This study re-evaluated the changes of stream channel cross sections since the 1986 study on Wickiup Creek. This site included an exclosure that has excluded cattle for 60 years, which has been used to comparatively show the impacts of cattle grazing on riparian areas. Cross sections were re-recorded for areas located approximately where original locations were, as they were not marked for future use. Forty-nine cross sections of data were collected within 4 reaches of the stream, three grazed and one in the exclosure. The study showed that the grazed channels were significantly different than the channel in the exclosure. The stream characteristics of mean width, mean depth and the width:depth ratio was significantly smaller in the exclosure. The grazed channel has improved since the first data was recorded, however it is still not as healthy as the areas within the exclosure.
Citations and enhanced abstracts for journals articles and documents focused on rangeland ecology and management. RSIS is a collaboration between Montana State University, University of Idaho, and University of Wyoming.