3. Kelsaw Canyon
Land Manager: Sawtooth National Forest
Legal Location: T 15S R 28E, 29E Sections 25, 26, 27, 28, 30 Cassia County
Forest Division: Black Pine
Dominant Plant Community Type: Shrub-Juniper/Aspen-Conifer
Impacts: Kelsaw Canyon is suffering from widespread, severe erosion. Severe levels of down-cutting, head-cutting and loss of water table are being experienced in major portions of this drainage. Cumulative livestock impacts have led to loss of riparian species and regeneration along large areas of the drainage. Continued access by livestock to the eroding areas is further contributing to the loss of soil and riparian habitat. Other meadow and hydric regions have received heavy cumulative impacts to soils and vegetation. The upper spring near War Eagle Peak was not currently flowing to the main drainage course.
Recommendations: It is recommended that livestock be permanently removed from any forest and BLM portions of this drainage. Action should to be taken to address the massive erosion underway in this channel. Livestock impacts to the adjacent habitat have included severe understory removal in aspen and conifer areas, and heavy cumulative impacts to existing riparian growth. The potential for wildlife habitat and recreation values should outweigh the use of this drainage for livestock utilization. It will take many years of extensive work to repair the existing damage to the stream channel.
List of Figures:
1. Severe erosion, loss of riparian structure and riparian greenline.
2. Severe impacts to riparian zone, loss of channel features.
