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Saguache County Area, Colorado •
<br />aECEIVED
<br />31
<br />APR 19 1999
<br />Included in this unit are small areas of Graypoint
<br />gravelly sandy loam and Norte gravelly sandy loam, both
<br />having slope of 0 to 1 percent.
<br />Typically, the surface layer of this Dunul soil is brown
<br />very gravelly sandy loam about 6 inches thick. The
<br />underlying material to a depth of 60 inches is pale brown
<br />very gravelly sand that is strongly calcareous in the
<br />upper part.
<br />Permeability is very rapid. Effective rooting depth is 60
<br />inches or more. Available water capacity is low. Surface
<br />runoff is slow, and the erosion hazard is slight. The
<br />hazard of soil blowing is moderate.
<br />This soil is used as range and for irrigated cropland,
<br />pasture, and hayland. Crops normally grown include
<br />alfalfa, potatoes, and small grains. Commercial fertilizers,
<br />plant residue, and manure are generally needed.
<br />Nonlegumes respond to nitrogen and phosphate
<br />fertilizers, and legumes respond to phosphate fertilizers.
<br />Sprinkler irrigation is well suited to all crops grown on
<br />this gravelly soil. Proper application of irrigation water is
<br />essential in order to prevent water loss and salt buildup
<br />in the surtace layer of the soil.
<br />The potential natural vegetation on this Dunul soil is
<br />dominated by blue grama, Indian ricegrass, western
<br />wheatgrass, needleandthread, winterfat, and tourwing
<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 are
<br />more abundant as the range condition declines.
<br />Seeding rangeland is very difficult because of the low
<br />rainfall and low available water capacity. Deferred
<br />grazing, cross fencing, and stockwater developments
<br />help to prevent range deterioration and promote the
<br />growth of more desirable plant species.
<br />This soil has low potential for rangeland wildlife habitat
<br />because of low production of vegetation. It supports
<br />habitat for such wildlife as jackrabbit, cottontail, and
<br />coyote, as well as various rodents. In irrigated areas,
<br />crop residue from alfalfa and small grains provides food
<br />for pheasant and waterfowl.
<br />This soil is suited to homesite development. The main
<br />limitations are the hazard of caving if this soil is
<br />excavated and the content of cobblestones. Shoring is
<br />commonly needed during excavation to prevent caving.
<br />Sewage lagoons and trench-type sanitary landfills can
<br />cause pollution of ground water. This soil is a good
<br />source of roadfiU material, sand, and gravel.
<br />This soil is in capability subclasses IVs, irrigated, and
<br />Vlls, nonirrigated. It is in the Mountain Outwash range
<br />site.
<br />24-Garita gravelly loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes.
<br />This deep, well drained soil is on fans. Elevation is 7,600
<br />to 8,600 feet. The soil formed in calcareous, gravelly
<br />alluvium derived principally from basalt. The average
<br />annual precipitation is abopNi3i61tA1~.f~@f~~~~y
<br />annual air temperature is about 41 degrees F; and the
<br />frost-free period is about 95 days.
<br />Included in this unit are small areas of Luhon loam
<br />and Travelers very stony loam, both having slope of 0 to
<br />3 percent.
<br />Typically, the surtace layer of the Garita soil is brown
<br />gravelly loam about 3 inches thick. The upper 6 inches
<br />of the underlying material is brown gravelly loam; and
<br />below this, is white very gravelly loam, about 12 inches
<br />thick, that has concentrated accumulations of calcium
<br />carbonate. The lower part of the underlying material to a
<br />depth of 60 inches or more is very pale brown very
<br />gravelly loam.
<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 />This soil is used mainly as range. A few small areas
<br />are within irrigated fields.
<br />Irrigation systems suitable }or this soil are border
<br />systems that have short lengths of run and sprinkler
<br />systems. Commercial fertilizer, manure, and plant residue
<br />are needed on the irrigated areas.
<br />The potential natural vegetation on this soil is
<br />dominated by winterfat, fourwing saltbush, Indian
<br />ricegrass, and blue grama. It the range deteriorates, the
<br />proportion of these more desirable plants decreases,
<br />and that of plants such as threeawn, pricklypear,
<br />snakeweed, pingue, and other fortis increases.
<br />Undesirable weeds and annual plants invade and
<br />become more abundant as range condition declines.
<br />Establishing rangeland seedings is difficult on this site
<br />because of the low rainfall. Deferred grazing, cross
<br />fencing, and development of stockwater facilities are the
<br />practices most needed to prevent range deterioration
<br />and to promote the growth of more desirable plant
<br />species.
<br />This Garita soil has limited potential for wildlife habitat
<br />because of low vegetative production. In nonirrigated
<br />areas, the soil is best suited to habitat for such wildlife
<br />as antelope, jackrabbit, cottontail, and coyote. It the soil
<br />is irrigated, crop residue from oats and barley may
<br />provide food for ring-necked pheasant and waterfowl.
<br />This soil is suited to homesite development. The main
<br />limitation is the large number of rock fragments. If the
<br />density of housing is moderate to high, community
<br />sewage systems are needed to prevent contamination of
<br />water supplies as a result of seepage from onsite
<br />sewage disposal systems. Seepage and pollution of
<br />ground water can occur if this soil is used for sewage
<br />lagoons or trench-type sanitary landfills.
<br />This soil is in capability subclasses IVs, irrigated, and
<br />Vlle, nonirrigated. It is in the Limy Bench range site.
<br />25-Garita gravelly loam, 3 to 25 percent slopes.
<br />This deep, well drained soil is on fans and foot slopes.
<br />Elevation is 7,600 to 8,600 feet. The soil formed in
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