WSP00945

• File Number: 8442.400
• Description: Missouri Basin - Pick Sloan Project - Reports
• State: CO
• Basin: South Platte
• Water Division: 1
• Date: 2/28/1985
• Author: DoI, BoR
• Title: Lake Andes - Wagner Unit Planning Report / draft Enviromental Statement
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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water without any detriment to the soils or the crops growing on them. The

electrical conductivity of the saturation extract will not exceed 4 millimhos

per centimeter on most arable lands when these lands are at equilibrium

with the proposed irrigation water of the Missouri River.

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Land Classification

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Of the 98,275.4 acres surveyed between 1981-84, current figures indicate

75,319.3 acres would be arable. About 45,000 of these acres are considered

irrigab1e and included in the Preferred Plan.

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The land classification work was done to separate arable land from
nonarab1e land and to divide the arable lands into Classes 1, 2, and 3.
This is an economic classification in which the physical differences in
land reflect dollar differences in net income. The combined effect of soil
texture, soil structure, permeability, depth, salinity, alkalinity, slope,
undulations, drainage, cover, stoniness, and field size are some of the
major factors considered in arriving at a land class. Land classes are
defined in terms of family income and payment capacity.

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Arable land is land which, when farmed in adequate size units for the pre-

vailing climatic and economic setting and provided with the essential

onfarm improvements of removing vegetation and other cover, leveling, soil

reclamation, drainage, and irrigation-related facilities, will generate

sufficient income under irrigation to pay all farm production expenses;

provide a reasonable return to the farm family's labor, management, and

capital; and at least pay the operation, maintenance, and replacement costs

of associated project irrigation and drainage facilities. The arable area

comprises all land delineated in the land classification that will provide

sufficient income to warrant consideration for irrigation development.

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