7. West Dry Fork

Land Manager: Sawtooth National Forest
Legal Location: T 15S R 28E Sections 33, 34 Cassia County
Forest Division: Black Pine

Dominant Plant Community Type: Shrub-Juniper

Impacts: Cumulative livestock impacts have led to down-cutting of the original canyon drainage course and a loss of surface water through lowering of the water table. Water developments for livestock have been used to fill troughs at various locations. Little surface water is available for wildlife in the lower canyon with the exception of these troughs. One is associated with a small reservoir, which had filled in with sediment to provide a marshy habitat. Visited by State BLM Biologist Lyle Lewis and Red Willow Research in summer of 1999 (cattle were present), the site was providing excellent cover and nesting sites to a variety of birds and hosting sensitive bat species. Little disturbance from utilization had occurred. However, continued utilization into late summer or fall left the marsh and adjacent habitat heavily impacted through trampling of the hydric soils and vegetation removal.

Recommendations: It is recommended that livestock be permanently excluded from the small marsh and adjacent habitat. The spring overflow should be repaired and allowed to refill the small marsh site for wildlife use. This site is frequented by three of Idaho's sensitive bat species; Long-eared Myotis (Myotis evotis), Long-legged Myotis (Myotis volans), and Western Small-footed Myotis (Myotis ciliolabrum). The insects provided by this marsh and adjacent habitat are very important to maternal bat colonies in the area.

                    1. Marsh, prior to extensive utilization.

                    2. Severe impacts; loss of water, trampling in hydric region,
                         vegetation removal, impacts to adjacent shrub habitat.