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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The unit encompasses steep slopes, canyons, and rocky ledges bordering
the White River and tributary intermittent streams. The deeply cut,
narrow drainageways are separated at frequent intervals by higher
lying uplands and mesas. Shale outcrops and badlands oCGUPY many
lower slopes. Slope gradients are generally 10 to 70 percent but
gradients of less than 5 percent are common on alluvial fans, bottom-
lands and mesas.

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Most of unit 2 is at an elevation of between 5,200 and 6,200 feet.
Climate in this unit is somewhat similar to that at Range1y with a
mean annual precipitation estimated at 8 to 12 inches. Mean annual
temperature is about 470 F. and the frost-free period is from 90 to
l24 days.

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Soil parent materials are primarily sandstones and
material from residual beds. Gravelly, calcareous
eolian deposits cap mesas and some upland ridges.
recent alluvium are of minor extent.

shales or reworked
outwash, and local
Soils forming in

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Surface soils are light colored, thin and usually calcareous. Unit 2
has more stony surface soils and associated rock outcrop than are present
in unit 1. Conspicuous rock ledges along Raven Ridge northwest of
Rangely, are representative. Surface textures of soils forming from
sandstone are usually stony or gravelly sandy loarns while clay and
clay loam textures are common for shale derived soils. Subsoils range
from sandy loam to clay in texture. Over most of the area, underlying
sandstone or shale beds are within 20 inches of the surface and plant
rooting depths are restricted.

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Composition of unit 2 by Great Soil Groups, except for Regosols that
are included with the zonal soils and land types, is estimated as
follows:

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Percent

1949 Great Soil Group

1965 Great Group, Subgroup
or Family

Haplorthents
(Lithic 30%)
(Thin 30%)

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60

Lithosols
(Sandstone 30%)
(Shale 30%)

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25

Desert and Sierozem soils

Haplargids and Camborthids

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5

Alluvial soils

Haplorthents

10

.Land types
(Rock outcrop 5%)
(Shale badlands 5%)

Land types
(Rock outcrop 5%)
(Shale badlands 5%)

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