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Appendix I
FENCE CREEK, MEDICINE BOW NATIONAL FOREST, ALBANY COUNTY
Location and Accessibility
Fence Creek is located on the south side of Sheep Mountain on the Medicine Bow National Forest. The potential
study area is located 5 miles east of Albany, Wyoming ( T 14N, R 77W, S 10, 15). The potential study area
includes approximately 1.5 miles of stream and riparian meadow. The site is accessible by foot or horseback
from spring until late fall.
Land Administrator
The potential study area is located on the Medicine Bow National Forest which is managed by the U.S. Forest
Service. There is no cattle grazing, logging, or motorized vehicle use on this portion of the Medicine Bow
National Forest.
Livestock Grazing History
Cattle grazing has been excluded from this portion of Medicine Bow National Forest since 1945. There is some
occasional recreational horse grazing during summer and fall.
Wetland Classification
According to the classification system used by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Fence Creek is classified as;
SYSTEM Riverine, SUBSYSTEM Upper Perennial.
Description of Site
The elevation of the potential study site is approximately 9,150 feet. Fence Creek flows through a montane
meadow which is dominated by grass, sedges, and willows. Upland vegetation consists of mainly lodgepole pine
and limber pine. Upland soils are very granitic and loose.
Rangeland Improvements
There have been no rangeland improvement practices or treatments in the Fence Creek area.
Observed Impacts
There is heavy use by elk along Fence Creek, especially during spring when elk are migrating to higher
elevations. Willows have been browsed down to uniform height, probably due to the snow depth at the time
when elk were in the area. Some sloughing of streambanks is occurring at points along the stream. Streambanks
are vegetated mainly by grasses and sedges. There is a tremendous amount of elk feces throughout the riparian
meadow and along the stream. There are several springs which feed the stream. Water from these springs
saturate much of the dung-covered ground and flows directly into Fence Creek.
Potential as Field Study Site
Fence Creek holds great potential as a field study site. Utilization by elk is moderate to heavy with high potential
of fecal contamination of the stream during spring.
Potential as Experimental Site
Fence Creek holds little potential as an experimental site because of impacts on water quality that already
exist from wild ungulate grazing.
Administrative Contact
Kent Van
United States Forest Service
2468 Jackson St.
Laramie, Wyoming 82070-6538
(307) 745-8971
Appendix II
JOHNSON CREEK, SYBILLE WILDLIFE RESEARCH UNIT, ALBANY COUNTY
Location and Accessibility
The potential study area on Johnson Creek is located on the Sybille Wildlife Research Unit, approximately 32
miles southwest of Wheatland, Wyoming, north of highway 34 (T 21N, R 72W, S 18, 19, 20, 30).
Approximately 3 miles of Johnson Creek, on the north side of Highway 34, is located on 2,700 acres. The site is
accessible by four-wheel drive from early spring to late fall.
Land Administrator
The Wyoming Game and Fish Department manages the area within the unit and is utilized by the public for
recreational purposes and by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department for wildlife research projects.
Seasonal and Diurnal Use by Wild Ungulates
Approximately 100-250 mule deer utilize the unit year-round with heaviest utilization occurring during winter
months. Some whitetail deer utilize the riparian zone of Johnson Creek. A small number of elk will occasionally
use the unit during summer and fall while some antelope will utilize the unit during winter.
Livestock Grazing History
The portion of Sybille Wildlife Research Unit north of Highway 34 has not been grazed by livestock since 1979.
Light fall cattle grazing may be implemented in the near future.
Wetland Classification
According to the classification system used by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Johnson Creek is classified as;
SYSTEM Riverine, SUBSYSTEM Upper Perennial.
Description of Site
The elevation of the potential study site is approximately 6,500 feet. Associated riparian vegetation includes
grass, sedges, willow, cottonwood, and aspen. Upland vegetation consists of mainly grass, sagebrush, antelope
bitterbrush, and mountain mahogany. Vegetative biomass has greatly increased since the exclusion of cattle
grazing in 1979.
Rangeland Improvements
There have been no rangeland improvements or treatments other than periodic spraying of noxious weeds.
Observed Impacts
The streambanks of Johnson Creek are well vegetated and stable. There is some trespass cattle use along the
stream near the northern boundary of the unit. Deer feces was observed on upland ridges which receive heaviest
utilization by mule deer. Very little deer feces was observed along the stream. Overall, wildlife seem to have
few impacts on the riparian zone.
Potential as Field Study Site
Johnson Creek holds little potential as a field study site because of cattle grazing upstream adjacent to the
unit. Also, use by wild ungulates on the unit is mainly from mule deer which utilize upland ridges and
hillsides more than the riparian area, therefore, impacts on water quality from deer use may be
limited.
Potential as Experimental Site
Johnson Creek could be used as an experimental site despite the fact that there is cattle grazing upstream
adjacent to the unit. Impacts on water quality could be measured above the unit where cattle grazing is
permitted and below the experimental site which has exclusive grazing by wildlife.
Administrative Contact
Huey Dawson
Wyoming Game and Fish Department
Sybille Wildlife Research Unit
Bosler Rt.
Box 8101
Wheatland, Wyoming 82201
(307) 322-2571
Appendix III
LABONTE CREEK WILDLIFE UNIT
MEDICINE BOW NATIONAL FOREST, ALBANY COUNTY
Location and Accessibility
Labonte Creek Wildlife Unit is located on the Medicine Bow National Forest approximately 25 miles southwest
of Douglas, Wyoming (T 28N, R 73W, S 9,10,11). Approximately 3 miles of Labonte Creek is located on the
3,320 acre unit. The site is accessible by four-wheel drive from spring until late fall.
Land Administrator
Labonte Creek Wildlife Unit is located on Medicine Bow National Forest and is managed by the U.S. Forest
Service. The primary objective of the wildlife unit is to provide big game wildlife habitat.
Seasonal and Diurnal Use by Wild Ungulates
Approximately 50-100 elk and some mule deer utilize the wildlife unit and surrounding area from late spring to
late fall. Approximately 10-15 bighorn sheep utilize Labonte Creek area year-round.
Livestock Grazing History
Labonte Creek Wildlife Unit has not had authorized livestock grazing since the establishment of the unit in 1968.
There is minimal cattle grazing above the unit in Curtis Gulch and Big Bear Canyon.
Wetland Classification
According to the classification system used by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Labonte Creek would be
classified as; SYSTEM Riverine, SUBSYSTEM, Upper Perennial.
Description of Site
The elevation of the potential study area is approximately 6,800 feet. Associated riparian vegetation includes
grass, sedges, willow, aspen, spruce, and fir. Upland vegetation consists of grass, sagebrush, aspen, and fir.
Interspersions of conifers and grass meadows are associated with the riparian zone.
Rangeland Improvements
There have been no rangeland improvements or treatments on the Labonte Creek Wildlife Unit or surrounding
area.
Observed Impacts
The riparian zone is in excellent condition. Streambanks are stable and well vegetated by sedges and willows.
On upland sites, aspen look healthy with good regeneration. Feces from elk and deer were rarely observed along
the stream while some feces was observed on upland sites. Overall, the unit is in good shape with few impacts on
water quality from wild ungulates.
Potential as Field Study Site
Labonte Creek Wildlife Unit holds some potential as a field study site. Impacts on water quality from wildlife
grazing are minimal.
Potential as Experimental Site
Labonte Creek Wildlife Unit has good potential as an experimental site. Conditions within the unit are nearly
pristine and access is good. Impacts on water quality from light cattle grazing above the unit could be measured
and compared to impacts from wild ungulate grazing within the unit.
Administrative Contact
Don Heiser
U.S. Forest Service
809 South 9th
Douglas, Wyoming 82633
(307) 358-4690
Appendix IV
SOUTH MIDDLE CROW CREEK
MEDICINE BOW NATIONAL FOREST, ALBANY COUNTY
Location and Accessibility
South Middle Crow Creek is located on the Medicine Bow National Forest, 16 miles southeast of Laramie,
Wyoming. Three exclosures, approximately 33 acres each, are located on 1.5 miles of South Middle Crow Creek,
2 miles east of Vedauwoo Campground (T 14N, R 71W, S 25,26,27). The site is accessible by vehicle from early
spring until late fall.
Land Administrator
Three exclosures were built through mitigation processes involved with the development of the Cheyenne Stage
II Water Project. The U.S. Forest Service manages the land inside the exclosures while personnel from the Stage
II Water Project maintain the fences and water that is diverted into South Middle Crow Creek. The objective of
the U.S. Forest Service is to increase riparian habitat within the exclosures.
Seasonal and Diurnal Use by Wild Ungulates
Approximately 30-40 elk and 50 mule deer utilize the area which includes South Middle Crow Creek. Elk and
deer utilize the area mainly during spring, summer, and fall but may also use the area during mild winters.
Livestock Grazing History
Cattle grazing is permitted on Medicine Bow National Forest but has been excluded from inside the exclosures
since they were built in 1984. The area between exclosures on South Middle Crow Creek serve as water gaps
for cattle. Cattle use along these water gaps is moderate to heavy.
Wetland Classification
Stream flow is maintained from water that is piped from Rob Roy Reservoir to South Middle Crow Creek.
According to the classification system used by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, South Middle Crow Creek
would be classified as; SYSTEM Riverine, SUBSYSTEM Upper Perennial.
Description of site
The elevation of the potential study site is approximately 7,900 feet. Associated riparian vegetation includes
grass, sedges, willow, and aspen. Upland vegetation would be considered a semi-open coniferous forest with
grass, aspen, spruce, fir, lodgepole pine, and limber pine as the main types of vegetation.
Rangeland Improvements
There have been no rangeland improvements or treatments on South Middle Crow Creek Drainage or the
surrounding area.
Observed Impacts
The streambanks are well defined and stable in the upper and lower exclosures. In the middle exclosure,
the streambanks are less defined with water flowing openly across the ground. Vegetative biomass within
the exclosures is high. There is a noticeable difference in the quantity and quality of vegetation inside and
outside of the exclosures. Cattle use outside the exclosures is moderate to heavy. A small amount of elk
and deer feces were observed inside the exclosures. Some feces were observed outside the exclosures on
upland sites.
Potential as Field Study Site
The exclosures on South Middle Crow Creek hold little potential as a field study site. From general
observations, use by elk and deer on South Middle Crow Creek is minimal. Fecal contamination of the
stream would come mainly from cattle use outside the exclosures or possibly from other sources above
Rob Roy Reservoir which feeds South Middle Crow Creek.
Potential as Experimental Site
The exclosures on South Middle Crow Creek would not be feasible as an experimental site for the reasons
mentioned above.
Administrative Contact
Kent Van
United States Forest Service
2468 Jackson St.
Laramie, Wyoming 82070-6538
(307) 745-8971
Appendix V
CEDAR CREEK, BIGHORN NATIONAL FOREST, BIGHORN COUNTY
Cedar Creek is located approximately 25 miles east of Greybull, Wyoming.. This area was not evaluated in detail because topography and accessibility limit the potential as an experimental site or field study site. The upper portion of Cedar Creek is a designated wildlife use area which requires a 34 mile hike to reach. The lower portion of Cedar Creek is located in a narrow and rocky canyon which is difficult to hike.
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