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Official Series Description - ROCKY_FORD Series <br />Page 2 of 2 <br />epipedons in color and anthropic epipedons in phosphorous and nitrogen characterize this series. <br />They have resulted foom long irrigation with silt laden irrigation water accompanied by intense <br />cropping, heavy fertilization and larger than normal yearly returns of organic matter. <br />The A horizon has hue of 2.SY through 7.SYR, value of 5 through 7 dry, 3 through 6 moist, and <br />chroma of 1 through 4. It is moderately or strongly alkaline (1:5 dilution unbuffered organic dye). <br />The C horizon has hue of 2.SY through 7.SYR. Subhorizons redder than 7.SYR occur in some <br />pedons. This horizon is moderately or strongly alkaline (i:5 dilution unbuffered organic dye). <br />Calcium carbonate equivalent of the fine earth ranges from about 1 to 10 percent. <br />COMPETING SERIES: These are the Bainville, Co1bv, Manvel, and Minnequa series. Bainville <br />and Minnequa soils have a paralithic contact at depths of less than 40 inches. Colby soils lack a <br />thick manmade nitrogen and phosphorous enriched Ap horizon. Manvel soils have a calcium <br />carbonate equivalent of 10 percent or more in most subhorizons above a depth of 40 inches and lack <br />a thick manmade Ap horizon. <br />GEOGRAPHIC SETTING: Rocky Ford soils are on nearly level to gently sloping terraces and <br />alluvial fans. Slopes iypica]]y range from about 0 to 6 percent or more. The soils formed in thick <br />calcareous eolian or silty uniform alluvium containing much very fine sand and modified by long <br />irrigation At the type location the mean annual precipitation is about 15 inches with peak periods <br />of precipitation in the spring and early summer months. Mean annual temperature is 52 degrees F. <br />and mean summer temperature is 79 degrees F. <br />GEOGRAPHICALLY ASSOCIATED SOILS: These are the competing Colby soils and the <br />Neoesla soils. Nepesta soils have an argillic horizon. <br />DRAINAGE AND PERMEABILITY: Well-drained; slow to very runoff; moderate to slow <br />permeability. <br />USE AND VEGETATION: Used as irrigated cropland. Principal irrigated crops are alfalfa, small <br />grains, sorghum, corn, truck crops, and melons. <br />DISTRIBUTION AND EXTENT: Arkansas River V alley, Colorado. The series is of moderate <br />extent. <br />MLRA OFFICE RESPONSIBLE: Salina, Kansas <br />SERIES ESTABLISHED: Prowers County, Colorado 1963. <br />REMARKS: OSED scanned by NSSQA. Last revised by state on 4/73. <br />National Cooperative Soil Survey <br />U.S.A. <br />http://wwwstatlab.instate.edu/cgi-bin/osd/osdname.cgi?-P 3/15/2002 <br />