Overview
Ranchester Lagoon is a secondary wastewater treatment plant in Sheridan County, Wyoming, serving approximately 855 people. It discharges treated wastewater into local waterways, supporting the region's water quality.
Ranchester Lagoon is a wastewater treatment facility located in Sheridan County, Wyoming, serving a small population of around 855 residents. The plant provides secondary treatment, a standard level for communities of this size in the United States. As a lagoon-based system, the plant likely uses natural biological processes to treat wastewater before discharge. The designed capacity is 677.59 volume units, with a current discharge volume of 238.48, indicating operational headroom. The plant operates under the U.S. Clean Water Act, which requires NPDES permits for all discharges to surface waters. The treated effluent is released into local streams that drain into the Tongue River watershed, part of the Yellowstone River basin. This region supports diverse aquatic life and is important for irrigation and recreation. Proper treatment helps protect downstream water quality in this semi-arid environment.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into local waterways that flow into the Tongue River, a tributary of the Yellowstone River, which ultimately reaches the Missouri River and the Gulf of Mexico. The watershed supports cold-water fisheries and provides habitat for species such as trout. In this semi-arid region, maintaining water quality is critical for both ecological health and human uses like agriculture.
Frequently asked questions
Ranchester Lagoon is located in Sheridan County, Wyoming, near Interstate 90 and US Highway 87, approximately 44.918 N, -107.147 W.
The plant serves a population of approximately 855 people, typical of a small community in rural Wyoming.
The plant uses secondary treatment via lagoon systems, which rely on natural biological processes. Treated effluent is discharged into local streams that feed the Tongue River watershed.
The plant protects the Tongue River and its tributaries, which flow into the Yellowstone River, a major tributary of the Missouri River.
As a U.S. wastewater facility, Ranchester Lagoon operates under the Clean Water Act, requiring an NPDES permit that sets effluent limits to protect water quality. Secondary treatment is the minimum standard for municipal plants.
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