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Saguache County Area, Colorado
<br />range deterioration and to promote growth of more prv
<br />desirable plant species.
<br />Populations of wetland wildlife, especially waterfowl
<br />and shore birds, would be increased by development of
<br />shallow water areas through excavation or pothole
<br />blasting. The potential for shallow water developments is
<br />high because of the presence of a high water table.
<br />Livestock grazing should be carefully managed so that
<br />the vegetative cover used for nesting by waterfowl is not
<br />destroyed.
<br />The soils in this unit are poorly suited to homesite
<br />development. The main limitations are flooding and
<br />wetness. Road designs for areas of these soils must
<br />offset the limited ability of the soils to support a load and
<br />the hazard of frost action in the soil.
<br />The soils in this map unit are in capability subclass
<br />Vlw and the Mountain Meadow range site.
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<br />n o1 Minerals & ~eo1o9Y
<br />RECEIVED
<br />APR 1 g 1999
<br />`sro This soil supports habitat for such wildlife as blue
<br />grouse, coyote, jackrabbit, and cottontail. It is also used
<br />as summer range for mule deer and elk. Wildlife
<br />productivity can be increased through proper livestock
<br />water development. This may allow greater productivity
<br />of forage species that are palatable to wildlife.
<br />Recreation on this unit is mainly hunting, hiking, and
<br />sightseeing.
<br />This soil is suited to homesite development. The main
<br />limitations are shrink-swell potential and slope. Erosion is
<br />a hazard in the steeper areas. Only the part of the site
<br />that is used for construction should be disturbed. If this
<br />soil is used for septic tank absorption fields, the
<br />limitation of moderate permeability can be overcome by
<br />increasing the size of the absorption field.
<br />This soil is in capability subclass Vle. It is in the
<br />Mountain Loam (10- to 14-inch precipitatidn zone) range
<br />site.
<br />19-Decross loam, 1 to 15 percent slopes. This
<br />deep, well drained soil is on valley side slopes, fans, and
<br />terraces. Elevation is E,400 to 9,300 feet. The average
<br />annual precipitation is about 18 inches; the average
<br />annual air temperature is about 35 degrees F; and the
<br />frost•free period is about 55 days.
<br />Included in this unit are small areas of Comodore very
<br />stony loam, Bushvalley cobbly loam, and Seitz very
<br />stony loam.
<br />Typically, the surface layer of this Decross soil is
<br />grayish brown loam about 6 inches thick. The subsoil is
<br />brown clay loam about 24 inches thick. The substratum
<br />to a depth of 60 inches or more is light yellowish brown
<br />clay loam.
<br />Permeability is moderate. Available water capacity is
<br />high. Effective rooting depth is 60 inches or more.
<br />Surface runoff is slow, and the hazard of erosion is
<br />moderate.
<br />This soil is used principally as range and wildlife
<br />habitat and for some recreational uses.
<br />The potential natural vegetation on this soil is
<br />dominated by western wheatgrass, bluegrass, Arizona
<br />fescue, and needlegrasses, with smaller amounts of
<br />slender wheatgrass, Parry oatgrass, and mountain muhly.
<br />If the condition of the range deteriorates, the proportion
<br />of Arizona fescue and western wheatgrass decreases,
<br />and that of bluegrasses, rabbitbrush, weeds, and woody
<br />(orbs increases.
<br />Seeding rangeland on this Decross soil is limited
<br />because of the cold climate and short growing season.
<br />Species recommended for seeding are pubescent and
<br />intermediate wheatgrass, smooth brome, and big
<br />bluegrass. Seedbed preparation should be done on the
<br />contour to minimize runoff and soil loss. Midsummer (late
<br />June) seedings have proven successful. Deferred
<br />grazing, stockwater development, and cross fencing are
<br />generally needed to help prevent range deterioration and
<br />to promote the growth and increase of more desirable
<br />species.
<br />20-Derrick very gravelly loam, 0 to 3 percent
<br />slopes. This deep, well drained soil is on fans and
<br />terraces on alluvial valley floors. Elevation is 7,600 to
<br />7,900 feet. The soil formed in medium textured gravelly
<br />alluvium. The average annual precipitation is about 7
<br />inches; the average annual air temperature is about 41
<br />degrees F; and the frost-free period is about 95 days.
<br />Included in mapping are small areas of Graypoint
<br />gravelly sandy loam and San Arcacio sandy loam.
<br />Typically, the surface layer of this Derrick soil is pale
<br />brown very gravelly loam about a inches thick. In the
<br />upper 5 inches, the subsoil is yellowish brown very
<br />gravelly sandy clay loam, and in the lower a inches, it is
<br />yellowish brown very gravelly heavy sandy loam that
<br />contains visible calcium carbonate. The substratum to a
<br />depth of 60 inches is extremely gravelly sand and has
<br />about 20 percent cobblestones.
<br />Permeability is moderate. Effective rooting depth is 60
<br />inches or more. Available water capacity is low. Surface
<br />runoff is slow, and the hazard of erosion is slight.
<br />Most areas of this soil are used for range and wildlife
<br />habitat. A few areas are used for irrigated pasture and
<br />hayland. Applications of commercial fertilizer, manure,
<br />and plant residue are needed on the irrigated areas.
<br />Irrigation systems suitable for this soil are border
<br />systems that have short lengths of run and sprinkler
<br />systems.
<br />The potential natural vegetation on this Derrick soil is
<br />dominated by blue grama, Indian ricegrass, western
<br />wheatgrass, needleandthread, winterfat, and fourwing
<br />saltbush. If the range deteriorates, the proportion of
<br />Indian ricegrass, needleandthread, and western
<br />wheatgrass decreases, and that of blue grama,
<br />threeawn, snakeweed, and rabbitbrush increases.
<br />Undesirable weeds and annual plants invade and
<br />become more abundant as the range condition declines.
<br />Establishing rangeland seedings is difficult on this soil
<br />because of the low rainfall and low available water
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