1992-12-31_REVISION - M1982131 - Laserfiche WebLink

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10—Bankard sandy loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes. This is a deep, somewhat excessively drained soil on flood plains at elevations of 4,450 to 5,000 feet. It formed in stratified recent alluvium along streams and rivers. In- '—Aquolls and Aquents, gravelly substratum. This eluded in mapping are numerous sand and gravel bars and small areas of noncalcareous soils. nearly level map unit is on bottom hands and flood plains Typically the surface layer of this Bankard soil is of all the major streams in the survey area. Aquolls, brown sandy loam about 4 inches thick. The underlying which have a dark colored surface layer, make up about material to a depth of 60 inches is pale brown calcareous 60 percent of the unit. Aquents, which have a lighter sand stratified with thin lenses of sandy loam, loam, and colored surface layer, make up about 35 percent. About 5 fine gravel. percent is Aquepts and Bankard sandy loam. Permeability is moderately rapid. Available water These are deep, poorly drained soils that formed in capacity is low.The effective rooting depth is 60 inches or recent alluvium. No one pedon is typical. Commonly the more. Surface runoff is slow, and the erosion hazard is soils have a mottled, mildly alkaline to moderately al- low. kaline loamy or clayey surface layer and underlying This soil is suited to limited cropping. It is sandy and material and are underlain by sand or sand and gravel subject to flooding. Pasture is the best use. Tall wheat- within 48 inches. In places they have a gleyed layer in the grass, tall fescue, and annual sweetclover are some of the underlying material. most suitable crops. Light, frequent irrigation by furrows Most of the acreage is subject to flooding. The water and flooding is best. Commercial fertilizer improves the table is at or near the surface early in spring and recedes amount and value of forage produced. to as deep as 48 inches late in fall in some years. The potential native vegetation is dominated by These soils are used for rangeland and wildlife habitat. switchgrass, indiangrass, sand bluestem, sand reedgrass, Some small areas have been reclaimed by major drainage sideoats grama, needleandthread, and blue grams. Much and leveling and are used for irrigated crops. of this range site includes other soils and vegetation in The potential native vegetation is dominated by alkali such a complex pattern that it is difficult to map them sacaton, switchgrass, and western wheatgrass. Saltgrass, separately. Potential production ranges from 2,500 pounds sedge, rush, and alkali bluegrass are also prominent. per acre in favorable years to 1,500 pounds in unfavorable Potential production ranges from 3,000 pounds per acre in years. As range condition deteriorates, the tall and mid favorable years to 2,000 pounds in unfavorable years. As grasses decrease; blue grams, sand dropseed, and fortis range condition deteriorates, the switchgrass, alkali increase; and forage production drops. Undesirable weeds sacaton, and western wheatgrass decrease and saltgrass, and annuals invade the site as range condition becomes poorer. sedge,and rush increase. Management of vegetation should be based on taking Management h vegetation should al based io taking half and leaving my of the total annual production. Seed- half and leaving half of the total annual production. Seed- ing is desirable only in areas large enough to interseed or ing is difficult and costly because numerous tillage prac- to prepare a seedbed. Switchgrass, sand bluestem, sand tices are required to eliminate the saltgrass sod. reedgrass, sideoats grama,little bluestem,blue grams,pu- Switchgrass, western wheatgrass, alkali sacaton, tall bescent wheatgrass, and intermediate wheatgrass are wheatgrass, and tall fescue are suitable for seeding. They suitable for seeding. This soil can be seeded by using an can be seeded into a clean, firm seedbed. Seedbed interseeder or a firm,clean sorghum stubble. A grass drill preparation usually requires more than 1 year to is required. Seeding early in spring has proven most suc- eliminate the saltgrass sod. A grass drill should be used. cessful. Seeding early in spring has proven most successful. This soil is generally not suited to the establishment Wetland wildlife, especially waterfowl, utilize this unit. and growth of trees and shrubs. Onsite investigation is The wetland plants provide nesting and protective cover, needed to determine feasibility and possible tree and as well as some food. The nearby irrigated cropland, shrub species. where wildlife obtain much of their food and find protec- Wildlife is an important secondary use of this soil. The tive cover, makes this unit valuable to both wetland and cropland areas provide favorable habitat for ring-necked openland wildlife. pheasant and mourning dove. Many nongame species can Openland wildlife, especially pheasant, use this unit for be attracted by establishing areas for nesting and escape cover and nesting. Deer find excellent cover in some cover. For pheasants, undisturbed nesting cover is essen- areas tial and should be included in plans for habitat develop- These valuable wildlife areas should be protected from ment, especially in areas of intensive agriculture. Range- fire and fenced to prevent encroachment and overuse by land wildlife, for example, deer and antelope, can be at- livestock. They should not be drained. tracted by managing livestock grazing and reseeding These soils have good potential as a source of sand and where needed. gravel. Capability subclass VIw; Sall: Meadow range site. This soil is not suited to urban or recreational develop- ment because of the flood hazard. Capability subclass IVw irrigated, VIw nonirrigated; Sandy Bottom land range site.