29. Squaw Creek
Land Manager: Sawtooth National Forest
Legal Location: T 15S R 20E Section 11 Cassia County
Forest Division: Cassia
Dominant Plant Community Type: Shrub-Juniper
Impacts: This location was severely impacted by livestock utilization during the 1999 season. Utilization levels of the shrub understory and adjacent shrub community were extreme. Bare soil has been exposed with an accompanying loss of the cryptogamic soil crusts. Impacts to the channel have led to widening, erosion and loss of thermal capabilities. The riparian structure has been lost through cumulative impacts along the lower part of the creek. Understory removal is especially limiting to birds and small mammals.
Recommendations: Livestock should be rested from this location until substantial recovery of the shrub community and ground cover has occurred. Lack of remnant riparian growth at this location will limit riparian recovery unless mitigation such as willow plantings is implemented.
List of Figures:
1. Severe utilization impacts; vegetation removal, channel widening.
