The OWL creek mountains studies to plan and manage sustainable use of a productive well PROJECT (PROJECT) achieves the public purpose of the act by increasing water supply reliability, providing…

This Project Grant award of $218,400.00, provided by the Department of the Interior's Bureau of Reclamation under the Applied Science Grants program (CFDA 15.557), supports a study to determine the quality, quantity, and recharge rate of the groundwater in the Owl Creek drainage on the Wind River Reservation in Wyoming. The study will conduct geophysical examinations, water chemical characterization, and recharge area studies to provide data critical for planning a sustainable water system in the region. The intended beneficiaries are tribal members, and the project aims to increase water supply reliability, provide flexibility in water operations, and improve water management to support wildlife habitat, livestock range, and clean drinking water for the underserved population of the Wind River Indian Reservation. The award period is from December 4, 2024 to September 30, 2026.

Activities

This project will conduct studies to determine quality, quantity, and recharge rate to plan a sustainable water system in the OWL creek drainage, on the wind river reservation in hot springs county, wyoming. The study consists of a geophysical examination of riley flat to determine the geologic structures, porosity, and permeability state of the groundwater. This work will indicate the size and shape of the aquifer and the morphology of structures holding and feeding the aquifer. Recharge area studies will produce water chemical characterization to produce water fingerprints to confirm the recharge pathway and area to predict the chemistry of the well before opening and casing the well. Expected deliverables or outcomes: this combination of data will be increasingly relevant as municipalities and watersheds seek new water sources. At the same time, these data will prevent the draining of historical aquifers and derive baseline data to support plans for a sustainable water supply to support wildlife habitat, livestock range, and clean drinking water for the underserved population of the wind river indian reservation.

Intended beneficiaries

Tribal memberssubrecipient activities (if known or specified at time of award): none