39. Willow Spring (North)
Land Manager: Sawtooth National Forest
Legal Location: T 13S R 18E Section 9 Twin Falls County
Forest Division: Cassia
Dominant Plant Community Type: Shrub-Grass/Aspen
Impacts: Cumulative impacts from livestock utilization have led to trampling and disturbance of the hydric soil regions of this spring and meadow system. The small reservoir has been trampled and the water quality seriously degraded. Utilization concentrated in the area has led to removal of riparian species along the small creek channels and at spring sites to the east. A tiny pole exclosure protects a small hydric region; the spring sites at this location have no protection and have been moderately to severely impacted depending on proximity to the water sources. Troughs sit directly in the spring flow and hydric region of the meadow.
Recommendations: Livestock should be withdrawn from this location. An exclosure protecting all of the sources with a large amount of the adjacent uplands would allow riparian recovery at the different spring locations. Substantial riparian recovery requires a minimum of 3-6 years, and depends on the regenerative capabilities of the site. Watering facilities should be removed to another area away from the spring and hydric soil region.
List of Figures:
1. Utilization impacts to meadow, small reservoir, and hydric region.
2. Trampling impacts to meadow and spring flow; poles exclose one spring outlet.
