23. Owen's Corral Creek, Springs

Land Manager: Sawtooth National Forest
Legal Location: T 15S R 21E Section 20 Cassia County
Forest Division: Cassia

Dominant Plant Community Type: Shrub-Grass/Shrub-Juniper

Impacts: Cumulative impacts from livestock utilization have heavily impacted these spring sites, creek flow, and adjacent habitat. Utilization has impacted the riparian understory and severely impacted riparian 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. Water troughs sit directly within the spring and creek flow. Wildlife values have been impacted.

Recommendations: Livestock should be withdrawn from these spring sites, adjacent habitat, and creek flows until substantial recovery of riparian species, riparian regeneration, and the riparian understory has been achieved. The water troughs should be removed from the springs and creek flow. Substantial recovery of riparian shrub species and aspen requires a minimum of 3-6 years. Willows and other riparian shrubs need to achieve a height of 6 feet or more in order to withstand short duration grazing impacts.

                    1. Severe utilization impacts to spring and channel; loss of riparian regeneration.

                    2. Severe utilization impacts to spring flow, channel, and hydric zone.