|
Fremont County Area, Colorado
<br />a limitation on many of the ridges and steep side
<br />slopes.
<br />The capability classification is Vlle, nonirrigated. The
<br />unit is about 60 percent in the Skeletal Loam #377
<br />range site and 40 percent in the Shallow Loam #230
<br />range site.
<br />34-Fort Collins loam, 1 to 4 percent slopes. This
<br />deep, well drained soil is on plains and fan terraces. It
<br />formed in medium textured alluvium. The native
<br />vegetation is mainly grasses. Elevation is 5,100 to
<br />5,600 feet. The average annual precipitation is 12 to 14
<br />inches, the average annual air temperature is 51 to 53
<br />degrees F, and the average frost-free period is 140 to
<br />170 days.
<br />The surface layer is typically pale brown loam about
<br />4 inches thick. The subsoil to a depth of 60 inches or
<br />more is loam. The soil is neutral to a depth of 15
<br />inches. It is mildly alkaline to a depth of 21 inches and
<br />is moderately alkaline below that depth.
<br />Permeability is moderate. Available water capacity is
<br />high. Effective rooting depth is 60 inches or more.
<br />Runoff is slow or medium, and the hazard of water
<br />erosion is slight or moderate.
<br />This soil is used as rangeland or for hay and pasture.
<br />Small areas in Lincoln Park are used for vegetables or
<br />for fruit orchards.
<br />The potential plant community is mainly blue grama,
<br />western wheatgrass, and sideoats grama. The average
<br />annual production of air-dry vegetation is about 800
<br />pounds per acre. If the condition of the range
<br />deteriorates, blue grama, red threeawn, and pricklypear
<br />increase. Range seeding is suitable if the range is in
<br />poor condition.
<br />This soil is well suited to irrigated crops. The
<br />irrigation water can be applied by furrow, corrugation,
<br />flooding from contour ditches, or sprinklers. It should be
<br />applied at a rate that ensures optimum production
<br />without increasing deep percolation, the runoff rate, or
<br />the hazard of erosion. Grazing when the soil is wet
<br />results in compaction of the surface layer, poor filth,
<br />and excessive runoff. Fertilizer is needed to ensure the
<br />optimum growth of grasses and legumes. If properly
<br />managed, this soil can produce 6.0 tons of irrigated
<br />alfalfa hay per acre.
<br />This soil is well suited to homesite development.
<br />The capability classification is Ile, irrigated, and Vlc,
<br />nonirrigated. The soil is in the Loamy Plains #6 range
<br />site.
<br />35-Fort Collins loam, cool, 0 to 2 percent slopes.
<br />This deep, well drained soil is on fan terraces. It formed
<br />in alluvium. The native vegetation is mainly grasses.
<br />Elevation is 5,600 to 6,300 feet. The average annual
<br />37
<br />precipitation is 12 to 15 inches, the average annual air
<br />temperature is 49 to 52 degrees F, and the average
<br />frost-free period is 130 to 160 days.
<br />The surface layer is typically brown loam about 4
<br />inches thick. The upper part of the subsoil is clay loam
<br />about 17 inches thick. The lower part of the subsoil and
<br />the substratum to a depth of 60 inches or more are
<br />loam. The soil is neutral to a depth of 4 inches. It is
<br />mildly alkaline to a depth of 16 inches and is
<br />moderately alkaline below that depth.
<br />Included with this soil in mapping are areas of Nunn
<br />soils. These soils have a surface layer of clay loam and
<br />have more clay in the subsoil than the Fort Collins soil.
<br />They make up about 5 percent of the unit.
<br />Permeability is moderate in the Fort Collins soil.
<br />Available water capacity is high. Effective rooting depth
<br />is 60 inches or more. Runoff is slow, and the hazard of
<br />water erosion is slight.
<br />Most areas of this soil are used as rangeland. A few
<br />areas are used for irrigated hay and pasture. A few
<br />small areas were formerly used as cropland but have
<br />been replanted to grass.
<br />The potential plant community is mainly western
<br />wheatgrass, blue grama, little bluestem, and
<br />needleandthread. The average annual production of air-
<br />dry vegetation is about 1,100 pounds per acre. If the
<br />condition of the range deteriorates, blue grama,
<br />pricklypear, walkingstick cholla, and tall rabbitbrush
<br />increase. Range seeding is suitable if the range is in
<br />poor condition.
<br />This soil is well suited to irrigated crops. Irrigation
<br />water can be applied by furrow, corrugation, flooding
<br />from contour ditches, or sprinklers. The water should be
<br />applied at a rate that ensures optimum production
<br />without increasing deep percolation, the runoff rate, or
<br />the hazard of erosion. Grazing when the soil is wet
<br />results in compaction of the surface layer, poor filth,
<br />and excessive runoff. Fertilizer is needed to ensure the
<br />optimum growth of grasses and legumes. If properly
<br />managed, this soil can produce 5.5 tons of irrigated
<br />alfalfa hay per acre.
<br />This soil is well suited to hon~esite development.
<br />The capability classification is Ile, irrigated, and IVe,
<br />nonirrigated. The soil is in the Loamy Foothill #202
<br />range site.
<br />36-Fort Collins loam, cool, 2 to 5 percent slopes.
<br />This deep, well drained soil is on fan terraces and fans.
<br />It formed in alluvium. The native vegetation is mainly
<br />grasses. Elevation is 5,300 to 6,600 feet. The average
<br />annual precipitation is 13 to 15 inches, the average
<br />annual air temperature is 49 to 52 degrees F, and the
<br />average frost-free period is 130 to 160 days.
<br />The surface layer is typically grayish brown loam
<br />
|