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Nutrient Management Practices Improve Water Quality in Spring Creek
Waterbody Improved Since 2002, the utah Division of water Quality (udwq), in
partnership with the Natural Resource Conservation Service
(NRCS), Blacksmith Fork Conservation District (CD) and producers, has worked towards improving
Spring Creek in Cache Valley, Utah. In 2000 Spring Creek was added to the Clean Water Act (CWA)
section 303(d) list for exceedances in fecal coliform, total phosphorus, temperature, dissolved
oxygen and ammonia. In 2002 a total maximum daily load (TMDL) was developed to quantify
impairments and develop an implementation plan to address the listed impairments. The
implementation plan has resulted in over 20 water quality improvement projects being completed
and resulted in significant water quality improvements at the outlet of the watershed.
Problem
Spring Creek is centraliy located in Cache Valley, Utah.
Cache Vailey is in northern Utah and is one of the
largest agricultural production regions of the state
(Figure 1). The Spring Creek watershed is composed of
springs, sloughs and irrigation canals. These separate
water sources feed Spring Creek, a significant tributary
to the Little Bear River. The Little Bear River then feeds
into Cutler Reservoir, an important water resource in
northern Utah.
Water quality assessments completed by UDWQ. in
1996 and 1997 identified significant impairments to
Spring Creek, including exceedances in fecal coliform,
total phosphorus, temperature, dissolved oxygen and
ammonia. These impairments, and the inability of
the water body to support beneficial uses, resulted in
the development of the Spring Creek TMDL in 2002.
The TMDL highlighted multiple nonpoint sources of
pollution, including animal feeding operations, manure
application, grazing in waterways and farming without
field buffers (Figure 2).
Story Highlights
The 2002 TMDL highlighted water quality concerns
and also identified water quality improvement oppor-
tunities. Since 2002, producers, CDs and agencies have
worked cooperatively and diligently to implement
water quality improvement projects of various sizes
and types. Currently, more than 21 certified nutrient
management plans have been written. In addition
to these plans, 21 waste storage facilities have been
Spring Creek Watershed /
Cache County, Utah /
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Figure 1. Spring Creek is in northern Utah.
constructed; 7,124 feet (ft) of berms have been built;
and 1,110 ft of fence have been installed (Figure 3).
Other best management practices implemented
include 6,284 ft of riparian fencing, five offsite water-
ing facilities and 1,200 ft of streambank protection. To

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Figure 2. Before the project, runoff from uncontained
anima! waste areas entered Spring Creek.
Figure 3. After the project, animal waste is contained
in a waste storage facility.
Spring Creek Total Phosphorus Concentrations at Watershed Outlet
Spring Creek Ammonia-Nitrogen Concentrations at Watershed Outlet
Figure 4. Downward trend of total phosphorus in
Spring Creek (2001-2015).
date, ongoing efforts are continuing to improve water
quality in the Spring Creek watershed.
Results
As a result of the project implementation, significant
water quality improvements have been observed
within the Spring Creek watershed (Figures 4 and
5). These improvements include significant load
reductions of phosphorus and ammonia, increased
dissolved oxygen levels, and lower temperature levels.
Additionally, unstable bare banks have revegetated/
stabilized, and the riparian corridor has increased In
width. Additional monitoring will continue to occur in
Figure 5. Downward trend of ammonia-nitrogen in
Spring Creek (2004-2015).
an attempt to delist Spring Creek for the parameters
that are impairing the beneficial uses.
Partners and Funding
Agencies and producers spent a combined total of
more than $1.26 million on nonpoint source water
quality improvement projects in the Spring Creek
watershed. Funding sources included $317,271 of CWA
section 319 funding; $691,500 of NRCS funding; and
$252,000 of in-kind producer contributions. Additional
resources and support came from Utah State
University Extension and the Blacksmith Fork CD.
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U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Water
Washington, DC
EPA 841-F-20-0Q1UU
December 2020
For additional information contact:
James Bowcutt
Utah Division of Water Quality
801-536-4336 • jdbowcutt@utah.gov

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