Results of the Dubois-Crowheart Conservation Districts water quality assessment are in, and according to DCCD Chairman Reg Phillips, the Upper Wind River Watershed is in good shape.

Nineteen sites were tested for water chemistry and seven additional sites for biological and physical assessments. The test sites, located in the watershed from Togwotee Pass to Diversion Dam, met the Department of Environmental Quality`s standards and guidelines in all three types of assessments.

Though there are four areas in the watershed that will continue to be monitored, Phillips said the district is pleased with the results. Water Quality Specialist Tina Melin performed three tests in defined reaches of the river. A reach is a specific section of a stream that is determined by the width of the river, varying in length in this watershed from 500 feet to a maximum of 2,500 feet.

Sites along the watershed were selected based on various land uses along the river housing developments, recreation activities, grazing allotments, the town of Dubois, concentrations of wildlife to give an accurate evaluation and baseline data for comparison in future years as development and recession of the drought continues.