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Watershed Symposium 2024
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Wednesday, November 20
 

11:25am MST

Phosphorus Sources to Utah Lake and Their Impacts on Harmful Algal Blooms
Wednesday November 20, 2024 11:25am - 11:55am MST
Summary:
This study aims to identify major phosphorus origins in Utah Lake’s watershed, quantify phosphorus influx from each source to Utah Lake, visualize HAB occurrences, and assess the correlation between phosphorus levels and HAB distribution.

Full Abstract:
This study aims to identify major phosphorus origins in Utah Lake’s watershed, quantify phosphorus influx from each source to Utah Lake, visualize HAB occurrences, and assess the correlation between phosphorus levels and HAB distribution. To accomplish this goal, our research team conducted in-situ water sampling and nutrient concentration measurements. We utilized geographic information systems (GIS) and remote sensing geospatial techniques to categorize key phosphorus sources to Utah Lake, employed empirical models to quantify nutrient runoff, and leveraged Google Earth Engine (GEE) and ArcGIS Pro to automate the processing of Landsat images for visualizing HAB distribution in Utah Lake. The identified key nutrient sources include urban lawns, golf courses, parks, herbaceous, deciduous forest, evergreen forest, mixed forest, hay/pasture, and cultivated crops. Their respective total areas ranged from 9.5 km² to 1,775.7 km², with golf courses being the smallest and deciduous forests being the largest. Notably, urban lawns and cultivated crops, covering 337 km² and 344.41 km2, emerged as two significant phosphorus sources to Utah Lake, despite constituting only 7.5% and 7.6% of the total Utah Lake Watershed area, respectively. Furthermore, our analysis revealed a close correlation between HAB distribution and phosphorus levels in the lake. Prior studies on Utah Lake have focused primarily on phosphorus loading from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) and atmospheric deposition. While WWTPs are still the major phosphorus contributors to the occurrence of HABs, our findings suggest that land-derived non-point nutrient sources play a substantial role in triggering HABs in Utah Lake.
Speakers
avatar for Weihong Wang

Weihong Wang

Professor, Utah Valley University
Dr. Weihong Wang is a Professor and Department Chair of Earth Science at Utah Valley University. Holding a Ph.D. in Marine Science from the University of South Carolina, she is also a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. Her research interests include anthropogenic impact on wetland... Read More →
Wednesday November 20, 2024 11:25am - 11:55am MST
Lower Level, Ballroom C

11:25am MST

Great Salt Lake Basin Integrated Plan Update
Wednesday November 20, 2024 11:25am - 12:05pm MST
Summary:
Development of the Great Salt Lake Basin Plan is underway and the Utah Division of Water Resources is excited to update you on the progress of the first-ever basin-wide water management tool. Implementation of the tool will ensure a resilient water supply for Great Salt Lake and all water uses, including people and the environment, in the basin.

Full Abstract:
The Utah Division of Water Resources is excited to share an update on the first-ever Great Salt Lake Basin Integrated Plan (GSLBIP). Since we presented at the 2023 Watershed Symposium, we’ve made significant progress, completing several key foundational tasks and paving the way for more impactful milestones ahead. These tasks will culminate in the creation of an important decision-making tool for improved water resource management. When the tools and research findings from the project are complete, decision makers will be equipped to make informed decisions about water planning in the Great Salt Lake Basin. Once implemented, the goal of the Great Salt Lake Basin Integrated Plan is to ensure a resilient water supply for Great Salt Lake and all water uses — including people and the environment — throughout the watershed. As part of the 2024 GSLBIP update, the Division of Water Resources team will dive into how we’re actively bringing the recommendations in the GSLBIP Work Plan (completed in April 2024) to life. We will bring attendees up to speed on the planning and modeling approaches, discuss near-term milestones and begin exploring possible watershed management alternatives to be considered in the scenario-planning process. Alongside the development of an innovative water resource modeling tool, the GSLBIP is conducting important research that will shape and guide future water planning decisions. The Gap Analysis in the GSLBIP Work Plan identified over 150 potential projects that could enhance understanding of water flows in the Great Salt Lake Basin. Project partners honed in on eight key projects, and all are now officially underway, marking an exciting step forward in the plan’s progress. We will provide an update on those projects and explain how we envision them playing a pivotal role in future watershed planning.
Speakers
avatar for Laura Vernon

Laura Vernon

Great Salt Lake Basin Planner, Utah Division of Water Resources
Laura Vernon is an accomplished natural resources planner with nearly two decades of experience in the field. As the Great Salt Lake Basin Planner for the Utah Division of Water Resources, she leverages her expertise in strategic land use and water planning to address the complex... Read More →
JS

Jake Serago

Water Resources Engineer, Utah Division of Water Resources
Jake is a water resource engineer with 10 years of professional hydrologic and hydraulic modeling experience. Driven by his deep connection to the element, Jake chose water resources as a career because of the magical quality of water to sustain life. In his work at the Utah Division... Read More →
Wednesday November 20, 2024 11:25am - 12:05pm MST
Lower Level, Ballroom A/B

12:55pm MST

Climate Resiliency Toolbox
Wednesday November 20, 2024 12:55pm - 1:25pm MST
Summary:
This presentation will feature how engineers can help shape a more resilient future leveraging new perspectives and technologies.  Topics include watershed vulnerability assessments, innovative filtration media for stormwater quality treatment, aquifer storage and recovery, and how to leverage socio-economic census data in project prioritization.

Full Abstract:
Water scarcity, water quality impairments, aging infrastructure, a changing climate and the vulnerable populations that will experience all these challenges weigh heavily on the minds of environmental decision-makers these days.  It can be overwhelming to know where to start to help make our watersheds resilient. Fortunately, engineers and scientists have some powerful tools in their resiliency toolbox! This presentation will cover examples of how engineers can help shape a more resilient future,  covering how to leverage new information to help plan and prioritize, new technologies that create better resiliency opportunities, and some new ways of looking at old practices that still stand the test of time. The topics in this presentation will be a “sampler pack” of resiliency tools, including watershed vulnerability assessments for project prioritization, innovative filtration media for stormwater quality treatment, and aquifer storage and recovery.  In addition to providing project examples from Utah and elsewhere in the United States, this presentation will outline ways that today’s practitioners are using census data to incorporate socio-economic considerations into decisions about what to implement first, and where.
Speakers
avatar for Dallen Webster

Dallen Webster

Water Resources Engineer, Barr Engineering Co.
Dallen is a water resources engineer whose experience includes integrating regionally appropriate best management practices (BMPs) into stormwater management plans, hydraulic modeling to design river remediation strategies, assessing and monitoring water quality, developing climate... Read More →
Wednesday November 20, 2024 12:55pm - 1:25pm MST
Lower Level, Ballroom C

1:30pm MST

Navigating EPA 9-Element Plans: Heber Valley Watershed Success Strategies
Wednesday November 20, 2024 1:30pm - 2:00pm MST
Summary:
Explore the EPA 9-Element watershed planning framework and discover key strategies for effective watershed management. Learn from the Heber Valley success story, showcasing practical approaches and collaborative efforts that led to improved water quality. Gain insights to enhance your own watershed plans and community engagement.

Full Abstract:
In this presentation, we will delve into the intricacies of the EPA 9-Element watershed planning framework, a comprehensive approach designed to enhance watershed management and water quality. Attendees will gain a thorough understanding of the nine essential components required for effective watershed plans, including stakeholder involvement, problem identification, and measurable goals. The session will highlight practical strategies for developing and implementing these plans, ensuring they address local water quality issues and regulatory requirements. A focal point of the presentation will be the Heber Valley watershed plan, a compelling case study that exemplifies the successful application of the 9-Element framework. Participants will learn about the innovative approaches and collaborative efforts that contributed to the plan's success, including an interactive complex data story map that is updated annually for stakeholder use. By examining this real-world example, attendees will acquire valuable insights and actionable knowledge for crafting their own effective watershed plans, ultimately contributing to improved water quality and environmental stewardship in their regions.
Speakers
SW

Sandy Wingert

Upper Provo and Jordan River Coordinator, Utah Division of Water Quality
Sandy Wingert is a seasoned water quality specialist with the Utah Division of Water Quality. With extensive experience in watershed management and watershed planning, Sandy has been instrumental in advancing water quality initiatives across the state. Her expertise includes developing... Read More →
avatar for Arianna Mason

Arianna Mason

Lead Water Resources Scientist, SWCA Environmental Consultants
Arianna Mason is a water resource specialist and project manager at SWCA Environmental Consultants. With a background in water quality and water resources management, Arianna has spearheaded numerous projects as a project manager, technical lead, and data manager/analyst. Her expertise... Read More →
Wednesday November 20, 2024 1:30pm - 2:00pm MST
Lower Level, Ballroom C

2:45pm MST

Poster Session, Break, Snacks
Wednesday November 20, 2024 2:45pm - 3:25pm MST
The poster session is a forum for presenters from around the world to highlight programs and to share successful ideas with colleagues by presenting a research study, a practical problem-solving effort, an innovative program, and more. Poster presentations provide other conference participants an opportunity to quickly and easily become acquainted with a variety of topics.
Posters
avatar for Carina Thiriot

Carina Thiriot

Recreational Water Intern, Utah Division of Water Quality
Carina Thiriot is a recent public health graduate working as the Utah Division of Water Quality's recreational water intern. This year, Carina has created educational materials about harmful algae in Utah waterbodies, including recent materials for Utah veterinarian offices. She is... Read More →
avatar for Farah Nusrat

Farah Nusrat

Postdoctoral Fellow, Utah State University
Farah is a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Southwest Climate Adaptation Science Center (SW CASC), and located at the Utah State University. She is a member of the "Future of Aquatic Flows" cohort of the Climate Adaptation Postdoctoral (CAP) Fellows Program of USGS. In this role, she works... Read More →
JR

Jen Robison

Senior Advisor Government Affairs, Rio Tinto
Our Kennecott mine is a world-class, integrated copper mining operation located just outside Salt Lake City, Utah, in the United States. Kennecott has been mining and processing minerals from the rich ore body of the Bingham Canyon Mine since 1903, and today is one of the top producing... Read More →
avatar for Jens Ammon

Jens Ammon

Riverscape Project Manager, Sageland Collaborative
Jens Ammon designs, manages, and implements restoration projects as part of Sageland Collaborative's Riverscape Restoration Program. He received a Master of Ecological Restoration and a B.S. in Aquatic Ecosystem Management from Utah State University, and a B.S. in Geology from the... Read More →
avatar for Kevin Perry

Kevin Perry

Professor, Department of Atmospheric Sciences / University of Utah
Dr. Kevin Perry has been a Professor in the Department of Atmospheric Sciences at the University of Utah since 2002. He holds a B.S. degree in meteorology from Iowa State University and a Ph.D. degree in Atmospheric Sciences from the University of Washington. He has participated in... Read More →
NH

Nick Halverson

Director of Chemistry, e-sens
Nick graduated from the University of Utah in 2018 and has worked at e-sens for the past six years, developing novel technologies for fast, accurate, and affordable detection of chemicals in drinking water.
avatar for Rose Smith

Rose Smith

Stream Ecologist, Sageland Collaborative
Rose Smith is a Stream Ecologist leading the Riverscape Restoration program at Sageland Collaborative. She works with diverse partners to implement and conduct research on low-tech restoration practices across the western United States. Rose brings experience in ecosystem ecology... Read More →
avatar for Zachary Claerhout

Zachary Claerhout

Graduate Research Assistant, University of Utah / Department of Atmospheric Sciences
Zachary Claerhout is a second-year graduate student in the Department of Atmospheric Sciences at the University of Utah. He holds a B.S. degree in Environmental Geoscience from the University of Utah, where he worked as an analyst in the Seismograph Station and participated in the... Read More →
Wednesday November 20, 2024 2:45pm - 3:25pm MST
Great Hall
 
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