23c. Van Camp Creek, Upper Headwaters and Springs

Land Manager: Sawtooth National Forest
Legal Location: T 12S R 29E Sections 20, 21 Cassia County
Forest Division: Sublette

Dominant Plant Community Type: Shrub-Grass/Aspen

Impacts: This unnamed set of springs is at the headwaters of Van Camp Creek on the east side, and at the headwaters of Shirley Creek on the west side. Cumulative impacts from livestock utilization have severely impacted the springs, creek flows, and adjacent habitat. Understory removal among the shrub and aspen communities and loss of aspen regeneration has been severe. Loss of the riparian structure and greenline has occurred along much of the upper creek flows. The greenline has been extensively replaced by non-riparian species in those locations. Livestock impacts to existing, older riparian vegetation at the springs has been severe. Severe impacts to the hydric zones and spring channels have resulted from trampling and utilization of aquatic vegetation. Water quality has been severely degraded at all of these spring sites.

Recommendations: It is recommended that livestock be permanently excluded from the entirety of these spring locations and a large area of adjacent habitat. It will require 3-6 years or more for substantial recovery and regeneration of riparian species and aspen. The channels and spring flows will need to re-establish and stabilize. Wildlife potential of these sites and recovery would be enhanced by mitigation efforts such as the planting of appropriate riparian species.

List of Figures:

1. Severe utilization impacts to headwaters spring; severely degraded water quality.