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M
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<br />calcareous, gravelly alluvium derived principally from
<br />basalt. The average annual precipitation is about 7
<br />inches; the average annual air temperature is about 41
<br />degrees F; and the frost-tree period is about 95 days.
<br />Included in this unit are small areas of Travelers very
<br />stony loam, Luhon loam, and basalt Rock outcrop.
<br />Typically, the surace layer of this Garita Soil ~s brown
<br />gravelly loam about 3 ruches thick. The underlying
<br />material to a tlepth of about 6 inches is brown gravelly
<br />loam. Below this, to a depth of about 21 inches, is white
<br />very gravelly loam that has a moderate many layer of
<br />concentrated calcium carbonate. From a depth of 21 to
<br />60 inches, the soil is very pale brown very gravelly loam
<br />that has less calcium carbonate than the layer above.
<br />PermeabArty is moderate. Elfecbve rooting depth is 60
<br />inches or more. Available water capaaty is moderate.
<br />Surface runoff ~s medium, and the hazard of erosion ~s
<br />moderate.
<br />This soil is used as range and for wiltllite habitat.
<br />The potential natural vegetation on this Garita soil ~s
<br />dom~natetl by wintedat, fourwing saltbush, Indian
<br />ricegrass, and blue grams. It the range deteriorates, the
<br />proportion of these more desirable plants decreases,
<br />and that of plants such as threeawn, pr~cklypear,
<br />snakeweed, pingue, and other (orbs increases.
<br />Undesirable weeds and annual plants invade and
<br />become more abundant as range cond~uon declines.
<br />Establishing rangeland seedings is difficult on this soil
<br />because o1 the low rainfall. Deferred grazing, cross
<br />fencing, and stockwater developments are the practices
<br />most needed to prevent range deterioration and to
<br />promote the growth of more desirable plant species.
<br />This Garita soil has limited potential for wildlife habitat
<br />because of sparse vegetation. The soft is best suited to
<br />habitat for wildlife such as antelope, jackrabbit,
<br />cottontail, and coyote.
<br />This sort is suited to homesite development. The main
<br />limitations are slope and the large number of rock
<br />fragments throughout the sort profile. Gravel and
<br />cobblestones should be removed from areas that are to
<br />be landscaped, particularly if these areas are used for
<br />lawns. Slope limas the use of this soft as septic tank
<br />absorption Melds. and absorption lines should be
<br />installed on the contour. If the density of housing is
<br />moderate to high, community sewage systems are
<br />needed to prevent contamination of water supplies as a
<br />result of seepage from onsite sewage disposal systems.
<br />This soil is in capability subclass Vlle, nonirrigated. It is
<br />in the Limy Bench range site.
<br />2~6-G~rarita-Platoro complex, 1 to 9_ percent slopzeys~
<br />I ne5e Qe~, Y2~~f?dsi -,. --'- -'_~~r nn _an~` g ant
<br />terraces on alluvial valley floors. Elevation is 7,600 to
<br />8,a00 feet. The average annual precipitation is about 8
<br />inches; the average annual air temperature is about 4 t
<br />degrees F; and the frost-tree period is about 95 days.
<br />Soft Survey
<br />The Garita soils make up 55 percent of the unit, and
<br />the Platoro sons make up about 40 percent. Garita soils
<br />differ from the Platoro soils by having a layer of
<br />concentrated calcium carbonate and a greater
<br />percentage of rock fragments. Luhon loam and Rock
<br />River gravelly loam make up about 5 percent of the unit.
<br />The Garita soils are deep, well drained, very gravelly
<br />soils. They formed in calcareous, gravelly alluvwm
<br />derived principally from basalt. Typically, the sudace
<br />layer is brown gravelly loam about 3 inches thick. The
<br />underlying material to a depth of about 9 inches is brown
<br />gravelly loam. Below this to a depth of about 21 inches
<br />~s white very gravelly loam that has concentrated
<br />accumulations of calcium carbonate. Between the
<br />depths of 21 and 60 inches, the soil is pale brown very
<br />graverly loam and has Jess calcium carbonate than the
<br />layer above.
<br />In the Garita soils, permeability is moderate. Effective
<br />rooting depth is 60 inches or more. Available water
<br />capacity is moderate. Surface runoff is slow, and the
<br />hazard of erosion is slight.
<br />The Platoro soils are deep and well drained. They
<br />formed in alluvium derived mainly from igneous rocks.
<br />Typically, the surface layer is I~ght brownish gray loam
<br />about 8 inches thick. The subsoil is brown clay loam rn
<br />the upper 9 inches and calcareous, brown gravelly clay
<br />loam in the lower 4 inches. The upper part of the
<br />substratum, about 12 inches thick, is brown very gravelly
<br />loam with visible calcium carbonate; and the lower pan
<br />of the substratum, extending to a depth of 60 inches or
<br />more, is light brownish gray very gravelly loamy sand.
<br />In Platoro soils, permeability is moderately slow.
<br />Effective rooting depth is 60 inches or more. Available
<br />water capacity is moderate. sudace runoff is medium, and
<br />the hazard of erosion is slight. The hazard of soil blowing
<br />~s moderate.
<br />These soils are used mainly for range, and a few small
<br />areas are used for irrigated pasture.
<br />Irrigation methods suitable for this complex are the
<br />border, lurrow, and sprinkler methods. Land leveling and
<br />proper lengths of run are needed to prevent water loss
<br />from seepage and the buildup of salts in the soil. On
<br />irrigated fields, applications of commercial fertilizers,
<br />manure, and plant residue are commonly needed.
<br />The potential natural vegetation on the Garita soils is
<br />dominated by winterlat, Indian ricegrass, blue grams, and
<br />fourwing saltbush. If the range deteriorates, the
<br />proportion of these more desirable plants decreases,
<br />and that of plants such as threeawn, pricklypear,
<br />snakeweed, pingue, and other torbs increases.
<br />Undesirable weeds and annual plants invade and
<br />become more abundant as the range condition declines.
<br />The potential natural vegetation on the Platoro sorts is
<br />dominated by blue grams, Indian ricegrass,
<br />needleandthread. winterfat, and fourwing saltbush. Ii the
<br />range deteriorates, the proportion of Indian ricegrass,
<br />needleandthread, and western wheatgrass decreases,
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