Howdy…

From big, wonderful Wyoming and my Wyoming hydrology and public lands website and blog.

My name is Greg Bevenger. I’m an avid outdoorsman, spending many hours outdoors exploring public lands throughout this great state.

I’m also a professional hydrologist (emeritus), certified by the American Institute of Hydrology and have spent the majority of my career in Wyoming.

I am passionate about our public lands. I am also passionate about the field of hydrology.

These two passions, pursued for over four decades, have resulted in experiences that allow for great story telling.

Wyoming public lands…

Throughout the country there are public lands.  Most are in the western States and Alaska. All Americans own them. They are public treasures and the envy of the world.

Almost 50% of Wyoming is public land, mostly managed by Federal agencies, particularly the Forest Service, Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, and Fish and Wildlife Service. The State of Wyoming manages some as well.

I’ve traversed a lot. I have much to traverse.

Wyoming hydrology…

Hydrology, or the study of water, is a complex science. This complexity provides many career paths. I chose watershed hydrology because practitioners typically work for public land management agencies. From my early teens, I wanted to work for the Forest Service. And I did for 36 years.

I’ve learned a lot. I have much to learn.

Photograph 1. Francs Fork drainage or watershed. Wyoming hydrology at its finest.

 

Wyoming hydrology and public lands…

The Francs Fork drainage (photograph 1) is representative of Wyoming hydrology and public lands. It is tributary to the Greybull River in northwest Wyoming. Much of the watershed is located on the Shoshone National Forest.

This public land provides water for agriculture, recreation, municipalities, and fish and wildlife. In other words, Francs Fork is a natural water tower. And it is just one of many natural water towers in Wyoming!

Public lands, whether within a water tower or not, provide many ecosystem services. These services are incredibly valuable at all levels – national, state, county, and municipality – from “sea to shining sea”.

The “water towers” ecosystem service is in my opinion the highest value of public lands because these “towers” are in the headwaters of the Columbia, Colorado and Missouri River Basins. By this one hydrologic fact and one physiographic fact, all Americans have a stake, and say, in public lands management.

In closing…

Wyoming Hydrology is designed to:

• provide an educational forum on the hydrology of Wyoming, and
• serve as a medium for conversation about Wyoming’s public lands and the ecosystem services they provide.

I cordially invite you to join me in the conversation by asking questions, providing opinions, and expressing viewpoints.

I look forward to hearing from you!

Greg