Laserfiche WebLink
- 7 - <br />An effective conservation program, based upon the use of land within its <br />capabilities and treatment in accordance with Ats needs, is now being <br />carried out by the Kiowa Soil Conservation District. This is basic to a <br />sound and continuing watershed protection program. The following prac- <br />tices and measures, only a part of the Kiowa District's program of complete <br />soil, water, and plant conservation, are to be emphasized because they <br />have a measurable effect on the reduction of floodwater and sediment <br />damages. <br />Pasture Land <br />The major phase of the land conservation job of the project area involves <br />the management and treatment of native, seeded, and wooded pasture land <br />of the watershed. Sixty -five hundred and forty -four acres of Class VI <br />and VII land now being farmed are to be seeded to adapted legumes and <br />grasses for permanent pasture. Thirty -two hundred and forty -six acres of <br />abandoned crop land and depleted range land are to be seeded to hasten <br />vegetative recovery. Furrowing or pitting is planned on 7,740 acres of <br />pasture land to spread and retard run -off water. One thousand, one -hun- <br />dred and fifty small erosion control structures (gully plugs, brush, and <br />rock dams, etc.) and 35 farm ponds are to be installed throughout the <br />watershed. As rapidly as is possible, management plans aimed at improv- <br />ing and maintaining good forage and land cover are to be developed and <br />put into operation on all the pasture land of the project area. <br />Cropland <br />r <br />Stubble mulch farming is the recommended method for handling all dry <br />cropland of the watershed. The use of feed and forage crops in the <br />rotation should be encouraged to provide roughage needed by the dairy <br />and beef stock herds and to provide cover to reduce wind and water <br />erosion. Contour farming, strip cropping, and stubble mulching are <br />planned for 4,000 acres of Class III and IV cropland. Sixty miles of <br />terraces, sixty miles of diversions, and 470 acres of grassed waterways <br />will be needed. As stated above, 6,544 acres of Class VI and VII land <br />will be retired from cultivation. <br />Woodland <br />Thinning, selective group and strip cutting, intra- planting, fire pro- <br />tection and grazing management are the principal practices to be used <br />on 10,000 acres of privately owned bunch grass - Ponderosa pine forest <br />` which occur in patches along the breaks and throughout the upper part of <br />the watershed. <br />OTHER MEASURES THAT DO NOT CONTRIBUTE DIRECTLY <br />TO FLOOD PREVENTION <br />These measures are a part of the normal conservation program being carried <br />out by the District. They do not have any measurable effect on the flood <br />prevention program but they are essential parts of the complete program <br />to restore this area to the highest practical level of productivity on a <br />sustained basis. <br />