Kevin Conway Waterfowl Pond (Phase 2)
Project ID: 5740
Status: Cancelled
Fiscal Year: 2022
Submitted By: N/A
Project Manager: Tom Platero
PM Agency: Utah Division of Wildlife Resources
PM Office: Northeastern Region
Lead: Utah Division of Wildlife Resources
WRI Region: Northeastern
Description:
Waterfowl Pond Installation in Myton, Utah.
Location:
Kevin Conway WMA in Myton, Utah
Project Need
Need For Project:
Over the last several years there have been a significant number of ponds installed on the land surrounding the Kevin Conway WMA. Most of the ponds have been installed on tribal land and do not allow access for the public. By installing a pond on the Kevin Conway WMA we will provide access for sportsmen to hunt waterfowl as well as provide another water source in the area for terrestrial wildlife.
Objectives:
Provide waterfowl habitat that can be accessed by the public.
Project Location/Timing Justification (Why Here? Why Now?):
Loss of waterfowl habitat due to drought conditions and encroaching urban development.
Relation To Management Plan:
Habitat Management Plan for Kevin Conway WMA 1. Protection and enhance the areas existing wintering waterfowl values 2. Enhance existing wetlands to provide summer production and fall migration areas for waterfowl. 3. Provide public access for hunting, wildlife viewing, and other wildlife related activities. 4. Enhance uplands to provide forage and cover for upland game species 5. Enhance habitat for other species when commensurate with primary management goals. North American Waterfowl Management Plan Habitat Priority #3 -- Improve the quality of publicly managed habitat.
Fire / Fuels:
Converting upland into wetland and emergent habitat provides a natural firebreak. Creating a green strip serves as a firebreak as well.
Water Quality/Quantity:
Storing water year round within the wetland. Storing it in the area will provide filtration thereby increasing the water quality.
Compliance:
DWR Archeological Clearance was performed June 23rd, 2020. Solely on DWR lands so NEPA is not required. Obtain an army corp. of engineers permit. Wetland delineation was performed in-house in September of 2020.
Methods:
We are in the process of consulting with an engineering firm to perform a feasibility study and pond design in Phase 1. The wetland delineation was performed and are waiting for response from the Army Corps of engineers to approve the jurisdictional determination. Will excavate the pond with the DWR heavy equipment crew and use the excavated soil as an embankment. The southern side of the pond will be a 3:1 slope and have wetland sod installed. Any excess excavated dirt will be used on the southern end of the pond as upland habitat and seeded. We have plenty of water shares in the area and plan to have a constant flow of water from the southern canal when needed. Ponds in the surrounding area have shown that the water table is fairly high and we may have an excess of water shares.
Monitoring:
UDWR habitat and wildlife staff will monitor for flora and fauna productivity. If the seeding does not go successfully, a new planting effort will be pursued.
Partners:
Mike Fiorelli
Future Management:
Continued monitoring and management by the UDWR. Adjusting management of the WMA to match with future priorities.
Sustainable Uses of Natural Resources:
Cleaning the water and eliminating agricultural runoff.
Budget WRI/DWR Other Budget Total In-Kind Grand Total
$44,000.00 $0.00 $44,000.00 $8,000.00 $52,000.00
Item Description WRI Other In-Kind Year
Personal Services (permanent employee) 2 Habitat Biologists $0.00 $0.00 $5,000.00 2022
Motor Pool Travel to and from the WMA for permanent employees $0.00 $0.00 $1,000.00 2022
Personal Services (permanent employee) Habitat employees to place the wetland sod. $0.00 $0.00 $2,000.00 2022
Materials and Supplies Wetland Sod and tools to place sod $30,000.00 $0.00 $0.00 2022
Equipment Rental/Use Heavy Equipment Crew for 4 weeks $10,000.00 $0.00 $0.00 2022
Seed (GBRC) Seed for the Upland $1,500.00 $0.00 $0.00 2022
Materials and Supplies 2 Diversion structures to direct water into the pond. $2,500.00 $0.00 $0.00 2022
Funding WRI/DWR Other Funding Total In-Kind Grand Total
$44,000.00 $0.00 $44,000.00 $8,000.00 $52,000.00
Source Phase Description Amount Other In-Kind Year
Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (UDWR) $0.00 $0.00 $8,000.00 2022
Habitat Council Account QHCR $44,000.00 $0.00 $0.00 2022
Species
Species "N" Rank HIG/F Rank
American Beaver
Threat Impact
No Threat NA
Green Sunfish R5
Threat Impact
Droughts Very High
Northern Leopard Frog N5
Threat Impact
Droughts High
Wading Birds
Threat Impact
Not Listed NA
Waterfowl
Threat Impact
Not Listed NA
Mallard R1
Threat Impact
Droughts High
Habitats
Habitat
Emergent
Threat Impact
Agricultural Pollution Low
Emergent
Threat Impact
Conversion from Flood to Sprinkler Irrigation Low
Emergent
Threat Impact
Droughts High
Emergent
Threat Impact
Housing and Urban Areas Low
Emergent
Threat Impact
Temperature Extremes Medium
Emergent
Threat Impact
Water Allocation Policies High
Open Water
Threat Impact
Agricultural Pollution Low
Open Water
Threat Impact
Droughts High
Open Water
Threat Impact
Housing and Urban Areas Medium
Open Water
Threat Impact
Temperature Extremes Unknown
Project Comments
Comment 01/12/2021 Type: 1 Commenter: Pat Rainbolt
This project will provide a great public waterfowl hunting opportunity in an area that is primarily private and Ute Tribal lands.
Comment 01/21/2021 Type: 1 Commenter: Jimi Gragg
Agreed, and glad to see it. Would be nice to watch for bullfrog invasion though - they'll absolutely hammer the leopards if they get a chance. Permanent ponds favor them, whereas the leopards are much more able to use little creeks and ditches, and move around into seasonal wetlands as conditions allow. Just a heads up - this could be good for the leopards, but it could also turn bad. Drew Dittmer can advise.
Comment 01/25/2021 Type: 1 Commenter: Drew Dittmer
I agree with Jimi, this project has great potential to benefit Northern Leopard Frogs (NLF). It would potentially be useful to get Jordon Detlor (NERO Native Aquatics Bio) out to this area to survey and officially document presence of NLF. The species is generally doing pretty well in Utah, but it was petitioned for ESA listing not too long ago, so more observations and more habitat projects that benefit the species certainly help buffer us from any future petitions. The issue of Bullfrogs is also worth addressing here. If it is at all possible it would be wise to survey other nearby waterbodies and document if there is any immediate threat of Bullfrogs establishing in the area of this project. Bullfrogs aren't just a threat to NLF, Bullfrogs will definitely eat waterfowl hatchlings/chicks, so preventing the establishment of bullfrogs here is genuinely beneficial to all parties.
Comment 01/26/2021 Type: 1 Commenter: Tom Platero
Thanks for the comment. I will reach out to Jordan Detlor and see if we can get a survey done in the area for NLF. Upwards of 20 different ponds have been installed in the surrounding lands managed by other agencies. I imagine they will provide good examples to what the bullfrog situation is or what it could develop into.
Completion
Start Date:
End Date:
FY Implemented:
Final Methods:
Project Narrative:
Future Management:
Map Features
ID Feature Category Action Treatement/Type
10228 Aquatic/Riparian Treatment Area Lake/Wetland/Pond Improvements Pond Construction
Project Map
Project Map