Manually Treat Invasive Plants at Four Park Water Systems

Great Basin National Park contains four water collection systems that provide potable water to the visitor center and park housing area, Wheeler Peak Campground, Lehman Creek Campgrounds, and Baker Creek Campground. Collection areas vary in size, but the total area is approximately five acres. Each of these systems taps a series of springs that are located within larger wet meadow complexes. Because these areas collect water for human consumption, herbicide use is prohibited. This has limited the success of invasive species control inside these collection areas and allowed for the establishment of nonnative, invasive plants such as Canada thistle, bull thistle, musk thistle, and white-top. We propose to use manual treatment methods to control invasive plant populations within sensitive water collection areas and prevent their spread to uninfested or already controlled sites. Manual treatments will help to maintain function and resiliency of montane wet meadows, a rare but ecologically important habitat type in the park.

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