13. Shoe Spring
Land Manager: BLM, Burley Field Office
Legal Location: T 16S R 21E Section 35 Cassia County
Allotment: #4027 Goose Creek Group
Dominant Plant Community Type: Sagebrush-Grass/Juniper
Impacts: Cumulative livestock impacts at this location have severely altered the physical features of this spring, drainage course, and adjacent uplands. Livestock grazing and trampling have led to removal of any previous riparian structure, complete loss of riparian regeneration, and severe loss of the riparian understory vegetation. Severe utilization levels and trampling have caused channel widening, loss of water table, loss of spring flow, and led to severe erosion processes. Water quality of the small amounts of surface water is severely degraded. Severe utilization levels have also impacted both adjacent and non-adjacent uplands. The general downstream area has been used as a dumping ground for dead cattle, baling twine, and other refuse.
Recommendations: It is recommended that livestock be permanently withdrawn from this spring and drainage. Significant riparian and upland shrub/understory recovery (dependent on regenerative capability) would require more than the minimum time period of 3-6 years. Impacts to this site may remain irreversible without intervention and mitigation efforts.
List of Figures:
1. Severe trampling and utilization at the spring "pipe".
2. Severe trampling, utilization; severe erosion and loss of water table along the drainage course.
