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Ecological Site Description WW <br /> Plants ESIS ESD FSGD ESI Forestland ESI Rangeland <br /> Data Access <br /> >Return to Reports Selection Screen United States Department of Agriculture <br /> Report Selection <br /> >General s Natural Resources Conservation Service <br /> >Physiographic Features <br /> >C ate Features <br /> >Waa ter Features Ecological Site Description <br /> >Soil Features <br /> >Plant Communities>Site Interpretations Section I: Ecological Site Characteristics <br /> >Supporting Information <br /> >Rangeland Heath Reference Sheet Ecological Site Identification and Concept <br /> Complete Report <br /> >HTML Printable Format <br /> Site Stage:Provisional <br /> Provisional:an ESD at the provisional status represents the lowest tier of documentation that is releasable to the public. It contains a grouping of soil <br /> units that respond similarly to ecological processes.The ESD contains 1)enough information to distinguish it from similar and associated ecological <br /> sites and 2)a draft state and transition model capturing the ecological processes and vegetative states and community phases as they are currently <br /> conceptualized.The provisional ESD has undergone both quality control and quality assurance protocols. It is expected that the provisional ESD will <br /> continue refinement towards an approved status. <br /> Site name:Sandy Plains <br /> l Eriogonum effusum/Bouteloua gracilis-Calamovilfa longifolia <br /> (/spreading buckwheat/blue grama-prairie sandreed) <br /> Site type:Rangeland <br /> Site ID:R067BY024CO <br /> Major land resource area(MLRA):06713-Central High Plains,Southern Part <br /> MLRA 67B,Eastern Colorado I <br /> MLRA 67B-Central High Plains,Southern Part is located in eastern Colorado.It is comprised of rolling plains and river valleys.Some <br /> canyonlands occur in the southeast portion.The major rivers are the South Platte and Arkansas which flow from the Rocky Mountains to <br /> Nebraska and Kansas.Other rivers in the MLRA include the Cache la Poudre and Republican.The rivers have many tributaries.This <br /> ecological site is traversed by I-25,I-70 and I-76,and U.S.Highways 50 and 287.Major land uses include 54%rangeland,35%cropland, <br /> and 2%pasture and hayland.Urban and developed open space,and miscellaneous land occupy approximately 9%of the remainder.Cities <br /> in this area include Fort Collins,Greeley,Sterling,and Denver.Other cities include Limon,Cheyenne Wells,and Springfield.Land <br /> ownership is mostly private.Federal lands include Pawnee and Comanche National Grasslands(U.S.Forest Service),Sand Creek <br /> Massacre National Historic Site(National Park Service),and Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge(U.S.Fish&Wildlife <br /> Service).State Parks include Cherry Creek and Chatfield Reservoirs,and Barr and Jackson Lakes. <br /> This region is periodically affected by severe drought,including the historic"Dust Bowl'of the 1930s.Dust storms may form during drought <br /> years,in windy periods.Elevations range from <br /> 3,400 to 6,000 feet.The Average annual precipitation ranges from 14-17 inches per year,and ranges from 13 inches to over 18 inches, <br /> depending on location.Precipitation occurs mostly during the growing season,often during rapidly developing thunderstorms.Mean annual <br /> air temperature(MAAT)is 48-52°F.Summer temperatures may exceed 100°F.Winter temperatures may be sub-zero,and snowfall varies <br /> from 20-40 inches per year.Snow cover frequently melts between snow events. <br /> 1of18 <br />