HomeMy WebLinkAbout20040107.tiff Banks and Gesso, LLC
Soils Report
Overview
Soils within the proposed permit area consist of four types including Altvan loam, Aquolls
and Aquents, Bankard sandy loam and Dacono clay loam. Refer to Vicinity Map for
mapped USDA soils.
Altvan loam (indicated as "1" on Vicinity Map) makes up the majority of the site. This soil
has 0- to 1-percent slopes and is deep and well drained. It is formed in old alluvium
deposited by major rivers, in this case, the South Platte River. The surface layer of
Altvan soils is typically grayish brown loam approximately 10-inches thick. The subsoil is
approximately 15-inches thick and consists of brown and light yellowish brown clay loam
and sandy clay loam. Permeability is moderate as is available water capacity. Effective
rooting depth is approximately 20 to 40 inches. Additionally, for Altvan soils, surface
runoff is slow and erosion hazard is low. Altvan soils are used almost exclusively for
irrigated crops and are well suited to corn, sugar beets, beans, alfalfa, small grain,
potatoes and onions (commonly grown crops for the area). It has a fair to good rating
potential for urban and recreational development, with the shrink-swell potential of the
subsoil and rapid permeability of the sand and gravel substratum being the main limiting
features (USDA, SCS).
Aquolls and Aquents (indicated as "3" on Vicinity Map) can be found in the western
portion of the site. This soil consists of gravely substratum and is deep and poorly
drained. It occurs on bottom lands and floodplains of major streams. Aquolls make up
approximately 60 percent of this unit and have a dark colored surface layer. Aquents
make up approximately 35 percent and have a lighter colored surface layer. The
remaining 5 percent consists of Aquepts and Bankard sandy loam. Most of the area is
subject to flooding. Additionally, these soils have a mottled, mildly alkaline to moderately
alkaline loamy or clayey surface layer and underlying material. They are underlain by
sand and gravel within 48 inches. Uses for this soil include rangeland and wildlife
habitat. Potential native vegetation is dominated by alkali sacaton, switchgrass and
western wheatgrass. Also predominate are saltgrass, sedge, rush and alkali bluegrass
(USDA, SCS).
Heit Sand and Gravel Mine 02044
SW Meadow, LLC C .--.^^^"
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2004-0107
Banks and Gesso, LLC
Bankard sandy loam (indicated as "10" on Vicinity Map) is also found in the western
portion of the site. This soil has 0- to 3- percent slopes and is deep and excessively
drained. It is formed in stratified recent alluvium along streams and rivers. The surface
layer is typically brown sandy loam approximately 4 inches thick. Underlying this is pale
brown calcareous sand stratified with thin lenses of sandy loam, loam and fine gravel to
an approximate depth of 60 inches. Permeability is moderately rapid and available
water capacity is low. Additionally, surface runoff and erosion hazard are low. Effective
rooting depth is approximately 60 inches plus. Bankard soils are suited to limited
cropping. It is also sandy and subject to flooding. Pasture is the best use for this soil.
Some of the most suitable crops include tall wheatgrass, tall fescue and annual
sweetclover. This soil is not suited to urban or recreational development as a result of
the flood hazard (USDA, SCS).
Dacono clay loam (indicated as "21" on Vicinity Map) makes up the northeastern portion
of the site. This soil has 0- to 1-percent slopes and is deep and well drained. It is
formed in mixed alluvium. The surface layer of Dacono soils is typically grayish brown
clay loam approximately 12-inches thick. The subsoil is approximately 15-inches thick
and consists of grayish brown clay loam. Permeability is moderately slow and available
water capacity is moderate. Effective rooting depth is approximately 20 to 40 inches.
Additionally, for Dacono soils, surface runoff is slow and erosion hazard is low. Dacono
soils are used almost exclusively for irrigated crops and are well suited to corn, sugar
beets, beans, alfalfa, small grain, potatoes and onions (commonly grown crops for the
area). It has fair potential for urban and recreational development, with moderate to high
shrink swell, low strength and moderately slow permeability of the soil, above the sand
and gravel substratum, being the limiting features (USDA, SCS).
lieit Sand and Gravel Mine 02044
SW Meadow,LLC February 2003
32
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