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r L f`J • PAONIA AREA, COLORADO In the Absarokee soil, permeability is moderately slow and available water capacity is low. Effective rooting depth is 20 to 40 inches. Surface runoff is medium. The hazard of erosion from wind is slight and from water is moderate. On the Absarokee soil the native vegetation consists mainly of Gambel oak, serviceberry, big sagebrush, wheatgrasses, and bromes. The Work soil is deep and well drained and overlies sandstone at a depth of 60 inches or more. It formed in material weathered from sandstone and in reworked eolian material. Typically the surface layer of the Work soil is dark brown loam about 6 inches thick. The subsoil is brown clay about 33 inches thick. The substratum is very pale brown channery loam and extends to a depth of 60 inches or more. In the Work soil, permeability is moderately slow and available water capacity is high. Effective rooting depth is 60 inches or more. Surface runoff is medium. The hazard of erosion from wind is slight and From water is moderate to high. On the Work soil the native vegetation consists mainly of wheatgrasses, bluegrasses, bromes, big sagebrush, oakbrush, and serviceberry. Most areas of this complex are used for grazing by livestock and wildlife and for recreational purposes. The potential plant community on the Absarokee soil consists mainly of Gambel oak, mountain brome, nod- ding brome, slender wheatgrass, and elk sedge. As range condition deteriorates, mountain brome, nodding brome, slender wheatgrass, and elk sedge decrease, forbs and woody shrubs increase, and undesirable weeds and annual plants invade and become more abundant. The potential plant community on the Work soil con- sists mainly of wheatgrasses, bluegrasses, and needle- grasses. As range condition deteriorates, the wheat- grasses and needlegrasses decrease, forbs and woody shrubs increase, and undesirable weeds and annual plants invade and become more abundant. Seeding is advisable on the soils in this complex if range is in poor condition. Slender wheatgrass, blue- bunch wheatgrass, western wheatgrass, and big blue- grass 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. Good pasture and range management is needed to maintain the grasses. On some sites control of competing shrubs is required to improve range condi- tion. These soils are used for winter range by mule deer and elk. Some important plant species which can be managed for optimum production are bitterbrush, moun- tainmahogany, Gambel oak, serviceberry, and elk sedge. Berry-producmg 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. Ii these soils are used for urban development, the main limitations are depth to bedrock, shrink-swell poten- tial, and slope. If they are used for septic tank absorption fields, permeability is also a limitation. The limitations can be overcome by the use of proper design and con- struction methods. These soils are in capability subclass Vle, nonirrigated. 3-Agua Fria stony loam, 3 to 72 percent slopes. This is a deep, well tlrained soil. tt formed in cobbly and stony outwash alluvium derived from basalt and is on old terraces, mesas, and tans. Elevation ranges from 5,800 to 7,000 feet. Average annual precipitation is about 13 inches, average annual air temperature is about 47 de- grees F, and the average frost-free season is about 115 days. Typically the surface layer is brown stony loam about 2 inches thick. The subsoil is reddish brown or light brown stony clay loam about 22 inches thick. The upper part of [he substratum is pink cobbly loam about 10 inches thick. The lower part, to a depth of 60 inches, is pink very cobbly loam. Permeability is moderately slow, and available water capacity is high. Effective rooting depth is 60 inches or more. 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 Saraton, Mesa, Avalon, Cerro, and Delson soils. In some places the surface layer Is tree of stones or is stony clay loam. In some small areas marl is at a depth of less than 40 inches. Some areas have less clay in the subsoil. In some areas the surface layer is very stony. The native vegetation on this soil consists mainly of big sagebrush, pinyon, and juniper (fig. 2). Western wheatgrass, Indian ricegrass, needleandthread, and June- grass are common grasses. About half of the acreage of this soil is used for grazing of livestock and wildlife and for recreational pur- poses. Some areas are in noncommercial forest and are used for limited grazing of livestock and wildlife and for recreational purposes. A small acreage is irrigated and is used for pasture, hay, and orchard crops. This soil is suited to all of the crops commonly grown in the survey area. Shortness of the growing season may limit the choice of crops. Because of stoniness, surface clearing or rock picking may be required so that the soil can be tilled. Moisture intake rate of the surface layer is moderate and moderately slow, and the soil is easy to work ii stones and cobbles are removed. This soil can be kept in continuous row crops if crop residue is used to maintain an adequate content of organic matter. Good management of irrigation water and land leveling help to conserve irrigation water and to control erosion. Mini- mum tillage and use of cover crops and green manure crops also help to maintain organic matter content and to control erosion.