The URL can be used to link to this page

Browse Search

Home My WebLink About20091010 • • • SOILS REPORT Excerpts from the Soil Survey of Weld County, Southern Part [United States Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service(SCS) 1980] are provided on the following pages. Soils on the Morton Lakes site consist of Dacono Clay Loam, Colombo Clay Loam,Vona Sandy Loam,Aquolls and Aquents. These soils will be stripped during overburden removal and stockpiled. During reclamation, stockpiled topsoils will be used to reclaim the site. The Morton Lakes soils are primarily suited for pasture, rangeland and wildlife habitat. They are well suited to the establishment of grasses as proposed in the Reclamation Plan. If recommended by the SCS, soil samples will be tested to evaluate fertilizer requirements prior to reseeding. • • 2009-1010 • • • soil survey of Weld County, Colorado Southern Part • United States Department of Agriculture Soil Conservotion Service in cooperation with Colorado Agricultural Experiment Station • .. A7 oo 1 0 1 O rcr I 34 59 ee a 10 ez 3 1 Igf- , Morton Soil Types 47 3 - 68 48 1i. r3 3-Aquolls and Aquents157 I' 47 19 3 30 Geavelly Substratum 83 , 59 "� 36 ( 19 AA 21 19-Colombo Clay Loa 82 y' r .y;a 21-Dacono Clay Loam r -"I IL 3 ,o •3 �rn " �, 3 89 `. kr 1' 75-Vona Sandy Loam 82 + r> ' 83 59 l�s• , "" � ' 13 a° / 10 1 7e N. } 83 11 • 33 3 2 Hx I 83 82 �� d 3 i 10 & / 4 +:Z33 19 \ 4' " 79 82 83 ( • A \ 39 -- 34 3 -L\ 59 ¢ }I 1 3 1 3 _ 75 0 a j //�' 9 1 av } 8 / 7E 3 ]0 3 10 I "i 10 82 10 4D IreyNeha 33 10 s.` ;'.. 3 tom �Kk 94 14 , 13 0° ' / 18 t2v. 79 79 41 '� a - i _ l 24 .I ,�q+-. • A 9 3 I 68 1 67 enaNaysw 39 I 1 10 I 66 67 59 / 1 I0 82 ©\ fy •y,r kc l� 57 _. 42 .,--- 41 0 .b ,' -- Tom..— 8 ek��. 22 C re 1 42 1 v 0ls.. 10 4 } H SOIL SURVEY filter the leachate. Sewage lagoons require sealing. 60 percent of the unit. Aquents, which have a lighter Lawns, shrubs, and trees grow well. Capability subclass colored surface layer, make up about 35 percent. About 5 Its irrigated. percent is Aquepts and Bankard sandy loam. 2—Altvan loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes. This is a deep, These are deep, poorly drained soils that formed in well drained soil on terraces at elevations of 4,500 to 4,900 recent alluvium. No one pedon is typical. Commonly the feet. It formed in old alluvium deposited by the major soils have a mottled, mildly alkaline to moderately al- rivers. Included in mapping are small areas of soils that kaline loamy or clayey surface layer and underlying show evidence of poor drainage. Also included are small, material and are underlain by sand or sand and gravel long and narrow areas of sand and gravel deposits. within 48 inches. In places they have a gleyed layer in the Typically the surface layer of this Altvan soil is grayish underlying material. brown loam about 10 inches thick. The subsoil is brown Most of the acreage is subject to flooding. The water and light yellowish brown clay loam and sandy clay loam table is at or near the surface early in spring and recedes about 14 inches thick. The substratum is calcareous loamy to as deep as 48 inches late in fall in some years. sand about 5 inches thick over gravelly sand. These soils are used for rangeland and wildlife habitat. Permeability and available water capacity are Some small areas have been reclaimed by major drainage moderate. The effective rooting depth is 20 to 40 inches. and leveling and are used for irrigated crops. Surface runoff is medium, and the erosion hazard is low. The potential native vegetation is dominated by alkali This soil is used almost entirely for irrigated crops. It sacaton, switchgrass, and western wheatgrass. Saltgrass, is suited to all crops commonly grown in the area, includ- sedge, rush, and alkali bluegrass are also prominent. ing corn, sugar beets, beans, alfalfa, small grain, potatoes, Potential production ranges from 3,000 pounds per acre in and onions. An example of a suitable cropping system is 3 to 4 years of alfalfa followed by corn, corn for silage, favorable years to eter pounds in unfavorable years. As sugar beets, small grain, or beans. Land leveling, ditch range condition deteriorates, the swie and ss, alkali lining, and installing pipelines may be needed for proper sacaton, and western wheatgrass decrease and saltgrass, water application. sedge, and rush increase. All methods of irrigation are suitable, but furrow ir- Management of vegetation should be based on taking rigation is the most common. Barnyard manure and com- half and leaving half of the total annual production. Seed- mercial fertilizer are needed for top yields. ing is difficult and costly because numerous tillage prac- Windbreaks and environmental plantins of trees and tices are required to eliminate the saltgrass sod. • shrubs commonly grown in the area are generally well Switchgrass, western wheatgrass, alkali sacaton, tall suited to this soil. Cultivation to control competing wheatgrass, and tall fescue are suitable for seeding. They vegetation should be continued for as many years as can be seeded into a clean, firm seedbed. Seedbed possible following planting. Trees that are best suited and preparation usually requires more than 1 year to have good survival are Rocky Mountain juniper, eastern eliminate the saltgrass sod. A grass drill should be used. redcedar, ponderosa pine, Siberian elm, Russian-olive, and Seeding early in spring has proven most successful. hackberry. The shrubs best suited are skunkbush sumac, Wetland wildlife, especially waterfowl, utilize this unit. lilac, Siberian peashrub,and American plum. The wetland plants provide nesting and protective cover, This soil can produce habitat elements that are highly as well as some food. The nearby irrigated cropland, suitable for openland wildlife including pheasant, cotton- where wildlife obtain much of their food and find protec- tail, and mourning dove. Such crops as wheat, corn, and tive cover, makes this unit valuable to both wetland and alfalfa provide suitable habitat for openland wildlife, openland wildlife. especially pheasant. Tree and shrub plantings and Openland wildlife, especially pheasant, use this unit for undisturbed nesting cover would enhance openland wil- cover and nesting. Deer fmd excellent cover in some dlife populations. areas. This Altvan soil has fair to good potential for urban These valuable wildlife areas should be protected from and recreational development. The chief limiting soil fea- fire and fenced to prevent encroachment and overuse by tures for urban development are the shrink-swell poten- livestock. They should not be drained. tial of the subsoil as it wets and dries and the rapid These soils have good potential as a source of sand and permeability of the sand and gravel substratum. Septic gravel. Capability subclass VIw; Salt Meadow range site. tank absorption fields function properly, but in places the 4—Aquolls and Aquepts, flooded. This nearly level substratum does not contain enough fines to properly map unit is in depressions in smooth plains and along the filter the leachate. Sewage lagoons require sealing. bottoms of natural drainageways throughout the survey Lawns, shrubs, and trees grow well. Capability subclass area. Aquolls, which have a dark colored surface layer, Ile irrigated. make up about 55 percent of the unit. Aquepts, which 3—Aquolls and Aquents, gravelly substratum. This have a lighter colored surface layer, make up about 25 nearly level map unit is on bottom lands and flood plains percent. About 20 percent is soils that are well drained of all the major streams in the survey area. Aquolls, and soils that have sandstone or shale within 48 inches of 0 which have a dark colored surface layer, make up about the surface. • • 16 SOIL SURVEY management is needed if livestock and wildlife share the ments of livestock. It can be seeded into a clean, firm • range. Livestock watering facilities also are utilized by sorghum stubble, or it can be drilled into a firm prepared various wildlife species. seedbed. Plowing and drilling should be on the contour to This soil has good potential for urban and recreational minimize runoff and soil losses. Seeding early in spring developments. Road design can be modified to compen- has proven most successsful. Capability subclass IVe sate for the limited capacity of this soil to support a load. nonirrigated; Colby soil in Loamy Slopes range site, Capability subclass IVe irrigated, VIe nonirrigated; Adena soil in Loamy Plains range site. Loamy Slopes range site. 19—Colombo clay loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes. This is 18—Colby-Adena foams, 3 to 9 percent slopes. These a deep, well drained soil on flood plains and terraces at gently sloping to moderately sloping soils are on plains, elevations of 4,600 to 4,780 feet. It formed in stratified hills, and ridges at elevations of 4,750 to 4,900 feet. The calcareous alluvium. Included in mapping are small areas Colby soil, which makes up about 55 percent of the map of soils that have a loam surface layer and some small unit, occupies the steeper, convex parts of the landscape. leveled areas. The Adena soil, about 30 percent of the unit, occupies the Typically the surface layer of this Colombo soil is dark less steep, slightly concave parts. About 15 percent is grayish brown clay loam about 14 inches thick. The upper Kim loam and Weld loam. 7 inches of the underlying material is pale brown The Colby soil is deep and well drained. It formed in stratified clay loam and loam. The lower part to a depth calcareous eolian deposits. Typically the surface layer is of 60 inches is very pale brown loam stratified with thin pale brown loam about 7 inches thick. The underlying lenses of fine sand, medium sand, and clay loam. material to a depth of 60 inches is very pale brown silt Permeability is moderate. Available water capacity is loam. high. The effective rooting depth is 60 inches or more. Permeability is moderate. Available water capacity is Surface runoff is slow,and the erosion hazard is low. high. The effective rooting depth is 60 inches or more. In irrigated areas this soil is suited to crops commonly Surface runoff is rapid, and the erosion hazard is high. grown in the area, such as corn, sugar beets, beans, alfal- The Adena soil also is deep and well drained and fa, onions, and potatoes. formed in calcareous eolian deposits. Typically the surface All methods of irrigation that are common to the area layer is brown loam about 6 inches thick. The subsoil is are used. Borders are suitable for small grain, alfalfa, and brown and very pale brown clay loam about 3 inches pasture. Furrow irrigation is used for row crops. Crops thick. The substratum to a depth of 60 inches is very pale respond to application of nitrogen and phosphorus. brown silt loam. Windbreaks and environmental plantings of trees and Permeability is slow. Available water capacity is high. shrubs commonly grown in the area are generally well • The effective rooting depth is 60 inches or more. Surface suited to this soil. Cultivation to control competing runoff is medium, and the erosion hazard is moderate. vegetation should be continued for as many years as This unit is used for nonirrigated cropland and range- possible following planting. Trees that are best suited and land. It is suited to winter wheat, barley, and sorghum. have good survival are Rocky Mountain juniper, eastern Most of the acreage is planted to winter wheat and is redcedar, ponderosa pine, Siberian elm, Russian-olive, and summer fallowed in alternate years to allow moisture ac- hackberry. The shrubs best suited are skunkbush sumac, cumulation. Generally precipitation is too low for benefi- lilac, Siberian peashrub, and American plum. cial use of fertilizer. Wildlife is an important secondary use of this soil. Stubble mulch farming, striperopping, and minimum til- Ring-necked pheasant, mourning dove, and many non- lage are needed to control soil blowing and water erosion. game species can be attracted by establishing areas for Terracing also may be needed to control water erosion. nesting and escape cover. For pheasants, undisturbed The potential native vegetation on this unit is nesting cover is essential and should be included in plans dominated by blue grama. Sideoats grama, little bluestem, for habitat development, especially in areas of intensive and western wheatgrass are also prominent. Potential agriculture. production ranges from 1,800 pounds per acre in favora- Where this soil is on flood plains and is susceptible to ble years to 1,100 pounds in unfavorable years. As range flooding it has poor potential for urban and recreational condition deteriorates, the sideoats grama and little development. On the higher terraces the potential is fair. bluestem decrease, forage production drops, and blue Dwelling and road designs need to be modified to in- grama, buffalograss, and several perennial forbs and crease the capacity of the soil to support a load and to shrubs increase. Undesirable weeds and annuals invade protect it against frost action. Capability subclass IIw ir- the site as range condition becomes poorer. rigated. Management should be based on taking half and leaving 20—Colombo clay loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes. This is half of the total annual production. Seeding is desirable if a deep, well drained soil on flood plains and terraces at the range is in poor condition. Sideoats grama, little elevations of 4,600 and 4,780 feet. It formed in stratified bluestem, western wheatgrass, bluegrama, pubescent calcareous alluvium. Included in mapping are small areas wheatgrass, and crested wheatgrass are suitable for seed- of soils that have a loam surface layer. Some small ing. The grass selected should meet the seasonal require- leveled areas are also included. • WELD COUNTY, COLORADO, SOUTHERN PART 17 Typically the surface layer of this Colombo soil is dark Wildlife is an important secondary use of this soil. The .sh brown clay loam about 14 inches thick. The upper cropland areas provide favorable habitat for ring-necked ches of the underlying material is pale brown pheasant and mourning dove. Many nongame species can stratified clay loam and loam. The lower part to a depth be attracted by establishing areas for nesting and escape of 60 inches is very pale brown loam stratified with thin cover. For pheasants, undisturbed nesting cover is essen- lenses of fine sand, medium sand, and clay loam. tial and should be included in plans for habitat develop- Permeability is moderate. Available water capacity is ment, especially in areas of intensive agriculture. Range- high. The effective rooting depth is 60 inches or more. land wildlife, for example, the pronghorn antelope, can be Surface runoff is medium, and the erosion hazard is low. attracted by developing livestock watering facilities, In irrigated areas this soil is suited to all crops com- managing livestock grazing, and reseeding where needed. monly grown in the area, including corn, sugar beets, Where this soil is on flood plains and is susceptible to beans, alfalfa, small grain, potatoes, and onions. An exam- flooding, it has poor potential for urban and recreational ple of a suitable cropping system is 3 to 4 years of alfalfa development. On the higher terraces, potential is fair. followed by corn, corn for silage, sugar beets, small grain, Dwelling and road designs may need to be modified to compensate for the limited capacity of this soil to support or beans. Land leveling, ditch lining, and installing a load and to protect it against frost action. Capability pipelines may be needed for proper water application. All methods of irrigation are suitable, but furrow ir- subclass IIe irrigated, Me nonirrigated; Clayey Plains range site. rigation is the most common. Barnyard manure and com- 21—Dacono clay loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes. This is a mercial fertilizer are needed for top yields. deep, well drained soil on terraces at elevations of 4,550 In nonirrigated areas this soil is well suited to winter to 4,970 feet. It formed in mixed alluvium. Included in wheat, barley, and sorghum if it is summer fallowed in al- mapping are small, long and narrow areas of sand and ternate years. Winter wheat is the principal crop. The gravel deposits and some small leveled areas. predicted average yield is 33 bushels per acre. If the crop Typically the surface layer of this Dacono soil is gray- is winterkilled, spring wheat can be seeded. Generally ish brown clay loam about 12 inches thick. The subsoil is precipitation is too low for beneficial use of fertilizer. grayish brown clay loam about 15 inches thick. The sub- Stubble mulch farming, striperopping, and minimum til- stratum is very gravelly sand. lage are needed to control soil blowing and water erosion. Permeability is moderately slow. Available water Terracing also may be needed to control water erosion. capacity is moderate. The effective rooting depth is 20 to The potential native vegetation is dominated by 40 inches. Surface runoff is slow, and the erosion hazard stern wheatgrass. Blue grama, switchgrass, sand is low. s, big bluestem, slender wheatgrass, indiangrass, This soil is used almost entirely for irrigated crops. It green needlegrass are also present. Potential produc- is suited to all crops commonly grown in the area, includ- tion ranges from 1,000 pounds per acre in favorable years ing corn, sugar beets, beans, alfalfa, small grain, potatoes, to 600 pounds in unfavorable years. As range condition and onions. An example of a suitable cropping system is 3 deteriorates, the tall grasses decrease, blue grama and to 4 years of alfalfa followed by corn, corn for silage, laffalograss increase, and forage production drops. Un- sugar beets, small grain, or beans. Generally, such charac- desirable weeds and annuals invade the site and erosion teristics as a high clay content or a rapidly permeable an occur as range condition becomes poorer. substratum slightly restrict some crops. Management of vegetation on this soil should be based All methods of irrigation are suitable, but furrow ir- ma taking half and leaving half of the total annual produc- rigation is the most common. Proper irrigation water em Seeding is desirable if the range is in poor condition. management is essential. Barnyard manure and commer- Western wheatgrass, switchgrass, sand reedgrass, eial fertilizer are needed for top yields. i aeoats grama, pubescent wheatgrass, intermediate Windbreaks and environmental plantings of trees and !irheatgrass, and blue grama are suitable for seeding. The shrubs commonly grown in the area are generally well selected should meet the seasonal requirements of suited to this soil. Cultivation to control competing ock. It can be seeded into a firm prepared seedbed. vegetation should be continued for as many years as 4. grass drill should be used. Seeding early in spring has possible following planting. Trees that are best suited and have good survival are Rocky Mountain juniper, eastern 'en most successful. redcedar, ponderosa pine, Siberian elm, Russian-olive, and `. Windbreaks and environmental plantings of trees and hackberry. The shrubs best suited are skunkbush sumac, sibs commonly grown in the area are generally well lilac, Siberian peashrub, and American plum. e+i to this soil. Cultivation to control competing Openland wildlife, such as pheasant, mourning dove, fiction should be continued for as many years as and cottontail are best suited to this soil. Wildlife habitat -ale following planting. Trees that are best suited and development, including tree and shrub plantings and .e good survival are Rocky Mountain juniper, eastern grass plantings to serve as nesting areas, should be soc- ial., ponderosa pine, Siberian elm, Russian-olive, and cessful without irrigation during most years. Under ir- rrv. The shrubs best suited are skunkbush sumac, rigation, good wildlife habitat can be established, benefit- Siberian peashrub, and American plum. ing, many kinds of openland wildlife. 8 • • 48 SOIL SURVEY Management of vegetation on this soil should be based Windbreaks and environmental plantings are general] • on taking half and leaving half of the total annual produc- suited to this soil. Soil blowing, the principal hazard i tion. Seeding is desirable if the range is in poor condition. establishing trees and shrubs, can be controlled by cu Sand bluestem, sand reedgrass, switchgrass, sideoats tivating only in the tree row and by leaving a strip i grama, blue grama, pubescent wheatgrass, and crested vegetation between the rows. Supplemental irrigatic wheatgrass are suitable for seeding. The grass selected may be necessary at the time of planting and during ti should meet the seasonal requirements of livestock. It can dry periods. Trees that are best suited and have goc be seeded into a clean, firm sorghum stubble, or it can be survival are Rocky Mountain juniper, eastern redceda drilled into a firm prepared seedbed. Seeding early in ponderosa pine, Siberian elm, Russian-olive, and hackbe spring has proven most successful. ry. The shrubs best suited are skunkbush sumac, lilac, ar Windbreaks and environmental plantings are fairly well Siberian peashrub. suited to this soil. Blowing sand and low available water Wildlife is an important secondary use of this so capacity are the principal hazards in establishing trees Ring-necked pheasant, mourning dove, and many no'. and shrubs. This soil is so loose that trees should be game species can be attracted by establishing areas fi planted in shallow furrows and vegetation maintained nesting and escape cover. For pheasants, undisturbc nesting cover is essential and should be included in plar between the rows. Supplemental irrigation may be needed to insure survival. Trees that are best suited and have for habitat development, especially in areas of intensi� good survival are Rocky Mountain juniper, eastern agriculture. redcedar, ponderosa pine, and Siberian elm. The shrubs This soil has good potential for urban and recreation best suited are skunkbush sumac, lilac, and Siberian development. Lawns, shrubs, and trees grow well. Tl only limiting feature is the rapid permeability in the su peashrub. Wildlife is an important secondary use of this soil. Ran- from sewage lagoons. Capability subclass I. stratum, which causes a hazard of ground water co'. geland wildlife, for example, the pronghorn antelope, can be attracted by developing livestock watering facilities, irrigated. 76—Vona sandy loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes. This is managing livestock grazing, and reseeding where needed. This soil has good potential for urban and recreational deep, well drain •ed soil on plains and high terraces elevations of 4,600 to 5,200 feet. It formed in eolian ar development. Once established, the lawns, shrubs, and alluvial deposits. Included in mapping are some levek trees grow well. The primary limiting soil feature is the areas. Also included are small areas of soils that have rapid permeability in the substratum, which causes a • hazard of loamy substratum and areas of soils that are noncalcar ground water contamination from sewage ous to a depth of 60 inches. lagoons. In places recreational development is limited by Typically the surface layer of this Vona soil is grayi: the susceptibility to soil blowing. Capability subclass VIe brown sandy loam about 10 inches thick. The subsoil irrigated, VIe nonirrigated; Sandy Plains range site. brown fine sandy loam about 18 inches thick. The su 75—Vona sandy loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes. This is a stratum to a depth of 60 inches is sandy loam. deep, well drained soil on high terraces at elevations of Permeability is moderately rapid. Available wat, 4,650 to 4,950 feet. It formed in alluvial deposits. Included capacity is moderate. The effective rooting depth is 1 in mapping are some leveled areas and small areas of inches or more. Surface runoff is slow, and the erosic soils that have a loamy substratum. hazard is low. Typically the surface layer of this Vona soil is grayish In irrigated areas this soil is suited to all crops cot brown sandy loam about 10 inches thick. The subsoil is monly grown in the area, including corn, sugar beet brown fine sandy loam about 20 inches thick. The sub- beans, alfalfa, small grain, and onions. An example of stratum to a depth of 60 inches is sandy loam. suitable cropping system is 3 to 4 years of alfalfa lc Permeability is moderately rapid. Available water lowed by corn, corn for silage, sugar beets, small grain, capacity is moderate. The effective rooting depth is 60 beans. Land leveling, ditch lining, and installing pipelin inches or more. Surface runoff is slow, and the erosion are needed for proper water applications. hazard is low. All methods of irrigation are suitable, but furrow i This soil is used almost entirely for irrigated crops. It rigation is the most common. Barnyard manure and cot is suited to all crops commonly grown in the area, includ- mercial fertilizer are needed for top yields. ing corn, sugar beets, beans, alfalfa (fig. 7), small grain, Windbreaks and environmental plantings are general potatoes, and onions. An example of a suitable cropping suited to this soil. Soil blowing, the principal hazard system is 3 to 4 years of alfalfa followed by corn, corn for establishing trees and shrubs, can be controlled by ct silage, sugar beets, small grain, or beans. The rapidly tivating only in the tree row and by leaving a strip permeable substratum slightly restricts some crops. vegetation between the rows. Supplemental irrigatii All methods of irrigation are suitable, but furrow ir- may be necessary at the time of planting and during dl rigation is the most common. Proper irrigation manage- periods. Trees that are best suited and have good surviv ment is essential. Barnyard manure and commercial fertil- are Rocky Mountain juniper, eastern redcedar, pondero. izer are needed for top yields. pine, Siberian elm, Russian-olive, and hackberry. TI • Hello