5. Summit Creek
Land Manager: BLM, Burley Field Office/State of Idaho
Legal Location: T 125 R 25E Sections 35, 36 Cassia County
Allotment: #97 South Cotterel
Dominant Plant Community Type: Sagebrush-Juniper
Impacts: Cumulative livestock impacts to the Summit Creek drainage have altered the physical features of the stream channel, riparian zone, and adjacent upland habitat. Livestock utilization has led to erosion and loss of channel features Impacts have also led to loss of the riparian greenline, 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. Summit creek fills a small reservoir facility to the west of the main access road. Livestock utilization has also affected the vegetation surrounding the reservoir. The loss of riparian structure and understory in this drainage 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Recommendations: It is recommended that livestock be withdrawn from this location.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. Recovery of the shrub community near the reservoir should also be allowed to achieve substantial recovery levels prior to any livestock re-entry.
List of Figures:
1. Utilization impacts; loss of shrubs/understory on hillside, loss of riparian structure.
2. Loss of channel features, severe impacts to vegetation, loss of riparian greenline.
