Mill Creek is located in the northern portion of the Wasatch Mountains near Salt Lake City, Utah. The watershed comprises 23,644 acres ranging in elevation from 8,700 feet at its headwaters in Mill Creek Canyon to 4,221 feet in the Salt Lake Valley

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The Middle Bear River watershed includes all of the waterways within the Cache Valley, starting from the Idaho-Utah border and extending to the south boundary of Cache County

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Watershed Description: The Middle Bear River watershed includes all of the waterways within the Cache Valley, starting from the Idaho-Utah border and extending to the south boundary of Cache County. The Middle Bear River watershed encompasses the drainage areas of several major tributaries of the Bear River, which flow from the east into the shallow waters of Cutler Reser-voir.  The Middle Bear River watershed has a drainage area of 888 square miles. The annual average flow into the Bear River increases from 1,095 cubic feet per second to 1,519 cubic feet per second as it enters Cutler Reservoir. The Logan, Blacksmith Fork, and Little Bear rivers are primarily responsible for this increase as all three converge and enter the reservoir.  Cache County’s population is approximately 100,000.  Cache Valley is expected to see the highest rate of growth of all municipal areas in the Bear River Basin. With increased population, large emphasis has been placed on waste-water treatment and storm-water management.  Improving Utah’s Water Quality Middle Bear River Watershed    LOCAL CONTACT:    Middle Bear River Watershed Coordinator  (435) 753-6029 ext. 21   MAJOR WATERBODIES  Bear River  Cutler Reservoir  Logan River  Blacksmith Fork River  Little Bear River   MAJOR CITIES  Logan  Hyrum  Providence  Wellsville   MAJOR LAND USES  Urban  Agriculture  Recreation   LOCAL WATER QUALITY ISSUES  Phosphorus  Sediment  Bank Erosion  Loss of Riparian Vegetation and Aquatic Habitat  Animal Feeding Operations extension.usu.edu/waterquality Revised November 2012 Project Description:   Water Quality implementation projects have been occurring in the Middle Bear River watershed since the early 1990s with great success. With the cooperation of local wa-tershed groups, landowners, and various governmental agencies, several water quality projects have been implemented ranging from stream bank restoration to sprinkler irrigation systems. Several educational campaigns have also been initiated to help raise public awareness of water quality issues throughout the valley. These education cam-paigns include youth educational field days, storm water education, and pharmaceuti-cal disposal programs.  The Middle Bear River watershed has a large number of dairy producers. Recently,  efforts have helped many producers comply with state water quality standards. Vari-ous agencies have helped dairy producers implement best management practices to help contain water rich in nutrients and organic matter on their property.  Many pro-ducers have also developed nutrient management plans. These plans identify when and where to apply manure.  Containment practices and nutrient management plans help prevent excess nutrients from entering local water bodies. Before After NR/WQ/2011-2 Middle Bear River Water Quality Improvement Related Projects  Irrigation systems Range and pasture planning Soil testing and training Bear River Celebration & Free Fishing Day 4th grade Natural Resources Field Days Stream restoration Animal feeding operation inventory Animal feeding operation improvements Wildlife habitat improvements Upland improvements Water quality outreach and education Par tners  North Cache Conservation District Blacksmith Fork Conservation District EPA Utah Division of Water Quality Utah Division of Wildlife Resources Natural Resources Conservation Service Utah Association of Conservation    Districts Local Landowners Local Irrigation Companies Utah Watershed Coordinating Council  Cutler Reservoir Advisory Committee Utah State University Extension  Funding  EPA 319 funding Utah State Nonpoint source funds NRCS Environmental Quality Incen-tive Program (EQIP) NRCS Wildlife Habitat Improvement Program (WHIP) Local Landowners    To learn how you can participate or lend your support to Utah community water quality projects, please contact your local conservation district or county agent. P r o d u c e d  b y  U S U  W a t e r  Q u a l i t y  E x t e n s i o n ,  U t a h  W a t e r s h e d  C o o r d i n a t i n g  C o u n c i l ,   U t a h  A s s o c i a t i o n  o f  C o n s e r v a t i o n  D i s t r i c t s ,  a n d  U t a h  D i v i s i o n  o f  W a t e r  Q u a l i t y .  Utah State University is committed to providing an environment free from harassment and other forms of illegal discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age (40 and older), disability, and veteran’s status. USU’s policy also prohibits discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation in employment and academic related practices and decisions. Utah State University employees and students cannot, because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or veteran’s status, refuse to hire; discharge; promote; demote; terminate; discriminate in compensation; or discriminate regarding terms, privileges, or conditions of employment, against any person otherwise qualified. Employees and students also cannot discriminate in the classroom, residence halls, or in on/off campus, USU-sponsored events and activities. This publication is issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Noelle E. Cockett, Vice President for Extension and Agriculture, Utah State University. Feedlot abandonment and restoration.  Streambank restoration.  Before After 

Watershed Fact Sheet: Improving Utah\u27s Water Quality, Middle Bear River Watershed

Watershed Description:   Mill Creek is located in the northern portion of the Wasatch Mountains near Salt Lake City, Utah.  The watershed comprises 23,644 acres ranging in elevation from 8,700 feet at its headwaters in Mill Creek Canyon to 4,221 feet in the Salt Lake Valley. The creek is 18.5 miles in length and flows perennially.  Mill Creek Canyon is a popular recreation site for many Salt Lake City residents. Prior to the 1990s, much of the canyon, includ-ing the Mill Creek stream channel, was degraded largely because of human ac-tivities. Streamside vegetation was tram-pled, pet waste was fouling the trails and streams, stream banks were incised, and as a result, the water quality in Mill Creek suffered.  Mill Creek was listed on the Clean Water Act 303(d) list of impaired water bodies in 1998 for total coliforms, sediment, and habitat alterations. Immediate action was taken by the U.S. Forest Service and Salt Lake County to remediate this over-loved watershed.  Many picnic areas were rehabilitated and a fee station was installed at the mouth of the canyon. User revenues were applied toward restoration and continued maintenance of the canyon and the creek’s riparian zone.  In addition, public awareness programs addressing responsible dog waste cleanup have improved public understanding of this issue.   In 2002, after re-assessed coliform data, habitat improvement and sediment controls, Mill Creek was removed from the 303(d) list as fully supporting cold water fishery and recrea-tion beneficial use designations.  Improving Utah’s Water Quality  Mill Creek Watershed     MAJOR WATERBODIES      Mill Creek   NEAREST CITIES  Salt Lake City   MAJOR LAND USES  Urban  Recreation   LOCAL WATER QUALITY ISSUES  Total Coliforms   Sediment  Habitat Alteration   LOCAL CONTACT:   Salt Lake County  Watershed Planning and  Restoration Program  Bob Thompson  Water Resources Specialist  801-468-3656  rthompson@slco.org    Revised November 2012 extension.usu.edu/waterquality Project Description:   With the help of many citizen volunteers, the U.S. Forest Service and Salt Lake County restored upper Mill Creek to a more natural state than existed in the late 1990s. The campgrounds and riparian areas in the canyon were rehabilitated because they attract many visitors. To accomplish the restoration, the partners conducted the following ef-forts:   Reinforced the stream channel using rock and fabric (rock toe protection and coir fabric).   Planted riparian vegetation creek-side within the wetted width and upland plants outside the wetted width.  Built rock stairways providing fishing access along trails leading to the stream to further protect against trail and bank erosion. Pedestrian hard surface pathways were added along the stream in the most severely degraded portions.  The toe protection and coir fabric have withstood 14 years of seasonal creek ebb and flow, and have provided a protective habitat for the riparian plants to reclaim their place along the stream. The final result is a natural looking stream capable of accommodating seasonal flooding, high pedestrian usage and providing diverse, healthy riparian habitat. The toll fees remain and visitors have not decreased despite the user fee. In fact, despite a 25% fee increase in 2008, user numbers increased.    NR/WQ/2010-3 Mill Creek Water Quality Improvement For funding opportunities in the Mill Creek Watershed, contact the Salt Lake County Watershed Planning and Restoration Program.  Par tners  U.S. Forest Service, Salt Lake Ranger District Salt Lake County Parks and Recreation Department Salt Lake County Watershed Planning and Restoration Program Salt Lake City Public Utilities Utah Department of Agriculture Utah Department of Environmental Quality, Division of Water Quality Utah Division of Wildlife Resources Utah Division of Water Rights Tree Utah U.S. Environmental Protection Agency P r o d u c e d  b y  U S U  W a t e r  Q u a l i t y  E x t e n s i o n ,  U t a h  W a t e r s h e d  C o o r d i n a t i n g  C o u n c i l ,  U t a h  A s s o c i a t i o n  o f  C o n s e r v a t i o n  D i s t r i c t s ,  a n d  U t a h  D i v i s i o n  o f  W a t e r  Q u a l i t y .  Utah State University is committed to providing an environment free from harassment and other forms of illegal discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age (40 and older), disability, and veteran’s status. USU’s policy also prohibits discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation in employment and academic related practices and decisions. Utah State University employees and students cannot, because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or veteran’s status, refuse to hire; discharge; promote; demote; terminate; discriminate in compensation; or discriminate regarding terms, privileges, or conditions of employment, against any person otherwise qualified. Employees and students also cannot discriminate in the classroom, residence halls, or in on/off campus, USU-sponsored events and activities. This publication is issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Noelle E. Cockett, Vice President for Extension and Agriculture, Utah State University. To learn how you can participate or lend your support to Utah community water quality projects, please contact your local conservation district or county agent. Funding Total (through 2008) $2,058,000 Before After After During Restoration 

Watershed Fact Sheet: Improving Utah\u27s Water Quality, Mill Creek Watershed

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Watershed Fact Sheet: Improving Utah\u27s Water Quality, Mill Creek Watershed

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