| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Appendix XXVI
BEAVER CREEK, GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK, TETON COUNTY
Location and Accessibility
The potential study site on Beaver Creek is located 3 miles northwest of Moose, Wyoming in Grand Teton National Park (T 43N, R 116W, S 14,15). The Potential study area includes approximately 1.5 miles of Beaver Creek. There is good access to the lower end of site by vehicle and upper end of the site by foot.
Land Administrator
The National Park Service manages the natural resources of Grand Teton National Park to maintain, rehabilitate, and perpetuate their (natural resources) inherent integrity. Ecological processes should be permitted to proceed
as they did under pristine conditions.
Seasonal and Diurnal Use by Wild Ungulates
Elk and some mule deer are found in the area during late spring, summer and fall. Moose inhabit the area year around. Elk and deer generally migrate to lower elevations, including the National Elk Refuge, during late fall and winter.
Livestock Grazing History
While cattle grazing and some horse grazing is allowed in the Park, it has been limited to areas east of the Snake River. Prior to 1950, cattle grazing was allowed on both sides of the Snake River but most likely did not include the
potential study area on Beaver Creek.
Wetland Classification
According to the classification system used by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Beaver Creek is classified as; SYSTEM Riverine, SUBSYSTEM Upper Perennial.
Description of Site
The elevation of the potential study site is approximately 7,500 feet. Beaver Creek divides into three forks roughly 0.6 miles west of Grand Teton Park Road. The north and south forks have perennial flows while the middle fork has potential for intermittent flows during late summer and fall. Associated riparian vegetation consists of grass, sedges, willow, spruce, and fir. Upland vegetation consists of spruce, fir and lodgepole pine. The ridge immediately north of Beaver Creek burned in 1985 and is now vegetated by sapling lodgepole pine, huckleberry, and serviceberry. Many large dead and down logs are scattered over the ridge.
Rangeland Improvements
There have been no rangeland improvements or treatments in the Beaver Creek area.
Observed Impacts
Tremendous trampling and sloughing of streambanks occur where upland game trails have converged at certain sites along the stream. Elk use the riparian zone heavily, especially in fall during the breeding season. Trampled areas have exposed fine soils which could contribute to stream sediment loading. Feces from elk, moose, and deer were found along the creek and adjacent upland sites.
Potential as Field Study Site
Beaver Creek has good potential as a field study site. Research of wildlife impacts on water quality could be measured exclusively without effects from livestock grazing.
Potential as Experimental Site
Beaver Creek holds little potential as a experimental site because of moderate to heavy utilization by wildlife that already exists and the need to enable animal migration through the area, thereby making fencing impractical.
Administrative Contact
Pete Hayden
Chief of Resource Management
Science and Resource Management
Grand Teton National Park
Moose, Wyoming 83102
(307) 733-2880
Appendix XXVII
CAMP CREEK, CAMP CREEK FEEDGROUND, TETON COUNTY
Location and Accessibility
The potential study site is located on Camp Creek Feedground, 14 miles south of Jackson, Wyoming, east of highway 187 (T 29N, R 115W, S 29). Approximately 0.75 miles of stream are located on Camp Creek Feedground. Camp Creek is accessible by vehicle from early spring until late fall.
Land Administrator
The Wyoming Game and Fish Department manages Camp Creek Feedground for supplemental winter feeding of big game animals, primarily elk.
Seasonal and Diurnal use by Wild ungulates
Approximately 900 elk utilize the feedground and surrounding area during winter and early spring. An occasional moose may be found on the feedground and some mule deer may utilize the feedground year-round.
Livestock Grazing History
There is no authorized livestock grazing permitted on the feedground or on the surrounding National Forest. A portion of Teton National Forest, which includes the Camp Creek area, has been cattle and sheep free since 1918. There is some recreational horse grazing from hunters and outfitters throughout the area.
Wetland Classification
According to the classification system used by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Camp Creek is classified as; SYSTEM Riverine, SUBSYSTEM Intermittent.
Description of Site
The elevation of the potential study site is approximately 7,500 feet. Camp Creek is a small intermittent stream that flows during spring and dries up during summer. Associated riparian vegetation consists grass, willow, and
aspen. Upland vegetation consists of grass, big sagebrush, willow, aspen, and some conifers.
Rangeland Improvements
There have been no rangeland Improvements or treatments on Camp Creek Feedground.
Observed Impacts
Grass production looks good while the willow and aspen component looks poor. Willow and aspen have been heavily browsed and regeneration is low. Willow establishment along the stream is poor and streambanks are relatively unstable. Shallow rooted grasses have established up to the streams edge. Elk feces is
abundant along the riparian zone and adjacent uplands. The potential for fecal bacteria contamination of the stream is very high, especially during spring when water flows openly across the wide and relatively flat riparian zone.
Potential as Field Study Site
Camp Creek holds some potential as a field study site. A small scale study regarding fecal contamination of the stream might be feasible during the spring when elk are still utilizing the area and the stream is flowing.
Potential as Experimental Site
It would not be feasible to use Camp Creek as an experimental site because of the heavy utilization by elk and possible impacts on water quality that already exist.
Administrative Contact
Steve Kilpatrick
Habitat Management Coordlnator
Wyoming Game and Fish Department
Star Rt. Box 13a
Jackson, Wyoming 83001
(307) 733-3931
Appendix XXVIII
FLAT CREEK, NATIONAL ELK REFUGE. TETON COUNTY
Location and Accessibility
The potential study area on Flat Creek is located on the National Elk Refuge north of Jackson, Wyoming (T 41N, R 115W, S 4,5,6; T 41N, R 116W, T 1,El/4 2,11,NW1/4 14,El/2 15,22,SW1/4 23; T 42N, R 116W S 34,350). Approximately 9 miles of Flat Creek are located on the National Elk Refuge. The site is accessible by vehicle year-round.
Land Administrator
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service manages the National Elk Refuge, which was established in 1912, for winter elk use. A small portion of Flat Creek on the National Elk Refuge provides crucial nesting habitat for Trumpeter Swans which have low priority management by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on the refuge.
Seasonal and Diurnal Use by Wild Ungulates
The National Elk provides 24,700 acres of winter range for approximately 7,500 to 9,000 elk which utilize the refuge from November through May. Approximately 100 bison and a small number of mule deer will utilize the National Elk Refuge throughout the winter.
Livestock Grazing History
The National Elk Refuge has been excluded from livestock grazing since the early 1900's when the refuge was established. A portion of Teton National Forest adjacent to the refuge has been excluded from livestock grazing, other than some recreational horse grazing, since 1918.
Wetland Classification
According to the classification system used by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Flat Creek on the northern portion of the refuge is classified as; SYSTEM Riverine, SUBSYSTEM Upper Perennial. Flat Creek on the southern portion of the refuge is classified as; SYSTEM Riverine, SUBSYSTEM Lower Perennial.
Description of Site
The elevation of the potential study site is approximately 6,300 feet. Associated riparian vegetation includes grass, sedges, willow and cottonwood. Upland vegetation can be described as a sagebrush-grassland which includes some aspen.
Rangeland Improvements
Several rangeland improvements and treatments have been used to increase the quantity and quality of forage on the refuge and better distribute the animals. Rangeland treatments on the refuge include prescribed burning, aspen clearcutting, seeding, fertilization, and irrigation.
Observed Impacts
Woody vegetation, mainly willow, aspen, and cottonwood, has been heavily utilized on the refuge. Streamside vegetation is limited to grasses and sedges with little establishment of woody vegetation along the stream. Water diverted from the Gros Ventre River to Flat Creek on the northern part of the refuge
has increased stream flow of Flat Creek by three times. Streambanks on Flat Creek below the diversion have eroded due to the large amount of water added to the stream. Elk are generally divided into four separate feed herds on the refuge during supplemental feeding. Two herds are located on the southern
portion of the refuge in close proximity to Flat Creek. At these locations, the amount of elk feces on the ground is high and the chance of fecal contamination of Flat Creek is high.
Potential as Field Study Site
Flat Creek on the National Elk Refuge holds good potential as a field study site. Fecal contamination of the stream is very probable, especially where elk concentrate close to the stream. It may be difficult to differentiate sources of suspended sediment due to elk use and increased stream load.
Potential as Experimental Site
Flat Creek on the National Elk Refuge holds little potential as an experimental site because of the large number of elk utilizing the area which may have caused changes in vegetative composition and stream quality.
Administrative Contact
Bruce Smith
Wildlife Biologist
National Elk Refuge
675 E. Broadway
Jackson, Wyoming 83001
(307) 733-9212
Appendix XXIX
FLAT CREEK, SOUTH PARX FEEDGROUND, TETON COUNTY
Location and Accessibility
Flat Creek on South Park Feedground is located approximately 5 miles south of Jackson Wyoming, west of Highway 187 (T 40N, R 117W, S 28,29,33). Approximately 0.75 miles of Flat Creek is located on the 1,223 acre feedground. The site is accessible by vehicle year-round.
Land Administrator
The Wyoming Game and Fish Department established South Park Feedground in 1939 and manages the feedground for supplemental winter feeding of big game animals, primarily elk.
Seasonal and Diurnal Use by Wild Ungulates
Approximately 900 elk utilize South Park Feedground and a limited area adjacent to the feedground from late fall until spring. Moose may occasionally utilize the unit throughout the year.
Livestock Grazing History
South Park Feedground has not had authorized livestock grazing since it was established by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department. Cattle grazing is permitted on private land adjacent to the unit.
Wetland Classification
According to the classification system used by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Flat Creek is classified as; SYSTEM Riverine, SUBSYSTEM Upper Perennial.
Description of Site
The elevation of the potential study site is approximately 6,l00 feet. Associated riparian vegetation includes grass, sedges, willow, and cottonwood. Upland site which have not been developed consist of mainly grass and
some sagebrush. Housing has developed along a 3-4 mile stretch of Flat Creek between Jackson and South Park Feedground.
Rangeland Improvements
Native grass meadows are sub-irrigated and left standing for winter elk use.
Observed Impacts
Riparian vegetation along Flat Creek is in good condition. Streambanks are well vegetated and fairly stable. Flat Creek flows through the town of Jackson and through several miles of urban development above the feedground. It may be difficult to differentiate impacts due to wild ungulate use from impacts due to housing development, road development, livestock, and human activity above the feedground.
Potential as Field Study Site
Flat Creek, on South Park Feedground, holds little potential as a field study site due to possible impacts on water quality other than wild ungulate use.
Potential as Experimental Site
Flat Creek, on South Park Feedground, holds little potential as an experimental site for the same reasons mentioned above.
Administrative Contact
Steve Kilpatrick
Habitat Management Coordinator
Wyoming Game and Fish Department
Star Rt. Box 13A
Jackson, Wyoming 83001
(307) 733-3931
Appendix XXX
HORSE CREEK, HORSE CREEK WINTER FEEDGROUND, TETON COUNTY
Location and Accessibility
Horse Creek Feedground is located 11 miles south of Jackson, Wyoming, 2 miles east of Highway 187 (T 39N, R 115W, S 18). Approximately 0.5 miles of Horse Creek is located on the 301 acre feedground. The site is accessible by vehicle year-round.
Land Administrator
The Wyoming Game and Fish Department established Horse Creek Feedground in 1968 and manages the unit for supplemental winter feeding of big game animals, primarily elk.
Seasonal and Diurnal Use by Wild Ungulates
Approximately 1,100 elk utilize Horse Creek Feedground and the surrounding area during the winter. Some mule deer utilize the area during summer and fall while a few moose may be found in the area year-round.
Livestock Grazing History
There is no authorized livestock grazing permitted on the feedground or surrounding National Forest. A portion of Teton National Forest, including Horse Creek, has been cattle and sheep free since 1918. There is some
recreational horse grazing from hunters and outfitters in the area. Supplemental feeding of elk started in the early 1940's by private land owners.
Wetland Classification
According to the classification system used by the U.S. Fish and wildlife Service, Horse Creek is classified as; SYSTEM Riverine, SUBSYSTEM Upper Perennial.
Description of Site
The elevation of the potential study site is approximately 6,200 feet. Riparian vegetation includes grass, sedges, cottonwood, and some willow. Upland vegetation includes grass, balsamroot, sagebrush, aspen, spruce, and fir.
Horse Creek Feedground is located in a wide valley bottom with semi-open slopes and ridges rising up from both sides.
Rangeland Improvements
Hay meadows on the feedground are irrigated and the crop is left standing for elk to utilize during winter.
Observed Impacts
The most direct impact on water quality from wild ungulate use on the feedground is fecal contamination of the stream. During late winter and early spring when elk concentrations in the area are high, small tributaries and snowmelt runoff is yellowish-brown due to the large amount of elk feces that is being washed away. A large number of elk concentrate in a small area which compounds the impact of fecal contamination in that area. Willows and other bank stabilizing plants are not well established along the streambank. There are some occasional areas along the stream that have been trampled by elk and have sloughed off. on upland slopes, aspen have been heavily utilized and regeneration is low. A possible indirect impact from heavy elk utilization is a species composition shift from grasses to deep tap root species such as arrowleaf balsamroot.
Potential as Field Study Site
Horse Creek Feedground holds good potential as a field study site. With the large number of elk utilizing a relatively small area, there are most likely significant impacts on water quality, especially fecal contamination.
Potential as Experimental Site
Horse Creek Feedground holds little potential as an experimental site because of the moderate to heavy utilization by elk in the area and possible water quality problems that already exist.
Administrative Contact
Steve Kilpatrick
Habitat Management Coordinator
Wyoming Game and Fish Department
Star Rt.Box 13A
Jackson, Wyoming 83001
(307) 733-3931
92-02 Table of Contents
Water Resources Publications List
Water Resources Data System Library |
Water Resources Data System Homepage
