WSP09723

• File Number: 8271.300
• Description: Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Program - General Information and Publications-Reports
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Water Division: 5
• Date: 1/1/1993
• Title: Greater Sagers Wash Watershed Management Plan
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

OBJECTIVE

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I. The primary objective of the Greater Sagers Wash Watershed Management Plan is to
reduce annual sediment and salt yields from the Greater Sagers Wash Watershed to the
Colorado River, resulting from accelerated erosion, by 5,600 tons/year and 200 tons/year
respectively.
2. The secondary objectives of the Plan include:
a) An increase in overall vegetative cover, plant density and diversity;
b) Better distribution of livestock resulting in better utilization of forage;
c) Additional allocations of available forage to wildlife, especially in critical winter range
areas;
d) Improved habitat for wildlife as a result of increased numbers of water sources
available;
e) Improved riparian area condition;
t) Improved soil condition and productivity,

SELECTED ALTERNATIVE

The selected alternative is Alternative E, a combination of; 1) rea1locating 3000 to 4000
cattle AUM's on the Cisco Allotment in favor of watershed protection and/or riparian
enhancement and/or wildlife enhancement, 2) sagebrush chopping on Treatment Area I (TA-I),
3) construction of contour pits and Cisco pits on Treatment Areas 3 and 6 (TA-3 and TA-6), and
4) continued monitoring of the existing retention and detention structures in the upper Sagers
Wash Watershed,

APPROACH

The selected alternative will be implemented as funding becomes available, Due to the
difficult conditions, most importantly climate, soils, and topography, encountered in the Greater
Sagers Wash Watershed the mechanical treatments identified in the preferred alternative will be
implemented as DEMONSTRATION projects on small areas of the Nash Wash and Pinto Wash
Watersheds. The actual acreages mechanically treated will be: I) sagebrush chopping (Nash
Wash Watershed), 9 acres, 2) contour pits and Cisco pits (Nash Wash Watershed), 130 acres,
and 3) contour pits and Cisco pits (Pinto Wash Watershed), 120 acres.

Following implementation all treatments will be monitored according to the monitoring plan.
Monitoring results will be analyzed and evaluated to detennine project success or failure, and
required treatment modifications. Future implementation of similar treatments on larger areas
of the Greater Sagers Wash Watershed will be contingent upon the success of the
DEMONSTRATION projects. Treatments already in place in the upper Sagers Wash Watershed
will continue to be monitored to detennine their success. Construction of any additional earthen
structures in the Greater Sagers Wash Watershed will be Contingent upon the success of the
existing structures. Throughout the implementation phase of the plan the plan will remain
flexible and will consider and incOlporate any new alternatives that may become available.

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