2007-03-27_PERMIT FILE - M2007021

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general soil map units The general soil map at the back of this publication shows broad areas that have a distinctive pattern of soils, relief, and drainage. Each map unit on the general soil map is a unique natural landscape. Typically, a map unit consists of one or more major soils and some minor soils. It is named for the major soils. The soils making up one unit can occur in other units but in a different pattern. The general soil map can be used to compare the suitability of large areas for general land uses. Areas of suitable soils can be identified on the map. Likewise, areas where the soils are not suitable can be identified. Because of its small scale, the map is not suitable for planning the management of a farm or field or for selecting a site for a road or building or other structure. The soils in any one map unit differ from place to place in slope, depth, drainage, and other characteristics that affect management. soil descriptions 1. Ascalon-Haxtun-Platner Newry level to undulating, deep, well drained loamy sands, sandy /Dams, and loamy,• on smooth plains These soils formed in wind-reworked or loess-capped alluvium of the Ogallala Formation. This map unit makes up 17 percent of the survey area. It consists of about 30 percent Ascalon soils, 30 percent Haxtun soils, 20 percent Platner soils, and 20 percent minor soils. Ascalon soils have a surface layer of loamy sand, sandy loam, or fine sandy loam and a subsoil of sandy clay loam. The substratum is fine sandy loam and is coarser with increasing depth. These soils are nearly level to very gently undulating and are on generally convex plains. Haxtun soils have a surface layer of loamy sand or sandy loam and a buried subsoil of sandy clay loam. The substratum is sandy loam. These soils are in swalelike areas on plains. Platner soils have a surface layer of loam or sandy loam and a subsoil of clay loam. The substratum is gravelly sand. These soils are nearly Ievei and are on plains. The minor soils include the Albinas, Richfield, Iliff, Canyon, Rago, and Paoli soils. Albinas and Paoli soils are on flood plains. Richfield, Iliff, and Canyon soils are on upland plains. Rego soils are the most extensive minor soils in this map unit. They are in swalelike areas and on flood plains. The soils making up this map unit are used mainly as irrigated and nonirrigated cropland. Wheat is the principal crop on nonirrigated cropland. Corn, sugar beets, and pinto beans are grown on irrigated cropland. Controlling soil blowing and water erosion is the major management problem. Stripcropping and stubble mulching help to minimize soil blowing and water erosion. Acrop-fallow cropping system conserves moisture on nonirrigated cropland. Returning crop residue to the sail is effective in controlling soil blowing on irrigated and nonirrigated cropland. If a good management system is applied, these soils have good potential for increased crop production. They have good potential for use as habitat for openland wi{dlife. 2. Kuma-Keith Nearly /eve/ to gently undu/ating, deep, we/l drained silt loamy,• on smooth p/ains These soils formed in loess. The map unit makes up 13 percent of the survey area. It consists of about 50 percent Kuma soils, 30 percent Keith soils, and 20 percent minor soils. Kuma soils have a surface layer of silt loam and a subsoil of silty clay loam. The lower part of the subsoil is a buried layer of darker colored silty clay loam. The substratum is silt loam and loam. These soils are nearly level to gently undulating and are on plains. Keith soils have a surface layer of silt loam and a subsoil of silty clay loam. The substratum is silt loam. These soils are nearly level to gently undulating and are on plains. The minor soils include the Colby and Rago soils. Rego soils are in swales. Colby soils are sloping and are on low hills. The soils making up this map unit are used mainly as irrigated and nonirrigated cropland. Wheat is the principa crop on nonirrigated cropland. Corn and sugar beets are the principal crops on irrigated cropland. Controlling soil blowing and water erosion is the major management problem. Terraces minimize runoff, thus reducing soil and water losses. Stubble mulching and stripcropping minimize soil blowing. Returning crop residue to the soil and good irrigation management are effective in controlling soil blowing and water erosion on irrigated cropland.