13. Quaking Aspen Spring
Land Manager: Sawtooth National Forest
Legal Location: T 12S R 29E Section 17 Cassia County
Forest Division: Sublette
Dominant Plant Community Type: Shrub-Grass/Aspen
Impacts: Cumulative impacts from livestock grazing have led to a loss of riparian structure along the creek flow from the spring. Non-riparian species have replaced the riparian greenline. Down-cutting and head-cutting are occurring along sections of the creek. A portion of the spring site is fenced off from the main allotment, but was accessed by livestock at least briefly in 1999. Impacts to unprotected portions of the springs have been severe. Trampling of the hydric zones, loss of flow and channel, and vegetation removal has occurred. A non-functional trough and piles of wood debris litter portions of the spring and creek flow. Water quality has been degraded.
Recommendations: It is recommended that livestock be excluded permanently from these spring locations. The unprotected spring sites and their adjacent habitat should also be protected. Livestock should be prevented from entering the portion of springs and habitat already fenced. Recovery of the riparian structure and substantial regeneration will take 3-6 years or more depending on regenerative capability. Recovery of the riparian zone along the creek will also require the same time period. The trough and debris should be removed from this site.
List of Figures:
1. Trough and junk in channel; utilization impacts and erosion.
2. Utilization impacts to spring site; loss of riparian species, loss of flow channel.
