Bear River & Yellow Creek Watershed Project, Uinta County, Wyoming

Project Update

The United States Department of Agriculture-Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS), City of Evanston, and Evanston Water Ditch, Inc. (EWD) are continuing project design and environmental work on the proposed improvements to the area’s irrigation canals and flood controls. The project team has identified a Preferred Alternative and would like to share an update on the project with the community. Currently, work will continue on the Draft Environmental Assessment with an estimated completion date of June 2024, the first phase of construction is scheduled to start fall of 2025 with future phases to follow.

Piped Irrigation

The Preferred Alternative would pipe and pressurize 11 miles of the Old City Ditch with High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) pipe, including a river diversion screening structure. A majority of the irrigation ditch will be piped; however, some sections will remain for flood control. Piping and pressurizing Old City Ditch would facilitate the change from a flood irrigation system to a sprinkler irrigation system.

Flood Protection/Safety

The floodwater that currently enters the Old City Ditch would pass through a new flood control collection and conveyance system. An existing 3,000 feet of Old City Ditch that is currently piped would be converted to a flood control measure. The flood control improvements will also include the construction of a 9.4-acrefoot detention basin that would allow for critical flood protection.

Recreation Improvements

The Preferred Alternative would also include the construction of 2.6 miles, 10-foot-wide asphalt trail and 2,200 feet of new sidewalk that would connect to existing sidewalks. The installation of the trail and sidewalk would offer safe access to educational, recreational, and business facilities. The flood control detention basin would also serve as a soccer field, providing additional recreational opportunities for the community.
(No trail or sidewalk will be constructed through the Uinta Meadows Subdivision.)