SOIL RESOURCES ......................................................................................................................... 27 5.4 HYDROLOGY ................................................................................................................................ 27 5.4.1 HYDROLOGIC UNITS ................................................................................................................ 29 5.4.2 LAKES AND RESERVOIRS .......................................................................................................... 31 5.4.3 GROUNDWATER ...................................................................................................................... 31 5.4.4 WATER MONITORING ............................................................................................................. 32 5.4.5 SURFACE WATER FLOW .......................................................................................................... 36 5.4.6 SURFACE WATER QUALITY ...................................................................................................... 41 5.4.6.1 SHELL CREEK .................................................................................................................................. 43 5.4.6.2 BEAVER CREEK ............................................................................................................................... 49 5.4.6.3 GRANITE CREEK ............................................................................................................................ 52 5.5 STREAM MORPHOLOGY .............................................................................................................. 53 5.5.1 LEVEL I STREAM DESCRIPTION AND CLASSIFICATION ............................................................. 53 5.5.1.1 SHELL CREEK .................................................................................................................................. 53 5.5.1.2 BEAVER CREEK ............................................................................................................................... 54 5.5.1.3 TRAPPER CREEK ............................................................................................................................. 54 5.5.1.4 WHITE CREEK ................................................................................................................................ 54 5.5.1.5 CEDAR CREEK ................................................................................................................................ 54 5.5.1.6 GRANITE CREEK ............................................................................................................................. 54 5.5.2 LEVEL II STREAM DESCRIPTION AND CLASSIFICATION ............................................................ 57 5.5.2.1 SHELL CREEK .................................................................................................................................. 58 5.5.2.2 BEAVER CREEK ............................................................................................................................... 58 5.5.2.3 RED CANYON CREEK ...................................................................................................................... 59 5.5.2.4 GRANITE CREEK ............................................................................................................................. 59 5.5.2.5 WILLETT CREEK .............................................................................................................................. 59 i 5.5.2.6 HORSE CREEK ................................................................................................................................ 59 5.5.2.7 TRAPPER CREEK ............................................................................................................................. 59 5.5.2.8 WHITE CREEK ................................................................................................................................ 59 5.5.2.9 SCHAREN GULCH ........................................................................................................................... 60 5.5.2.10 SHELDON GULCH ............................................................................................................................... 60 5.5.2.11 RED GULCH ........................................................................................................................................ 60 6.0 IRRIGATION ............................................................................................................................ 61 6.2 IRRIGATION STRUCTURE SYSTEMS .............................................................................................. 64 6.2.1 FIELD SURVEY .......................................................................................................................... 64 6.2.2 STRUCTURE ASSESSMENT ....................................................................................................... 67 6.2.3 SEEPAGE ANALYSIS ................................................................................................................. 68 6.3 CONSTRUCTION COSTS FOR STRUCTURE REPLACEMENTS .......................................................... 75 7.0 SHELL CANAL TUNNEL ............................................................................................................