34. Tub Spring
Land Manager: Sawtooth National Forest
Legal Location: T 13S R 20E Section 23 Cassia County
Forest Division: Cassia
Dominant Plant Community Type: Shrub-Aspen
Impacts: Cumulative impacts from livestock utilization have altered the physical features of this spring site. Although a grass understory was present at the end of the 1999 season, the cumulative impacts to riparian and aspen regeneration at the water point have been significant. Loss of the aspen and riparian growth near the trough can be compared to the adjacent vegetation along the access road; the losses have occurred at the point of concentrated utilization. Trampling by livestock around the trough (filled by the spring) has diverted the overflow into the roadway. Vehicle use of the saturated soils has led to additional resource damage.
Recommendations: Livestock should be withdrawn from this spring site and the water developments moved much farther away from the hydric zone. Substantial aspen regeneration requires 3-6 years or more. Aspen and riparian shrubs need to achieve a height of 6 feet or more in order to withstand short duration grazing impacts. Vehicle access to the site should be blocked at the entry point from the main road in order to prevent further damage to this area.
List of Figures:
1. Cumulative utilization impacts; loss of riparian and aspen regeneration.
2. Severe impacts from vehicle and livestock use; diversion of spring channel, resource damage.
