|
<br />Weld County, Colorado, Northern Part
<br />
<br />ponds. Included areas make up about 10 percent of the
<br />total acreage. .
<br />The soils in this unit are mottled, calcareous loamy
<br />sand to clay loam 60 inches thick or more. They are
<br />mildly alkaline to moderately alkaline.
<br />Permeability and available water capacity are variable.
<br />Effective rooting depth is limited by a seasonal high
<br />water table that is at a depth of 0 to 1 0 inches in spring
<br />and early in summer and at a depth of 10 to 40 inches
<br />during the rest of the year. Runoff is slow, and the
<br />hazard of water erosion is slight. The hazard of soil
<br />. blowing is slight. These soils are subject to flooding
<br />during prolonged, high intensity storms. Channeling and
<br />deposition are common along streambanks.
<br />This unit is used as rangeland and for wildlife habitat.
<br />The potential plant community on the Haplaquolls is
<br />mainly switchgrass, prairie cordgrass, big bluestem,
<br />indiangrass, western wheatgrass, slender wheatgrass,
<br />and sedges. The average annual production of air-dry
<br />vegetation ranges from 2,000 to 4,000 pounds. The
<br />potential plant community on the F1uvaquents is mainly
<br />alkali sacaton, switchgrass, and western wheatgrass. the
<br />average annual production of air-dry vegetation ranges
<br />from 1,000 to 3,000 pounds.
<br />Grazing should be delayed until the soils have drained
<br />sufficiently and are firm enough to withstand trampling by
<br />livestock. Management practices suitable for use on this
<br />unit are proper range use, deferred grazing, and rotation
<br />grazing. .
<br />This unit is poorly suited to windbreaks and
<br />environmental plantings. The main limitations are the
<br />seasonal high water table and periodic flooding.
<br />This map unit is in capability subclass Vlw,
<br />nonirrigated. The Haplaquolls are in Wet Meadow range
<br />site, and the Fluvaquents are in Salt Meadow range site.
<br />
<br />29-Haverson loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes. This
<br />deep, well drained soil is on flocd plains and adjacent
<br />stream terraces. It formed in stratified. calcareous, loamy
<br />alluvium.
<br />Typically, the surface layer is pale brown and light
<br />brownish gray loam 12 inches thick. The underlying
<br />material to a depth of 60 inches or more is very fine
<br />sandy loam and loam stratified with thin lenses cf sand,
<br />loamy sand, and clay loam. The soil is calcareous
<br />throughout.
<br />Included in this unit are small areas of Nunn loam and
<br />Nunn clay loam.
<br />Permeability of this Haverson soil is moderate.
<br />Available water capacity is high. Effective rocting depth
<br />is 60 inches or more. Runoff is slow to medium, and the
<br />hazard of water erosion is slight. The hazard of soil
<br />biowing is moderate. This soil is subject to brief periods
<br />of flooding in spring and summer.
<br />Most areas of this unit are used as rangeland. A few
<br />areas are used as nonirrigated cropland. Winter wheat is
<br />the main crop.
<br />The potential plant community on this unit is mainly
<br />westem wheatgrass, fourwing saltbush, switchgrass,
<br />
<br />25
<br />
<br />green needlegrass, and blue grama. The average annual
<br />production of air-dry vegetation ranges from 1,000 to
<br />3,500 pounds.
<br />If the range is overgrazed, the proportion of preferred
<br />forage plants decreases and the proportion of less
<br />preferred forage plants increases. Therefore, livestock
<br />grazing should be managed so that the desired balance
<br />of preferred species is maintained in the plant
<br />community. Range seeding is suitable if the range is in
<br />poor condition. The plants selected for seeding should
<br />meet the seasonal requirements of livestock or wildlife,
<br />or both. Other management practices that are suitable
<br />for use on this unit are proper range use, deferred
<br />grazing, and rotation grazing. If the plant cover is
<br />disturbed, protection from erosion is ~eeded. Loss of the
<br />surface layer results in a severe decrease in productivity
<br />and in the potential of the soil to produce plants suitable
<br />for grazing.
<br />This unit is suited to winter wheat, barley, oats, and
<br />sorghum. Because precipitation is not sufficient fer
<br />annual cropping, a cropping system that includes small
<br />grain and summer fallow is most suitable. Precipitation
<br />usually is too low for crops on this unit to make efficient
<br />use of fertilizer.
<br />Maintaining crop residue on or near the surface
<br />reduces soil blcwing and helps to maintain soil tilth and
<br />organic matter content. Stubble-mulch farming,
<br />stripcropping, and minimum tillage help to control erosion
<br />and conserve moisture. Terraces reduce runoff and the
<br />risk of erosion and help to conserve moisture.
<br />This unit is well suited to windbreaks and
<br />environmental plantings. It is limited mainly I:IY brief
<br />periods of flooding. Supplemental irrigation may be
<br />needed when planting and during dry periods.
<br />This map unit is in capability subclass IVe,
<br />nonirrigated, and in Overflow range site.
<br />
<br />30-Keith loam, 0 to 6 percent slopes. This deep,
<br />well drained soil is on slightly dissected plains, in swales,
<br />and on stream terraces. It formed in calcareous loamy
<br />alluvium.
<br />Typically, the surface layer is grayish brown loam 4
<br />inches thick. The subsoil is silt loam 16 inches thick. The
<br />substratum to a depth of 60 inches or more is silt loam.
<br />Included in this unit are small areas of Mitchell silt
<br />loam, Kim loam, Wages fine sandy loam, and Weld loam.
<br />Permeability of this Keith soil is moderate. Available
<br />water capacity is high. Effective rooting depth is 60
<br />inches or more. Runoff is slow, and the hazard of water
<br />erosion is slight to moderate. The hazard of soil blowing
<br />is slight.
<br />Most areas cf this unit are used as rangeland. A few
<br />areas are used as nonirrigated cropland. Winter wheat is
<br />the main crop.
<br />The potential plant community on this unit is mainly
<br />blue grama, western wheatgrass, sedges, and
<br />buffalograss. The average annual production of air-dry
<br />vegetation ranges from 500 to 1,500 pounds.
<br />
|