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" "~; The sandy loam soils are suitable for irrigation with some limitations. The coarse texture results in low waterholding capacity and moderately rapid to rapid permeability, This generally leads to low irrigation efficiencies under flood irrigation systems. The topography is nearly level to gently sloping with some microrelief. Land smoothing and leveling of this microrelief to facilitate more even distribution of water under border dike or contour ditch irrigation methods removes the topsoil from high spots and adds it to low areas. This increases soil variability as to waterholding capacity and productivity. ....:.{ ;,::1 < - ~~ ~> _';:l -"'", <.. The low waterhoJding capacity and moderately rapid to rapid permeability of the soils results in much of the water from the canals, ditches, and that applied to the field being lost through deep percolation. This waste water is retained or held up as a perched water table by the underlying shale. Buildup of a water table above the shale has created wet soils conditions generally with accompanying salinity and alkalinity. Drainage ditches have been installed to drain some areas, but other areas would benefit if drainage were improved or deep percolation reduced. :"'_1 ~-'1 .,..~ Water erosion on the irrigated lands is generally not a problem as the topography is nearly level to gently sloping, except for gullies developing from waste water runoff and from water breaking out of ditches. Wind erosion is a problem with a loamy fine sand, loamy sand, or fine sand surface if these soils are left unprotected during the critical wind erosion periods. ~}1 ;~:L, -'.'~ Fish and Wildlife Resources Although limited by seasonal low flows, lack of habitat, and poor water quality, the Big Sandy River from the Big Sandy Reservoir to the confluence of the Green River does support a relatively diverse fishery dominated by nongame species. The river supports substantial spawning and adult habitat for several nongame species including flannelmouth, bluehead, and white sucker; roundtail and Utah chub; redside shiner; speckled dace; mottled sculpin; and fathead minnow. ;11; .;.., The total number and percent composition of trout species appears to vary on a seasonal basis. However, according to the WGFD, the overall standing crop seems to remain relatively constant, averaging 8.3 lb/acre of trout. On the other hand, the productivity in the section of the river from the Gasson Bridge to its confluence with the Green River appears to be very poor at 0.84 lb/acre. It appears that the primary function of this reach of the river to the trout fishery is as a corridor for immigration and emigration from the Green River, probably to the Big Bend-Bone Draw area. 'iIi Streamside vegetation of the Big Sandy River consists primarily of grasses, sedges, and sagebrush. The development of good riparian vegetation such as willow, wild rose, and cottonwoods is limited by overgrazing, saline ground water, and bank instability. The river bottom is composed primarily of sand and silt with some shale and sandstone outcroppings. 2-14 , 1'-'''' "'I " ,:" .l4... ,,' ~ ~~