Public Notice of Availability

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), in coordination with Cache Water District as the primary sponsor, announces the availability of the Draft Wellsville Canyon Watershed Plan and Environmental Impact Statement (Plan-EIS) for proposed improvements (Project) in Cache County, Utah. The Project is partially funded through the Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act (Public Law [PL] 83-566). 
 

Project Description

The Project proposes the following project measures to address flood prevention, agricultural water management, and public recreation: 

Channel Improvements

Upgrade the WMCD Lower Canal and a segment of Bird Creek, including widening, reshaping, and reinforcing channels to safely carry flood flows.

Culverts

Replace and upsize culverts along Bird Creek and the Lower Canal to safely convey the 100-year storm flows and reduce flood risk.

Spills and Pipelines

Construct new spill structures and pipelines to safely divert, convey, and discharge floodwaters to the Little Bear River.

Secondary Water Systems

Construct new pressurized secondary water systems in Wellsville & Mendon, including pipelines, pump stations, and regulating ponds.

WMCD Lower Canal Conveyance

Replace the open Lower Canal with a pressurized pipeline to convey irrigation water through Wellsville, Mendon, & surrounding areas.

Wellsville East Field Canal Conveyance

Enclose the Wellsville East Field Canal in a pipeline to reduce seepage losses and improve water delivery efficiency.

Public Recreation

Add a small watercraft boat ramp at Wellsville Reservoir and construct a reflecting pond with walking paths and amenities at the Mendon Cemetery.

NEPA Analysis

NRCS, as the lead federal agency, has prepared a Draft Plan-EIS that analyzes potential impacts to the natural and human environment from this Project. The Draft Plan-EIS also integrates analysis following the Principles, Requirements and Guidelines for Water and Land Related Resources Implementation Studies and Federal Water Resource Investments (PR&G, 2018). The Draft Plan-EIS has been reviewed by NRCS-Utah, the National Water Management Center, and NRCS-National Headquarters. 

Current Status

NRCS is accepting comments on the Draft Watershed Plan-EIS between May 15, 2026 and June 29, 2026. A public meeting for the Project will be held on May 27, 2026—see information below.

Project Documents

Draft Plan-EIS 
Draft Appendix A 
Draft Appendix B 
Draft Appendix C 
Draft Appendix D
Draft Appendix E
NOA

Project Watershed Map 

Additional Documents

Public Comment Period—Draft Plan-EIS

Open:    Friday, May 15, 2026
Close:    Monday, June 29, 2026

Public Meeting—Draft Plan-EIS 

Date:    Thursday, May 28, 2026
Time:    6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Location: Wellsville City Offices
75 East Main Street
Wellsville, Utah 84339

Contact Information

Ammon Boswell, Watershed Program Manager
1950 West Main Street, Tremonton, UT 84337
(435) 459-1621
ammon.boswell@usda.gov