Laserfiche WebLink
• 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 />