4. Parks Creek

Land Manager: BLM, Burley Field Office/State of Idaho
Legal Location: T 14S R 25E, 26E Sections 7,8, 12, 13 Cassia County
Allotment: #5003 Jim Sage

Dominant Plant Community Type: Sagebrush-Juniper

Impacts: The adjacent uplands to the south and southwest of this location were burned in a small fire in 1999. Although not named on the forest map, a BLM sign indicated this area as Parks Creek. The canyon supports a very nice riparian zone comprised mainly of older aspens, willows, and other riparian tree species. Due to the large geographical stretch of this system, impacts have been spread out along it. This riparian system could be classed as functional in some areas; however cumulative impacts are leading to a loss of riparian regeneration, loss of understory, and a replacement of the riparian greenline with non-riparian species. Trampling and utilization are leading to loss of bank stability and the beginnings of more severe erosion in a number of locations along the drainage. The presence of rock is helping to prevent additional erosion in some stretches.

Recommendations: It is recommended that livestock be withdrawn from this drainage. The scarcity of this type of riparian system on public lands of the Jim Sage Mountains should warrant its protection. The wildlife, scenic, and recreational values of this site should outweigh livestock use, and lead to preservation efforts. Significant riparian regeneration levels and bank stabilization require a minimum time period of 3-6 years.

List of Figures:

                    1. Utilization impacts to creek and riparian zone; loss of understory and regeneration.

                    2. Loss of riparian regeneration, replacement of greenline
                        by non-riparian species; trampling effects.