Willwood Irrigation District is filling the pool behind the Willwood Dam.

That’s because the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) will not issue the district another turbidity waiver, according to Todd Singbeil, the district’s manager.

Singbeil said he spent six hours on the telephone with the DEQ and the governor’s office Tuesday, but the department would not issue the district another waiver.

Rather than face additional repercussions from DEQ, the district is filling the pool, Singbeil said. The current turbidity waiver expires Nov. 30. At that time, the dam must be releasing water that does not exceed 10 nephelometric turbidity units, Singbeil said.

“That’s drinking water tolerance,” he said.

The district and Bureau of Reclamation were both issued a notice of violation last month from the DEQ, saying the district exceeded the silt allowed under a turbidity waiver the department issued for the month of November while the district lowered the pool level to have repairs made to the Willwood Dam.

The district is responsible for the dam’s maintenance, but the bureau is the owner.

Filling the pool was the district’s decision, said David Waterstreet, DEQ watershed protection program manager.

The department does not know whether raising or lowering the pool will affect the amount of silt flowing into the river, Waterstreet said.

DEQ’s responsibility is to protect resources, including water, and not planning projects, Waterstreet said. But his department said in writing it will take into consideration the district’s sediment mitigation efforts when a settlement on the notices of violation is discussed.

“All of us recognize this needs to be addressed,” he said.

The Park County Commission asked Gov. Matt Mead for assistance in cleaning up the tons of silt just upstream of the dam last week, saying that refilling the pool would eliminate the opportunity to deal with the silt without dredging.

“State agencies with primary roles in water — the Department of Environmental Quality, the State Engineer’s office, Water Development Commission, Game and Fish (Department) and others — are working in their statutory roles to support local decision-makers who are addressing the issues on the ground,” said David Bush, Mead’s communication director in an email to the Tribune Monday. “They will continue to provide support to local governments and landowners to identify and implement solutions.”  

A meeting is planned in early December to discuss potential next steps, both short term and long term, Bush said.

The Dec. 1 meeting is with the district, DEQ, State Engineer’s Office, Water Development Commission and Wyoming Game and Fish Department, Waterstreet said.

The Department of Environmental Quality understands the challenges the district is facing, said Keith Guille, DEQ public information officer. “We recognize that, and we want to work with them.”

Singbeil said his objective is to develop a plan to address the sediment issue and find the necessary funding.

“I’m not going to give up on it,” he said.

“I do think there will be a path forward as soon as we figure it out,” Waterstreet said.