Dominant Plant Community Type: Shrub-Grass

Impacts: Cumulative impacts from livestock utilization have altered this riparian zone. 1999 impacts to the riparian vegetation, banks, and channel have seriously degraded the location and its fisheries values. Utilization seriously impacted young willow regeneration and removed the riparian understory. The creek channel has been trampled and broken-down in many locations, excessively widened in other locations. Severe erosion is occurring; including both head-cutting and down-cutting. A high sediment load is present in the water. At the time of survey, trout were attempting to spawn in the silt-laden, disturbed channel and waters.

Recommendations: It is recommended that livestock be permanently excluded from this location. Substantial recovery of the riparian species, riparian regeneration, and bank stabilization needs to occur. The site is used for fishing and other forms of recreation. Potential wildlife and recreational values of this location should outweigh livestock use.

                    1. Severe utilization impacts to understory, willows; trampling and loss of channel features.

                    2. Severe utilization impacts to willows, riparian understory; loss of channel.

                    3. Severe utilization impacts to channel, loss of woody species; severe erosion.

                    4. Trout spawning in sediment-laden waters, damaged channel.