8. Unnamed Spring, State Meadow
Land Manager: BLM, Burley Field Office/State of Idaho
Legal Location: T 15S R 16E Section 36 Twin Falls County
Allotment Location: Shoshone Basin
Dominant Plant Community Type: Sagebrush-Grass
Impacts: Although the spring which flowed through the channel in the accompanying figures is not producing surface water, this site was still chosen for documentation. This state section contains many acres of upland habitat accompanied in the past by spring/wet meadow conditions. Cumulative utilization impacts have seriously affected the spring and its flow channel. The water table has been significantly dropped. The spring and flow had been supporting a wide variety of aquatic life including gastropods (snails). The unavailability of surface water in a dry year has seriously impacted the resident aquatic life and other wildlife species. Cattle have already been allowed into this site in the 2000 season, further compacting and disturbing the spring site and channel.
Recommendations: It is recommended that this area be withdrawn from livestock grazing until significant recovery of the spring site and wet meadow zone have been achieved. It would be hoped that the spring would again run on the surface with increased precipitation events and allow the site to begin recovery. Without removal of livestock this location will continue to degrade, including further lowering of the water table.
List of Figures:
1. Severe utilization impacts to spring channel.
2. Severe utilization impacts to spring channel, banks, and vegetation.
