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<br />4-Aquolls and Aquepts, flooded. This nearly level
<br />map unit is in depressions in smooth plains and along the
<br />bottoms of naturd drainageways throughout the survey
<br />area. Aquolls, which have a dark colored surface layer,
<br />make up about 5.i percent of the unit. Aquepts, which
<br />have a lighter colored surface layer, make up about 25
<br />percent. About 20 percent is soils that are well drained
<br />and soils that have sandstone or shale within 48 inches of
<br />the surface.
<br />These are deep, poorly drained soils that formed in
<br />recent alluvium. No one pedon is typical. Commonly the
<br />soils have a mottled, mildly to moderately alkaline loamy
<br />or clayey surface layer and underlying material that ex-
<br />tends to a depth of 60 inches or more. In places they have
<br />a gleyed layer in tl~e underlying material.
<br />Most of the acreage is subject to excessive runoff. The
<br />water table is at or near the surface in spring and during
<br />the peak of the irrigation season.
<br />These soils are used for rangeland and wildlife habitat.
<br />Some small areas are irrigated pasture.
<br />The potential native vegetation is dominated by
<br />switchgrass, prairie cordgrass, saltgrass, alkali sacaton,
<br />big bluestem, indiangrass, western wheatgrass, slender
<br />wheatgrass, sedge, and rush. Cattails and bullrush grow
<br />in the swampy spots associated with these range sites.
<br />Potential production ranges from 9,000 pounds per acre in
<br />favorable years to 3,000 pounds in unfavorable years. As
<br />range condition deteriorates, the tall and mid grasses
<br />decrease, production drops, and saltgrass, sedge, and rush
<br />increase. The farming and irrigation in adjacent areas has
<br />increased the amount of salts on much of the acreage.
<br />Management of vegetation on this soil should be based
<br />on taking half and leaving half of the iota] annual produc-
<br />tion. Switchgrass, big bluestem, indiangrass, western
<br />wheatgrass, pubescent wheatgrass, intermediate wheat-
<br />grass, tall wheatgrass, and tall fescue are suitable for
<br />seeding. The plants selected should met the seasonal
<br />requirements of livestock. For successful seeding, a fain
<br />prepared seedbed is needed. A grass drill should be used.
<br />Seeding early in spring has proven most successful. Til-
<br />lage is needed to eliminate the undesirable vegetation.
<br />Wetland wildlife, especially waterfowl, utilize this unit.
<br />The wetland plant:; provide nesting and protective cover
<br />es well as some food. The nearby irrigated cropland,
<br />where wildlife abta.in much of their food and fmd protec-
<br />tive cover, makes this unit valuable to both wetland and
<br />openland wildlife.
<br />Openland wildlife, especially pheasant, use this unit for
<br />rnver and nesting. Deer find excellent cover in some
<br />areas. These valuable wildlife areas should be protected
<br />from fire and fenced to prevent encroachment and
<br />overuse by livest«~k. They should not be drained. Capa-
<br />bility subclass VIw; Aquolls in Salt Meadow range site,
<br />Aquepts in Wet Meadow range site.
<br />
<br />46-Olney fine sandy {oam, 0 to 1 percent slopes.
<br />This is a deep, well drained soil on smooth plains at eleva-
<br />tions of 4,600 to 5,200 feet. It formed in mixed outwash
<br />deposits. Included in mapping are small areas of soils that
<br />have a dark surface layer and some small leveled areas.
<br />Typically the surface layer of this Olney soil is grayish
<br />brown fine sandy loam about ]0 inches thick. The subsoil
<br />is yellowish brown and very pale brown sandy clay loam
<br />about 15 inches thick. The substratum to a depth of 60
<br />inches is very pale brown, calcareous fine sandy loam.
<br />Permeability and available water capacity are
<br />moderate. The effective rooting depth is 60 inches or
<br />more. Surface runoff is slow, and the erosion hazard is
<br />low.
<br />This soil is used almost entirely for irrigated crops. It
<br />is suited to all crops commonly grown in the azea, includ-
<br />ing corn, sugar beets, beans, alfalfa, small grain, potatoes,
<br />and onions. An example of a suitable cropping system is 3
<br />to 4 years of alfalfa followed by corn, corn for silage,
<br />sugar beets, small grain, or beans. Few conservation prac-
<br />tices are needed to maintain top yields.
<br />All methods of irrigation are suitable, but furrow ir-
<br />rigation is the most common. Barnyard manure and com-
<br />mercial fertilizer are needed for top yields.
<br />Windbreaks and environmental plantings are generally
<br />suited to this sail. Soil blowing, the principal hazard in
<br />establishing trees and shrubs, can be controlled by cul-
<br />tivating only in the tree row and by leaving a strip of
<br />vegetation between the rows. Supplemental irrigation
<br />may be needed at the time of planting and during dry
<br />periods. Trees that are best suited and have good survival
<br />are Rocky Mountain juniper, eastern redcedar, ponderosa
<br />pine, Siberian elm, Russian-olive, and hackberry. The
<br />shrubs best suited are skunkbush sumac, lilac, and Siberi-
<br />an peashrub.
<br />Wildlife is an important secondary use of this soil. The
<br />cropland areas provide favorable habitat for ring-necked
<br />pheasant and mourning dove. Many nongame species can
<br />be attracted by establishing areas for nesting and escape
<br />cover. For pheasants, undisturbed nesting cover is essen-
<br />tial and should be included in plans for habitat develop-
<br />ment, especially in areas of intensive agriculture.
<br />Rapid expansion of Greeley and the surrounding area
<br />has resulted in urbanization of much of this Olney soil.
<br />This soil has good potential for urban and recreational
<br />development. The only limiting feature is the moderately
<br />rapid permeability in the substratum, which causes a
<br />hazard of ground water contamination from sewage
<br />lagoons. Lawns, shrubs, and trees grow well. Capability
<br />class I irrigated.
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