18. Sublette Creek, North Fork
Land Manager: Sawtooth National Forest
Legal Location: T 12S, 13S R 30E Sections 29, 30, 31, 9, 16, 20 Power County
Forest Division: Sublette
Dominant Plant Community Type: Shrub-Grass
Impacts: Cumulative impacts from livestock utilization have led to loss of riparian structure and replacement of the riparian greenline with non-riparian species at many of these locations. Fisheries values and wildlife values have been severely impacted. Trampling has led to channel widening, loss of thermal capabilities, and loss of flow. Riparian regeneration has been severely impacted. Older growth and remnant riparian species have been heavily utilized. Down-cutting and head-cutting are occurring.
Recommendations: It is recommended that livestock be withdrawn from this drainage until substantial riparian recovery, riparian regeneration, understory recovery, and channel stabilization has been achieved. Recovery of riparian shrub species will take 3-6 years or more, depending on regenerative capability. Riparian shrubs need to achieve a height of 6 feet or more in order to withstand short duration grazing. These locations would benefit from mitigation efforts such as the planting of appropriate riparian species.
List of Figures:
1. Severe impacts to channel; loss of riparian structure.
2. Utilization impacts to channel, loss of riparian structure.
