7. Womack Canyon, Womack Spring
Land Manager: BLM; Burley Field Office
Legal Location: T 15S R 25E Sections 23, 26, 27 Cassia County
Allotment: #5003 Jim Sage
Dominant Plant Community Type: Shrub-Juniper
Impacts: Aspen are interspersed among Rocky Mountain Junipers along the drainage course in Womack Canyon. Aspen regeneration and the riparian understory have been heavily impacted by livestock utilization. Other sections of the drainage have completely lost the riparian structure due to cumulative utilization impacts. Remnants of riparian growth still exist along the upper rocky, deeply down-cut portions of the drainage due to limited access by livestock. Both natural and artificial spring outlets have been heavily impacted. The creek channel has also been heavily impacted. Trampling has diverted and disrupted water flow; the original upper spring site has been de-watered by pipeline development
Recommendations: It is recommended that livestock be withdrawn from this location until significant riparian recovery (based on regenerative capability) has been achieved. This would require a minimum time period of 3-6 years. Willow and other riparian species need to achieve a height of 6 feet or more in order to withstand short duration grazing.
List of Figures:
1. Loss of aspen regeneration, severe understory removal.
2. Utilization impacts to riparian vegetation above spring outlet.
3. Utilization impacts to creek and riparian zone.
