38. Williams Reservoir
Land Manager: Sawtooth National Forest
Legal Location: T 13S R 17E Section 26 Twin Falls County
Forest Division: Cassia
Dominant Plant Community Type: Shrub-Grass/Aspen
Impacts: Cumulative impacts from livestock utilization have led to removal of vegetation in the areas surrounding the water source. Impacts to the channels feeding the reservoir have resulted in loss of water flow, erosion, and trampling of hydric soil regions. Utilization concentrated in the area has led to removal of riparian species along the small creek channels and impacts to the adjacent shrub and aspen communities. The lack of any riparian ecosystem is limiting to wildlife as well as to fisheries values.
Recommendations: Livestock should be withdrawn from this location until substantial recovery of the groundcover and adjacent shrub understory has been reached. Riparian regeneration in the area is currently limited to a few vestigial species along the creek flows. A return of riparian vegetation to this location is unlikely without protection and mitigation such as the planting of willows or other species.
List of Figures:
1. Severe utilization levels; impacts to meadow/groundcover.
2. Utilization impacts; loss of spring flow and channel, loss of riparian species.
