East Fork Of The Sevier River

Description:

Plate 266X. East Fork of the Sevier River 1979 – 2003 The East Fork of the Sevier River Photo Plot Transect was established in 1943, and re-read in 1948, 1953, 1961, and 1979. Two plot-lines were set-out from a common starting point approximately one-half mile north of Blubber Creek. The first line runs in a southwesterly direction for 1200 feet, while line two runs in a southeasterly direction for 600 feet. According to the 1943 narrative report, the area was once a wet meadow but as the East Fork eroded and down-cut 5 to 7 feet “the plants growing there have died out and Artemisia, Gutierrezia, Chrysothamaus, and Kochia have come in. Much of the area is still entirely barren [from overgrazing] or has valueless weeds growing on it.” Willows were described as having once been abundant along the stream, but most were killed-out by repeated browsing and the lowered watertable. Heavy grazing had “obliterated” most native grasses and the hillsides were described as “severely eroded”. In 1961, “Fresh alluvial deposits [were] common [and] drainage ways [had] deepened.” By 1979, however, “the area [showed] tremendous improvement” after much of the East Fork had been reseeded by the Forest Service during the early 1960s (unpublished reports in the range files on the Panguitch Ranger District, Dixie National Forest, Panguitch, UT). Plate 266x is viewed south up the East Fork of the Sevier River from the end of line one. Note the contour trenches on the distant hillside. Spruce, juniper, and ponderosa pine have all increased. The low-growing, dark-colored shrub in the foreground is bitterbrush, while the smaller, lighter-colored shrubs are mountain big sage. Most of the valley bottom has been reseeded with smooth brome and Kentucky bluegrass.

Photo Information:

U.S. Forest Service photographs (unnumbered) taken by Jim Bowns and Al Tail on July 17, 1979; retake by Charles E. Kay on August 6, 2003 - - Photo No. 5218-13A. Original photographs, negatives, and narrative reports held in the range files on the Panguitch Ranger District, Dixie National Forest, Panguitch, UT.

Vegetative Community:

Wet Meadow, Dry Meadow, Conifer, Juniper, Sagebrush

South West: Section 25, Range 4½ West, Township 37 South; UTM of transect starting point 387350E, 4157100 N; elevation 7,120 ft.