Watershed Symposium 2024

Healthy ecosystems intrinsically reduce eutrophication, ameliorate pollution, sequester water and provide access to biodiversity with all of it's benefits. A binary outlook of what defines nature has limited restoration to untrammeled locations, a stark contrast to where such efforts will have the most benefits.

The speaker will make the case for the creation of a new industry to largely replace the landscaping industry: urban native restoration. in turn, the speaker will define the benefits restoration can provide in an urban setting, and some insight into how to affect this change.

Fish are routinely monitored for tissue contaminants that pose health risks to the public. We synthesized 25 years of fish tissue monitoring data from the Great Salt Lake Watershed to support risk assessments for public health and direct State monitoring resources toward high-risk waterbodies, contaminants, and fish species within Utah.

Full Abstract:
Fish accumulate contaminants from water, sediments, and their diet that can pose health risks to those who consume them. Recognizing this risk, the Utah Department of Natural Resources and Utah Department of Environmental Quality collaborate to routinely sample fish and analyze their tissue for a range of contaminants. We synthesized 25 years of fish tissue monitoring data from the Great Salt Lake Watershed to identify trends in contaminant concentrations over time, highlighting specific fish species, waterbodies, and regions of concern. A local case study on polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in Utah Lake is discussed to demonstrate how the State utilizes fish tissue monitoring data to communicate health risks to the public and inform response plans aimed at reducing contaminant exposure. Our findings not only support risk assessments for public health and environmental safety, but also direct State monitoring resources toward high-risk waterbodies, contaminants, and fish species within Utah.

Great Salt Lake Stormwater Study: Basin-Wide Analysis of Stormwater Flows, Low-Impact Development and Groundwater Contributions developed a water-balance model to explore the impacts of Low-Impact Development (LID) on the Great Salt Lake watershed.

Full Abstract:
This study, completed in 2023, entitled Great Salt Lake Stormwater Study: Basin-Wide Analysis of Stormwater Flows, Low-Impact Development and Groundwater Contributions developed a water-balance model to explore the impacts of Low-Impact Development (LID) on the Great Salt Lake watershed. LID refers to, “engineered systems, either structural or natural, that use or mimic natural processes to promote infiltration, evapo-transpiration, and/or reuse of storm water as close to its source as possible to protect water quality and aquatic habitat.” LID mimics the undeveloped water flows within a watershed which reduces the volume of runoff and the flows through conveyances thereby improving water quality of stormwater. The team performed an integrated water assessment, including quantification of the influence of low impact development practices associated with post-construction retention stormwater permit requirements on runoff to the Great Salt Lake. The project consisted of a literature review, data compilation, and methodology development and implementation that led to development and application of a SWMM model to estimate how future development with and without LID impacts surface water runoff and groundwater recharge in the context of the Great Salt Lake watershed. SWMM model results were used in MODFLOW groundwater models to elucidate both the surface and groundwater paths to Great Salt Lake. This talk will highlight the potential impacts of LID on the Great Salt Lake watershed including surface water and groundwater systems.

This panel presentation will explore how stakeholders are working together to safeguard the watershed, wildlife habitat, and ecosystems in the Wasatch Mountains from the threat of wildfires. Interagency panelists will present collaborative programs designed to reduce wildfire hazards through targeted fuel treatments in high-risk areas.

Full Abstract:
The Wasatch Mountains, an iconic landscape beloved for recreation and home to diverse ecosystems, face increasing wildfire risks. In response, several entities, including Save Our Canyons, Salt Lake City Public Utilities, the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, and the United States Forest Service, are collaborating on wildfire mitigation strategies through Utah's Watershed Restoration Initiative in the Wasatch Mountains. This panel will explore how these stakeholders are working together to safeguard the watershed, wildlife habitat, and recreational areas from the growing threat of wildfires. Panelists will present collaborative programs designed to reduce wildfire hazards through targeted fuel treatments in high-risk areas, protecting both natural and human communities. Key learning objectives of this presentation include building trust among community leaders and residents by enhancing public engagement, communicating critical project milestones, and improving the transparency of fuel treatment efforts. Attendees will learn how these collaborative efforts prioritize effective, sustainable fuel management strategies while considering community input. Panelists will provide detailed insights on how treatment areas are expected to look before, during, and after fuel treatments, managing expectations and ensuring that the public understands the necessity and benefits of these actions. The panel will also highlight the importance of gaining broad support for additional funding and programs from land managers, policymakers, and the public. By discussing methodologies used to prioritize fuel treatment projects in the canyon, panelists will demonstrate how data-driven decisions are being applied to reduce wildfire risks in critical zones, balancing both conservation and public safety. Attendees will leave with a deeper understanding of how cross-agency partnerships can effectively address fire hazards in the Wasatch Mountains and the critical role that community engagement plays in sustaining wildfire mitigation efforts. Through collaborative fire mitigation strategies, we can protect the Central Wasatch’s unique landscapes and the communities that depend on them. Learning Objectives: Build Trust Through Public Engagement: Improve community support for wildfire mitigation efforts by fostering ongoing dialogue, communicating critical project milestones, and enhancing the transparency of fire mitigation efforts. Public Awareness of Fuel Treatments: Ensure that the recreating public is informed about fuel treatment timing and scope in popular recreational areas and trailheads. Manage Public Expectations: Communicate what to expect before, during, and after fuel treatment implementation to gain public understanding and support. Build Support for Funding: Garner community and legislative backing for continued and expanded fire mitigation funding. Prioritization of Projects: Share methodologies used to prioritize fuel treatment projects in high-risk areas, ensuring that resources are used effectively to mitigate wildfire threats. By working together, these agencies are making strides in mitigating wildfire risks while maintaining the integrity and natural beauty of the Wasatch Mountains for generations to come.

The Jordan River Commission presents UPRIVER, a ‘watershed film’ that explores one of the Nation’s most active river conservation movements. Within Oregon’s Willamette River system, the film focuses on people from all walks of life who are coming together to revive the health of this large river and the life it supports.

For more information, please visit https://www.freshwatersillustrated.org/upriver.