Laserfiche WebLink
<br />This unit is used for livestock grazing, irrigated crops, and wildlife habitat. <br />The potential plant community on this unit is mainly basin wildrye, western wheatgrass, streambank wheatgrass, <br />bluegrasses, and big sagebrush. Smaller amounts of rubber rabbitbrush, fourwing saltbush, and bottlebrush squirreltail <br />commonly are also present in the potential plant community. The production of forage is limited by a short growing sea- <br />son. The average annual production of air-dry vegetation is about 2,000 pounds per acre. <br />If the range is overgrazed, the proportion of preferred forage plants decreases and the proportion of less preferred for- <br />age plants increases. Therefore, livestock grazing should be managed so that the desired balance of preferred species <br />Is maintained in the plan[ community. <br />Management practices suitable for use on this unit are proper range use, deferred grazing, rotation grazing, and brush <br />management. Brush management improves deteriorated areas of range that are producing more woody shrubs than <br />were present in the potential plant community. <br />Range seeding is also suitable if the range is in poor condition. The plants selected for seeding should meet the sea- <br />sonal requirements of livestock or wildlife, or both. For successful seeding, prepare a seedbed and drill in the seed. <br />This unit is well suited to hay and pasture. It has few limitations. For good establishment of hay and pasture, prepare a <br />seedbed, drill in the seed, and use supplemental irrigation. <br />Grazing when the soil in this unit is too moist results in compaction of the surface layer, poor filth and excessive runoff. <br />Proper stocking rates, pasture rotation, and restricted grazing during wet periods help to keep the pasture in good condi- <br />tion and to protect the soil from erosion. Proper grazing practices, weed control, and fertilizer are needed to insure maxi- <br />mum quality of forage. Annual applications of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer are needed to maintain production of <br />high-quality irrigated pasture. <br />Irrigation water can be applied by the border, corrugation, controlled flooding, and sprinkler methods. Leveling helps to <br />insure the uniform application of water. <br />If this unit is used for irrigated small grain, the main limitations are the short growing season and availability of irrigation <br />water. In summer, irrigation is needed far maximum production of most crops. Furrow, border, corrugation, and sprinkler <br />irrigation systems are suited to [his unit. Water should be applied in amounts sufficient to wet the root zone but in <br />amounts small enough to minimize the leaching of plant nutrients. For the efficient application and removal of irrigation <br />water, leveling is needed in sloping areas. Nonleguminous crops respond to nitrogen and phosphorus, and leguminous <br />crops respond to phosphorus. <br />.Most areas of this unit are used extensively as winter range for mule deer. <br />If this unit is used for urban development, sanitary facilities, and roads, special designs are needed to compensate for <br />the hazard of flooding. Dikes and channels that have outlets for floodwater can be used to protect buildings and onsite <br />sewage disposal systems from flooding. Buildings and roads should be designed to offset the limited ability of the soil in <br />• this unit to support a load. <br />Piceance Pit 7/01 <br />