4. Rattlesnake Spring
Land Manager: BLM, Burley Field Office/State of Idaho
Legal Location: T 16S R 16E Section 16 Twin Falls County
Allotment Location: Shoshone Basin
Dominant Plant Community Type: Sagebrush-Grass/Wet Meadow
Impacts: The original spring site has been plumbed to fill a small reservoir pond. Livestock utilization has resulted in heavy to severe cumulative impacts to the surrounding meadow and adjacent upland habitat. Trampling of the original spring site and outflow has occurred, as well as trampling throughout the hydric zone. Loss of vegetation and exposure of bare mineral soil at the reservoir, in the meadow, and within spring channels has led to erosion. Severe soil compaction has occurred throughout the hydric zone and to adjacent soils. Complete loss of any previous riparian tree or shrub species has occurred, with the exception of one lone shrub. This is extremely limiting to a wide variety of wildlife species.
Recommendations: It is recommended that this state section be permanently withdrawn from livestock grazing. The potential wildlife value of this extensive wet meadow system is extremely high, and should out-weigh other possible uses. Substantial recovery of woody species and upland shrub habitat will take more than 10 years and would be aided by mitigation efforts.
List of Figures:
1. Severe utilization impacts to spring/reservoir site and to adjacent habitat.
2. Loss of vegetation, trampling, and utilization impacts to the actual spring site and hydric zone.
