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<br />the most common method of irrigation. Sprinkling is also
<br />suitable. Cornrgations are difficult to establish because
<br />of the very cobbly plow layer. Irrigation needs to be
<br />regulated to obtain efficient use and uniform distribution
<br />of water. Applications of manure and commercial
<br />fertilizer containing nitrogen and phosphorus help
<br />maintain soil fertility. With good management this soil is
<br />capable of producing 4.5 tons of grass hay per irrigated
<br />acre.
<br />The potential native vegetation is mainly Arizona
<br />fescue, western wheatgrass, needleandthread, and Baltic
<br />rush. As the rsrnge deteriorates, blue grama, slimstem
<br />muhly, granite gilia, fringed sage, and rabbitbrush
<br />increase. The use of deferred and rotation grazing, along
<br />with cross fencing, brush control, and livestock water
<br />developments, helps to prevent range deterioration and
<br />to promote the production of the more desirable plants.
<br />Seeding is generally inadvisable on this soil because of
<br />the large amount of rock fragments in the surface layer.
<br />This soil is well suited to homesites without
<br />basements. It Is somewhat limited, however, by large
<br />stones and a e;easonally high water table. Shallow
<br />overflow is cornmon near drainageways. Excavation of
<br />foundations and utility lines is difficult because of the
<br />large amount crf rock fragments in the soil. Community
<br />sewage systems, aerobic or similar types, should be
<br />provided to avoid contaminating the ground water.
<br />This soil is iri capability subclasses Vlls, nonirrigated,
<br />and Vsw, irrigated.
<br />2-Becks gravelly loam, 1 to 5 percent slopes. This
<br />is a deep, som~:what poorly drained soil on low terraces
<br />and fans. It formed in alluvium. Elevation is 7,800 to
<br />8,400 feet. The average annual precipitation is 14 to t8
<br />inches, the average annual air temperature is 40 to 44
<br />degrees F, and the frost-free season is 55 to 75 days.
<br />Typically, the surface layer is grayish brown and pale
<br />brown gravelly loam 15 inches thick. The subsoil is
<br />pinkish gray very gravelly sandy clay loam 4 inches thick.
<br />The substratum is 18 inches of mottled, pinkish gray
<br />extremely gravelly loamy sand over mottled, light brown
<br />extremely gravelly sand that extends to a depth of 60
<br />inches or more. The soil is mildly alkaline and
<br />calcareous.
<br />Included with this soil in mapping, and making up
<br />about 10 percent of the acreage, are areas of Venable
<br />loam on low terraces that are farther from stream
<br />channels than tie Becks soil. Also included are areas of
<br />Alvarado very cobbly sandy loam in the mare sloping
<br />convex areas. They make up 5 percent of the acreage.
<br />Permeability of this Becks soil is moderate, and the
<br />available water capacity is low. The effective rooting
<br />depth is somewhat limited by a seasonally high water
<br />table at a depth of 2 to 4 feet. Surface runoff is slow,
<br />and the hazard of erosion is slight
<br />Most of the acreage is used as irrigated hayland and
<br />pasture. Mixtures of brume, orchardgrass, intermediate
<br />wheatgrass, and timothy are commonly grown.
<br />Soil survey
<br />Where this soil is irrigated, the proper use of water .
<br />and maintainance of soil fertility are the main
<br />management concerns. Flooding from contour ditches is
<br />the most common method of irrigation. Sprinklers are
<br />also suitable. Land leveling is not generally
<br />recommended because of the large amount of rock
<br />fragments throughout the profile. Light irrigation will keep
<br />the profile moist above the water table and prevent
<br />excessive loss of water. Applications of fertilizer
<br />containing nitrogen and phosphorus are needed to
<br />maintain soil fertility and high yields. Witlt good
<br />management this soil is capable of producing 3.5 tons of
<br />hay per irrigated acre.
<br />The potential native vegetation is mainly Arizona
<br />fescue, sedge, and bluegrass. As the range deteriorates,
<br />bluegrass, iris, Baltic rush, sedge, and cinquefoil
<br />increase. Renovating, use of deferred and rotation
<br />grazing, and cross fencing help to prevent range
<br />deterioration and promote the production of the more
<br />desirable plants. In renovating, seed should be drilled
<br />into a well prepared, firm, weed-free seedbed. Suitable
<br />grasses for seeding are reed canarygrass, timothy, and
<br />Garrison creeping (oxtail.
<br />This soil is well suited to buildings without basements.
<br />The high water table precludes its use for buildings with
<br />basements. Excavation for foundations and utility lines
<br />may be somewhat difficult because the cutbanks may be
<br />unstable and there are large amounts of rock fragments
<br />in the soil. Septic tank absorption fields will not function
<br />properly because of the high water table, and alternative
<br />sewage systems are needed.
<br />This soil is in capability subclasses Vlw, nonirrigated,
<br />and Vlw, irrigated.
<br />3-Boyle very gravelly sandy loam, warm, 4 to 25
<br />percent slopes. This is a shatlow, well drained soil on
<br />hills, ridges, and mountainsides. It formed residually from
<br />igneous rock, mainly granite. The average annual
<br />precipitation is 12 to 15 inches. The average annual air
<br />temperature is 40 to 44 degrees F, and the frost-free
<br />season is 70 to 90 days.
<br />Typically, the surface layer is dark grayish brown very
<br />gravelly sandy loam 8 inches thick. The subsoil extends
<br />to a depth of 14 inches. It is grayish brown extremely
<br />gravelly sandy clay loam. Soft granite bedrock is below
<br />this and is underlain by hard granite bedrock at a depth
<br />of 22 inches. The soil is neutral.
<br />Included with this soil in mapping are areas of
<br />Troutdale sandy loam on upland swales that make up
<br />about 10 percent of the acreage. Areas of Martinsdale
<br />sandy loam on foot slopes and drainageways make up 5
<br />percent. Also included, and making up about 10 percent
<br />of the map unit, are areas of Rock outcrop on hilltops
<br />and side slopes.
<br />Permeability of this Boyle soil is moderate, and the
<br />available water capacity is very low. The effective rooting
<br />depth is less than 20 inches. Surface runoff is medium,
<br />and the hazard of erosion is slight.
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