12. Fall Creek, Lower
Land Manager: Sawtooth National Forest
Legal Location: T 15S R 20E Section 16 Cassia County
Forest Division: Cassia
Dominant Plant Community Type: Shrub-Grass/Juniper
Impacts: Cumulative impacts from livestock utilization have severely altered the habitat at this location. Utilization has severely impacted the riparian understory. Riparian regeneration has been severely impacted. Trampling and utilization has disrupted the stream flow, impacted the creek channel, and severely degraded the water quality. Wildlife, fisheries, watershed, and riparian values have been severely impacted along this creek.
Recommendations: Livestock should be permanently removed from the entire Fall Creek drainage. The narrow steep canyon sides in the lower canyon force livestock into the stream and riparian habitat. The upper and lower creek course flows beside a popular recreation route that leads to the Phantom Falls area as well as other forest destinations. These and other confluent creeks host sensitive fish species. The wildlife, fisheries, scenic, and recreational values of this creek and adjacent cliff and upland habitats should preclude livestock utilization.
List of Figures:
1. Severe utilization impacts to channel and riparian vegetation; severely degraded water quality.
2. Severe utilization impacts to hydric soils and riparian species; severely degraded water quality.
