PERMFILE114566

• Permit No: C1980007
• IBM Index Class Name: Permit File
• Doc Date: 12/11/2001
• Section_Exhibit Name: Exhibit 70 Appendix M Part 3
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

SOIL SURVEY
• Soil descriptions and potentials
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1-Absarokee loam, 3 to 12 percent slopes. This is
a moderately deep, well drained soil that overlies weath-
ered sandstone at a depth of 20 to 40 inches. It formed
in material weathered from sandstone and is on uplands
and valley side slopes. Elevation ranges from 6,800 to
8,500 feet. Average annual precipitation is about 15 to
20 inches, average annual air temperature is about 44
degrees F, and the average frost-free season is about
90 days.
Typically the surtace layer is dark grayish brown loam
about 7 inches thick. The subsoil is brown clay about 18
inches thick. The substratum is light brown channery clay
loam. Sandstone is at a depth of about 30 inches.
Permeability is moderately slow, and available water
capacity is low. Effective rooting depth is about 20 to 40
inches. Surface runoff is medium. The hazard of erosion
from wind is slight and from water is moderate.
Included with this soil in mapping are a few small
areas of Beenom and Work soils. Also included are
some areas where the surface layer is light clay loam
and small areas where gravel, cobbles, and stones are
on the surface.
The native vegetation on this soil consists mainly of
Gambel oak, serviceberry, big sagebrush, wheatgrasses,
and brome.
Most areas of this soil are used for grazing of livestock
and wildlife and for recreational purposes. Some areas
are irrigated and are used mainly for hay, small grains,
and pasture.
This soil is suited to short-season crops commonly
grown in the survey area. Extreme care is needed to
prevent water and wind erosion. The soil should be kept
in legumes, grasses, or close-growing crops at least half
of the time. Moisture intake rate is moderate, and the
soil should be worked at the proper moisture content.
Land leveling, good management of irrigation water, and
the use of crop residue help to conserve irrigation water,
control erosion, and maintain organic matter content.
Using green manure crops and using grasses and le-
gumes in rotation also help to maintain organic matter
content and to control erosion.
This soil can be used for irrigated pasture and hay
crops. It is well suited to smooth brome, orchardgrass,
intermediate wheatgrass, alfalfa, and clover. Irrigation
can be done by contour ditch, corrugation, and furrow
methods.
Because annual precipitation is low and has poor sea-
sonal distribution, this soil is not suited to nonirrigated
crops. However, nonirrigated pasture can be planted late
in summer and in fall to protect the soil from erosion and
to provide grazing for livestock, if good pasture manage-
ment is practiced. Crested wheatgrass, smooth brome,
pubescent wheatgrass, and Kentucky bluegrass are
adapted species.
The potential plant community on this soil consists
mainly of Gambel oak, mountain brome, nodding brome,
slender wheatgrass, and elk sedge. As range condition
deteriorates, mountain brome, nodding brome, slender
wheatgrass, and elk sedge decrease, and fortis and
woody shrubs increase, and undesirable weeds and
annual plants invade and become more abundant.
Seeding is advisable if range is in poor condition. Slen-
der wheatgrass and western wheatgrass are suitable for
seeding. Grasses that meet the seasonal requirements
of livestock should be selected. Preparing a seedbed
and drilling the seed help to obtain the best results. On
some sites, control of competing shrubs is required to
improve range condition. Seeded or brushed areas
should be fenced.
This soil is used for winter range by mule deer and elk.
Some important plant species that can be managed for
optimum production are bitterbrush, mountainmahogany,
Gambel oak, serviceberry, and elk sedge. Berry-produc-
ing shrubs are used by black bear. This soil provides
habitat for Merriam turkey, blue grouse, and band-tailed
pigeon. In favorable years mature Gambel oaks produce
acorns, which are used by Merriam turkey.
If this soil is used for urban development, the main
limitation is depth to bedrock. Moderately slow perme-
ability is a limitation to the use of this soil for septic tank
absorption fields. The limitations can be overcome by
the use of proper design and construction methods.
This soil is in capability subclass IVe, irrigated and
nonirrigated.
2-Absarokee-Work {oams, 6 to 25 percent slopes.
These moderately sloping to moderately steep soils are
on uplands and valley side slopes. Elevation ranges from
6,800 to 8,500 feet. Average annual precipitation is
about 17 inches, average annual air temperature is about
44 degrees F, and the average frost-free season is
about 90 days.
The Absarokee soil makes up about 40 percent of this
complex and is on the steeper side slopes and on small
ridges. The Work soil makes up about 40 percent and is
in depressions and swales.
Included with this complex in mappino are a few small
areas of Beenom, Kech, Progresso, and Potts soils and
Fluvents, flooded. Also included are some areas where
the surface layer is light clay loam or sandy loam and
small areas where gravel, cobbles, and stones are on
the surface. The included areas make up 20 percent of
the complex.
The Absarokee soil is moderately deep and well
drained and overlies sandstone at a depth of 20 to 40
inches. It formed in material weathered from sandstone.
Typically the surtace layer of the Absarokee soil is
dark grayish brown loam about 7 inches thick. The sub-
soil is brown clay about 18 inches thick. The substratum
is light brown channery clay loam. Sandstone is at a
depth of about 30 inches.