4. Nibbs Spring, Nibbs Creek
Land Manager: BLM, Burley Field Office
Legal Location: T 13S R 26E Sections 5, 6, 8 Cassia County
Allotment: #97 South Cotterel
Dominant Plant Community Type: Sagebrush-Juniper
Impacts: Cumulative livestock impacts to Nibbs Spring and Nibbs Creek have severely altered the physical features of the stream channel, spring, and riparian zone. Livestock utilization has led to erosion, loss of channel features, loss of riparian structure, loss of riparian regeneration, and loss of riparian understory. Adjacent upland habitat has received moderate to heavy utilization, including loss of shrub understory and impacts to the shrub community. The riparian greenline is being replaced by non-riparian species. The hydric region of Nibbs Spring has been heavily impacted. Loss of riparian structure and understory is extremely limiting to wildlife species, particularly birds.
Recommendations: It is recommended that livestock be withdrawn from this location. Significant riparian recovery (dependent on regenerative capability) will 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.
List of Figures:
1. Utilization impacts to the hydric region, spring flow.
2. Utilization impacts to older riparian shrubs and riparian understory.
3. Utilization impacts, erosion, channel widening.
