|
Fremont County Area, Colorado
<br />planting seedlings is difficult. If plant competition is not
<br />a limitation, the mortality rate of 2-year-old seedlings is
<br />about 25 to 50 percent. The planting techniques used
<br />and local variations in climate greatly influence seedling
<br />survival. Plant competition delays natural regeneration
<br />but does not prevent the eventual development of a
<br />fully stocked, normal stand of trees.
<br />This unit is poorly suited to homesite development.
<br />The main limitations are the slope and the slow
<br />permeability in the Seitz soil. The depth to bedrock also
<br />is a limitation in areas that are not wooded.
<br />The capability classification is Vlls, nonirrigated. The
<br />unit is about 75 percent in the Ponderosa Pine
<br />woodland site and 25 percent in the Shallow Loam #23C
<br />ran~-ge-site.
<br />poatShanta loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes. This
<br />deep, well drained soil is on stream terraces. It formedwell drained soil is on stream terraces. It formed
<br />in alluvium. The native vegetation is mainly grasses.
<br />Elevation is 5,800 to 6,300 feet. The average annual
<br />precipitation is 13 to 15 inches, the average annual air
<br />temperature is 48 to 52 degrees F, and the average
<br />frost-free period is 120 to 140 days.
<br />The surface layer and the subsoil are typically brown
<br />loam about 49 inches thick. The substratum to a depth
<br />of 60 inches or more is strafitied sandy loam and loamy
<br />sand. The soil is mildly alkaline to a depth of 2 inches
<br />and is moderately alkaline below that depth.
<br />Included with this sot! in mapping are areas of
<br />Cascajo soils adjacent to stream channels. These soils
<br />make up about 10 percent of the unit. They are mainly
<br />sand, gravel, and cobbles. Also included are areas of
<br />wet, very poorly drained soils bordering stream
<br />channels. These soils make up about 5 percent of the
<br />unit.
<br />About 80 acres along Fourmile Creek, in sections 21
<br />to 28, T. 17 S., R. 70 W., contains mainly wet, very
<br />poorly drained soils. The soils mostly have a surface
<br />layer of grayish brown sandy loam about 5 inches thick
<br />dver 7 inches of loamy sand. The substratum to a depth
<br />of 60 inches"or more is very gravelly loamy coarse sand
<br />that has nearly continuous, strong brown mottles.
<br />Permeability is moderate in the Shanty soil. Available
<br />water capacity is high. Effective rooting depth is 60
<br />inches or more. Runoff is stow, and the hazard of water
<br />erosion is slight. The soil is subject to rare, very brief
<br />periods of flooding from April through September.
<br />Most areas of this soil are used for irrigated pasture
<br />and hay. A few areas are used as rangeland or for
<br />nonirrigated pasture.
<br />The potential plant community is mainly western
<br />wheatgrass, blue grama, prairie junegrass, and
<br />needleandthread. The average annual production of air-
<br />dry vegetation is about 1,300 pounds per acre. If the
<br />77
<br />condition of the range deteriorates, blue grama, red
<br />threeawn, and rabbitbrush increase. Range seeding is
<br />suitable if the range is in poor condition.
<br />This soil is well suited to irrigated crops. The
<br />seedbed should be prepared on the contour or across
<br />the slope where practical. Irrigation water can be
<br />applied by contour ditches and corrugation. 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. Proper stocking rates, pasture
<br />rotation, and restricted grazing during wet periods help
<br />to keep the pasture in good condition and protect the
<br />soil from erosion. Fertilizer is needed to ensure the
<br />optimum growth of grasses and legumes. If properly
<br />managed, this soil can produce 5 tons of irrigated
<br />alfalfa hay per acre.
<br />This soil is poorly suited to homesite development.
<br />The main concern is the rare flooding. Areas on low
<br />stream terraces adjacent to the stream channels are
<br />subject to more frequent flooding.
<br />The capability classification is Ile, irrigated, and IVe,
<br />nonirrigated. The soil is in the Loamy Foothill #202
<br />range site.
<br />105-Shanty loam, dry, 0 to 3 percent slopes. This
<br />deep, well drained soil is on stream terraces. It formed
<br />in alluvium. The native vegetation is mainly grasses.
<br />Elevation is 5,000 to 5,300 feet. The average annual
<br />precipitation is 11 or 12 inches, the average annual air
<br />temperature is 50 to 53 degrees F, and the average
<br />frost-free period is 140 to 165 days.
<br />The surface layer is typically grayish brown loam
<br />about 27 inches thick. The substratum to a depth of 60
<br />inches or more is stratified sandy clay loam, loam, and
<br />silty clay loam. The soil is mildly alkaline to a depth of
<br />48 inches and is moderately alkaline below that depth.
<br />Included with this soil in mapping are areas of poorly
<br />drained soils adjacent to stream channels. These soils
<br />have a surface layer of fine sandy loam. They make up
<br />about 10 percent of the unit. Also included are areas of
<br />well drained soils that generally have sandy loam in the
<br />upper 40 inches. These soils make up about 5 percent
<br />of the unit.
<br />Permeability is moderate in the Shanty soil. Available
<br />water capacity is high. Effective rooting depth is 60
<br />inches or more. Runoff is slow, and the hazard of water
<br />erosion is slight. The soil is generally subject to rare,
<br />very brief periods of flooding from April through
<br />September. Some areas in the town of Florence are not
<br />subject to flooding because of the higher elevation or
<br />because of flood-protection measures.
<br />Most areas of this soil are used as irrigated cropland.
<br />A few areas are used for urban development. Hay and
<br />pasture are the main irrigated crops. A few areas on the
<br />
|