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Ruerfano County Area, Colorado septic tank absorption fields can be overcome by increasing the size of the absorption field. In places, water perched on the underlying shale is a concern for basements or other deep excavations. This map unit is in capability subclass Vle, nonirrigated. It is in Salt Flat range site. qp-Manvel-Minnequa foams, 1 to 5 percent slopes. This map unit is on uplands. The native vegetation is mainly grass. Elevation is 5,500 to 6,200 feet. The average annual precipitation is 12 to 14 inches, the average annual air temperature is 49 to 54 degrees F, and the average frost-free period is 130 to 165 days. This unit is about 70 percent Manvel loam and about 25 percent Minnequa loam. The Manvel soil is in the less sloping areas of the unit, and the Minnequa soil is in the more sloping, convex areas. The components of this unit are so intricately intermingled that it was not practical to map them separately at the scale used. Included in this unit is about 5 percent Manzanola clay loam in narrow drainageways. The Manvel soil is deep and well drained. It formed in residuum and colluvium derived dominantly from interbedded limestone and shale. Typically, the surface layer is pale brown loam about 3 inches thick. Below this to a depth of 60 inches or more is silt loam. The soil is moderately alkaline throughout. Permeability of the Manvel soil is moderate. Available water capacity is high. Effective rooting depth is 60 inches or more. Runoff is medium, and the hazard of water erosion is slight to moderate. The Minnequa soil is moderately deep and well drained. It formed in residuum and focally transported sediment derived dominantly from interbedded limestone end shale. Typically, the surface layer is light brownish gray loam about 6 inches thick. The next layer is silt loam about 15 inches thick. The substratum is silt loam about 12 inches thick. Chalky limestone is a[ a depth of ' about 33 inches. The soil is moderately alkaline throughout. Permeability of the Minnequa soil is moderate. .. Available water capacity is low to moderate. Effective rooting depth is 20 to 40 inches. Runoff is medium to rapid, and the hazard of water erosion is slight to high. Most areas of this unit are used as rangeland. A few areas are used as nonirrigated cropland. Areas of nonirrigated cropland are highly susceptible to water erosion and soil blowing and generally should be reseeded to grass. • bluehgrama and pvesier~ wheatgrasst Other g assess I hat characterize the unit are Indian ricegrass and sideoats ';9rama. The average annual production of air-dry vegetation is about 750 pounds per acre. If the condition afothe range deteriorates, ring muhly, threeawn, sand pseed, and snakeweed increase. Range seeding is suitable if the range is in poor condition. r~..This unit is well suited to windbreaks and ~j.~e~'lronmental planting. The hazard of soil blowing can F ~; =r= .~,x . ' ~l;~:.''~. „` -4 37 be reduced by cultivating only in the tree rows and by leaving a strip of vegetation between the rows. Supplemental irrigation may be needed when planting and during dry periods. Among the trees that are suitable for planting are Russian-olive and Rocky Mountain juniper. Among the shrubs are lilac and plum. This unit is suited to homesite development. Cuts needed to provide essentially level building sites can expose bedrock. If the density of housing is moderate to high, effluent from absorption fields can surface dovrnslope and create a hazard to health. Shrink-swell potential can be minimized by thoroughly prewetling the foundation area. This map unit is in capability subclass Vle, nonirrigated. It is in Loamy Plains range site. 43-Manzano loam. This deep, well drained soil is on stream terraces and flood plains. It formed in alluvium. Slope is 0 to 3 percent. The native vegetation is mainly grass. Elevation is 6,200 to 7,500 feet. The average annual precipitation is 15 to 18 inches, the average annual air temperature is 45 to 50 degrees F, and the average frost-free period is 100 to 130 days. Typically, the surface layer is dark grayish brown loam about 8 inches thick. The subsoil is loam about 17 inches thick. The upper part of the substratum is loam about 12 inches thick, and the lower part to a depth of 60 inches or more is fine sandy loam. The soil is neutral to a depth of 3 inches, mildly alkaline to a depth of 15 inches, and moderately alkaline below that depth. Included in this unit is about 10 percent Glenberg sandy loam near stream channels. Also included are small areas of Nunn loam at the base of fans sloping down toward flood plains. Permeability of this Manzano soil is moderately slow. Available water capacity is high. Effective rooting depth is 60 inches or more. Runoff is slow, and the hazard of water erosion is slight. The soil is subject to very brief periods of flooding in spring and early in summer. A seasonal high water table is at a depth of 6 to 10 feel during most of the year. Most areas of this unit are used for irrigated hay and pasture. A few areas are used as rangeland. Alfalfa and grass mixtures are the principal irrigated crops. This unit is well suited to irrigated hay and pasture. Irrigation water can be applied by corrugations and by flooding from contour ditches. Leveling helps to insure the uniform application of water. To avoid overirrigating and leaching of plant nutrients, applications of irrigation water should be adjusted to the available water capacity, the water intake rate, and the crop needs. Proper stocking rates, pasture rotation, and restricted grazing during wet periods help to keep the pasture in good condition and to protect the soil Irom erosion. Nonleguminous crops respond to nitrogen and phosphorus, and leguminous crops respond to phosphorus. If properly managed, this unit can produce 3.5 tons of irrigated alfalfa hay per acre.