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SOIL <br />appears to be a result of poor management of the vegetation, primarily <br />• overgrazing. This has resulted in wind and sheet erosion of the surface soils <br />and a consequent thinning of the A horizon. <br />As a source of topsoil for reclamation this soil is almost worthless. <br />At best only the tap 3 to 6 inches would provide any kind of growth medium and <br />that would be poor. <br />Chemically this soil tends to be moderately alkaline, as would be <br />expected in the hilly portions of the high plains. Calcareous deposits can <br />sometimes be seen coating the rocks in the deeper zones, but in same <br />situations the infiltration rate into this soil is so high calcium deposits <br />cannot even form. <br />lJn steep slopes this soil tends to be erodable, but in most situations <br />the erosion potential is slight to moderate. This is most often due to an <br />"armor coating" by cobbles. In effect, rip rap does not erode easily. <br />MAMrEL SILT LAWN. 0% TO 1% SLOES: <br />t]-i this site the Manuel series is found on lands below the elevation of <br />the gravel deposit rich is indicated by the Cascaio series. Although <br />markedly better than the Cascajo series, this soil also is poorly developed <br />and subject to draughty conditions. <br />Structurally, this series is deep and well-drained. It typically is <br />composed of high quantities of silt, but on this site, because of its <br />topographic location below the gravel deposit, pieces of gravel can be found <br />throughout its structure, except where the gravel deposit is a considerable <br />distance from the soil location. <br />The quantity of gravel is slight and reduces the water holding capacity <br />only slightly. The available water capacity is two to three times greater <br />than the Casca,io series. Salinity is not a problem in the top 4 inches but <br />below 4 inches it can increase to a limiting level for very salt sensitive <br />plants. The S.C.S. rates this soil as being fair as a topsoil source and <br />notes that excess lime may be a problem in same instances. <br />The top 4 inches is about the only portion that is really worth saving, <br />but the soil from 4 inches to 9 or 10 inches is not especially poor and could <br />be saved and blended with the top layer. The first 4 inches is the Al horizon <br />while the next 5 inches is the AC horizon. Below 9 or 10 inches there is <br />• nothing of value in the way of topsoil. <br />Page 26 <br />