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65-Manvel silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes. This <br />deep, well drained soil is on plains, toot slopes, fans, <br />and stream terraces. It formed in alluvium derived from <br />limestone and shale. The native vegetation is mainly <br />grasses. Elevation is 5,000 to 5,300 feet. The average <br />annual precipitation is 12 to 14 inches, the average <br />annual air temperature is 51 to 53 degrees F, and the <br />average frost-tree period is 160 to t70 days. <br />The surface layer is typically brown silt loam about 6 <br />inches thick. The substratum to a depth of 60 inches or <br />more is silt loam. The soil is moderately alkaline. <br />Included with this soil in mapping are areas of <br />Minnequa soils on the foot slopes df ridges. These soils <br />are moderately deep. They make up about 5 percent of <br />the unit. <br />Permeability is moderate or moderately slow in the <br />Manvel soil. Available water capacity is high. Effective <br />rooting depth is 60 inches or more. Runoff is slow, and <br />the hazard of water erosion is slight. <br />This soil is used mainly as irrigated cropland. It also <br />is used as rangeland. Hay and pasture are the main <br />irrigated crops. Alfalfa or a mixture of grass and alfalfa <br />is commonly grown. Small areas are used for irrigated <br />apple orchards or grape vineyards. <br />The potential plant community is mainly blue grama, <br />western wheatgrass, and winterfat. The average annual <br />production of air-dry vegetation is about 800 pounds per <br />acre. If the condition of the range deteriorates, blue <br />grama, ring muhly, red threeawn, pricklypear, and <br />broom snakeweed increase. Range seeding is suitable <br />if the range is in poor condition. <br />This soil is well suited to irrigated crops. Important <br />management concerns include the efficient application <br />of irrigation water and maintenance of soil fertility. <br />If row crops or small grain is grown, a crop rotation <br />system that includes grasses and legumes helps to <br />maintain fertility and filth. Returning crop residue to the <br />soil or regularly adding other organic material improves <br />fertility, minimizes crusting, and increases the water <br />intake rate. Soil blowing can be minimized by returning <br />crop residue to the soil and using minimum tillage. <br />Irrigation water can be applied by furrow, corrugation, <br />border flooding, sprinklers, or flooding from contour <br />ditches. Drip irrigation also can be used in areas used <br />for orchards or vineyards. Fertilizer is needed for the <br />optimum growth of grasses, legumes, and other crops. <br />If the soil is properly managed and the supply of <br />irrigation water is adequate, 5 tons of alfalfa hay per <br />acre can be produced. <br />This unit is well suited to homesite development. The <br />shrink-swell potential is a moderate limitation. <br />The capability classification is Ile, irrigated, and Vle, <br />nonirrigated. The unit is in the Loamy Plains #6 range <br />site. <br />