21. North Water Spring
Land Manager: Sawtooth National Forest
Legal Location: T 14S R 20E Section 32 Cassia County
Forest Division: Cassia
Dominant Plant Community Type: Shrub-Grass/Aspen
Impacts: Cumulative impacts from livestock utilization have heavily impacted this spring site and adjacent habitat. Utilization has impacted the riparian understory and severely impacted riparian and aspen regeneration. Trampling and utilization have disrupted spring flows, impacted the creek channel, and disturbed the hydric soil regions. The riparian structure and greenline have been completely lost from sections of this small drainage course. Wildlife values have been impacted.
Recommendations: This spring site, adjacent habitat, and creek flow should be withdrawn from livestock use to protect the riparian, wildlife, and recreational values of the site. It will take a minimum of 3-6 years for substantial recovery of riparian species, aspen, and the riparian understory. (An exclosure or demonstration project protected some of the aspen habitat at one time, but current protection is not functional.)
List of Figures:
1. Utilization impacts to channel and loss of riparian structure.
2. Utilization impacts to hydric soil region, channel, and adjacent habitat.
