1992-12-31_REVISION - M1982131 - Laserfiche WebLink

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i 50—Otero sandy loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes. This is a C deep, well drained soil on smooth plains at elevations of 4,700 to 5,250 feet. It formed in mixed outwash and eolian deposits. Included in mapping are small areas of soils that have loam and clay loam underlying material. Typically the surface layer is brown sandy loam about 12 inches thick. The underlying material to a depth of 60 inches is pale brown calcareous fine sandy loam. Permeability is rapid. Available water capacity is moderate. The effective rooting depth is 60 inches or more. Surface runoff is slow, and the erosion hazard is low. This soil is used almost entirely for irrigated crops. It is suited to all crops commonly grown in the area, includ- ing corn, sugar beets, beans, alfalfa, small grain, potatoes, and onions. An example of a suitable cropping system is 3 to 4 years of alfalfa followed by corn, corn for silage, sugar beets, small grain, or beans. Generally, such charac- teristics as a high clay content or a rapidly permeable substratum slightly restrict some crops. All methods of irrigation are suitable, but furrow ir- rigation is the most common. Proper irrigation water management is essential. Barnyard manure and commer- cial fertilizer are needed for top yields. Windbreaks and environmental plantings are generally suited to this soil. Soil blowing, the principal hazard in establishing trees and shrubs, can be controlled by cul- tivating only in the tree row and by leaving a strip of vegetation between the rows. Supplemental irrigation ` may be needed at the time of planting and during dry periods. Trees that are best suited and have good survival are Rocky Mountain juniper, eastern redcedar, ponderosa pine, Siberian elm, Russian-olive, and hackberry. The shrubs best suited are skunkbush sumac, lilac, and Siberi- an peashrub. Wildlife is an important secondary use of this soil. Ring-necked pheasant, mourning dove, and many non- game species can be attracted by establishing areas for nesting and escape cover. For pheasants, undisturbed nesting cover is essential and should be included in plans for habitat development, especially in areas of intensive agriculture. Rapid expansion of Greeley and the surrounding area has resulted in urbanization of much of this Otero soil. This soil has excellent potential for urban and recrea- tional development. The only limiting feature is the moderately rapid permeability in the substratum, which causes a hazard of ground water contamination from sewage lagoons. Lawns, shrubs, and trees grow well. Capability subclass Its irrigated. r