1. Black Pine Canyon
Land Manager: Sawtooth National Forest
Legal Location: T 15S, 16S R 29E Sections 32, 5, 8, 17, 20, 29 Cassia County
Dominant Plant Community Type: Sagebrush-Juniper/Shrub-Juniper
Impacts: Cumulative impacts from livestock grazing have altered the physical features of this canyon and drainage. Livestock utilization has been concentrated along the drainage bottoms over time, leading to severe loss of the riparian species once present. Remnant vegetation still exists in some locations. Non-riparian species have extensively replaced the riparian greenline. Down-cutting, head-cutting and the resultant loss of water table has removed the surface flow along this drainage except during years of greater precipitation and snowfall. Although still running intermittently in late fall of 1999, the stream course was dry at the time of this survey. Invasive annuals such as thistle and other species are very evident along the drainage course and in adjacent habitat.
Recommendations: It is recommended that livestock be withdrawn from this location. Significant riparian recovery (based on regenerative capability) would require a minimum time period of 3-6 years. Willow and other riparian species need to achieve a height of 6 feet or more in order to withstand short duration grazing. Due to the lack of present species available to initiate re-growth and loss of the water table, recovery in a time period of less than 10 years would be doubtful.
List of Figures:
1. Loss of stream flow, loss of riparian species and riparian greenline.
2. Loss of channel and surface flow; remnant riparian growth.
