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N204 Shallow Foothill MLRA 49 -4- <br />B. MAJOR USES AND INTERPRETATIONS FOR: <br />1. Grazi <br />This site provides good forage for cattle and horses throughout the <br />year. It provides excellent forage for sheep, deer, and antelope. <br />Distribution of domestic Zivestock can be a problem on this site due <br />to the slopes, shrubs, and rocks. Cattle in particular and all <br />domestic livestock in general tend to graze the lower slopes, <br />leaving the upper slopes lightly grazed or ungrazed. Cattle <br />poisoning in the spring and early summer can be a problem if the <br />area has a larger than normal amount of Larkspur. Larkspur seems to <br />increase in abundance with overuse of the site.. <br />The animal forage preference changes as the growing season <br />progresses. Griffith wheatgrass, needleandthread, and several other <br />cool season grasses provide good spring and early summer grazing. <br />Big bluestem, yellow Indiangrass, sideoats grams, little bluestem, <br />and several other warm season plants provide good summer forage. <br />True mountain mahogany provides good browse through the fall and <br />winter. It is important that a proper stocking rate and planned <br />deferment be scheduled so these plants are not grazed out. <br />Reestablishment of vegetation is difficult on this site due to the <br />slope, rocks, and shallow soil. The season of use, climate, kind of <br />grazing animal, past grazing use, and plant composition will <br />directly influence animal preference and performance. <br />2. Wildlife <br />This site has a high value for deer and moderate value for <br />cottontail, coyote, antelope, and various raptors. <br />3. Watershed (Hydrologic Interpretation) <br />Soils of this site are grouped into "D" and "C" hydrologic groups as <br />outlined in the "Soils of Colorado Loss Factors and Erodibility <br />Hydrologic Groupings 1979" handbook. Field investigations are <br />needed to determine hydrologic cover and curve numbers. The <br />hydrologic curve number for group D soils is about 80 and group C <br />soils is about 74, where the hydrologic conditions are good, as <br />shown in "Peak Flows in Colorado" handbook. <br />Refer to SCS National Engineering Handbook, Section 4, to determine <br />runoff quantities from the curves. <br />4. Recreation and Natural Beauty <br />~; <br />Due to the break in physiographic features, the site has high <br />aesthetic appeal and natural beauty. It is fair to good for hiking <br />and excellent for deer hunting. . <br />