Section 319
• NONPOINT SOURCE PROGRAM SUCCESS STORY
Recreational Use Attained Tnrough Best Management Practice
Implementation and Targeted Technical Assistance
Waterbodv ImDrOVed Runoff from 99ricultural lands and septic systems led to high
bacteria levels in North Dakota's Wild Rice River. As a result.
North Dakota added the Wild Rice River to its 1998 Clean Water Act (CWA) section 303(d)
list of impaired waters for having its recreation designated use threatened due to fecal
coliform bacteria. Best management practices were installed to improve livestock manure
management and restore failed septic systems in the watershed. Subsequent samples
showed reduced bacteria levels in the listed segment of the Wild Rice River and the
segment was taken off the CWA section 303(d) list in 2014.
Problem
The Wild Rice River drains 1.43 million acres in
Dickey, Sargent, Ransom, Richland, and Cass
counties in southeastern North Dakota, and
Marshall and Roberts counties in northeastern
South Dakota. It is a sub-watershed of the larger
Upper Red River Watershed (hydrologic unit code
[HUC] 09020105). The listed segment of concern is
a 38.6-mile portion of the Wild Rice River from its
confluence with the Colfax watershed, downstream
to its confluence with the Red River (segment
ND-09020105-001-S_00).
Watershed assessments by the Richland County
Soil Conservation District (SCO) and Cass County
SCO determined that pasture and rangeland,
degraded riparian areas, livestock concentration
areas and hobby farms in close proximity to the
river could be negatively affecting water quality
in the Wild Rice River. The watershed coordinator
also cited improperly functioning individual septic
systems as a major contributor to water quality
problems.
North Dakota's water quality standards for fecal
coliform bacteria require geometric means
during any consecutive 30-day period in the
swimming season (May 1 to September 30) to
be less than 200 colony-forming units per 100
milliliters of water (cfu/100 ml), with no more
than 10 percent of those monthly samples higher
than 400 cfu/100ml_. A sample collected by North
Dakota in June 1993 at the STORET 380031 sam-
pling station had a fecal coliform bacteria count of
NO 1
Wild Rice River,
\J
/\ Septic System Renovation
O Well Decommissioning
• STORET Sites
Figure 1. North Dakota's Wild Rice River is in
southeastern North Dakota. Partners installed numerous
best management practices, including agricultural
projects that are not indicated on map.
700 cfu/100ml_. Therefore, in 1998 the Wild Rice
River was listed as having its recreational desig-
nated use threatened due to fecal coliform bac-
teria. Subsequent sampling during the watershed
assessment (2002-2005) supported that listing
(Figure 2).
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Project Highlights
In 2006 the Richland County SCO developed
a watershed project implementation plan to
restore the recreational uses of the Wild Rice
River. As a secondary goal, the project would
also protect and enhance the aquatic life use
of Antelope Creek and the Wild Rice River. As a
part of this plan, through partnerships with local
landowners and homeowners, seven septic sys-
tem renovations and one well decommissioning
have been completed within the 12-digit HUCs
associated with the listed segment. Restoration
practices completed from 2007 to present within
the entire Wild Rice River watershed included
136 septic systems renovated, 31 wells decom-
missioned, 868 acres of cover crop planted,
12,690 feet of perimeter fencing installed, one
watering facilitated constructed and one partial
livestock waste management system installed.
Results
Wild Rice River Bacteria Levels (2001-2014)
4/19/2001 9/1/2002 1/14/2004 5/28/2005 10/10/2006 2/22/2008 7/6/2009 11/18/2010 4/1/2012 8/14/2013 12/27/2014 5/10/16
Date
In 2009 North Dakota's bacteria standard
changed to Escherichia coli. The new standard
requires that geometric means during any
consecutive 30-day period during the swimming
season are less than 126 cfu/100 ml, and that
no more than 10 percent of the samples exceed
409 cfu/100 ml. Based on the most recent data,
these standards were met (see Figure 2). These
results allowed the North Dakota Department
of Health (NDDoH)to de-list the Wild Rice River
(segment ND-09020105-001-S _ 00) in the 2014
Integrated Report for bacterial impairment.
Partners and Funding
In 2002 the Richland County SCO, along with
NDDoH, initiated a project to assess water quality
and land use conditions within the Wild Rice River
watershed. The Richland County SCO also led the
development of the 2006 Wild Rice River watershed
project implementation plan. The SCO hired staff to
assist producers and homeowners in the watershed
with the development of contracts and delivery of
Figure 2. Post-restoration water quality data at STORET sampling site
385233 indicate that the Wild Rice River meets bacteria water quality
standards. The line indicates declining bacteria levels over time. Dots
represent individual sampling events.
technical assistance for the implementation of best
management practices. In addition, project staff
works closely with partners at the federal, state and
local levels to achieve the goals of the watershed
implementation project.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency granted
$45,486 in CWA section 319 funding that was
matched by $30,324 in local funds (cash and
in-kind services) from local individuals to cost-
share renovations within the 12-digit HUCs of the
listed segment. The NDDoH provided oversight
for project management; developed the quality
assurance project plan and conducted training for
proper water quality sample collection. NDDoH also
assisted with development and implementation of
information and education activities. Public involve-
ment has been encouraged and maintained through
various workshops, newsletters and presentations
provided to community groups.
UJ
(9
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Water
Washington, DC
EPA841-F-15-001B
January 2015
For additional information contact:
Jennifer Klostreich, Richland Soil Conservation District
jen.klostreich@nd.nacdnet.net
Greg Sandness, North Dakota Department of Health
701-328-5232 • gsandnes@nd.gov
Eric Steinhaus, North Dakota Watershed Coordinator, Region
303-312-6837 • steinhaus.eric@epa.gov
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