WSP08184

• File Number: 8200.765
• Description: White River General
• State: CO
• Basin: Yampa/White
• Water Division: 6
• Date: 11/1/1966
• Author: USFS
• Title: Water and Related Land Resources - White River Basin in Colorado
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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demand for petroleum products. The largest known deposits of oil
shale in the world are located in western Colorado. They occur in
the Green River Formation which underlies the Piceance basin in Rio
Blanco and Garfield Counties. A succeeding section of this report
discusses in additional detail the oil shale development potential
and its probable impact.

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Soils
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The former systems of soil classification ] ~ followed in the United
States placed all soils in six categories. In descending sequence
the six were: order, suborder, great soil group, family, series,
and type. Great soil groups alone and in defined associations are
sometimes used as map units on general soil maps and that procedure
was followed in this report.

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In January 1965 a new classification system] was adopted for field
use by the Soil Conservation Service and agencies participating in
the National Cooperative Soil Survey. The new system retains six
categories but names and limits are different than those used in the
old system. For convenience of the reader, great soil group names
of the old and great group names of the new system are shown in
estimates of composition for each map unit on the general soil map
(following page). Readers requiring detailed information on character-
istics of the groups ~n9 an explanation of terminology should consult
recent publications. ~ ~

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By drawing lines around portions of land with similarities in soil,
relief, geology and vegetation it is possible to make a general soil
map of the Basin. The different kinds of soil are broadly associated
and form patterns which are repeated from place to place.

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A general soil map is useful to compare different parts of the Basin
or locate soil having general similarities and suitability. The broad
characteristics and relationships show in a general way the potential
of the soils for agricultural, industrial and commercial uses.

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] Baldwin, Mark, Kellogg, Charles E., and Thorp, James
"Soil Classification," USDA yearbook, 978 -1101, 1938.

~ Thorp, James T., and Smith, Guy D.
"Higher Categories of Soil Classification; Order, Suborder, and
Great Soil Groups." Soil Sci. 67:117-126, 1949.

] Soil Survey Staff, SCS, USDA
"Soil Classifi:::ation, a Comprehensive System 7th Approximation,"
1960 and as amended June 22, 1964.

lj Aandah1, Andrew R.
"The First Comprehensive Soil Classification System."
Journal of Soil and Water Conservation 20:243-246, 1965.

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