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CJ <br />SOIL MAPPING UNIT - OTERO SANDY LOAM <br />2C - Otero fine sandy loam, 1 to 9 percent slopes. This deep, somewhat <br />excessively drained soil is on foot slopes and uplands. It formed in <br />alluvium and eolian sand. The native vegetation is mainly grass. <br />Elevation is 6,300 to 7,500 feet. The average annual precipitation is <br />12 to 15 inches, the average annual air temperature is 48 to 52 degrees <br />F., and the average frost-free period is 100 to 130 days. <br />Typically, the surface layer is light brownish gray fine sandy loam <br />about 6 inches thick. The substratum to a depth of 60 inches or more is <br />sandy loam. The soil is mildly alkaline to a depth of 6 inches and <br />moderately alkaline below that depth. <br />Included in this unit is about 20 percent Kim fine sandy loam in areas <br />between low, dune like ridges. Also included are small areas of Olney <br />sandy loam in drainagevays. <br />• Permeability of this Otero soil is rapid. Available water capacity is <br />moderate. Effective rooting depth is 60 inches or more. Runoff is slow <br />' to medium, and the hazard of water erosion is slight to very high. The <br />hazard of soil blowing is high. <br />This unit is used for rangeland. <br />The potential plant community on this unit is mainly big bluestem, <br />little bluestem, and sand reedgrass. Other leas numerous grasses that <br />characterize this site are blue grams, sideoats grams, needleandthread, <br />and western vheatgrass. The average annual production of air-dry <br />vegetation is about 1,100 pounds per acre. If the condition of the <br />range deterlorates, blue grams, threeavn, saakeveed, yucca, and <br />rabbitbrush increase. Range seeding ie suitable if the range is in poor <br />condition. <br />• <br />