HRI - Overview

The Healthy Rivers Initiative was established to build a working group that encompasses all stakeholder groups within the Popo Agie Watershed that are interested in our water resources. The working group will help strategize and build upon past efforts while working towards the long term solution of improving our water quality and quantity.

If you would like to stay informed and participate in this process, click here to provide your contact information.

Scarcity

In late July and early August, the Middle Fork of the Popo Agie River is dewatered at times. The mission of the Healthy Rivers Initiative is to facilitate a strategic, stakeholder driven initiative that ensures the vitality of the Popo Agie river by improving water quality, quantity, and the biological health of the River so that it better supports domestic, agricultural, recreation, fish, and wildlife uses.

Collaboration

One example of this is the City of Lander releasing water from Worthen Meadows Reservoir while working with the agricultural community to meet the needs of everyone.  The Healthy Rivers Initiative strives to address water quality, enhances flows, while meeting everybody's needs along the river.  

Agriculture

The Healthy Rivers Initiative seeks to ensure the vitality of the Popo Agie River by improving the quantity and quality of water so that agricultural producers can continue to thrive.  With more predictable and reliable water in the river system, everyone downstream  benefits.

Wildlife 

Riparian areas are essential for a healthy river and the Healthy Rivers Initiative is  working to address water quality impairments and sustain healthy flows, that support all uses of the watershed for future generations. 

Economy

The Popo Agie River system is responsible for sustaining three of the largest components of the economy: agricultural, tourism and the municipal water supply.  Maintaining a healthy watershed can decrease capital expenditures for irrigation systems, drinking water treatments and flood mitigation projects while increasing recreational opportunities. 

 Water Quality

In 2020, a section of the Middle Fork  will be delisted from the Wyoming Impaired Waters List as a result of working with watershed stakeholders and implementing Best Management Practices (BMPs) with landowners. 

Flooding 

The Healthy Rivers Initiative is a community collaboration  seeking to identify and solve problems related to the Popo Agie Watershed.