4. Cave Creek
Land Manager: Sawtooth National Forest
Legal Location: T 13S R 20E Sections 24, 26, 34 Cassia County
Forest Division: Cassia
Dominant Plant Community Type: Shrub-Grass/Aspen-Conifer
Impacts: Cumulative impacts from livestock utilization have altered the habitat at this location. Utilization has removed much of the riparian vegetation and understory from the streamside and within springs and hydric zones. Utilization impacts have altered the creek and spring flows and disturbed the hydric soils. Utilization has also led to understory removal and impacts to the adjacent shrub and aspen community. Aspen regeneration has been impacted.
Recommendations: Several recreational hiking and mountain biking trails exist at this location and appear to be frequently used by forest visitors. Mountain bikers were using the trails the day of the survey. The recreational and scenic values of this drainage and the unique cave formations for which it is named should preclude livestock use from this location.
List of Figures:
1. Utilization impacts to channel, banks; loss of riparian and aspen regeneration.
2. Adjacent spring site; severe impacts to riparian vegetation, trampling of hydric zone.
