Up The Creek

Victor Ward

Up the Creek Project Coordinator

The Up the Creek Project is located in the Rush Creek drainage northwest of Cambridge. Private land in this area adjoins Forest Service where Leafy spurge is striving to gain a toe-hold. 27+ weed warriors work cooperatively to accomplish this neighborhood effort. Cooperators will treat a portion of this remote/rugged area with backpack sprayers that are refilled by nurse-tanks provided by the Forest Service and a private rancher. Dalmatian toadflax, a new invader to the LWRCWMA will be the top priority and a large reconnaissance will be done to ensure this plant does not escape. Idaho Department of Lands and the Bureau of Land Management both have large acreages on the west side of this project area which is infested with spurge and skeletonweed. Cooperators typically spend two days in early June treating Scotch thistle, White top, Hounds tongue and others returning in the fall for one day to treat deep-rooted perennials including Leafy spurge and skeletonweed. Private landowners, the Forest Service, BLM, Idaho Department of Lands and the county weed department work together in this 8,500 acre project area. In addition to herbicide treatments biological agents such as Apthona and Oberea have been released in extremely rocky areas to help contain the spurge. New fiber-optic lines were placed along the roadside this past summer causing disturbance the full length of the roadside. One private landowner donated his resources to reseed the disturbed areas with crested wheatgrass to prevent further weed infestations.