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<br />5. Historical Land Use <br /> <br />• An irrigation ditch was installed from a point approximately 1 mile upstream on the White River in <br />1910, however the irrigation was not efficient since the land was not properly leveled. In 1970, the <br />low-lying field around the permit area was leveled to facilitate irrigation. The main feed ditch is lo- <br />cated immediately north of the existing access road or at the south end of the field. The irrigation has <br />been used to grow hay or alfalfa and the annual production is approximately 2.5-3.0 tons per acre <br />per year, according to the landowner. The good soils of the meadow, 2 to 4 fee[ [hick, are in sharp <br />contrast to those soils of the surrounding hills, which are extremely thin and rocky. In late summer, <br />water levels in the river usually drop lower than the upstream intake so the field cannot be irrigated <br />after that time. The natural wetland immediately north of the permit area has no[ been used for any <br />purpose but it is valuable for wildlife in an otherwise very dry part of Rio Blanco County. <br />6. Soils <br />The Rio Blanco County SCS soils report done for the Piceance Pit show that the area for [his 110 <br />• permit consists of two soil types, which are listed below. The approximate soil boundaries are <br />shown on Map Exhibit B-1. <br />41-Havre loam, 0 to 4 percent slopes. This deep, well drained soil is on flood plains and low stream terraces. It formed <br />in calcareous alluvium. Areas are long and narrow and are 40 to 400 acres. The native vegetation is mainly low shrubs <br />and grasses. Elevation is 5,800 to 7,200 feet. The average annual precipitation is 14 to 17 inches, the average annual <br />air temperature is 42 to 45 degrees F, and the average frost-free period is 80 to 105 days. <br />Typically, the surface layer is light brownish gray loam 21 inches thick. The upper 19 inches of the underlying material is <br />stratified, light gray loam and silty clay loam, and the lower part to a depth of 60 inches or more is stratified loam and <br />sandy loam. In some areas the surface layer is clay loam or fine sandy loam. <br />Included in this unit are small areas of Barcus channery loamy sand, Glendive fine sandy loam, Hagga loam, and <br />Tisworth fine sandy loam. The Barcus soil is on the edge of steeper areas of outwash, and the Hagga soil is in swales. <br />Included areas make up about 15 percent of the total acreage. The percentage varies from one area to another. <br />Permeability of this Havre soil is moderate. Available water capacity is high. Effective rooting depth is 60 inches or more. <br />Runoff is medium, and the hazard of water erosion is slight. Small areas of this soil are subject to brief periods of flash <br />flooding late in spring and in summer. <br />• <br />Piceance Pit 701 <br />