32. Trapper Creek, Upper
Land Manager: Sawtooth National Forest
Legal Location: T 15S R 20E Sections 9, 10 Cassia County
Forest Division: Cassia
Dominant Plant Community Type: Shrub-Juniper
Impacts: Cumulative impacts from livestock utilization have altered the physical features of the upper main channel. Figures 1 and 2 were taken below the confluence of Fall Creek. Severe erosion of the channel has taken place, with a lowering of the water table and loss of the riparian greenline along edges of the creek. Other locations show heavy to severe utilization of riparian species. Understory removal, loss of riparian regeneration, erosion, bank trampling, and the invasion of noxious weeds are occurring in these heavily utilized areas. Trapper Creek hosts sensitive fish populations; fisheries and wildlife values have been heavily impacted along this creek. The Trapper Creek area is also a very popular recreation area; livestock utilization has impacted fishing, picnic, camp, and scenic locations.
Recommendations: Livestock should be permanently withdrawn from the main Trapper Creek drainage. Fisheries, wildlife, and recreation values should preclude livestock utilization of the main canyon areas.
List of Figures:
1. Utilization impacts to creek channel and riparian vegetation.
2. Cumulative impacts from severe utilization levels; erosion, loss of the riparian greenline.
