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SOILS INFORMATION
<br />17 -Fort Collins loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes. This
<br />deep, well drained soil is on uplands. It formed in
<br />eolian silt and fine sand. The native vegetation is
<br />mainly grass. Elevation is 5,500 to 6,300 feet. The
<br />average annual precipitation is 12 to 16 inches, the
<br />average annual air temperature is 50 to 54 degrees F,
<br />and the average frost -free period is 125 to 150 days.
<br />Typically, the surface layer is grayish brown
<br />loam about 4 inches thick. The subsoil is clay loam
<br />about 19 inches thick. The substratum to a depth of
<br />60 inches or more is loam. The soil is neutral to a
<br />depth of 4 inches, mildly alkaline to a depth of 23
<br />inches, and moderately alkaline below that depth.
<br />Included in this unit is about 10 percent Baca
<br />loam in swales and drainageways.
<br />Permeability of this Fort Collins soil is moderate.
<br />Available water capacity is high. Effective rooting
<br />depth is 60 inches or more. Runoff is medium, and
<br />the hazard of water erosion is slight to moderate.
<br />This unit is used mainly as rangeland. It is also used
<br />as irrigated and nonirrigated cropland. Hay and
<br />pasture are the main irrigated crops. Wheat is the
<br />main nonirrigated crop.
<br />The potential plant community on this unit is
<br />mainly blue grauna. Other grasses that characterize the
<br />unit are western wheatgrass and sideoats grama. The
<br />average annual production of air -dry vegetation is
<br />about 1,000 pounds per acre. If the condition of the
<br />range deteriorates, three awn, cholla, prickly pear,
<br />and snakeweed increase. Range seeding is suitable if
<br />the range is in poor condition.
<br />This unit is well suited to irrigated hay and
<br />pasture. Irrigation water can be applied by
<br />corrugations and by flooding from contour ditches.
<br />Leveling helps to insure the uniform application of
<br />water. To avoid over irrigating and leaching of plant
<br />nutrients, applications of irrigation water should be
<br />adjusted to the available water capacity, the water
<br />intake rate, and the crop needs.
<br />Proper grazing practices, weed control, and
<br />fertilizer are needed to insure maximum quality of
<br />forage. If properly managed, this unit can produce 4.5
<br />tons of irrigated alfalfa hay per acre.
<br />In areas of nonirrigated cropland, control of soil
<br />blowing and conservation of moisture are important
<br />concerns. Because precipitation is not sufficient for
<br />annual cropping, a cropping system that includes
<br />small grain and summer fallow is most suitable. Soil
<br />blowing can be reduced by planting crops in alternate
<br />strips at right angles to the prevailing wind.
<br />Excessive cultivation can result in the formation
<br />of a tillage pan. This pan can be broken by subsoiling
<br />when the soil is dry. Crop residue left on or near the
<br />surface helps to conserve moisture, maintain tilth, and
<br />control erosion. With good management, this unit can
<br />produce 14 bushels per acre of wheat grown in a
<br />EXHIBIT 1 (CONT)
<br />wheat - fallow cropping system.
<br />This unit is well suited to windbreaks and
<br />environmental plantings. The hazard of soil blowing
<br />can be reduced by cultivating only in the tree rows
<br />and by leaving a strip of vegetation between the rows.
<br />Supplemental irrigation may be needed when planting
<br />and during dry periods. Among the trees that are
<br />suitable for planting are Russian -olive and Chinese
<br />elm. Among the shrubs are Siberian peashrub and
<br />lilac.
<br />This unit is well suited to homesite development.
<br />This map unit is in capability subclasses lie, irrigated,
<br />and IVe, nonirrigated. It is in Loamy Plains range
<br />site.
<br />62 -Otero sandy loam, 1 to 9 percent slopes. This
<br />deep, somewhat excessively drained soil is on
<br />uplands with low dune like relief. It formed in eolian
<br />sand. The native vegetation is mainly grass. Elevation
<br />is 5,500 to 6,300 feet. The average annual
<br />precipitation is 11 to 15 inches, the average annual air
<br />temperature is 50 to 54 degrees F, and the average
<br />frost -free period is 135 to 165 days. Typically, the
<br />surface layer is light brownish gray sandy loam about
<br />7 inches thick. The substratum to a depth of 60 inches
<br />or more is sandy loam. The soil is mildly alkaline to a
<br />depth of 7 inches and moderately alkaline below that
<br />depth. Included in this unit is about 20 percent Kim
<br />fine sandy loam in concave areas. Also included are
<br />small areas of Olney sandy loam in narrow
<br />drainageways.
<br />Permeability of this Otero soil is moderately rapid.
<br />Available water capacity is moderate. Effective
<br />rooting depth is 60 inches or more. Runoff is slow to
<br />medium, and the hazard of water erosion is slight to
<br />very high. The hazard of soil blowing is high.
<br />This unit is used as rangeland. The potential plant
<br />community on this unit is mainly sideoats grama,
<br />needleandthread, and little bluestem. Other grasses
<br />that characterize the unit are Indian ricegrass, blue
<br />grama, and thickspike wheatgrass. The average
<br />annual production of air -dry vegetation is about 1,400
<br />pounds per acre. If the condition of the range
<br />deteriorates, three awn, snakeweed, sand dropseed,
<br />yucca, and rabbit brush increase. Range seeding is
<br />suitable if the range is in poor condition. If this unit is
<br />used for windbreaks and environmental plantings, the
<br />main limitations are the droughtiness of the soil and
<br />the hazard of soil blowing in disturbed areas.
<br />This unit is well suited to homesite development.
<br />Revegetating disturbed areas around construction
<br />sites as soon as possible helps to control soil blowing.
<br />This map unit is in capability subclass Vie,
<br />nonirrigated. It is in Sandy Plains range site.
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