P.O. Box 2478, Grants Pass, Oregon 97528
flow@oregonwaters.org
541-890-5107
News & Updates
Webpage Last Updated: 9/22/2011
Deadwood Allotments, Rogue River National Forest, Prospect Ranger District
Forest Service puts up cattle exclusion at Walch Fen
Over the past several years FLOW has been monitoring cattle grazing impacts in the Deadwood allotments, located in the High Cascades Ranger District, Rogue-Siskiyou National Forest.
This summer the U.S. Forest Service has built a cattle exclusion surrounding Walch Fen. FLOW field monitors have documented field conditions in Walch Fen, which has suffered due to cattle grazing along the stream and wet meadows within the Fen. The Forest Service just completed the exclusion fence and we are continuing to provide monitoring findings for the allotment.
Previously the Forest Service, after presented with monitoring findings from FLOW, constructed a cattle exclusion at Daley Creek Meadow- adjacent to Daley Creek Campground.
Below are links to a sampling of monitoring photographs of areas impacted within the Deadwood Allotments.
Click below for photos of grazing impacts to Walch Fen taken by our field monitors:
Click below to see cattle grazing impacts to King Spruce Meadow, Sky Lakes Wilderness Area:
Deadwood Facts/Issues:
- Complex of 5 allotments in the Southern Oregon Cascade Mountains is 84,318 acres.
- Almost 80% of the allotment area is designated as Late-Successional Reserve.
- Under section 303(d) of the Clean Water Act, Dead Indian Creek, North Fork Little Butte Creek, South Fork Little Butte Creek are listed as “Water Quality Limited” due to excessive water temperatures. Grazing increases stream temperatures by removing streambank shading and promoting channel widening. South Fork Little Butte Creek is also listed as “Water Quality Limited” due to sedimentation.
- Coho Salmon, listed under the Endangered Species Act, and steelhead trout (candidate for listing) are present within the allotments and are affected by fine sediments entering streams, removal of streamside vegetation/shading (temperature increase), and channel modification. The allotment contains critical habitat for the Coho Salmon.
- Rare plant species in particular risk of removal and harm in the allotment area include Sierra Onion, Howell’s Yampah, Quaking Aspen (sprouts killed), Drooping Bulrush, Ashland Thistle, Coville’s Lip-Fern, Calypogeia, and Blandow’s Feather Moss.
- Grazing should not be allowed in the Sky Lakes Wilderness. Cattle grazing is continuing to have significant impacts on Three and Four Mile Meadow and areas along the Alta Lake and King Spruce Trails. The soil is being compacted and disturbed; water quality is being degraded; recreation conflicts exist with those wishing a non-polluted wilderness experience; and rare plant and wildlife species are also being affected within the wilderness by cattle grazing.
