HomeMy WebLinkAbout971198.tiff SOIL SURVEY OF WELD COUNTY, COLORADO, SOUTHERN PART
United States Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service,
in cooperation with the Colorado Agricultural Experiment Station
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WELD COUNTY, COLORADO, SOUTHERN PART 23
32—Kim loam, I to 3 percent slopes. This is a deep, The potential native vegetation is dominated by blue
well drained soil on smooth plains and alluvial fans at grama. Several mid grasses, such as western wheatgrass
elevations of 4,900 to 5,250 feet. It formed in mixed eolian and needleandthread, are also present. Potential produc-
deposit and parent sediment from a wide variety of tion ranges from 1,600 pounds per acre in favorable years
bedrock. Included in mapping are small areas of soils that to 1,000 pounds in unfavorable years. As range condition
have loamy sand underlying material deteriorates, the mid grasses decrease; blue grama, buf-
falograss, snakeweed, yucca, and fringed sage increase;
Typically the surface layer is brown and pale brown
loam about 12 inches thick. The upper 28 inches of the un- and forage production drops. Undesirable weeds and an-
denying material is pale brown loam. The lower part to a nuals invade the site as range condition becomes poorer.
Management of vegetation on this soil should be based depth of 60 inches is pale brown fine sandy loam.
Permeability is moderate. Available water capacity is on taking half and leaving half of the total annual produc-
tion. Seeding is desirable if the range is in poor condition.
high. The effective rooting depth is 60 inches or more.
Surface runoff is medium, and the erosion hazard is low. Sideoats grama, little bluestem, western wheatgrass, blue
In irrigated areas this soil is suited to all crops com- grams, pubescent g. Therass, and crested wheatgrass are
moral suitable for seeding. The grass selected should meet the
y grown in the area, including corn, sugar beets, seasonal requirements of livestock. It can be seeded into
beans, alfalfa, small grain, potatoes, and onions. An exam- Q
pie of a suitable cropping system is 3 to 4 years of alfalfa a clean, firm sorghum d.st Seeding e, it can be i drilled into a
followed by corn, corn for silage, sugar beets, small grain, proven prepared successful.seedbed. early in spring has
or beans. Land leveling, ditch lining (fig. 6), and installing W most
i Windbreaks and environmental plantings of trees and
pipelines may be needed for proper water applications. shrubs commonly grown in the area are generally well
All methods of irrigation are suitable, but furrow ir- suited to this soil. Cultivation to control competing
rigation is the most common. Barnyard manure and cony- vegetation should be continued for as man mercial fertilizer are needed for top yields. Y years gas
In nonirrigated areas this soil is suited to winter wheat, possible following planting. Trees that are best suited and
have good survival are Rocky Mountain juniper, eastern
barley, and sorghum. Most of the acreage is planted to
redcedar, ponderosa pine, Siberian elm, Russianolive, and
winter wheat and is summer fallowed in alternate years hackberry. The shrubs best suited are skunkbush sumac,
to allow moisture accumulation. Generally precipitation is lilac, Siberian peashrub, and American plum.
too low for beneficial use of fertilizer. Wildlife is an important second
Stubble mulch farming, striperopping, and minimum til- p° ary use of this soil. The
cropland areas provide favorable habitat for ring-necked
lage are needed to control soil blowing and water erosion. pheasant and mourning dove. Many nongame species can
Terracing also may be needed to control water erosion. be attracted by establishing areas for nesting and escape
cover. For pheasants, undisturbed nesting cover is essen-
tial and should be included in plans for habitat develop-
ment, especially in areas of intensive agriculture. Range-
land 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 and recreational
development. Increased population growth in the survey
area has resulted in increased homesite construction. The
chief limiting soil feature for urban development and road
construction is the limited capacity of this soil to support
a load. Septic tank absorption fields function properly, but
community sewage systems should be provided if the
population density increases. Because of the permeability
of the substratum, sewage lagoons must be sealed.
Lawns, shrubs, and trees grow well. Capability subclass
IIe irrigated, IVe nonirrigated; Loamy Plains range site.
971.1..98
WELD COUNTY, COLORADO, SOUTHERN PART 55
seedbed just before planting, which eliminates the hazard favorable; control of weeds, plant diseases, and harmful
of soil blowing in winter and early in spring. insects; favorable soil reaction and optimum levels of
The heavier textured Colombo, Heldt, Nunn, Renohill, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and trace elements for
Ulm, and Wiley soils often benefit from fall plowing. each crop; effective use of crop residues, barnyard
They are generally not subject to blowing if the tillage manure, and green-manure crops; harvesting crops with
consists only of plowing and disking. They are subject to the smallest possible loss; and timeliness of all fieldwork.
more compaction, however, and are often cloddy after For yields of irrigated crops, it is assumed that the ir-
plowing. The action of freezing and thawing helps to rigation system is adapted to the soils and to the crops
break up the clods, and a good seedbed can be prepared grown; that good quality irrigation water is uniformly ap-
in spring. Seedbed preparation can be delayed because plied in proper amounts as needed; and that tillage is
the soils are often too wet for plowing early in spring. kept to a minimum.
Field crops best suited to the soils and climate of the The estimated yields reflect the productive capacity of
survey area are mainly those that are commonly grown. the soils for each of the principal crops. Yields are likely
Corn, both for silage and grain, sugar beets, dry beans, to increase as new production technology is developed.
and potatoes are the main cultivated crops; alfalfa is the The productivity of a given soil compared with that of
main hay crop. Permanent pasture is generally a mixture other soils, however, is not likely to change.
of perennial grasses and legumes. Crops other than those shown in table 5 are grown in
Special crops grown commercially are vegetables and the survey area (fig. 10), but estimated yields are not in-
nursery stock. Large acreages of onions, cucumbers for eluded because the acreage of these crops is small. The
pickles, and carrots are grown in the Greeley area. Some local offices of the Soil Conservation Service and the
Cooperative Extension Service can provide information melons are grown in the Kersey area. There are a
about the management concerns and productivity of the number of truck farms between Fort Lupton and
Brighton where strawberries, asparagus, cabbage, to- soils for these crops.
matoes, celery, peppers, sweet corn, and other vegetables Capability classes and subclasses
are grown for the Denver market.
Current information and suggestions for growing spe- Capability classes and subclasses show, in a general
cial crops can be obtained from local offices of the way, the suitability of soils for most kinds of field crops.
Colorado State University Extension Service and the Soil The soils are classed according to their limitations when
Conservation Service. they are used for field crops, the risk of damage when
they are used, and the way they respond to treatment.
Yields per acre The grouping does not take into account major and
generally expensive landforming that would change slope,
The average yields per acre that can be expected of the
depth, or other characteristics of the soils; does not take
principal crops under a high level of management are
into consideration possible but unlikely major reclamation
shown in table 5. In any given year, yields may be higher
or lower than those indicated in the table because of projects; and does not apply to rice, cranberries, horticul-
variations in rainfall and other climatic factors. Absence tors] crops, or other crops that require special manage-
an estimated yield indicates that the crop is not suited ment. Capability classification is not a substitute for in-
of to or not commonly grown on the soil or that a given crop terproups ofns designed to show suitability rfoe and limitations
is not commonly irrigated. of groups of soils for rangeland or for engineering pur-
ls estimated yields were based mainly on the ex- poses.
perience and records of farmers, conservationists, and ex-ex-
In the capability system, all kinds of soil are grouped at
two levels: capability class and subclass. These levels are
tension agents. Results of field trials and demonstrations defined in the following
and available yield data from nearby counties were also paragraphs.
graphs. A survey area may
not have soils of all classes.
considered. Capability classes, the broadest are desi
The yields were estimated assuming that the latest soilgroups
, grated
by Roman numerals I through VIII. The numerals in-
and crop management practices were used. Hay and dicate progressively greater limitations and narrower cho-
pasture yields were estimated for the most productive ices for practical use. The classes are defined as follows: ff�
varieties of grasses and legumes suited to the climate and Class I soils have few limitations that restrict their use.
the soil. A few farmers may be obtaining average yields Class II soils have moderate limitations that reduce the
higher than those shown in table 5. choice of plants or that require moderate conservation
The management needed to achieve the indicated yields practices.
of the various crops depends on the kind of soil and the Class III soils have severe limitations that reduce the
crop. Such management provides drainage, erosion con- choice of plants, or that require special conservation prac-
trul, and protection from flooding; the proper planting tices, or both.
and seeding rates; suitable high-yielding crop varieties; Class IV soils have very severe limitations that reduce
appropriate tillage practices, including time of tillage and the choice of plants, or that require very careful manage-
seedbed preparation and tilling when soil moisture is ment, or both.
971.19,3
l 56 SOIL SURVEY
Class V soils are not likely to erode but have other The potential annual production of herbage in favora-
limitations, impractical to remove, that limit their use. We, normal, and unfavorable years, and the names of
Class VI soils have severe limitations that make them major plant species in the potential plant community are
generally unsuitable for cultivation. shown in the description of each soil map unit on the
Class VII soils have very severe limitations that make detailed soil map. The name of the range site is shown at
them unsuitable for cultivation. the end of each map unit descripition.
Class VIII soils and landforms have limitations that A range site is a distinctive kind of rangeland that dif-
nearly preclude their use for commercial crop production. fers from other kinds of rangeland in its ability to
Capability subclasses are soil groups within one class; produce a characteristic natural plant community (fig. 11).
they are designated by adding a small letter, e, w, s, or c, Soils that produce a similar kind, amount, and proportion
to the class numeral, for example, Ile. The letter e shows of range plants are grouped into range sites. For those
that the main limitation is risk of erosion unless close- areas where the relationship between soils and vegetation
growing plant cover is maintained; w shows that water in has been established, range sites can be interpreted
or on the soil interferes with plant growth or cultivation directly from the soil map. Properties that determine the
(in some soils the wetness can be partly corrected by ar- capacity of the soil to supply moisture and plant nutrients
tificial drainage); s shows that the soil is limited mainly have the greatest influence on the productivity of range
because it is shallow, droughty, or stony; and c, used in plants. Soil reaction, salt content, and a seasonal high
only some parts of the United States, shows that the water table are also important.
chief limitation is climate that is too cold or too dry. Total production refers to the amount of vegetation
In class I there are no subclasses because the soils of that can be expected to grow annually on well managed
this class have few limitations. Class V contains only the rangeland that is supporting the potential natural plant
subclasses indicated by w, s, or c because the soils in class community. It is expressed in pounds per acre of air-dry
V are subject to little or no erosion, though they have vegetation for favorable, normal, and unfavorable years.
In a favorable year the amount and distribution of
other limitations that restrict their use to pasture, range-
land, woodland, wildlife habitat, or recreation. precipitation and the temperatures are such that growing
conditions are substantially better than average; in a nor-
Rangeland mal year these conditions are about average for the area;
in an unfavorable year, growing conditions are well below
PREPARED BY HARVEY SPROCK, range conervationist, Soil Conserva- average, generally because of low available soil moisture.
tion Service Dry weight refers to the total air-dry vegetation
produced per acre each year by the potential natural
About 37 percent of the survey area is range. This
range is utilized in several types of ranching, chiefly beef plant community. Vegetation that is highly palatable to
livestock and vegetation that is unpalatable are included.
producing ranches. Range is often utilized with farming
operations. Aftermath from irrigated cropland and dry
Some e. the vegetation can also be grazed extensively by
cropland g P wildlife.p provides forage and roughage. Wheat pasture,
irrigated pasture and dry pasture also help to balance the Characteristic species of grasses, grasslike plants,
grazing programs. Most ranches are cow-calf-yearling en- natur, l m that make neach up most of the potential
corn-
terprises operating on a mon natural plant a amount moty that soil are listed a -
yearlong grazing program with mon name. The can be used as forage de-
winter and spring supplemental feeding.
pends on the kinds of grazing animals and on the grazing
The native vegetation in many parts of the survey area season. Generally all of the vegetation
has been greatly depleted by continued excessive use. produced is not
used.
Much of the acreage that was once open grassland is now Range management requires, in addition to knowledge
covered with brush and weeds. In places the amount of of the kinds of soil and the potential natural plant corn-
forage produced is less than half of that originally munity, an evaluation of the present condition of the
produced. Producitivity of the range can be increased by range vegetation in relation to its potential. Range condi-
effective management for specific kinds of soil and range. tion is determined by comparing the present plant corn-
Conservation measures which apply to this rangeland munity with the potential natural plant community on a
are range seeding, fencing, brush control, development of particular range site. The more closely the existing corn-
livestock water, proper grazing use, and deferred grazing. munity resembles the potential community, the better the
Planned grazing systems that periodically defer grazing range condition. The objective in range management is to
on each field through the growing season and well- control grazing so that the plants growing on a site are
planned structural practices increase the total usable about the same in kind and amount as the potential natu-
forage. ral plant community for that site. Such management
Where climate and topography are about the same, dif- generally results in the maximum production of vegeta-
ferences in the kind and amount of vegetation that range- tion, conservation of water, and control of erosion. Some-
land can produce are related closely to the kind of soil. times, however, a range condition somewhat below the
Effective management is based on the relationships potential meets grazing needs, provides wildlife habitat,
among soils, vegetation, and water. and protects soil and water resources.
•
971199
p Steven Corbiere
12230 WCR#66
Greeley, Colorado80631
(970)686-9174
April 30,1997
To: Weld County Department of Planning Services
1400 N. 17th Avenue
Greeley, Colorado 80631
Case Number: Z-506
Location: South of and adjacent to Weld County Road 66; east of and adjacent to Weld
County Road 23-1/2.
The purpose of this letter is to voice concerns with the proposal of the Hillcrest Estate
Development by Tom Francis. There are two major issues which need to be addressed,
that have direct effect on the current residents of the area; land conservation and
easement/drainage planning.
It is my understanding that Weld County is sensitive to conservation of its natural
resources and this is demonstrated by programs such as the West Greeley Soil
Conservation District. Since this 60 acre parcel was purchased by Mr. Francis it has been
divided once and approximately 25 acres were sold to Mr. Lowell Miller. Mr. Miller
expressed to me that he wishes to plant alpha on his land and Mr. Francis stated he would
plant grass on the proposed subdivision property. The concern is that the water rights are
currently split so that there is not enough water for either to accomplish their desires. The
result would be an excess of soil erosion and weeds that would contaminate the surround-
ing property. Should the adjacent landowners be subject to the poor planning of an
individual who has no plans to occupy(ie. manage)the property? Also once the proposed
subdivision is complete, there has been no provisions for the individuals who purchase the
lots to support environmental conservation with the means of water.
There are issues of drainage and easement access that also have not been thoroughly
disclosed to the residents of interest. I personally have a concern with my gas line which
runs though the purchased property, from my house to the meter which is located on
WCR#66. If I am responsible for maintaining the line from the meter, as it exists today, an
access easement would be required through one of the proposed lots. Drainage is a
concern as well as access to the drainage tiles for repair. It is unclear to myself as well as
several residents in the area how this is going to be maintained if significant access is not
designated.
Mr. Francis has expressed to me that he wants to provide"country living"to families in
order to promote"responsibility in children." On March 20th, a ditch fire was started on
the proposed site which put several mail boxes and power poles in jeopardy. Mr. Miller
and myself had to control the fire due to high winds, to avoid loss of property. It was
pointed out on March 23rd by Mr. Harold Klaus that a power pole was damaged in the
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ditch fire and I had to call Public Service to replace the pole. Is this the"responsibility"
which Mr. Francis believes he can instill in the families of the proposed subdivision? If this
is the case, I am certain there is not enough water on this hill.
Please consider these issues prior to changing the zoning status. It is my intent to attend
the Public Hearing on May 6th to ensure that these matters have been acknowledged. I
appreciate the opportunity given by the Weld County Department of Planning Services to
voice these concerns.
Regards,
Steven L. Corbiere
Harold Klaus �ar�,�,rztad-
Lee Detterer TA �
971198
s lr
PRIMA
OIL & GAS COMPANY Weld aunty PIelreCll{?�, Dept'.
Place
1801 Broadway, Suite 500
Denver Colorado 80202 APR 2 9 1997
303-297-2300
April 28, 1997
Ms. Shani L. Eastin
Current Planner
Weld County Administrative Offices
1400 N. 17th Avenue
Greeley, CO 80631
Dear Ms. Eastin:
Re: Case No. Z-506
Prima has reviewed the application for a zoning change in the E/2NE/4 of Section 25,
T6N, R67W, and the W/2NW/4 of Section 30, T6N, R66W, and Prima has no objection to this
change in zoning.
Thank you for notifying us of the hearing and allowing us to review the case.
Very truly yours,
M
Marlene Boyle
Contract Division Order Analyst
MB:mh
EXHIBIT
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06
971.?js -
ZOO'd 96SL'0N XHI/X,L OZ:ZT L6/ZI/90
STORM LAKE DRAINAGE DISTRICT AGREEMENT
The Storm Lake Drainage district has no opposition to the
rezoning of Hillcrest Subdivision from Ag. to Estate lot zoning
if two conditions are met. One, a 100 foot easement for the
maintenance and or replacement of the Storm Lake Drainage Line
is reserved for the District across Lots 4 and 5 . Said 100 foot
easement will be reserved with 50 feet on each side of the
existing pipe as shown on the Rezoning Plat for Hillcrest
Subdivision and will run with the land and be binding upon any
heirs or assigns of either party.
Two, the tax assessments for the Storm Lake Drainage
district on Hillcrest will be divided equally among the 5 lots ,
however there will only be one vote for Hillcrest Estates
relative to any business of the district.
Upon approval of the Final Plat as submitted the
developers , Tom and Linda Francis, will grant the above
conditions.
x-22/2
Tom Francis Date
42/3.4te-11-7. A —0 '92
Linda Francis Date
r�! ' _P1,e
Storm Lake ra n
:/ Tit Date
Storm Lake ^ a =ge T tie D e
ni
canning Dept.
JUN 1 2 1997
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