Climate/Vegetation
Geology
Land Ownership

Popo Agie Watershed: Planning
Watershed planning is a process for local constituents to identify and assess their natural resource concerns and opportunities, determine the condition that meets their needs, and formulate alternatives to achieve their goals based upon voluntary, incentive-driven opportunities. Together, local citizens are working to develop a locally-led, voluntary and incentive-based watershed management plan to improve water quality while preserving the economic sustainability of agriculture, recreation, wildlife, and municipalities in the Popo Agie Watershed. There are several legislative acts at the federal and state levels that guide watershed planning, with associated agencies to administer public planning requirements and provide guidance for local efforts.

In 1999, the Popo Agie Conservation District (PACD) initiated a community based watershed planning effort for the Popo Agie Watershed. The purpose of the planning effort was to provide an opportunity for local people to identify and assess natural resource concerns and opportunities within the watershed, determine what condition were desired, and formulate alternatives to achieve those desired results based upon voluntary incentive-driven opportunities. Public meetings were held to discuss the issues. The public nominated individuals to serve as their representatives and a steering committee was formed. To provide technical information to the district and steering committee, local and statewide expertise was identified and requested to serve on Technical Advisory Groups (TAG). Watershed concerns and opportunities were identified and categorized into four overriding themes:

• Water Quality
• Water Quantity
• Upland Health
• Riparian/Wetland Health

Popo Agie Watershed Planning Mission Statement
The Pop Agie Conservation District will engage our community in a collaborative effort to create a watershed plan that reflects the values, interests, and goals as defined by the District’s constituents.

By acknowledging the diversity of the resources within the Popo Agie Watershed, our intent is to provide the leadership and assistance for maintaining and improving: 1) Natural Resources, 2) Economic Sustainability, 3) Water Quality, 4) Water Quantity, and 5) Customs and Cultures.

The Popo Agie Conservation District will provide the tools to implement a successful watershed plan through education, voluntary participation, and incentive driven opportunities.

The following accomplishments have succeeded in building upon the watershed plan: Water Quality Monitoring, Middle Fork of the Popo Agie Flood Mitigation, and Squaw Creek Bioengineering Demonstration Project.

Publications
Available at our office:
Popo Agie Watershed Water Quality Monitoring Project 1999-2000 Final Report
Popo Agie Watershed Water Quality Monitoring Project 2001-2002 Final Report
Popo Agie Watershed Level 1 Study, WWDC & ACE, Inc., 2002

Available on-line
Popo Agie Watershed Plan (470KB)
Popo Agie Watershed Plan Appendices (1.9MB)