• WELD COUNTY, COLORADO, SOUTHER~ART
<br />only limiting features are the rapid permeability in the
<br />substratum and the resulting hazard of ground water con-
<br />tamination from sewage lagoons. Capability class I ir-
<br />rigated.
<br />12-Breaser sandy loam, 1 to 3 percent elopes. This is
<br />a deep, well drained soil on terraces at elevations of 4,700
<br />to 4,800 feet. It formed in alluvium deposited by the
<br />South Platte River. Included in mapping are small areas
<br />of sods that have sand and gravelly sand in the lower
<br />part of the substratum.
<br />Typically the surface layer is grayish brawn sandy loam
<br />about 11 inches thick. The subsoil is brown and yellowish
<br />bmwn sandy clay loam about 18 inches thick The sub-
<br />stratum to a depth of 60 inches is loamy sand.
<br />Permeab~ity and available water capacity are
<br />moderate. The effective rooting depth is 60 inches or
<br />more. Surface runoff is medium, and the erosion hazard is
<br />low.
<br />This eo~7 is used almost entirely for irrigated crops. It
<br />is suited to all crops commonly grown in the area, 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 m'lage,
<br />sugar beets, small grain, or beans. Land leveling, ditch
<br />lining, and installing pipelines may be needed for proper
<br />water application
<br />All methods of irrigation are suitable, but furrow ir-
<br />rigation is the most common Barnyard manure and com-
<br />meraal fertilizer are needed for top yields.
<br />Windbreaks and envuronmantal plantings are generally
<br />suited to this soil 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-0live, and haclcberry. The
<br />shrubs best suited are skunkbush sumac, lilac, and Sberi-
<br />an peashrub.
<br />Wildlife is an important secondary use of this soil.
<br />Ring-necked pheasant, mourning dove, and many non-
<br />game species can be attracted by establishing areas for
<br />nesting and escape cover. For pheasants, undisturbed
<br />nesting cover is essential and should be included in plans
<br />for habitat development, especially in areas of intensive
<br />agriculture.
<br />This soII has good potential for urban and recreational
<br />development. Lawns, shrubs, and trees grow well The
<br />only limiting features are the rapid permeability in the
<br />substratum and the resulting hazard of ground water con-
<br />tamination from sewage lagoons Capability subclass IIe
<br />irrigated.
<br />13-Casc$jo gravelly sandy loam, 5 to 20 percent
<br />elopes. This is a deep, excessively drained soil on terrace
<br />edges and upland ridges at elevations of 4,600 to 5,200
<br />feet. It formed in very gravelly calcareous alluvium. In-
<br />cluded in mapping are small areas of soils that are shal-
<br />low or moderately deep over sandstone and shale.
<br />13
<br />Typically the surface layer is brown gravelly sandy
<br />loam about 9 inches thick. The upper part of the underly-
<br />ing material is pale brown and light yellowish brown very
<br />gravelly sandy loam about 22 inches thick. The lower part
<br />to a depth of 60 inches is light yellowish brown very
<br />gravelly sand. A layer of strong lime ac~wnulation 22
<br />inches thick is below the surface layer.
<br />Permeability is moderately rapid. Available water
<br />capacity is moderate. The effective tooting depth is 60
<br />inches or more. Surface runoff is slow to medium, and the
<br />erosion hazard is low.
<br />The potential native vegetation is dominated by little
<br />bluestem, sideoats grams, sand reedgrass, blue grams
<br />hairy grams, switchgrass, and needleandthread. Potentia
<br />production ranges from 1,200 pounds per acre in favors
<br />ble years to 700 pounds in unfavorable years. As range
<br />condition deteriorates, the tall and mid grasses decrease
<br />blue grams and hairy grams increase, and forage produo
<br />lion drops
<br />Management of vegetation should be based on takinl
<br />half or less of the total annual production Seeding anc
<br />mechanical treatment are impractical Deferred grazing c
<br />a practical measure in improving range condition
<br />Windbreaks and environmental phmtings are suited b
<br />this soil Low available water capacity and high calciun
<br />content are the principal hazards in establishing trees an~
<br />shrubs Weed control is needed to insure establishmen
<br />and survival of plantings Supplemental irrigation also
<br />may be needed to insure survival Trees that are bes
<br />suited and have good survival are Roc]q~ Mountain ju
<br />Wiper, eastern redcedar, ponderosa pine, and Siberian eln
<br />The shrubs best adapted are skunkbush sumac and lilac
<br />Wadlife uses are very limited because this soil lack
<br />potential for producing necessary habitat element:
<br />Bemuse most of the acreage is rangehmd, only rangelam
<br />wildlife, for example, scaled qua~1 and antelope, are typi
<br />cal Extaeme care is needed in managing livestock grazin;
<br />in order to provide suitable habitat on this soil
<br />Steepness is the most limiting soil feature that must b
<br />considered in plam~ing homesites and the construction o
<br />roads. Other limiting features are the rapid permeabilit
<br />in the substratum and the resulting hazard of groan
<br />water contamination from sewage lagoons Site prepay.
<br />lion for environmental plantings such as lawns, shrub
<br />and trees is difficult because of the high rnntant of gravy
<br />and cobbles Capability subclass VIIa nonirrigated; Gravy
<br />breaks range site.
<br />14-Colby loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes. This is a deei
<br />well drained soil on uphmds at elevations of 4,850 to 5,05
<br />feet It formed in calcareous eolian deposits.
<br />Typically the surface layer is pale brown loam about I
<br />inches thick The underlying material to a depth of f
<br />inches is very pale brown silt loam.
<br />Permeability is moderate. Available water capacity
<br />high The effective rooting depth is 60 inches or mor
<br />Surface runoff is slow, and the erosion hazard is low.
<br />This soil is used almost entirely for irrigated crops.
<br />is suited to all crops commonly grown in the area inclu,
<br />
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