Limestone-Graveyard Creeks Watershed Plan and Environmental Assessment

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UJJu •. U The towns of McClave, Wiley, Hasty, and Lamar obtain their water supply from wells. This is adequate for current needs and expansion is not anticipated. Many of the farms are on a rural water supply system. Some farms not on the system, as well as most livestock watering facilities are from wells and may experience degrading water quality, therefore increasing the potential for future problems. Fish and Wildlife Habitat The major factors influencing environmental and fish and wildlife conditions in the watershed are land use, water quality and quantity. Past land use changes due to irrigation, in some cases have increased the food supply and cover. No changes in land use in the future are anticipated. There is an opportunity to improve stream fisheries by reducing the amount of sediment, heavy metals, salts, pesticides and nutrients entering the hydrologic system. Sediment and other pollutants affect downstream fisheries diversity and populations by filling pool segments and changing bottom composition and water temperature. The stressing effects of,high concentrations of suspended sediment also causes a reduction of the quality of fish habitat. Selenium and uranium, potentially threaten fish and wildlife using the watershed. This could include some endangered species. On -site Problems Irrigation.induced erosion- 42T /ac /yr on 15,000 acres (630,000 T) Productivity on irrigated land decreasing Maintenances on irrigation systems high Irrigation water application fair Off -site Problems Annual Sediment deposition on irrigated areas- Sediment deposited annually into channels of Arkansas R.- Average Selenium level in Arkansas River at Lamar- Average Nitrate Level of groundwater- Selenium level in groundwater- Salt load to Arkansas River from watershed- 600,000 T. 30,000 T. (20AcFt) 19.7 mcgr /1. Exceeds state standards on 6 wells increasing 387,000 T /yr 18