2. Darby Spring, Creek Flow

Land Manager: BLM, Burley Field Office
Legal Location: T 12S R 26E Section 28 Cassia County
Allotment: #97 South Cotterel

Dominant Plant Community Type: Shrub-Grass/Juniper

Impacts: The cumulative livestock impacts at this location have severely altered the physical features of this spring, stream, and riparian zone. Livestock grazing bas led to loss of the riparian structure, loss of riparian regeneration, and loss of the riparian understory. Remnant riparian vegetation has been heavily impacted. Trampling and erosion have led to down-cutting and lowering of the water table. The riparian greenline is being replaced by non-riparian species. Trampling and utilization have caused loss of thermal capabilities and loss of original channel features. Water quality has been severely impacted at the spring site itself; a trampled slurry of manure covers the zone of emergence. A small wet meadow has also been heavily impacted near the spring site. A trough is located near the stream channel east of Darby Spring. Utilization impacts at the trough have led to erosion, removal of understory, loss of riparian species, and severe impacts to adjacent shrub habitat.

Recommendations: It is recommended that livestock be withdrawn from this location. Significant riparian recovery (dependent on regenerative capability) would require a minimum time period of 3-6 years. Willow and other riparian shrubs need to achieve a height of 6 feet or more before exposure to livestock utilization can be tolerated for short-duration grazing. The existing trough has been placed too close to the stream site and should be moved from this location. It is recommended that the spring, wet meadow, and adjacent upland habitat be exclosed from livestock utilization in order to provide quality wildlife habitat.

                    1. Trampling and manure at the spring site.

                    2. Trough adjacent to stream channel, severe utilization impacts.