17. Lone Cedar Creek, Spring (Upper)
Land Manager: Sawtooth National Forest
Legal Location: T 15S R 21E Sections 17, 18 Cassia County
Forest Division: Cassia
Dominant Plant Community Type: Shrub-Juniper
Impacts: Cumulative impacts from livestock utilization have severely altered the habitat of this region. Utilization has severely impacted the riparian understory as well as adjacent shrub communities. Riparian regeneration has been severely impacted. Trampling and utilization have disrupted the stream and spring flows, impacted the creek channel, and led to erosion. The riparian structure and greenline have been completely lost from large sections of the creek. Wildlife, fisheries, watershed, and riparian values have been severely impacted in this drainage.
Recommendations: Livestock should be permanently removed from the Lone Cedar drainage. Recovery of riparian species requires a minimum of 3-6 years. Recovery from the severe loss of riparian structure and regeneration at this location will probably require more than the recommended minimum of 3-6 years. This location would benefit from mitigation such as the planting of willows and other appropriate riparian species.
List of Figures:
1. Overview of upper creek; severe loss of riparian structure, severe impacts to adjacent habitat.
2. Severe utilization impacts to spring flow, channel, and hydric zone; loss of riparian regeneration.
