Wyoming Surface Water Classification List.

WYOMING SURFACE WATER CLASSIFICATION LIST

Water Quality Division Surface Water Standards

June 21, 2001

The Wyoming Surface Water Classification list is divided into two parts, Table A and Table B. The listings in Table A are referred to as the PRIMARY CLASSIFICATIONS which take precedence over the listings in Table B. The water classifications contained in this document are based upon the provisions of Chapter 1 of the Wyoming Water Quality Rules and Regulations - Surface Water Standards, specifically Sections 4, 33, 34, 35 and Appendix A.

TABLE A - PRIMARY CLASSIFICATIONS

The waters listed in Table A are those that are either named on the USGS 1:500,000 scale hydrologic map of Wyoming or have been specifically classified by the Wyoming DEQ, Water Quality Division. The waters in Table A are organized by river basin in a downstream to upstream order. An indented entry is tributary to the previous entry.

TABLE B

The waters listed in Table B are those that are contained in the Wyoming Game & Fish Department's "Streams and Lakes Inventory" database as of June, 2000. The classifications shown for each of the waters in Table B are based on the presence or absence of fish species in that water. Most of the waters listed in Table A are also contained in Table B and in most cases the classifications are the same. There are circumstances, however, where the classifications may differ between the two tables. Where there is a difference in classification, Table A always takes precedence. Table B can only be used to determine the classification of waters that are not listed in Table A.

Table B is organized alphabetically by water name. A G&F identification number included with each entry can be used as a cross-reference to the Game & Fish Department database for information on the specific fish species that serve as the basis for that classification.

DESIGNATED USES

The uses that are protected on Wyoming waters are listed and described in Section 3 of the Surface Water Quality Standards and include Agriculture, Fisheries, Aquatic Life other than Fish, Industry, Drinking Water, Fish Consumption, Recreation, Scenic Value and Wildlife. There are also numerous classifications for surface waters of the state. Except for Class 1, waters are classified according to their designated uses. Class 1 waters are specially designated waters on which the existing water quality is protected regardless of the uses supported by the water. The table that follows shows the uses designated on each of the use-based water classifications.

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SURFACE WATER CLASSES AND USE DESIGNATIONS

Drinking water Game Fish Non-Game Fish Fish Consumption Other Aquatic Life Recreation Wildlife Agriculture Industry Scenic Value

1*

Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

2AB Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

2A

Yes No No No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

2B

No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

2C

No No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

3A

No No No No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

3B

No No No No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

3C

No No No No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

4A

No No No No No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

4B

No No No No No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

4C

No No No No No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

* Class 1 waters are not protected for all uses in all circumstances. For example, all waters in the National Parks and Wilderness are Class 1, however, all do not support fisheries or other aquatic life uses (e.g. hot springs, ephemeral waters, wet meadows etc.). For stormwater permitting, 401 Certification, and WQ assessment purposes, the actual uses on each particular water must be determined independently.

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TABLE A PRIMARY CLASSIFICATIONS

Wyoming Surface Water Classifications The water classifications contained in this document are based upon the provisions of Chapter 1 of the Wyoming Water Quality Rules and Regulations Surface Water Standards, specifically Sections 4, 33, 34, 35 and Appendix A.

ALL SURFACE WATERS IN WYOMING ARE CLASSIFIED AS FOLLOWS: A. Class 1 Waters. The following waters are designated Class 1:

1. All surface waters located within the boundaries of national parks and congressionally designated wilderness areas as of January 1, 1999; 2. The main stem of the Snake River through its entire length above the U.S. Highway 22 Bridge (Wilson Bridge); 3. The main stem of the Green River, including the Green River Lakes from the mouth of the New Fork River upstream to the wilderness

boundary; 4. The Main Stem of the Wind River from the Wedding of the Waters upstream to Boysen Dam; 5. The main stem of the North Platte River from the mouth of Sage Creek (ap-proximately 15 stream miles downstream of Saratoga,

Wyoming) upstream to the Colorado state line; 6. The main stem of the North Platte River from the headwaters of Pathfinder Reservoir upstream to Kortes Dam (Miracle Mile segment); 7. The main stem of the North Platte River from the Natrona County Road 309 bridge (Goose Egg bridge) upstream to Alcova Reservoir; 8. The main stem of Sand Creek above the U.S. Highway 14 bridge; 9. The main stem of the Middle Fork of the Powder River through its entire length above the mouth of Buffalo Creek;

A-1

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