HomeMy WebLinkAbout960476.tiff SOIL SURVEY OF WELD COUNTY, COLORADO, SOUTHERN PART
United States Department of Agriculture. Soil Conyervalion Scrvrr e.
in cooperation with the Colorado Agricultural I xper,rnent Station
4—Aquolls and Aquepts, flooded. This nearly level 38—Nelson fine sandy loam, 3 to 9 percent slot-,;.
map unit is in depressions in smooth plains and along the This is a moderately deep, well drained soil on pia.-.: .;
bottoms of natural drainageways throughout the survey elevations of 4,800 to 5,050 feet. It formed in re. ]n :..cn
area. Aquolls, which have a dark colored surface layer, derived from soft sandstone. Included in mapping
make up about 55 percent of the unit. Aquepts, which small areas of soils that have sandstone at a do[.i:
have a lighter colored surface layer, make up about 25 more than 40 inches.
percent. About 20 percent is soils that are well drained Typically the surface layer is light brownish gray ".n:,
and soils that have sandstone or shale within 48 inches of sandy loam about 8 inches thick. The underlying rn. i::',
the surface. . is light olive brown fine sandy loam. Soft sandsto.•:c la at
These are deep, poorly drained soils that formed in a depth of about 28 inches.
recent alluvium. No one pedon is typical. Commonly the Permeability is moderately rapid. Available w:r.er
soils have a mottled, mildly to moderately alkaline loamy capacity is moderate. The effective rooting depth is 20 to
or clayey surface layer and underlying material that ex- 40 inches. Surface runoff is medium to rapid, and the .:o-
tends to a depth of 60 inches or more. In places they have sion hazard is moderate.
a gleyed layer in the underlying material. This soil is suited to limited cropping Inter '.c
Most of the acreage is subject to excessive runoff. The cropping is hazardous because of erosion. The crra.:-d Y
water table is at or near the surface in spring and during system should be limited to such close grown crops a. al-
the peak of the irrigation season. falfa, wheat, and barley. This soil is also suited to ir-
These soils are used for rangeland and wildlife habitat. rigated pasture. A suitable cropping system is 4
Some small areas are irrigated pasture. years of alfalfa followed by 2 years of corn aria small
The potential native vegetation is dominated by grain and alfalfa seeded with a nurse crop.
switchgrass, prairie cordgrass, saltgrass, alkali sacaton, Close grown crops can be irrigated from ch+ _:.:: -. acs
big bluestem, indiangrass, western wheatgrass, slender contour ditches or sprinklers. Contour furrows or shin-
klers should be used for new crops. Appiicacrc>n
wheatgrass, sedge, and rush. Cattails and bullrush grow
nitrogen and phosphorus help in maintaining good p
in the swampy spots associated with these range sites. r::,,a tion.
Potential production ranges from 4,000 pounds per acre in
The potential native vegetation on this range sP. is
favorable years to 3,000 pounds in unfavorable years. As
dominated by sand bluestem, sand reedgrass,
condition deteriorates, the tall and mid grasses r ass, and tirx:
grams. Needleandthread, switchgrass, sides t_: =r ,:.
decrease, production drops, and saltgrass, sedge, and rush
and western wheatgrass are also prominent. t ' .i
increase. The farming and irrigation in adjacent areas has production ranges from 2,200 pounds per a-:r al .,
increased the amount of salts on much of the acreage. ble years to 1,800 pounds in unfavorable yea
Management of vegetation on this soil should be based condition deteriorates, the sand bluestem, sand tree() .
on taking half and leaving half of the total annual produc-
and switchgrass decrease and blue grams, r .1e; 1
tion. Switchgrass, big bluestem, indiangrass, western and sand sage increase. Annual weeds and grasses ..: ie
wheatgrass, pubescent wheatgrass, intermediate wheat- the site as range condition becomes poorer.
grass, tall wheatgrass, and tall fescue are suitable for Management of vegetation on this soil should r,<- , . . .
seeding. The plants selected should met the seasonal on taking half and leaving half of the total anmal l,r,
requirements of livestock. For successful seeding, a firm tion. Seeding is desirable if the range is in p{ r c' ••d.'-
prepared seedbed is needed. A grass drill should be used. ' Sand bluestem, sand reed s, switchgrass, sia--
Seeding early in spring has proven most successful. Til- -i grama, blue grams, pubescent wheatgrass, and cn =t=-d
lage is needed to eliminate the undesirable vegetation. wheatgrass are suitable for seeding. The grass ; b .,,
Wetland wildlife, especially waterfowl, utilize this unit. should meet the seasonal requirements of livestock. It can
The wetland plants provide nesting and protective cover be seeded into a clean, firm sorghum stubble. or' it can be
as well as some food. The nearby irrigated cropland, drilled into a firm prepared seedbed. Seeding early in
where wildlife obtain much of their food and fmd protec- spring has proven most successful.
tive cover, makes this unit valuable to both wetland and Windbreaks and environmental plantings are gen,^ally
openland wildlife. not suited. Onsite investigation is needed to determine if
Openland wildlife, especially pheasant, use this unit for plantings are feasible.
cover and nesting. Deer fmd excellent cover in some Wildlife is an important secondary use of this soil The
areas. These valuable wildlife areas should be protected cropland areas provide wildlife ha.' 'n•-necked
from fire and fenced to prevent encroachment and pheasant and mourning dove. Many - o . .
overuse by livestock. They should not be drained. Capa- be attracted by establishing areas x<, i f ,-
bility subclass VIw; Aquolls in Salt Meadow range site, cover. For pheasants, undisturbed rg Aquepts in Wet Meadow range site.
tial and should ha innl••a-' '- . ` . t " 3'
960476
SOIL SURVEY OF WELD COUNTY, COLORADO, SOUTHERN PART
United Slates Department al Agriculture ';ud Lancer vcliari Ile vice.
in cooperation with the Colorado Agricultural F x perinm id Station
ment, especially in areas of intensive agriculture. Range-
land wildlife, for example, the pronghorn antelope, can be
attracted by developing _livestock watering facilities,
managinig livestock grazing, and reseeding where needed.
The thiderlying sandstone is the most limiting feature
of this soil. Neither septic tank absorption fields nor
sewage lagoons operate properly. Site preparation for
dwellings is more costly. Environmental and beautifica-
tion plantings of trees and shrubs may be difficult to
establish. This soil, however, does have good potential for
such recreational development as camp and picnic areas
and playgrounds. Capability subclass IVe irrigated, Vie
nonirrigated; Sandy Plains range site.
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