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MULTIPLE-USE MANAGEMENT OF GRAZED VALLEY BOTTOMS FOR SUMMER STREAMFLOW INCREASE FRED STABLER BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT BOX 670 RAWLINS, WYOMING 82301 ABSTRACT Summer flow increases in small, western streams have been reported after suppression of woody streamside vegetation, removal of livestock from streamsides, and dam construction. Findings suggest that instream and streamside factors play a more important role in runoff processes in lower order drainages than is gener- ally supposed. There may be other misconceptions about the rela- tionships between streamflow and the soils, vegetation, and land uses in small valley bottoms. Woody riparian plants and beaver play important roles in summer streamflow maintenance in naturally- functioning ecosystems, and the riparian system has other flow maintenance functions which are not fully understood. Evaporation, and transpiration by non-riparian vegetation, may result in greater losses to summer streamflow than is generally supposed. Combined management of water tables, livestock grazing, and non-riparian vegetation in smaller valley bottoms represents a possible approach to the enhancement of summer streamflow, forage production for livestock, and wildlife habitat. Improved understanding of the complexities of summer streamflow generation and maintenance could lead to viable multiple-use approaches to management of small, grazed valley bottoms. INTRODUCTION Livestock/stream riparian problems on public and state land would be resolved on a larger scale, if management approaches could be developed to improve fish and wildlife habitat, and conditions for livestock grazing, under the same course of action. Most of the current approaches to improve- ment of stream riparian habitat represent a loss to the rancher. The out- come is "win-lose". If "win-win" solutions could be developed, possibili- ties for cooperative management between range and wildlife interests would open up. Funding problems could also partly be alleviated, if favorable benefit/cost ratios could be demonstrated and range improvement funds could be tapped to help bear the costs of intensified management. A "win-win" solution is especially attractive when the present situation is "lose-lose". While it is not the intent of this paper to "point the finger" at livestock grazing, there is now evidence that grazing in small valley bottoms has had more serious consequences, in some cases, than sus- pected. Livestock grazing in small valley bottoms can result in or perpetuate 66