5c. Lake Fork Spring

Land Manager: Sawtooth National Forest
Legal Location: T 12S R 29E Section 11 Oneida County
Forest Division: Sublette

Dominant Plant Community Type: Shrub-Grass/Aspen-Conifer

Impacts: An exclosure protects habitat around the original spring site, although the spring itself has been extensively altered through development. Cumulative impacts from livestock utilization have altered the habitat outside the exclosure. Utilization has removed the riparian vegetation from along the spring flow. Utilization has also led to understory removal and impacts to the adjacent shrub and aspen community. Aspen regeneration has been seriously impacted.

Recommendations: It is recommended that livestock be withdrawn from this location until substantial riparian and aspen recovery has been achieved. Substantial recovery of aspen and riparian species requires 3-6 years or more, depending on regenerative capability. Riparian shrubs and saplings need to achieve a height of 6 feet or more in order to withstand short duration grazing.

List of Figures:

1. Severe utilization impacts to riparian species and adjacent shrub/aspen habitat.