HomeMy WebLinkAbout20021661.tiff Soils Classification& Description
The property contains five soil types as identified by the US Department of Agriculture Soil
Conservation Service. The soil types are as follows: 1) Aquolls and Aquents, gravely
substratum, 2) Colby loam, 1 to 3 percent slope, 3)Kim loam, 3 to 5 percent slopes, 4) Tassel
fine sandy loam, 5 to 20 percent slope, 5) Wiley-Colby complex, 1 to 3 percent slopes.
3 - Aquolls & Aquents, gravely substratum. This nearly level map unit is on bottom lands
and floodplains of all the major streams in the survey area. Aquolls, which have a lighter
colored surface layer, make up about 35 percent. About 5 percent is Aquepts and Bankard
sandy loam.
These are deep, poor drained soils that formed in recent alluvium. No one pedon is typical.
Commonly the soils have a mottled, mildly alkaline to moderately alkaline loamy or clayey
surface layer and underlying material and are underlain by sand and gravel within 48 inches.
In places they have a gleyed layer in the underlying material. Most of the acreage is subject
to flooding. The water table is at or near the surface early in spring and recedes to as deep as
48 inches late fall in some years.
These soils are used for rangeland and wildlife habitat. Some small areas have been
reclaimed by major drainage and leveling and are used for irrigated crops.
The potential native vegetation is dominated by alkali sacaton, switchgrass and western
wheatgrass. Saltgrass, sedge, rush, and alkali bluegrass are also prominent. Potential
production ranges from 3,000 pound per acre in favorable years to 2,000 in unfavorable,
years. As range condition deteriorates, the switchgrass, alkali sacaton, and western
wheatgrass decrease and saltgrass, sedge, and rush increase.
Management of vegetation should be based on taking half and leaving half of the total annual
_ production. Seeding is difficult and costly because numerous tillage practices are required to
eliminate the saltgrass sod. Switchgrass, western wheatgrass, alkali sacaton, tall wheatgrass,
and tall fescue are suitable for seeding. They can be seed into clean, firm seedbed. Seedbed
preparation usually requires more than one year to eliminate the saltgrass sod. A grass drill
should be used. Seeding early in spring has proven most successful.
Wetland wildlife, especially waterfowl, utilizes this unit. The wetland plants provide nesting
and protective cover, as well as some food. The nearby irrigated cropland, where wildlife
obtain much of their food and find protective cover, makes this unit valuable to both the
wetland and openland wildlife.
Openland wildlife, especially pheasant, uses this unit for cover and nesting. Deer find
excellent cover in some areas.
These valuable wildlife areas should be protected from fire and fenced to prevent
encroachment and overuse by livestock. They should not be drained.
These soils have good potential as a source of sand and gravel. Capability subclass V Iw; Salt
Meadow range site.
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15 — Colby loam, 1 to 3 percent slope. This is a deep, well-drained soil on uplands at
elevations of 4,850 to 5,050 feet. It formed in calcareous eolian deposits.
Typically the surface layer is pale brown loam about 12 inches thick. The underlying material
is very pale brown silt loam to a depth of 60 inches.
Permeability is moderate. Available water capacity is high. The effective rooting depth is 60
inches or more. Surface runoff is medium and the erosion hazard is moderate.
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 a 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 alternative 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 may also be needed to control water erosion.
_ The potential native vegetation is dominated by blue grama. Several mid grasses, such as
western wheatgrass are also present. Potential production ranges from 1,600 pounds per acre
in favorable years to 1,000 pounds in unfavorable years. As range condition deteriorates, the
_ mid grasses decrease; blue grama, buffalograss, snakeweed, yucca, and fringe sage increase;
and forage production drops. Undesirable weeds and annuals invade the site, as range
condition becomes poorer.
Management of vegetation of 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. Sideoats grama,
little bluestem, western wheatgrass, blue grama, pubescent wheatgrass, and crested
wheatgrass are suitable for seeding. The grass selected should meet the seasonal requirements
of livestock. It can be seeded into a 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 of trees and shrubs commonly grown in the area
generally well suited to this soil. Cultivation to control competing vegetation should be
continued for as many years as possible following planting. Trees that are best suited and
have good survival are Rocky Mountain juniper, Skunkbush sumac, lilac, Siberian peashrub,
and American plum.
Openland wildlife, such as pheasant, mourning dove, and cottontail, and rangeland wildlife,
such as antelope, cottontail, and coyote, are best suited to this soil. Under irrigation, good
wildlife habitat can be established, benefiting many kinds of openland wildlife. Forage
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productions typically low and rangeland, and grazing management is needed if livestock and
wildlife share the range. Livestock watering facilities also are utilized by various wildlife
species.
This soil has good potential for urban and recreational development. Road design can be
modified to compensate for the limited capacity of this soil to support a load. Capability
subclass I I e nonirrigated, Loamy Plains range site.
33—Kim loam, 3 to 5 percent slopes. This is a deep,well-drained soil on smooth plains and
alluvial fans at elevation of 4,900 to 5,250 feet. It formed in mixed eolian deposit and parent
sediment from a wide variety of bedrock. Included in mapping are small areas of soils that
have a loamy sand underlying material.
Typically the surface layer is brown and pale brown loam about 10 inches thick. The upper
28 inches of the underlying material is pale brown loam. The lower part to a depth of 60
inches is pale brown fine sandy loam.
Permeability is moderate. Available water capacity is high. The effective rooting depth is 60
inches or more. Surface runoff is medium, and the erosion hazard is moderate.
In irrigated areas this soil is suited to crops commonly grown in the area. Perennial grasses
and alfalfa or close crops grown at least 50 percent of the time. Contour ditches and
corrugations can be used in irrigating close grown crops and pasture. Furrows, contour
furrows, and cross slope furrows are suitable for row crops. Sprinkler irrigation is also
suggested. Keeping tillage to a minimum and utilizing crop residue help to control erosion.
Maintaining fertility is important. Crops respond to application 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 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 is dominated by blue grama. Several mid grasses, such as
western wheatgrass and needleandthread, are also present. Potential production ranges from
1,600 pound per acre in favorable years to 1,000 pounds in unfavorable years. As range
condition deteriorates,the mid grasses decrease; blue grama, buffalograss, snakeweed, yucca,
and fringe sage increase;and forage production drops. Undesirable weeds and annuals invade
the site and range condition become poorer.
Management of vegetation of 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. Sideoats grama,
little bluestem, western wheatgrass, blue grama, pubescent wheatgrass, and crested
— wheatgrass are suitable for seeding. The grass selected should meet the seasonal requirements
of livestock. It can be seeded into a clean, firm sorghum stubble, or is can be drilled into a
firm prepared seedbed. Seeding early in spring has proven most successful.
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Wind breaks and environmental plantings of trees and shrubs commonly grown in the area
generally well suited to this soil. Cultivation to control competing vegetation should be
continued for as many years as possible following planting. 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,
Siberian peashrub, and American plum.
Wildlife is an important secondary use of this soil. The cropland areas provide favorable
— habitat for ring-necked pheasant and mourning dove. Many non-game species can be
attracted by establishing areas for nesting and escape cover. For pheasant, 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.
The soil has good potential for urban and recreational development. Increased population
growth in the survey area has resulted in increased home site 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 increase. Because of the permeability of
the substratum, sewage lagoons must be sealed. Lawns, shrubs, and trees grow well.
Capability subclass Hie irrigated I Ve nonirrigated;Loamy Plains range site.
61 — Tassel fine sandy loam, 5 to 20 percent slopes. This is a shallow, well-drained soil on
upland breaks at elevations of 4,850 to 5,200 feet. It formed in residuum from sandstone.
Included in mapping are small areas of sandstone outcrop and areas of non-calcareous soils.
Typically the surface layer of this tassel soil is light yellowish brown fine sandy loam about 7
inches thick. The underlying material is light yellowish brown very fine sandy loam.
Sandstone is at a depth of about 11 inches.
The potential native vegetation is dominated by sideoats grama, little bluestem, blue grama,
threadleaf sedge, and reedgrass and needleandthread. Potential production ranges from 1,750
pounds per acre in favorable years to 950 pounds in unfavorable years. As range condition
deteriorates, sideoats grama, little bluestem, and sand reedgrass decrease; yucca, sedge, and
blue grama increase; and forage production drops.
Management of vegetation should be based on taking half or less of the total annual
production. Deferred grazing is practical in improving range condition. Seeding and
mechanical treatment are impractical.
Windbreaks and environmental plantings are generally not suited to this soil. Onsite
investigation is needed to determine if planting are feasible.
Production of vegetation of this treeless soil is low, especially during drought, when annual
production can be as low as 300 pound per acre. Rangeland wildlife, such as antelope and
scaled quail, can be attracted by managing livestock grazing, installing water facilities, and
reseeding where needed.
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The soil has poor potential for urban development. The chief limiting feature is the shallow
depth to sandstone. Capability subclass V le irrigated, V Ie nonirrigated; Sandstone Breaks
range site.
82- Wiley-Colby complex, 1 to 3 percent slopes. This nearly level map unit is on smooth
plains in the western part of the survey area at elevations of 4,850 to 5,000 feet. The Wiley
soil makes up about 60 percent of the unit, and the Colby soil about 30 percent. About 10
percent Heldt silty clay and Weld loam.
The Wiley soil is deep and well drained. If formed in calcareous eolian deposits. Typically
the surface layer is pale brown silt loam about 11 inches thick. The subsoil is pale brown silty
clay loam about 23 inches thick. The substratum to a depth of 60 inches is very pale brown
silty clay loam.
— Permeability is moderately slow. Available water capacity is high. The effective rooting
depth is 60 inches or more. Surface runoff is medium, and the erosion hazard is moderate.
The Colby soil also is deep and well drained and formed in calcareous eolian deposits.
Typically the surface layer is pale brown loam about 7 inches thick. The underlying material
is very pale brown silt loam to a depth of 60 inches.
Permeability is moderate. Available water capacity is high. The effective rooting depth is 60
inches or more. Surface runoff is medium, and the erosion hazard is moderate.
This map unit is used for irrigated and nonirrigated cropland and for rangeland, wildlife
habitat, and urban development.
In irrigated areas these soils are suited to all crops commonly grown in the area, including,
corn, sugar beets, beans, alfalfa, small grain, and onions. An example of a 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
applications.
All methods of irrigation are suitable, but furrow irrigation is the most common. Barnyard
and commercial fertilizer are needed for top yields.
In nonirrigated areas these soils are 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 to 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 is dominated by blue grama. Several mid grasses such as
western wheatgrass and needleandthread are also present. Potential production ranges from
1,600 pounds per acre in favorable years to 1,000 pounds in unfavorable years. As range
condition deteriorates,the mid grasses decrease; blue grama, buffalograss, snakeweed, yucca,
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and fringed sage increase; and forage production drops. Undesirable weeds and annuals
invade the site as range condition becomes poorer.
Management of vegetation of 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. Sideoats grama,
little bluestem, western wheatgrass, blue grama, pubescent wheatgrass, and crested
wheatgrass are suitable for seeding. The grass selected should meet the seasonal requirement
of livestock. It can be seeded into a 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 planting are generally well suited to these soils. Cultivation
to control competing vegetation should be continued for as many year as possible following
planting. Trees that are best suited and have good survival are Rocky Mountain juniper,
eastern red cedar, ponderosa pine, Siberian peashrub, and American plum.
Openland wildlife, such as pheasant, mourning dove, and cottontail are best suited to these
soils. Wildlife habitat development, including tree and shrub plantings and grass plantings to
serve as nesting areas, should be successful without irrigation during most years. Under
irrigation, good wildlife habitat can be established, benefiting many kinds of openland
wildlife.
The Wiley soil has only fair potential for urban and recreational development. Slow
permeability, moderate shrink-swell potential, and limited bearing capacity cause problems in
dwelling and road construction. The Colby soil has good potential for urban and recreational
development. Road design can be codified to compensate for the limited capacity of this soil
to support a load. Capability subclass Iie irrigated Tye nonirrigated.
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