Wild & Scenic River

APPENDIX 2-E

WILD & SCENIC RIVER ELIGIBILITY EVALUATION
BRIDGER-TETON NATIONAL FOREST

Background

Under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of 1968, Congress declared that there are certain rivers in the nation that possess outstandingly remarkable scenic, recreational, geologic, fish and wildlife, historic, and cultural values that should be preserved in a free-flowing condition. These rivers and their environments should be protected for the benefit and enjoyment of present and future generations.

During forest plan revision, a comprehensive evaluation of the forest‘s rivers is required to identify those that have potential to be included in the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. Forest planning must address rivers that meet one of these criteria:
Are wholly or partially on National Forest System lands Were identified by Congress for further study Are in the Nationwide Rivers Inventory (NRI) Have been identified as a potential Wild and Scenic River by inventory conducted by the agency. The BTNF identified 31 river segments as potential Wild and Scenic Rivers during an inventory in 1991-1992; a number of additional eligible segments have been identified since and they have been added to the total list of __ river segments and __ miles in each of the following categories.

In order to be considered eligible rivers must be essentially free flowing and have one or more outstandingly remarkable values. Rivers identified as eligible will be managed to maintain eligibility until suitability is determined. Rivers determined to be eligible were given a tentative classification as wild, scenic, or recreational according to their proximity to development and level of access. This is based on the condition of the river and the adjacent lands as they exist at the time of the inventory. Different segments of the same river can have different classifications. The three classification definitions are:
Wild river—those rivers or sections of rivers that are free of impoundments and generally are inaccessible except by trail, with watersheds or shorelines essentially primitive and waters unpolluted. Scenic river—those rivers or sections of rivers that are free of impoundments, with shorelines or watersheds still largely primitive or shorelines largely undeveloped but accessible in places by roads. Recreational river—those rivers or sections of rivers that are readily accessible by road or railroad that may have some development along their shorelines, and that may have undergone some impoundment or diversion in the past.

WILD AND SCENIC RIVERS BTNF

WILD AND SCENIC RIVER CANDIDATES, BRIDGER-TETON NATIONAL FOREST

The series of tables on the following pages displays each eligible river segment, its length, potential classification, and outstandingly remarkable values (ORVs). ORV Key: S = Scenic R =

Recreation G = Geology F = Fish W = Wildlife H = History O = Other Values (ecological, paleontological, etc.)

COLUMBIA/SNAKE RIVER WATERSHED

(Listed in alphabetical order)

RIVER

REACH and

POTENTIAL CLASSIFICATION
LENGTH
(rounded to nearest .5 mile)
ORVS

Wild, source to Snake River confluence Scenic, source to Forest Boundary

7

G,W,O

S,W
1 Bailey Creek
22
2 Blackrock Creek

3 Box Canyon Cr. 4 Buffalo Fork

Wild, source to confluence with Greys River

3.5

14 55
S, R

Scenic, Turpin Meadows to Grand Teton NP boundary

S, R, W

Wild - North, South, and Soda Forks from the sources of

each fork, and the main stem from mouth of South Fork to Teton Wilderness boundary

Wild - source to Cliff Creek trailhead and road end

9

8
S, R

5 Cliff Creek

Scenic – end of road and trailhead to Cliff Creek Falls to

R, S, F/W

the confluence with Hoback River

Wild - Source to Way Trail – north side of trail

3

5
R, S, G, F/W R, S, G, F/W

6 Corral Creek

Recreational - Way Trail to Greys River confluence

Wild - Source to confluence with Greys River

7

R, S, G

7 Crow Creek

Scenic – Crystal Creek trailhead to confluence with the Gros Ventre River

5

S, W

8 Crystal Creek

14
Wild - source to Gros Ventre Wilderness boundary and the Crystal Creek trailhead

Wild - Source to confluence with West Dell Creek

5.5

R, S, G, F/W

S, R, O

9 Dell Creek

Scenic - Granite Hot Springs to confluence with Hoback River
10.5

10 Granite Creek

Wild - Source to Granite Hot Springs

12

S, R, G

2

Snake River watershed, continued

Recreational - Source to mile 50 (Kinney Creek mouth)

9.5

S, R, G, W, O

11 Greys River

Scenic - Kinney Creek to backwater of Palisades Reservoir

57.5

43
S, R, G, W, O S, R, H, G, W

12 Gros Ventre R.

Scenic - Darwin Ranch to Forest boundary (also GTNP bdy)

Wild - Source to Darwin Ranch

16.5

7.5
S, R, G, W, H

S, R, G, W

Wild - Source to end of Forest Rd 30710 and the Hoback

River trailhead

13 Hoback River 14 Little Greys R.

Recreational – mouth of Cliff Creek to confluence with Snake River
17 7.5 18
S, R, G, W

S, R

Wild - Source to end of Forest Rd 10047 and the main

Little Greys River trailhead

Recreational - Little Greys TH to confluence with the main stem of the Greys River
S, R
Wild - Source to confluence with the Greys River Wild - Source to Teton Wilderness boundary Wild – Whetstone Creek, tributary of Pacific Creek
4
22.5
6
S, R

15 Marten Creek 16 Pacific Creek

R, G, W, O R, G, W, H

Scenic - Wilderness boundary to Forest boundary

7

1
R, G, W, O

S, R, H

Recreational – Salt River trailhead to forest boundary

17 Salt River

Wild - Source to trailhead

11.5

S, R, H

S, G

Wild – headwaters to McDougal Gap

TBD

18 Sheep Creek

Recreational – McDougal Gap to Greys River Wild - Source to confluence with Hoback River
TBD
17
S, G, R
R, S, G, F, W

19 Shoal Creek 20 Snake River

Recreational - South Park Bridge to Cabin Creek

15

S, R, W

14.5

Recreational - Cabin Creek to Palisades Reservoir

Wild - Headwaters to YNP boundary

7

H, O

Wild - Source to Periodic Spring

5.5

3.5
S, G, O S, G, O

21 Swift Creek

Recreational - Periodic Spring to lower dam Wild - source to confluence with Dell Creek Wild - Source to confluence with Hoback River
921
S, R, G, F/W, O
R, W, O

22 West Dell Creek 23 Willow Creek

3

Wild – source to Snake River

7

R

24 Wolf Creek

YELLOWSTONE/MISSOURI RIVER WATERSHED

REACH and POTENTIAL CLASSIFICATION

LENGTH

ORVS

RIVER

Wild – source to confluence with Yellowstone River

7.5

W, G, O

25 Atlantic Creek

Source to confluence with Thorofare Creek

13.5

25.5 21.5
S, W, O S, F/W, O

26 Open Creek

Source to Yellowstone National Park boundary Sources of forks to Yellowstone National Park boundary

27 Thorofare Creek 28 Yellowstone River

S, F/W, H, R, O

COLORDADO/GREEN RIVER WATERSHED

REACH and POTENTIAL CLASSIFICATION

LENGTH

ORVS

RIVER

Scenic – source to confluence with LaBarge Creek

5

S, G, O

29 Big Fall Creek

Wild – Big Sandy Lake to Wilderness boundary

TBD

S, F/W, H, R

30 Big Sandy Creek 31 S. Fontenelle Creek 32 Green River

Scenic – Wilderness bdy. To forest bdy. Wild – source to private inholding near forest boundary
TBD
12
S, F/W, H, R
S, G

Scenic – inholding to forest boundary

1.5

16
S, G
S, R, H, F/W S, R, H, F/W
H
Wild – source to Green River Lakes Scenic – Green River Lakes outlet to Forest boundary Recreational – LaBarge Meadows to forest boundary Wild – headwaters to Middle Piney Lake
25 28

33 LaBarge Creek

TBD

S, R

34 Middle Piney Creek

Recreational – Middle Piney Lake to forest boundary Scenic – source to confluence with Lake Creek, and
TBD 11.5
S,R
R, S, F/W

35 North Piney Creek

including its tributary the Roaring Fork Lakes outlet

Wild - Source to Fremont Lake

10

15
S, G S

36 Pine Creek

Wild – source to confluence with Green River Wild – source to trailhead at end of primitive road

37 Roaring Fork Creek 38 Tosi Creek

13.5
6
G, S

S, R

Scenic – along primitive road to confluence with Green

River

4

BEAR RIVER/GREAT BASIN

RIVER

REACH and

POTENTIAL CLASS.
LENGTH (in miles)
ORVS

39 Smiths Fork

TBD

S, R, H

Recreational, Commissary Ridge to Forest Boundary

Lower Greys River

5

Figure 1. Index Map of Eligible Rivers, BTNF

6

OUTSTANDINGLY REMARKABLE VALUES

Forest Service specialists rated the river segments according to their outstandingly remarkable values. Outstandingly remarkable values (ORVs) are unique, rare, or exceptional features that are significant at a comparative regional or national scale. ORVs must be related to the river or its immediate environment. The eight ORVs and their attributes follow.

Scenery—The landscape elements of landform, vegetation, water, color, and related factors result in notable or exemplary scenic features and/or attractions in a national or regional context. Additional factors such as seasonal variations in vegetation, scale of cultural modifications, and the length of time negative intrusions are viewed have been considered. Scenery and attractiveness is distinctive for the majority of the river segment.

Recreation—Recreation opportunities are or have the potential to be unique enough to attract visitors from outside the geographic region. Visitors would be willing to travel long distances to use the river resources for recreational purposes. River-related opportunities could include, but are not limited to sightseeing, wildlife observation, camping, photography, hiking, tubing, floating, boating, fishing, and hunting. Interpretive opportunities may be exceptional and attract or have the potential to attract visitors from outside the geographic region. The river may provide or have the potential to provide settings for national or regional competitive events. For potential wild rivers, setting attributes such as naturalness and remoteness contribute to the recreation ORV.

Geology—The river or its corridor contains an example of a geologic or hydrologic feature, process, or phenomenon that is rare or unique to the region, or an outstanding example of a commonly occurring feature.

Fish—Fish values are judged on the relative merits of fish populations, habitat, attractiveness for recreational fishing, or a combination of these factors. Consideration is given to potential as well as existing values, including spawning areas, rearing areas, and adult habitat. The number and variety of species present and the value of these species is another consideration.

Wildlife—Wildlife values are judged on the relative merits of wildlife populations, habitat, attractiveness for wildlife-related recreation (including hunting and wildlife viewing) or a combination of these factors. Consideration is given to potential as well as existing values. The presence of nationally or regionally important populations of resident or indigenous wildlife species dependent on the river environment is another consideration, as well as the variety of wildlife habitats (winter range, summer range, transition zones, travel corridors, calving areas, etc.); the number and variety of species present, and the value of these species.

Prehistory—the river, or area within the corridor, contains a site or sites where there is evidence of occupation or use by Native Americans.

History—the river, or area within the corridor, contains a site or feature associated with a significant event, an important person, or a cultural activity of the past that was a rare or one-ofa-kind in the region.

Other values—while no specific national evaluation guidelines have been developed for this category, some river segments contain significant or unique hydrology, paleontology, and botanical resources.

7

DESCRIPTIONS OF ELIGIBLE SEGMENTS

Snake River Watershed

BAILEY CREEK

Location. Bailey Creek is located in Lincoln County. It runs for seven miles from the divide with the Little Greys River, near Waterdog Lake, north for seven miles into the Snake River.

Flow. There are no diversions or man-made impoundments along this creek. Outstandingly remarkable values. Bailey Creek has wildlife, geologic, and other wildland recreation values. Bald eagles are frequently seen and there is a historic and sometimes used nesting territory in the lower section near the Snake River. The creek corridor is used by moose and elk, and Bailey Lake, a natural impoundment created by a landslide, contains fine-spotted cutthroat trout (a possible pure native strain). Ducks and other water birds use the lake for nesting and feeding, and the shallows near its northern shore provide habitat for amphibians. Bailey Lake, originally a small glacial pond, was greatly enlarged by a massive landslide that continues to build a natural dam at the lake‘s outlet. The landslide and lake are examples of recent geologic action that have potential for interpretation. Recreational values are enhanced by a reasonably easy trail that follows the creek and gives access to established camps on the shore of Bailey Lake as well as hunting and fishing opportunities. Although geographically close to the Snake River Canyon and U.S. 26/89, the narrow canyon of Bailey Creek, running between steep parallel ridges, has a remote backcountry feel. In order to reach the mouth of the creek from the highway a raft or a ford is necessary.

Mileage and potential classification. Wild, 7 miles. The shoreline and corridor has no

development and there is no evidence of the nearby Snake River until the mouth of Bailey Creek is reached.

BLACKROCK CREEK

Location. Blackrock Creek is located in Teton County. It heads near Togwotee Pass and flows west to join the Buffalo Fork near the boundary between the Bridger-Teton National Forest and Grand Teton National Park.

Flow. Blackrock Creek is free-flowing, with no diversions that intrude on its riverine character. Outstandingly remarkable values. Scenic and wildlife. Blackrock Creek has distinctive scenic values, including the landscape in which it is located, with views of the Teton Range, Breccia Cliffs, and other nearby mountains. With a segment of the Wyoming Centennial Scenic Byway (U.S. 26/89) running parallel to the creek, there are numerous opportunities for interpretation and

8

scenic turnouts; currently there are several interpretive sites, campgrounds, and resorts along this highway.

The creek corridor is used by migrating elk, and by moose, deer, sandhill cranes, Canada geese, and numerous ducks. It offers a variety of riparian habitats, including small ponds of standing water, which attract a rich diversity of wildlife. Its location relative to the highway makes it ideal for wildlife viewing.

Mileage and potential classification. Scenic, 22 miles. Between the source and the forest

boundary the creek remains within sight of U.S. 26/89 but is separated from the sights and sounds of traffic for most of its length.

BOX CANYON CREEK

Location. Box Canyon Creek is a

tributary of the Greys River, located in Lincoln County. It falls steeply from Box Canyon Pass on the crest of the Wyoming Range to its confluence with the Greys River, about a mile south of Corral Creek guard station.

Flow. The creek is entirely freeflowing and has no diversions.

Outstandingly remarkable values.

Scenic. The undisturbed natural setting, steep canyon surrounded by high peaks, and the creek, tumbling from its source on the west slope of the Wyoming Range to its confluence with the Greys River a few miles away, make Box Canyon Creek a distinctive example of the many scenic waterways in the Wyoming Range. In its short run it includes waterfalls in both forks and long sections of cascading water. The exposed cliffs are multicolored and are a classic box canyon, also in both forks. In spite of the steep, rugged terrain, a hiking and horse trail traverses the canyon and reaches Box Canyon Pass via the North Fork. This trail allows people to experience the varied scenery, which includes a growing forest of lodgepole pine and aspen after the 1988 Corral Creek fire.

Mileage and potential classification. Wild, 3.5 miles, from the source to the confluence with Greys River.

9

BUFFALO FORK

Location. The Buffalo Fork of the Snake River

South Fork, near South Fork Falls

consists of three major tributaries and a main stem below their confluence, nearly all within Teton County (the uppermost reaches of tributaries are within Fremont County). The North, Soda, and South Forks of the Buffalo are entirely within the Teton Wilderness. Near the wilderness boundary at Turpin Meadows, the branches flow together. From Turpin Meadows downstream to the confluence with the Snake River, the Buffalo Fork is accessed by the Buffalo Valley Road and by U.S. 26/89. The lowermost reach of the river is located within Grand Teton National Park.

Flow. The upper segments have no diversions or other structures; minor diversions for irrigation exist on the lower segment.

Outstandingly remarkable values. Recreation,

scenic, and wildlife. Over 80 percent of the river is in a wilderness or primitive setting, and has a high degree of natural character. Its forks penetrate the Teton Wilderness and head in the alpine country of the Continental Divide. Numerous falls and lakes are found on the river forks and their tributaries; there are extensive meadows through which the streams meander. The lower segment is well known for its spectacular views of the Teton Range and the pastoral setting of the Buffalo Valley. The river corridor is habitat for many species of wildlife including grizzly bears, bald eagles, moose, and increasingly, wolves. The river valley provides an important migration route for elk wintering in Jackson Hole, and is well known for its large population of wintering moose. The Buffalo Fork is a major cold water sport fishery for the native (fine-spotted) cutthroat trout population.