16. Spring Creek (Upper)
Land Manager: BLM, Burley Field Office
Legal Location: T 15S R 22E Sections 28, 32, 33 Cassia County
Allotment: #4027 Goose Creek Group
Dominant Plant Community Type: Sagebrush-Juniper
Impacts: The cumulative livestock impacts to this location have severely impacted the upper perennial portion of this stream. Impacts include loss of riparian structure and understory, erosion, head-cutting, down-cutting, and disruption of flow. Trampling has caused loss of channel, and channel widening. Nonriparian growth is encroaching the channel. Adjacent sagebrush habitat has also received utilization impacts and understory removal. Water quality has been degraded; a lot of soil has been disturbed and is contributing to high sediment levels in the stream.
Recommendations: It is recommended that livestock be rested from this area until significant riparian and understory recovery has been achieved. Significant riparian recovery (dependent on regenerative capability) would require a minimum time period of 3-6 years. Willows and other riparian shrubs need to achieve 6 or more feet in height in order to withstand short duration grazing impacts. If protected, the existing riparian species should be able to achieve substantial recovery and contribute to stabilization of the stream channel.
List of Figures:
1. Loss of riparian growth and understory, disruption of channel and flow.
2. Utilization impacts to vegetation, understory, and stream channel.
