February 2018 Council Meeting: Annual Business Meeting
| February 2018 Agenda |
Current Water Quality Trends
Near Snake Creek Headwaters
Presentation By: Joe Crawford, CUWCD
Nutrients such as phosphorus and nitrogen are absorbed strongly by soils and are only present in small quantities in the soil solution. These nutrients move to the root or interface with Chlorophyll a by diffusion. As uptake of these nutrients occurs, the concentration in the soil solution decreases. However, if too much nutrient exists than can be taken up by the chlorophyll a, then the concentration of the nutrients remains the same or increases. The study on Nutrient Diffusing Substrata (NDS) presented here analyzes three sites on Snake Creek to determine how much extra phosphorus was available at the sites. The sites included Near Snake Creek Headwaters, Homestead Drive – Below Golf Course, and Below Railroad Tracks and Fish Hatchery. It showed that available phosphorus was greater downstream than at the headwaters and that development increases the nutrient loads to Snake Creek.
Nutrients such as phosphorus and nitrogen are absorbed strongly by soils and are only present in small quantities in the soil solution. These nutrients move to the root or interface with Chlorophyll a by diffusion. As uptake of these nutrients occurs, the concentration in the soil solution decreases. However, if too much nutrient exists than can be taken up by the chlorophyll a, then the concentration of the nutrients remains the same or increases. The study on Nutrient Diffusing Substrata (NDS) presented here analyzes three sites on Snake Creek to determine how much extra phosphorus was available at the sites. The sites included Near Snake Creek Headwaters, Homestead Drive – Below Golf Course, and Below Railroad Tracks and Fish Hatchery. It showed that available phosphorus was greater downstream than at the headwaters and that development increases the nutrient loads to Snake Creek.
| Nutrient Diffusing Substrata |
Provo River Watershed Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs)
Presentation By: Sandy Wingert, DWQ
This presentation identifies and describes the impaired watersheds within the Upper Provo River Watershed
This presentation identifies and describes the impaired watersheds within the Upper Provo River Watershed
- Provo River-5 (Jordanelle Reservoir up to Woodland) – Listed on 2016 303(d) List for failing to protect aquatic life (3A) designation due to elevated levels of aluminum
- Provo River-6 (Woodland up to headwaters; except S Fk & Little S Fk Provo) – Listed on 2012/14 303 (d) List for failing to protect Cold Water Aquatic Life (3A) designated use due to aluminum and zinc.
- Lower Snake Creek (Provo River to Wasatch Mountain State Park) - Listed on 303(d) list in 2012/14 for failing to protect
- infrequent contact recreation due to elevated levels of E. coli
- Spring Creek (Heber Valley) - Listed on the 2016 303(d) List for failing to protect source water (1C) designated use due to elevated levels of arsenic
- Increase monitoring efforts to better understand temporal and spatial variability (began October 2017, cooperators)
- Meet with local stakeholders to discuss potential sources and remediation plans
- TMDLs: Watershed Characterization, Data Inventory, Source Assessment, Analysis, Plan
- Develop TMDLs with public involvement
- Goal: Winter 2018/2019
| provo_river_tmdls_020518.pdf |
Synoptic Monitoring Proposal and Study
Presentation By: Ben Abbott, BYU
The presentation describes a new citizen science initiative to identify the sources and sinks of nutrients in tributaries to Utah Lake. During the high-flow period in the early spring and the low-flow period in the early fall of 2018, a synoptic sampling event of 100-300 sites in the river networks of the Provo and Spanish Fork watersheds will be organized. This project will provide experiential learning opportunities surrounding the scientific method, societal engagement, quantitative ecohydrology, and environmental stewardship for students at BYU. A more detailed description is included in the PROPOSAL.
The presentation describes a new citizen science initiative to identify the sources and sinks of nutrients in tributaries to Utah Lake. During the high-flow period in the early spring and the low-flow period in the early fall of 2018, a synoptic sampling event of 100-300 sites in the river networks of the Provo and Spanish Fork watersheds will be organized. This project will provide experiential learning opportunities surrounding the scientific method, societal engagement, quantitative ecohydrology, and environmental stewardship for students at BYU. A more detailed description is included in the PROPOSAL.
| Synoptic Monitoring Proposal Presentation |
Wasatch and Summit County Developments
Presented By: Doug Smith, Wasatch County
Updates on the various developments in Summit and Wasatch Counties was given.
Mayflower Mountainside
Extell Development Company, a national real estate developer of residential, commercial, retail, hospitality and mixed-use properties, operating primarily in Manhattan, has acquired the Stichting Mayflower parcel of land neighboring the Deer Valley ski resort. This parcel includes over 2,300 acres of Mayflower land in Wasatch County, just west of the Jordanelle Reservoir and Highway 40. The plan is for this site to include a new resort village and ski improvements. The master plan will ultimately provide over 1,000 acres of new ski terrain and mountain recreation land.
Currently it is proposed that the Military Installation Development Authority (MIDA) hotel be located within the Mayflower Mountainside area. MIDA was created by Governor John Huntsman to allow the military to operate property much like a municipality. This would be a private/public military hotel and recreation facility. It will take up six of the acres in that area and provide opportunities for skiing, hiking, biking, etc. The 4-star hotel will be open to the public but discounted rooms will be reserved for personnel from all four branches of the military.
Mayflower North
This area is proposed for single-family lots and townhomes. Discussion centered around the fact that the area is adjacent to the Jordanelle “Take Line”. The Take Line lands are adjacent to Jordanelle Reservoir and is designated as Wildlife Habitat with limited access. There is concern that many land owners will attempt to get access to Jordanelle Reservoir and that the land may be degraded.
Updates on the various developments in Summit and Wasatch Counties was given.
Mayflower Mountainside
Extell Development Company, a national real estate developer of residential, commercial, retail, hospitality and mixed-use properties, operating primarily in Manhattan, has acquired the Stichting Mayflower parcel of land neighboring the Deer Valley ski resort. This parcel includes over 2,300 acres of Mayflower land in Wasatch County, just west of the Jordanelle Reservoir and Highway 40. The plan is for this site to include a new resort village and ski improvements. The master plan will ultimately provide over 1,000 acres of new ski terrain and mountain recreation land.
Currently it is proposed that the Military Installation Development Authority (MIDA) hotel be located within the Mayflower Mountainside area. MIDA was created by Governor John Huntsman to allow the military to operate property much like a municipality. This would be a private/public military hotel and recreation facility. It will take up six of the acres in that area and provide opportunities for skiing, hiking, biking, etc. The 4-star hotel will be open to the public but discounted rooms will be reserved for personnel from all four branches of the military.
Mayflower North
This area is proposed for single-family lots and townhomes. Discussion centered around the fact that the area is adjacent to the Jordanelle “Take Line”. The Take Line lands are adjacent to Jordanelle Reservoir and is designated as Wildlife Habitat with limited access. There is concern that many land owners will attempt to get access to Jordanelle Reservoir and that the land may be degraded.
Outreach & Education Campaign Ideas
fPresented By: Shannon Babb, Thalweg Education Innovations
This presentation focused on possible educational programs that the Provo River Watershed Council may want to consider. It included updating the website to be more mobile ready and preparing student curriculum that can be linked to www.ProvoRiverWatershed.org for teachers to download.
This presentation focused on possible educational programs that the Provo River Watershed Council may want to consider. It included updating the website to be more mobile ready and preparing student curriculum that can be linked to www.ProvoRiverWatershed.org for teachers to download.