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1? 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 SOIL SURVEY This soil has good potential for urban and recreational development. Increased population growth in the survey azea has resulted in increased homesite construction. The chief limiting soil features for urban development are the shrink-swell potential of the subsoil as it wets and dries and the limited ability of this soil to support a load. Septic tank absorption fields function properly, but community sewage systems should be provided if the population den- sity increases. Because of the moderately rapid permea- bility of the substratum, sewage lagoons must be sealed. Lawns, shrubs, and trees grow well. Capability subclass IIe irrigated. 10-Bankard sandy loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes. This is a deep, somewhat excessively drained soil on flood plains at elevations of 4,450 to 5,000 feet. It formed in stratified recent alluvium along streams and rivers. In- cluded in mapping are numerous sand and gravel bars and small areas of noncalcareous soils. Typically the surface layer of this Bankard soil is brown sandy loam about 4 inches thick. The underlying material to a depth of 60 inches is pale brown calcareous sand stratified with thin lenses of sandy loam, loam, and fine gravel. i Permeability is moderately rapid. Available water capacity is ]ow. The effective rooting depth is 60 inches or more. Surface runoff is slow, and the erosion hazard is low. This soil is suited to limited cropping. It is sandy and subject to flooding. Pasture is the best use. Tall wheat- grass, tall fescue, and annual sweetclover are some of the most suitable crops. Light, frequent irrigation by furrows and flooding is best. Commercial fertilizer improves the amount and value of forage produced. The potential native vegetation is dominated by switchgrass, indiangrass, sand bluestem, sand reedgrass, sideoats grama, needleandthread, and blue grama. Much of this range site includes other soils and vegetation in such a complex pattern that it is difficult to map them separately. Potential production ranges from 2,500 pounds per acre in favorable years to 1,500 pounds in unfavorable years. As range condition deteriorates, the tall and mid grasses decrease; blue grama, sand dropseed, and forbs increase; and forage production drops. Undesirable weeds and annuals invade the site as range condition becomes poorer. Management of vegetation should be based on taking half and leaving half of the total annual production. Seed- ing is desirable only in areas large enough to interseed or to prepare a seedbed. Switchgrass, sand bluestem, sand reedgrass, sideoats grama, little bluestem, blue grama, pu- bescent wheatgrass, and intermediate wheatgrass are suitable for seeding. This soil can be seeded by using an interseeder or a firm, clean sorghum stubble. A grass drill is required. Seeding early in spring has proven most suc- cessful. This soil is generally not suited to the establishment and growth of trees and shrubs. Onsite investigation is needed to determine feasibility and passible tree and shrub species. Wildlife is an important secondary use of this soil. The cropland areas provide favorable habitat for ring-necked pheasant and mourning dove. Many nongame species can be attracted by establishing areas for nesting and escape cover. For pheasants, undisturbed nesting cover is essen- tial and should be included in plans for habitat develop- ment, especially in areas of intensive agriculture. Range- land wildlife, for example, deer and antelope, can be at- tracted by managing livestock grazing and reseeding where needed. This soil is not suited to urban or recreational develop- ment because of the flood hazard. Capability subclass IVw irrigated, VIw nonirrigated; Sandy Bottom land range site. I1-Bresser sandy loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes. This is a deep, well drained soil on terraces at elevations of 9,700 to 4,800 feet. IC formed in alluvium deposited by the South Platte River. Included in mapping are small areas of soils that have sand and gravelly sand in the lower part of the substratum. Typically the surface layer is grayish brown sandy loam about 11 inches thick. The subsoil is brown and yellowish brown sandy clay loam about 19 inches thick The sub- stratum to a depth of 60 inches is loamy sand. Permeability and available water capacity are moderate. The effective rooting depth is 60 inches or more. Surface runoff is slow, and the erosion hazard is low. This soil is used almost entirely for irrigated crops. It is suited to all crops commonly grown in the area includ- ing corn, sugar beets, beans, alfalfa, small grain, potatoes, and onions. An example of a suitable cropping system is 3 to 4 years of alfalfa followed by corn, corn for silage, sugar beets, small grain, or beans. Few conservation prac- tices are needed to maintain top yields. All methods of irrigation are suitable, but furrow ir- rigation is the most common. Barnyard manure and com- mercial fertilizer are needed for top yields. Windbreaks and environmental plantings are generally suited to this soil. Soil blowing, the principal hazard in establishing trees and shrubs, can be controlled by cul- tivating only in the tree row and by leaving a strip of vegetation between the rows. Supplemental irrigation may be needed at the time of planting and during dry periods. Trees that are best suited and have good survival are Rocky Mountain juniper, eastern redcedaz, ponderosa pine, Siberian elm, Russian-0live, and hackberry. The shrubs best suited are skunkbush sumac, lilac, and Siberi- an peashrub. Wildlife is an important secondary use of this soil. Ring-necked pheasant, mourning dove, and many non- game species can be attracted by establishing areas for nesting and escape cover. For pheasants, undisturbed nesting cover is essential and should be included in plans for habitat development, especially in areas of intensive agriculture. This soil has good potential for urban and recreational development. Lawns, shrubs, and trees grow well. The 1