HomeMy WebLinkAbout20081474.tiff Ill
U.S.D.A. Soil Survey of Weld County, Colorado
Southern Part, Sheet Number 24
Applicable Soil Narratives: 47 and 44
Narrative described on the following page.
t e y y
:;k t
thy w i 'y 9 l "�v Y+ “
ft '@i 4 Y
blt k, T
9 ....a d. .,
+u"Ill 7 . ,
0,
, ,� 74rr 4 .
Ice 4 141( 1 Illite 4) •"` 1
4404 Ate IIIP *74
•,,p r ,wryr�m—C ,d'
• EXHIBIT
J 0
2008-1474
Soil Survey of Weld Coun ,Colorado excerpt(Southern Portion) •
Published by the United States Department of Agriculture Soil Conservation Service
Soil Classification#47: Olney fine sandy loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes.
• This is a deep,well drained soil on plains at elevations of 4,600 to 5,200 feet. It formed in mixed
outwash deposits. Included in mapping are small areas of soils that have a dark surface layer. Some
small leveled areas are also included.
Typically the surface layer of this Olney soil is grayish brown fine sandy loam about 10 inches
thick. The subsoil is yellowish brown and very pale brown sandy clay loam about 14 inches thick. The
substratum to a depth of 60 inches is very pale brown,calcareous fine sandy loam.
Permeability and available water capacity are moderate. The effective rooting depth is 60 inches
or more. Surface runoff is medium, and the erosion hazard is low.
In irrigated areas this soil is suited to all crops commonly grown in the area, including corn, sugar
beets, beans,alfalfa, small grain, potatoes,and onions. An example of suitable cropping system is 3 to 4
years of alfalfa followed by corn, corn for silage, sugar beets, small grain, or beans. Land leveling, ditch
lining, and installing pipelines may be needed for proper water application. All methods of irrigation are
suitable,but furrow irrigation is the most common. Barnyard manure and commercial fertilizer are
needed for top yields.
In nonirrigated areas this soil is suited to winter wheat,barley, and sorghum. Most of the acreage
is planted to winter wheat. The predicted average yield is 28 bushels per acre. The soil is summer
fallowed in alternate years to allow moisture accumulation. Generally precipitation is too low for
beneficial use of fertilizer.
Stubble mulch farming, striperopping, and minimum tillage are needed to control soil blowing
and water erosion. Terracing also may be needed to control water erosion.
The potential native vegetation on this range site is dominated by sand bluestem, sand reedgrass,
and blue grama. Needleandthread, switchgrass, sideoats grama, and western wheatgrass are also
prominent. Potential production ranges from 2,200 pounds per acre in favorable years to 1,800 pounds in
• unfavorable years. As range condition deteriorates,the sand bluestem, sand reedgrass,and switchgrass
decrease and blue grama, sand dropseed, and sand sage increase. Annual weeds and grasses invade the
site as range condition becomes poorer.
Management of vegetation on this soil should be based on taking half and leaving half of the total
annual production. Seeding is desirable if the range is in poor condition. Sand bluestem, sand reedgrass,
switchgrass, sideoats grama, blue grama, and pubescent wheatgrass are suitable for seeding. The grass
selected should meet the seasonal requirements of livestock. It can be seeded into clean, firm sorghum
stubble, or it can be drilled into a firm prepared seedbed. Seeding early in spring has proven most
successful.
Windbreaks and environmental plantings are generally suited to this soil. Soil blowing,the
principal hazard in establishing trees and shrubs, can be controlled by cultivating only in the tree row and
by leaving a strip of vegetation between the rows. Supplemental irrigation may be needed at the time of
planting and during dry periods. Trees that are best suited and have good survival are Rocky Mountain
juniper, eastern redcedar, ponderosa pine, Siberian elm, Russian-olive, and hackberry. The shrubs best
suited are skunkbush sumac, lilac, and Siberian peashrub.
Wildlife is an important secondary use of this soil. The cropland areas provide favorable habitat
for ring-necked pheasant and mourning dove. Many nongame species can be attracted by establishing
areas for nesting and escape cover. For pheasants, undisturbed nesting cover is essential and should be
included in plans for habitat development, especially in areas of intensive agriculture. Rangeland
wildlife, for example,the pronghorn antelope, can be attracted by developing livestock watering facilities,
managing livestock grazing,and reseeding where needed.
Rapid expansion of Greeley and the surrounding area has resulted in urbanization of much of the
Olney soil. This soil has good potential for urban and recreational development. The only limiting
feature is the moderately rapid permeability in the substratum,which causes a hazard of ground water
• contamination from sewage lagoons. Lawns, shrubs, and trees grow well. Capability subclass Ile
irrigated, lye nonirrigated; Sandy Plains range site.
Soil Survey of Weld County,Colorado excerpt(Southern Portion)
Published by the United States Department of Agriculture Soil Conservation Service
• Soil Classification#44: Olney loamy sand, 1 to 3 percent slopes.
This is a deep, well drained soil on smooth plains at elevations of 4,600 to 5,200 feet. It formed in mixed
outwash deposits. Included in mapping are small leveled areas.
Typically the surface layer of this Olney soil is grayish brown loamy sand about 9 inches thick.
The subsoil is yellowish brown and very pale brown sandy clay loam about 15 inches thick. The
substratum to a depth of 60 inches is very pale brown, calcareous fine sandy loam.
Permeability and available water capacity are moderate. The effective rooting depth is 60 inches
or more. Surface runoff is slow, and the erosion hazard is low.
In irrigated areas this soil is suited to all crops commonly grown in the area. Perenial grasses and
alfalfa or close grown crops should be grown at least 50 percent of the time. Contour ditches and
corrugations can be used in irrigating crops and pasture. Furrows, contour furrows,and cross slope
furrows are suitable for row crops. Sprinkler irrigation is also desirable. Keeping tillage to a minimum
and utilizing crop residue help to control erosion. Maintaining fertility is important. Crops respond to
applications of phosphorus and nitrogen.
In nonirrigated areas this soil is suited to winter wheat, barley, and sorghum. Most of the acreage
is planted to winter wheat. The predicted average yield is 20 bushels per acre. The soil is summer
fallowed in alternate years to allow moisture accumulation. Generally precipitation is too low for
beneficial use of fertilizer.
Stubble mulch farming, striperopping, and minimum tillage are needed to control soil blowing
and water erosion. Terracing also may be needed to control water erosion.
The potential native vegetation on this range site is dominated by sand bluestem, sand reedgrass,
and blue grama. Needleandthread, switchgrass, sideoats grama, and western wheatgrass are also
prominent. Potential production ranges from 2,200 pounds per acre in favorable years to 1,800 pounds in
unfavorable years. As range condition deteriorates, the sand bluestem, sand reedgrass, and switchgrass
decrease and blue grama, sand dropseed, and sand sage increase. Annual weeds and grasses invade the
site as range condition becomes poorer.
Management of vegetation on this soil should be based on taking half and leaving half of the total
annual production. Seeding is desirable if the range is in poor condition. Sand bluestem, sand reedgrass,
switchgrass, sideoats grama, blue grama,and pubescent wheatgrass are suitable for seeding. The grass
selected should meet the seasonal requirements of livestock. It can be seeded into clean, firm sorghum
stubble, or it can be drilled into a firm prepared seedbed. Seeding early in spring has proven most
successful.
Windbreaks and environmental plantings are generally suited to this soil. Soil blowing,the
principal hazard in establishing trees and shrubs, can be controlled by cultivating only in the tree row and
by leaving a strip of vegetation between the rows. Supplemental irrigation may be needed at the time of
planting and during dry periods. Trees that are best suited and have good survival are Rocky Mountain
juniper, eastern redcedar, ponderosa pine, Siberian elm, Russian-olive, and hackberry. The shrubs best
suited are skunkbush sumac, lilac, and Siberian peashrub.
Wildlife is an important secondary use of this soil. The cropland areas provide favorable habitat
for ring-necked pheasant and mourning dove. Many nongame species can be attracted by establishing
areas for nesting and escape cover. For pheasants, undisturbed nesting cover is essential and should be
included in plans for habitat development, especially in areas of intensive agriculture. Rangeland
wildlife, for example,the pronghorn antelope, can be attracted by developing livestock watering facilities,
managing livestock grazing, and reseeding where needed.
This soil has good potential for urban development. The only limiting feature is the moderately
rapid permeability in the substratum,which causes a hazard of ground water contamination from sewage
lagoons. The loamy sand surface layer I s a limitation for recreational development. Once established,
• the lawns, shrubs, and trees grow well. Capability subclass Ille irrigated, lye nonirrigated; Sandy Plains
range site.
Hello