2021-07-19_PERMIT FILE - M1987131

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6.4.9 Exhibit I Soils information a) Soils information: The following information was obtained from the USDA Soil Conservation Service. 49- Kim loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes. This deep, well-drained soil is on the plains and fan terraces. It formed in alluvium and eolian fine sands and silt. The native vegetation is mainly grasses. Elevation is 5,200 to 5,500 feet. The average annual precipitation is 11 to 13 inches, the average annual air temperature is 51 to 53 degrees F, and the average frost-free period is 150 to 170 days. Typically, the surface layer is pale brown load about 3 inches thick. The substratum to a depth of 60 inches or more is loam. The soil is moderately alkaline. Included in this unit is about 5 percent Otero soil is sandy loam throughout and the Cascajo soil is mainly sand and gravel. Permeability of this Kim soil moderate. Available water capacity is high. Effective rooting depth is 60 inches or more. Runoff is medium to very rapid, and the hazard of water erosion is moderate to very high. Most areas of this unit are used for rangeland. A few areas are used for irrigated cropland. Hay and pasture are the main irrigated crops. A minor crop is corn for silage. The potential plant community on this unit is mainly blue grama, western wheatgrass, and sideoats grama. The average annual production of air-dry vegetation is about 800 pounds per acre. If condition of the range deteriorates, red threeawn, ring muhly, pricklypear, and broom snakeweed increase. Range seeding is suitable if the range is in poor condition. If this unit is used for irrigated crops, the main limitation is potential for soil erosion. Seedbed preparation should be on the contour or across the slope where practical. If furrow or corrugation irrigation systems are used, runs should be on the contour or across the slope. Irrigation water can be applied by furrow, corrugation, sprinklers, or flooding from contour ditches. Leveling helps to insure the uniform application of water. Irrigation water needs to be applied at a rate that ensures optimum production without increasing deep percolation, runoff, and erosion. Nonleguminous crops respond to nitrogen and phosphorus, and leguminous crops respond to phosphorus. Proper stocking rates, pasture rotation, and restricted grazing during wet periods help to keep the pasture in good condition and to protect the soil from erosion. If properly managed, this unit can produce 3.5 tons of irrigated alfalfa hay per acre. The unit is well suited to homesite development. This map unit is capability subclass Ille, irrigated, and Vie, non-irrigated. It is in the Loamy Plains #6 range site.