15a. South Heglar Canyon
Land Manager: Sawtooth National Forest
Legal Location: T 11S, 12S R 29E Sections 33, 34 Cassia County
Forest Division: Sublette
Dominant Plant Community Type: Shrub-Grass
Impacts: Cumulative impacts from livestock utilization have led to loss of riparian structure, loss of understory, and loss of channel features. Trampling has occurred in hydric soils, broken down banks, and led to channel widening. Utilization impacts have led to erosion, with severe areas of down-cutting and head-cutting. Riparian regeneration has been severely impacted.
Recommendations: It is recommended that livestock be withdrawn from this drainage until substantial riparian recovery, riparian regeneration, and understory recovery has been achieved. Recovery of the aspen and riparian shrub species will take 3-6 years or more, depending on regenerative capability. Aspen and riparian shrubs need to achieve a height of 6 feet or more in order to withstand short duration grazing.
List of Figures:
1. Utilization impacts to channel and riparian structure.
2. Utilization impacts to vegetation; erosion, channel widening.
