HomeMy WebLinkAbout960898.tiff 52 SOIL SURVEY
the limited capacity of this soil to support a load. Capa- Management of vegetation on this soil should be based
bility class I irrigated. on taking half and leaving half of the total annual produc-
82—Wiley-Colby complex, 1 to 3 percent slopes. This tion. Seeding is desirable if the range is in poor condition
nearly level map unit is on smooth plains in the western Sideoats grama, little bluestem, western wheatgrass, blue
part of the survey area at elevations of 4,850 to 5,000 grama, pubescent wheatgrass, and crested wheatgrass are `r
feet. The Wiley soil makes up about 60 percent of the suitable for seeding. The grass selected should meet the
unit, and the Colby soil about 30 percent. About 10 per- seasonal requirements of livestock. It can be seeded into
cent is Heldt silty clay and Weld loam. a clean, firm sorghum stubble or it can be drilled into a
The Wiley soil is deep and well drained. It formed in firm prepared seedbed. Seeding early in spring has ,,
calcareous eolian deposits. Typically the surface layer is proven most successful.
pale brown silt loam about 11 inches thick. The subsoil is Windbreaks and environmental plantings are generally '
pale brown silty clay loam about 23 inches thick. The sub- well suited to these soils. Cultivation to control competing
stratum to a depth of 60 inches is very pale brown silty vegetation should be continued for as many years as
clay loam. possible following planting. Trees that are best suited and
Permeability is moderately slow. Available water have good survival are Rocky Mountain juniper, eastern'
capacity is high. The effective rooting depth is 60 inches redcedar, ponderosa pine, Siberian elm, Russian-olive, and
or more. Surface runoff is medium, and the erosion hackberry. The shrubs best suited are skunkbush sumac,
hazard is moderate. lilac, Siberian peashrub, and American plum.
The Colby soil also is deep and well drained and formed Openland wildlife, such as pheasant, mourning dove,
in calcareous eolian deposits. Typically the surface layer and cottontail are best suited to these soils. Wildlife
is pale brown loam about 7 inches thick. The underlying habitat development, including tree and shrub plantings
material is very pale brown silt loam to a depth of 60 and grass plantings to serve as nesting areas, should be
inches. successful without irrigation during most years. Under ir-
Permeability is moderate. Available water capacity is rigation, good wildlife habitat can be established, benefit-
high. The effective rooting depth is 60 inches or more. ing many kinds of openland wildlife.
Surface runoff is medium, and the erosion hazard is The Wiley soil has only fair potential for urban and
moderate. recreational development. Slow permeability, moderate
This map unit is used for irrigated and nonirrigated shrink-swell potential, and limited bearing capacity cause.
cropland and for rangeland, wildlife habitat, and urban problems in dwelling and road construction. The Colby
development. soil has good potential for urban and recreational develop-
In irrigated areas these soils are suited to all crops ment. Road design can be modified to compensate for the
commonly grown in the area, including corn, sugar beets, limited capacity of this soil to support a load. Capability
beans, alfalfa, small grain, and onions. An example of a subclass Ile irrigated, IVe nonirrigated; Loamy Plains
suitable cropping system is 3 to 4 years of alfalfa fol- range site.
lowed by corn, corn for silage, sugar beets, small grain, or 83—Wiley-Colby complex, 3 to 5 percent slopes. This
beans. Land leveling, ditch lining, and installing pipelines gently sloping map unit is on plains at elevations of 4,850
may be needed for proper water applications. to 5,000 feet. The Wiley soil makes up about 60 percent of
All methods of irrigation are suitable, but furrow ir- the unit, and the Colby soil about 30 percent. About 10
rigation is the most common. Barnyard manure and com- percent is Heldt silty clay and Weld loam.
mercial fertilizer are needed for top yields. The Wiley soil is deep and well drained. It formed in
In nonirrigated areas these soils are suited to winter calcareous eolian deposits. Typically the surface layer is
wheat, barley, and sorghum. Most of the acreage is pale brown silt loam about 11 inches thick. The subsoil is
planted to winter wheat. The predicted average yield is pale brown silty clay loam about 23 inches thick. The sub-
28 bushels per acre. The soil is summer fallowed in al- stratum to a depth of 60 inches is very pale brown silty
ternate years to allow moisture accumulation. Generally clay loam.
precipitation is too low for beneficial use of fertilizer. Permeability is moderately slow. Available water
Stubble mulch farming, striperopping, and minimum til- capacity is high. The effective rooting depth is 60 inches
lage are needed to control soil blowing and water erosion. or more. Surface runoff is medium to rapid, and the ero-
Terracing also may be needed to control water erosion. sion hazard is moderate.
The potential native vegetation is dominated by blue The Colby soil also is deep and well drained and formed
grama. Several mid grasses such as western wheatgrass in calcareous eolian deposits. Typically the surface layer
and needleandthread are also present. Potential produc- is pale brown loam about 7 inches thick. The underlying.
tion ranges from 1,600 pounds per acre in favorable years material is very pale brown silt loam to a depth of 60
to 1,000 pounds in unfavorable years. As range condition inches.
deteriorates, the mid grasses decrease; blue grama, buf- Permeability is moderate. Available water capacity is
falograss, snakeweed, yucca and fringed sage increase; high. The effective rooting depth is 60 inches or more]
and forage production drops. Undesirable weeds and an- Surface runoff is medium to rapid, and the erosion hazard.
nuals invade the site as range condition becomes poorer. is moderate.
960898
WELD COUNTY, COLORADO, SOUTHERN PART
2!
have good survival are Rocky Mountain juniper, eastern The potential native vegetation is dominated b3
redcedar, ponderosa pine, Siberian elm, Russian-olive, and western wheatgrass and blue grams. Buffalograss is alsr
• hackberry. The shrubs best suited are skunkbush sumac, present. Potential production ranges from 1,000 pound:
lilac, Siberian peashrub, and American plum. per acre in favorable
Wildlife is an important secondary use of this soil. The years deteriorates,t 6or pounds in unfavorable
cropland areas provide favorable habitat for ring-necked falograss odforms. Undesirable weeds and e annuals
bin
pheasant and mourning dove. Many nongame species can vade the site as range condition becomes poorer.
be attracted by establishing areas for nesting and escape Management of vegetation of this soil should be based
cover. For pheasants, undisturbed nesting cover is essen- on taking half and leaving half of the total annual produc-
tial and should be included in plans for habitat develop- tion. Range pitting can help in reducing runoff. Seeding is
ment, especially in areas of intensive agriculture. desirable if the range is in
This soil has fair to poor potential for urban develop- wheatgrass, blue g poor condition. Western
alograss, pu-
ment. It has moderate to high shrink swell, low strength, bescent wheatgrass, and ma, scrested ideoats wh ma, featgra s are suitable
and moderately slow permeability. These features create for seeding. The grass selected should meet the seasonal
problems in dwelling and road construction. Those areas requirements of livestock. It can be seeded into a clean,
that have loam or sandy loam in the lower part of the firm sorghum stubble, or it can be drilled into a firm
substratum are suitable for septic tank absorption fields prepared seedbed. Seeding early in spring has proven
and foundations. Some areas of this soil are adjacent to most successful.
streams and are subject to occasional flooding. The poten- Windbreaks and environmental plantings are generally
tial is fair for such recreational development as camp and well suited to this soil. Cultivation to control competing
picnic areas and playgrounds. Capability class I irrigated. vegetation should be continued for as many years as
42—Nunn clay loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes. This is a possible following planting. Trees that are best suited and
deep, well drained soil on terraces and smooth plains at have good survival are Rocky Mountain juniper, eastern
elevations of 4,550 to 5,150 feet. It formed in mixed allu- redcedar, ponderosa pine, Siberian elm, Russian-olive, and
vium and eolian deposits. Included in mapping are small, hackberry. The shrubs best suited are skunkbush sumac,
long and narrow areas of sand and gravel deposits and lilac, Siberian peashrub, and American plum.
small areas of soils that are subject to occasional flooding. Wildlife is an important secondary use of this soil. The
Some leveled areas are also included. cropland areas provide favorable habitat for ring-necked
Typically the surface layer of this Nunn soil is grayish pheasant and mourning dove. Many nongame species can
brown clay loam aobut 9 inches thick. The subsoil is light be attracted by establishing areas for nesting and escape
brownish gray clay loam about 14 inches thick. The upper cover. For pheasants, undisturbed nesting cover is essen-
part of the substratum is light brownish gray clay loam. tial and should be included in plans for habitat develop-
The lower part to a depth of 60 inches is brown sandy ment, especially in areas of intensive agriculture. Range-
loam. land wildlife, for example, the pronghorn antelope,
Permeability is moderately slow. Available water attracted by developing livestock watering pfacilities,
capacity is high. The effective rooting depth is 60 inches managing livestock grazing, and reseeding where needed.
or more. Surface runoff is medium, and the erosion This soil has fair to poor potential for urban develop-
hazard is low. ment. It has moderate to high shrink swell, low strength,
In irrigated areas this soil is suited to all crops com- and moderately slow permeability. These features create
monly grown in the area, including corn, sugar beets, problems in dwelling and road construction. Those areas
beans, alfalfa, small grain, potatoes, and onions. An exam- that have loam or sandy loam in the lower part of the
ple of a suitable cropping system is 3 to 4 years of alfalfa substratum are suitable for septic tank absorption fields
followed by corn, corn for silage, sugar beets, small grain, and foundations. Some areas of this soil are adjacent to
or beans. Generally such characteristics as the high clay streams and are subject to occasional flooding. The poten-
content or the rapidly permeable substratum slightly tial is fair for such recreational development as camp and
restrict some crops. picnic areas and la p ygrounds. Capability subclass Ile ir-
All methods of irrigation are suitable, but furrow ir- rigated, IIIc nonirrigated; Clayey Plains range site.
rigation is the most common. Proper irrigation water 43—Nunn loamy sand, 0 to 1 percent slopes. This is a
management is essential. Barnyard manure and commer- deep, well drained soil on terraces at elevations of 4,700
cial fertilizer are needed for top yields. to 4,900 feet. It formed in alluvium along Box Elder
In nonirrigated areas most of the acreage is in small Creek. Included in mapping are small areas of soils that
grain and it is summer fallowed in alternate years. have a loamy subsoil and small areas of soils that are sub-
Winter wheat is the principal crop. The predicted average ject to rare flooding.
yield is 33 bushels per acre. If the crop is winterkilled, Typically the surface layer c`. this Nunn soil is brown
spring wheat can be seeded. Generally precipitation is too loamy sand overburden about 9 inches thick. The subsoil
low for beneficial use of fertilizer. is dark to very dark grayish brown clay loam about 21
Stubble mulch farming, striperopping, and minimum til- inches thick. The substratum to a depth of 60 inches is
lage are needed to control soil blowing and water erosion. loamy very fire sand, loamy sand, or sand.
;VEY WELD COUNTY, COL(
;0 percent of the unit. Aquents, which have a lighter These are deep, poorly drained soils that formed it
•olored surface layer, make up about 35 percent. About 5 recent alluvium. No one pedon is typical. Commonly th(
)ercent is Aquepts and Bankard sandy loam. soils have a mottled, mildly to moderately alkaline loamy
These are deep, poorly drained soils that formed in or clayey surface layer and underlying material that ex
•event alluvium. No one pedon is typical. Commonly the tends to a depth of 60 inches or more. In places they hay(
;oils have a mottled, mildly alkaline to moderately al- a gleyed layer in the underlying material.
saline loamy or clayey surface layer and underlying IMost of the acreage is subject to excessive runoff. Th(
naterial and are underlain by sand or sand and gravel ' water table is at or near the surface in spring and during
within 48 inches. In places they have a gleyed layer in the the peak of the irrigation season.
inderlying material. These soils are used for rangeland and wildlife habitat
Most of the acreage is subject to flooding. The water Some small areas are irrigated pasture.
able is at or near the surface early in spring and recedes The potential native vegetation is dominated b:
.o as deep as 48 inches late in fall in some years. switchgrass, prairie cordgrass, saltgrass, alkali sacaton
These soils are used for rangeland and wildlife habitat. big bluestem, indiangrass, western wheatgrass, slender
Some small areas have been reclaimed by major drainage wheatgrass, sedge, and rush. Cattails and bullrush grov
and leveling and are used for irrigated crops. in the swampy spots associated with these range sites
The potential native vegetation is dominated by alkali Potential production ranges from 4,000 pounds per acre it
;acaton, switchgrass, and western wheatgrass. Saltgrass, favorable years to 3,000 pounds in unfavorable years. A.
;edge, rush, and alkali bluegrass are also prominent. range condition deteriorates, the tall and mid grassel
?otential production ranges from 3,000 pounds per acre in decrease, production drops, and saltgrass, sedge, and rust
'avorable years to 2,000 pounds in unfavorable years. As increase. The farming and irrigation in adjacent areas ha.
•ange condition deteriorates, the switchgrass, alkali increased the amount of salts on much of the acreage.
;acaton, and western wheatgrass decrease and saltgrass, Management of vegetation on this soil should be base(
;edge, and rush increase. on taking half and leaving half of the total annual produc
Management of vegetation should be based on taking tion. Switchgrass, big bluestem, indiangrass, westen
ialf and leaving half of the total annual production. Seed- - wheatgrass, pubescent wheatgrass, intermediate wheat
ng is difficult and costly because numerous tillage prac- grass, tall wheatgrass, and tall fescue are suitable feu
:ices are required to eliminate the saltgrass sod. seeding. The plants selected should met the seasona
Switchgrass, western wheatgrass, alkali sacaton, tall requirements of livestock. For successful seeding, a fire
vheatgrass, and tall fescue are suitable for seeding. They prepared seedbed is needed. A grass drill should be used
pan be seeded into a clean, firm seedbed. Seedbed Seeding early in spring has proven most successful. Til
preparation usually requires more than 1 year to lage is needed to eliminate the undesirable vegetation.
eliminate the saltgrass sod. A grass drill should be used. Wetland wildlife, especially waterfowl, utilize this unit
Seeding early in spring has proven most successful. The wetlandplantsprovide nesting and protective cover
Wetland wildlife, especially waterfowl, utilize this unit. as well as some food. The nearby irrigated cropland
Ile wetland plants provide nesting and protective cover, where wildlife obtain much of their food and find protec-
ts well as some food. The nearby irrigated cropland, 1 tive cover, makes this unit valuable to both wetland anc
where wildlife obtain much of their food and find protec- openland wildlife.
Ave cover, makes this unit valuable to both wetland and Openland wildlife, especially pheasant, use this unit for
)penland wildlife. cover and nesting. Deer find excellent cover in some
Openland wildlife, especially pheasant, use this unit for - areas. These valuable wildlife areas should be protectec
!over and nesting. Deer find excellent cover in some from fire and fenced to prevent encroachment anc
treas. overuse by livestock. They should not be drained. Capa-
These valuable wildlife areas should be protected from bility subclass VIw; Aquolls in Salt Meadow range site
'ire and fenced to prevent encroachment and overuse by Aquepts in Wet Meadow range site.
ivestock. They should not be drained. 5—Ascalon sandy loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes. This is
These soils have good potential as a source of sand and a deep, well drained soil on uplands at elevations of 4,60€
travel. Capability subclass VIw; Salt Meadow range site. to 5,200 feet. It formed in alluvium. Included in mapping
4—Aquolls and Aquepts, flooded. This nearly level are small areas of rock outcrop.
nap unit is in depressions in smooth plains and along the Typically the surface layer is brown sandy loam about
)ottoms of natural drainageways throughout the survey ; 10 inches thick. The subsoil is pale brown and yellowish
trea. Aquolls, which have a dark colored surface layer, brown sandy clay loam about 15 inches thick. The sub-
nake up about 55 percent of the unit. Aquepts, which stratum to a depth of 60 inches is calcareous fine sandy
rave a lighter colored surface layer, make up about 25 loam.
>ercent. About 20 percent is soils that are well drained Permeability is moderate. Available water capacity is
aid soils that have sandstone or shale within 48 inches of high. The effective rooting depth is 60 inches or more.
.he surface. Surface runoff is slow, and the erosion hazard is low.
Hello