1. Basin Spring
Land Manager: Sawtooth National Forest
Legal Location: T 13S R 18E Section 31 Twin Falls County
Forest Division: Cassia
Dominant Plant Community Type: Shrub-Grass/Aspen-Conifer
Impacts: This spring has been altered through development; some of the spring flow now fills a trough east of the road. Cumulative impacts from livestock utilization have altered the habitat at this location. Utilization has removed much of the riparian vegetation and understory from the spring site and hydric zone. Utilization impacts have altered the spring flow and disturbed the hydric soils. Utilization has also led to understory removal and impacts to the adjacent shrub and aspen community. Aspen regeneration has been impacted.
Recommendations: It is recommended that livestock be withdrawn from this location until substantial riparian and aspen recovery has been achieved. Substantial recovery of aspen and riparian species requires 3-6 years or more, depending on regenerative capability. Riparian shrubs and saplings need to achieve a height of 6 feet or more in order to withstand short duration grazing.
List of Figures:
1. Utilization impacts to riparian vegetation, trampling in hydric region.
2. Severe impacts to adjacent aspen grove and understory.
