Laserfiche WebLink
recurrent drought cycles in the 1950s and 1970s. Extreme to exceptional drought conditions have re-visited the <br /> area from 2002 to 2012, with brief interludes of near normal to normal precipitation years. Long-term effects of <br /> these latest drought events have yet to be determined. Growth of native cool-season plants begin about April 1 and <br /> continue to mid-June. Native warm-season plants begin growth about May 1 and continue to about August 15. <br /> Regrowth of cool-season plants occur in September in most years, depending on moisture. <br /> Note: The climate described here is based on historic climate station data in the past 30 to 50 years, and is <br /> averaged to provide an overview of annual precipitation, temperatures, and growing season. Future climate is <br /> beyond the scope of this document. However, research to determine the effects of elevated CO2 and/or heating on <br /> mixed-grass prairie ecosystems, and how it may relate to future plant communities (i.e. potential shifts in dominant <br /> and sub-dominant groups, changes in growing season length, responses of cool-season and warm-season <br /> grasses, etc.) is on-going. <br /> Table 3. Representative climatic features <br /> Frost-free period (average) 129 days <br /> Freeze-free period (average) 150 days <br /> Precipitation total (average) 16 in <br /> Climate stations used <br /> ■ (1) BRIGGSDALE [USC00050945], Briggsdale, CO <br /> ■ (2) NUNN [USC00056023], Nunn, CO <br /> ■ (3) CHEYENNE WELLS [USC00051564], Cheyenne Wells, CO <br /> ■ (4) FLAGLER 1S [USC00052932], Flagler, CO <br /> ■ (5) FT MORGAN [USC00053038], Fort Morgan, CO <br /> ■ (6) KIT CARSON [USC00054603], Kit Carson, CO <br /> ■ (7) SPRINGFIELD 7 WSW [USC00057866], Springfield, CO <br /> ■ (8) BRIGHTON 3 SE [USC00050950], Brighton, CO <br /> ■ (9) BYERS 5 ENE [USC00051179], Byers, CO <br /> ■ (10) GREELEY UNC [USC00053553], Greeley, CO <br /> ■ (11) LIMON WSMO [USW00093010], Limon, CO <br /> Influencing water features <br /> There is a seasonal water table that influences the kinds and amounts of vegetation on this site. The water table in <br /> some areas is anthropogenic, caused by seepage from nearby irrigation ditches, canals, and/or reservoirs. <br /> Wetland Description (Cowardin System) <br /> System Subsystem Class <br /> Palustrine N/A Emergent Wetland <br /> Note: This is not a wetland determination. <br /> Soil features <br /> The soils on this site are very deep, poorly to somewhat poorly drained soils that formed from alluvium. They <br /> typically have a slow to moderately rapid permeability class. The available water capacity is typically low, but <br /> ranges to moderate. Available water is the portion of water in a soil that can be readily absorbed by plant roots. This <br /> is the amount of water released between the field capacity and the permanent wilting point. As fineness of texture <br /> increases, there is a general increase in available moisture storage from sands to Ioams and silt Ioams. The high <br /> levels of salts decreases the available water capacity in these soils. The soil moisture regime is typically aquic, but <br /> may include oxyaquic. The soil temperature regime is mesic. <br /> The surface layer of the soils in this site are typically loam, clay loam, or fine sandy loam, but may include clay or <br /> sandy loam. The surface layer ranges from 4 to 10 inches thick. The subsoil is typically clay, clay loam, or loam, but <br />