4. Mud Spring
Land Manager: Sawtooth National Forest
Legal Location: T 14S R 29E Section 19 Cassia County
Forest Division: Black Pine
Dominant Plant Community Type: Shrub-Juniper
Impacts: This spring is used to fill a number of troughs, one of which is near the original spring flow and wet meadow area. Cumulative impacts from livestock utilization have led to impacts to riparian growth and regeneration. Although many of the riparian species in the area are large enough to withstand grazing impacts, younger vegetation shows moderate to heavy impacts from the 1999 season. Trampling has disturbed the hydric soils of the wet meadow and the spring channel.
Recommendations: It is recommended that water developments be moved farther from the spring flow. This location should be rested until riparian regeneration reaches a substantial level near the spring and in the other impacted areas. Riparian shrubs need to achieve 6 feet in height in order to withstand short-duration grazing.
List of Figures:
1. Utilization impacts to the wet meadow and hydric soils.
2. Cumulative impacts to vegetation near one of the water points.
