FLOOD03880

• County: Huerfano
• Basin: Arkansas
• Title: Soil Survey for Huerfano County Area
• Date: 7/1/1983
• Prepared For: Huerfano County
• Prepared By: USDA Soil Conservation Service
• Floodplain - Doc Type: Project

general soil map units

5

The general soil map at the back of this publication
shows broad areas that have a distinctive pattern of
soils. relief, and drainage. Each map unit on the general
soil map is a unique natural landscape. Typically, a map
unit consists of one or more major soils and some minor
soils. It is named for the major soils. The soils making up
one unit can occur in other units but in a different
pattern.
The general soil map can be used to compare the
suitability of large areas for general land uses. Areas of
suitable soils can be identified on the map. Likewise,
areas where the soils are not suitable can be identified.
Because of its small scale, the map is not suitable for
planning the management of a farm or field or for
selecting a site for a road or building or other structure.
The soils in anyone map unit differ from place to place
in slope, depth, drainage, and other characteristics that
affect management.
The 19 map units in this survey have been grouped
into 4 general kinds of landscape for broad interpretive
purposes. Each of the broad groups and the map units in
each group are described in the following pages.

soils on stream terraces, fans, and flood
plains

This group consists of two map units. It makes up
about 3 percent of the survey area. The soils in this
group are nearly level to gently sloping. The native
vegetation is mainly grass. Some trees are along stream
channels. Elevation is 5.500 to 8,600 feet. The average
annual precipitation is about 12 to 25 inches, the
average annual air temperature is 40 to 54 degrees F,
and the average frost-free season is 60 to 165 days.
The soils in this group are deep and are somewhat
poorly drained and well drained. They formed in alluvium
derived dominantly from sedimentary rock.
This group is used as rangeland and for irrigated hay
and pasture.

1. Haverson-Limon-Glenberg

Deep, well drained, nearly level to gently sloping soils;
on flood plains, alluvial fans, and low terraces

This map unit is along rivers. Slope is 0 to 3 percent.
The vegetation is mainly grass, but there are some
cottonwood and willow trees. Elevation is 5,500 to 7,500
feet. The average annual precipi1ation is about 12 to 16

inches, the average annual air temperature is 48 to 54
degrees F, and the average frost-free season is 100 to
165 days.
This unit makes up about 2 percent of the survey area.
It is about 20 percent Haverson soils, 20 percent Limon
soils, and 15 percent Glenberg soils. The remaining 45
percent is components of minor extent.
Haverson soils are nearly level to gently sloping and
are on flood plains and low terraces. These soils are
deep and well drained. They formed in alluvium derived
dominantly from sedimentary rock. The soils are
stratified and are medium textured throughout. They are
slightly affected by salt and alkali.
Limon soils are nearly level and are on flood plains
and alluvial fans. These soils are deep and well drained.
They formed in alluvium derived dominantly from clayey
shale. The soils are fine textured throughout. They are
slightly affected by salt and alkali.
. Glenberg soils are nearly level and are on flood plains.
These soils are deep and well drained. They formed in
alluvium dominantly from sedimentary rock. The soils are
moderately coarse textured throughout.
Of minor extent in this unit are poorly drained
Riverwash and Las Animas and Apishapa soils; well
drained, saline Manvel soils; and well drained Neville
soils.
This unit is used as rangeland and irrigated cropland.
If this unit is used for irrigated hay and pasture, the
main limitations are the slight salinity of the Haverson
soils and the slow permeability and slight salinity of the
Limon soils.
Wildlife such as antelope, mule deer, cottontail,
jackrabbit, and coyote inhabit this unit. Waterfowl inhabit
the bottom land along the Cucharas and Huerfano
Rivers. The wetness of the soils allows the production of
wetland plants that provide nesting areas and protective
cover. Areas used as cropland provide additional food,
and windbreaks and environmental plantings provide
additional cover.
This unit is poorly suited to homesite development.
The main limitation is the hazard of flooding.

2. Collegiate-Manzano

Deep, somewhat poorly drained and well drained, nearly
level to gently sloping soils; on flood plains and stream
terraces

This map unit is in the western part of the survey area.
Slope is 0 to 3 percent. The vegetation is mainly grass.