2017-05-16_PERMIT FILE - M2017009 (3)

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14 SOIL SURVEY Efficient use ,of irrigation water and fertility main- 3—Alda loam. This is a deep, somewhat poorly drained tenance are the main concerns of management in ir- soil on lour terraces and bottomlands. It formed in cal- rigated areas. Irrigation methods suitable are furrows or careous, stratified, loamy alluvium overlying mottled sand borders, depending on the crop. Land leveling and good and gravel deposited by the South Platte River. The irrigation water management are needed for uniform ap- average annual precipitation ranges from 13 to 19 inches. plication and efficient use of water. Short irrigation runs Slopes are nearly level. and more frequent irrigations are needed on this soil Included in this unit are small areas of Loveland loam, because of the depth to the underlying sand and gravel Aida sandy loam and Westplain silty clay loam. The West- and the sandy loam surface layer. Incorporating crop plain soil is in swale and low lying areas. In leveled areas residues reduces soil blowing and improves soil tilth. Ap- exposures of the underlying sand and gravel are common. plications of manure and commercial fertilizer containing Typically the surface layer is dark grayish brown loam nitrogen and phosphorus are important to maintain fertili- about 10 inches thick. The underlying layer is stratified tY. light brownish gray and light gray, calcareous loam and Rangeland vegetation consists mainly of sand bluestem, fine sandy loam. It is mottled in the lower part and is little bluestem, sand reedgrass, switchgrass, indiangrass, about 14 inches thick over mottled coarse sand and gravel prairie cordgrass, western wheatgrass and sedge. Key that extends to 60 inches or more. forage grasses need to be maintained by proper grazing Permeability is moderate. Effective rooting depth is 60 use and planned grazing systems that include deferment inches or more. Available water capacity is moderate. during the growing season at well-timed intervals. These Surface runoff is slow, and the erosion hazard is slight. A soils can be seeded to rangeland species or adapted in- fluctuating water table occurs between 20 and 40 inches troduced grasses such as tall wheatgrass. Fencing and during the winter and spring months. This soil is subject livestock water developments are effective in obtaining to occasional flooding during late spring and early more uniform distribution of grazing. summer months. Windbreaks and environmental plantings are generally This soil is used mainly as irrigated cropland. Small well suited to this soil. The high water table and abun- areas are used for grazing. Alfalfa, corn, sugar beets and dant competing vegetation are the principal concerns in small grains are the principal crops grown. establishing tree and shrub plantings. Special care con- Efficient use of irrigation water and fertility main- sisting of summer fallow, continued cultivation for weed tenance are the main concerns of management in ir- control, and selection of water tolerant plants is needed to rigated areas. Irrigation methods suitable are furrows or insure establishment and survival of plantings. Trees best borders, depending on the crops. Land leveling and irriga- suited and having good survival are plains cottonwood, tion water management are needed for uniform applica- golden willow, Colorado blue spruce, Rocky Mountain ju- tion and efficient use of water. Short irrigation runs and niper and eastern redcedar. Shrubs best suited are Amer- frequent irrigations are needed on this soil because of the ican plum, purple willow, common chokecherry and redosi- depth to underlying sand and gravel. Incorporating er dogwood. Po g crop This is an important soil for wildlife because of its in- residues reduces soil loss and improves soil tilth. Applica- tensive use for cropland and its position in relation to the tions of manure and commercial fertilizer containing bottomlands of the South Platte River. Its primary value nitrogen and phosphorus are important to maintain fertili- for wildlife species lies in the food it produces, that wil- ty* dlife utilize while using the riverbottom areas for cover. Rangeland vegetation consists mainly of sand bluestem, Wildlife utilizing this soil include mule and white-tailed little bluestem, sand reedgrass, switchgrass, indiangrass, deer, bobwhite, ducks, geese, and miscellaneous nongame Prairie cordgrass, western wheatgrass and sedge. Key species. Wildlife habitat can be provided and improved on forage grasses need to be maintained by proper grazing this soil by tree and shrub plantings, planting grasses and use and planned grazing use that includes deferment dur- legumes for undisturbed nesting cover, and providing wil- ing the growing season at well-timed intervals. These dlife travel lanes from riverbottom areas to cropland or soils can be seeded to rangeland species or adapted in- feeding areas. Shallow water wetland areas can be troduced grasses such as tall wheatgrass. Fencing and developed with irrigation water. livestock water developments are effective in obtaining Where areas are used for homesites and other urban uniform distribution of grazing. development, the primary limiting soil feature is a water Windbreaks and environmental plantings are generally table at 20 to 40 inches. Special sewage systems must be well suited to this soil. The high water table and abun- anticipated. Septic tank absorption fields will not function dant competing vegetation are the principal concerns in properly because of the high water table. If sewage establishing tree and shrub plantings. Special care con- lagoons are used they must have special designs to com- sisting of summer fallow, continued cultivation for weed pensate for seepage. In homesite and urban development control, and selection of water tolerant plants is needed to construction, compensating measures are needed to offset insure establishment and survival of plantings. Trees best the high water table. Road designs are needed that will suited and having good survival are plains cottonwood, take into account the frost action of the soil. Capability golden willow, Colorado blue spruce, Rocky Mountain ju- subclass IIIw nonirrigated, IIIw irrigated. niper and eastern redcedar. Shrubs best suited are Amer-