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SITE DESCRIPTION EXHIBIT B SOILS INFORMATION The following soils and vegetation information was obtained from site observations and the basic soils and vegetation infor- mation from the Natural Resources Conservation Service in Yuma Colorado. The following soils information is made part of this application. Soil unit is shown on the MRCS map, reproduced on page 6 following this text. This soil is best suited to sprinkler irrigation. Frequent 18—Haxtun loamy sand. This is a deep, well drained, light applications of water, particularly early in the sandy soil mainly in swales and sandhill valleys in the growing season, make the most efficient use of water. southern and north-central parts of the county. This soil Fertilizers that add nitrogen and phosphorus to the soil, formed in eolian sand that overlies an older buried soil. applied at rates determined by soil tests, normally The areas range to 500 acres in size. Slopes are mainly increase the yield of irrigated crops. 0 to 3 percent but range to 5 percent in some small The main concerns in managing nonirrigated cropland areas. are controlling soil blowing and conserving moisture. This Included in mapping are Dailey loamy sand, which soil is best suited to grain sorghum; however, small makes up about 5 percent of this map unit, and Manter grains can also be grown. To help maintain the organic loamy sand, which makes up about 10 percent. matter content and soil structure, an alfalfa-grass or Typically, the surface layer is grayish brown loamy grass mixture should be grown for 2 or 3 years and then sand about 10 inches thick. The upper part of the subsoil alternated with annual crops. Crop residue can be left on is dark grayish brown sandy loam about 10 inches thick. the soil to reduce the hazard of soil blowing. Light The lower part is a buried subsoil of dark grayish brown applications of nitrogen fertilizer normally increase crop sandy clay loam about 21 inches thick (fig. 2). The yields and the amount of crop residue produced. Crops substratum, to a depth of 60 inches, is very pale brown, should be planted at right angles to the prevailing wind, calcareous sandy loam. South of the Arikaree River, the and the newly planted field should be left In a ridged substratum is calcareous coarse and medium sand condition. Ridges equivalent to those left by a deep below a depth of about 40 inches. furrow drill are most effective. Permeability is moderate. The available water capacity The potential native vegetation is dominantly sand is moderate. The effective rooting depth is 60 inches or bluestem, needleandthread, prairie sandreed, more. Surface runoff is slow. Water erosion Is a slight switchgrass, little bluestem, and blue grams. If the range hazard, and soil blowing is a severe hazard. is overgrazed, these grasses decrease in number, and About 60 percent of the acreage of this soil Is sand sagebrush, sand dropseed, and wild buckwheat cropland, most of which is irrigated. The rest is increase. Undesirable weeds and annual plants invade rangeland. The main crops are corn, small grains, and increase as the range condition deteriorates. sorghum, hay, and pasture qrasses. This soil is well Badly depleted range can be improved by interseeding suited to irrigation, and good yields can be expected with with a mixture selected from sand bluestem, sideoats proper management. grams, switchgrass, and indiangrass. Sand sagebrush The main concerns in managing irrigated cropland are management helps to increase production on overgrazed controlling soil blowing, which can result in large losses range. of the organic matter in the soil, and maintaining soil Wildlife habitat, especially for openland and rangeland fertility. Soil blowing can be controlled by leaving crop wildlife, is an important secondary use for this soil. residue lying on the surface or as standing stubble when Habitat favorable for ring-necked pheasant, mourning crops are not grown. Crops can be seeded directly into dove, and many nongame species can be developed on the crop residue, which serves as a protective mulch cropland by establishing nesting and escape cover. that can prevent damage to young crops by soil blowing. Undisturbed nesting cover is vital for pheasants and Grasses and legumes grown in rotation about one-fourth of the time help to restore the organic matter lost should be planned for, especially in areas of intensive through soil blowing. Decomposition of organic matter in agriculture. Rangeland wildlife, for example, the the soil has a stabilizing effect that helps the soil resist pronghorn antelope, can be encouraged by developing soil blowing. livestock watering facilities, by properly grazing livestock, and by range seeding, where needed. Sand cherry, American plum, cotoneasler, and other species can 4 provide food for openland wildlife. The trees and shrub recommended for use in windbreaks can provide cover.