5b. Lake Fork, Upper
Land Manager: Sawtooth National Forest
Legal Location: T 12S R 29E Section 23 Oneida County
Forest Division: Sublette
Dominant Plant Community Type: Shrub-Grass
Impacts: Cumulative impacts from livestock utilization have altered the riparian zone and shoreline locations. Trampling in hydric soils, understory removal, and loss of riparian regeneration has occurred. Head-cutting, down-cutting and loss of channel features have occurred in creek locations. Utilization has led to loss of the riparian structure along extensive sections of the creek, and along sections of shoreline. Utilization impacts have affected the wildlife quality of the lake and adjacent habitat through shoreline understory removal and impacts to the aquatic vegetation.
Recommendations: It is recommended that livestock be permanently excluded from this location. Livestock should not be allowed to utilize this type of aquatic site, with the accompanying high wildlife value. Substantial recovery of the riparian vegetation, riparian regeneration, and bank stabilization needs to occur along the creek. Recovery of the riparian structure along portions of the lakeshore is also needed. Substantial recovery of riparian species requires 3-6 years or more, depending on regenerative capability. Potential wildlife and recreational/scenic values of this location should preclude any livestock use.
List of Figures:
1. Utilization impacts to understory, loss of riparian species along shoreline.
2. Severe impacts to riparian vegetation, trampling in hydric soil region.
3. Utilization impacts to riparian zone; erosion of channel, invasive weeds.
4. Utilization impacts to vegetation, loss of riparian species.
