Watershed Symposium 2024

Come and learn about the challenges of implementing a large-scale river delta restoration close to a major urban area in Utah County.

Full Abstract:
The Provo River Delta Restoration project is one of the largest ecological restoration projects completed in the Jordan River watershed. After 10 years of planning and almost 5 years of construction, this ambitious project has been completed and is now open to the public. The Delta was re-created where the Provo River enters Utah Lake and now provides habitat for the threatened June sucker to grow from larvae to juvenile and provides many recreation opportunities for residents and visitors to the area. With nearly five miles of new river channel, two-hundred acres of open waters, and complete public access to all areas, this will be a resource that is valued for generations to come. This presentation will provide insights into how to develop the needed partnerships to achieve something at this scale and we will discuss some of the challenges of implementing such a large project so close to a highly urbanized area. It required an ambitious vision, perseverance in the face of challenge, and lots of public outreach to get this project done. We hope you can go visit and get on the water, walk with your family, observe the abundant wildlife, and maybe drop in a fishing line at this great location that balances the needs of both fish and people. Check us out at www.provoriverdelta.us.

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.

A native walk of the Bear River with the ancestors of the Bear River and the life ways it provided and must still provide.

Full Abstract:
The Northwestern Band of the Shoshone Nation has lived in the Bear River Watershed for over 13,000 years. The Bear River was the most important resources to our ancestors. It gave life. It was abundant with game, wetlands, drinking water, fish, and was a trail system for our people, and it always flowed into the Great Salt Lake. We would like to discuss our Tribal History of the Bear River and how we used it historically, how we used the Great Salt Lake, and how the depletion of these resources would be catastrophic to every in the Wasatch Front. We want to discuss food we used, grounds we farmed, and all the native plants that existed and how losing them is causing us to lose the river and a depletion in the Great Salt Lake. It'll be a native walking experience of the Bear River.

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.

The poster session is a forum for presenters 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.

Posters are listed alphabetically by title. ==> See Full Abstracts

Establishing a Functional Flows Framework for the Great Salt Lake Basin
Farah Nusrat, Utah State University
Functional flows are components of flow regimes that sustain river, wetland, and the Great Salt Lake (GSL) ecosystems, including hydrological, ecological, geomorphic, and biogeochemical processes. Natural resource managers can utilize this framework to design strategies for increasing resilience of GSL Basin waterbodies to climate change.

Great Salt Lake Playa Dust Suppression via Artificial Surface Crusting
Zachary Claerhout, University of Utah / Department of Atmospheric Sciences
Kevin Perry, Department of Atmospheric Sciences / University of Utah
Dust from the exposed portions of the Great Salt Lake (GSL) lakebed poses a potential health risk that may need to be mitigated if the lake level remains low. This study investigates the efficacy of artificial surface crusting via surface soil saturation as a potential dust suppression mechanism on the GSL playa.

Novel Rapid Lead and Copper Detection Method in Drinking Water
Nick Halverson, e-sens
This abstract presents new viable alternative lead and copper methods for reliable and portable testing applications that would allow much greater access for water and wastewater testers.

Rio Tinto Reduce Reclaim Remediate
Kiani Ellingson, Rio Tinto
Julie LeFevre, Rio Tinto
Rio Tinto Kennecott is committed to environmental water stewardship. From the metering and measuring of everyday water use, the preservation of the Inland Sea Shorebird Reserve, and our donation of water to the Great Salt Lake, these efforts benefit Utah, the community where we operate.

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.