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<br />calcareous, gravelly anuvwm derived pnnupally Irom
<br />basalt. The average annual preupitation is about 7
<br />inches; the average annual air temperature ~s about a 1
<br />degrees F; and the trosbfree period is about 95 days.
<br />Included in this unit are small areas of Travelers very
<br />stony loam, Luhon roam, and basalt Rock outcrop.
<br />Typically, the surface layer o1 this Garita soil is brown
<br />gravelly loam about 3 inches thick. The underlying
<br />material to a depth of about 6 inches is brown gravelly
<br />loam. Below this, to a depth of about 21 inches. ~s white
<br />very gravelly loam that has a moderate marly layer o1
<br />concentrated calcium carbonate. From a depth of 21 to
<br />60 inches, the sore is very pale brown very gravelly loam
<br />that has less Calcium carbonate than the layer above.
<br />Permeability is moderate. Effective rooting depth is 60
<br />inches or more. Available water capacity ~s moderate.
<br />Surface runoff ~s medum, and the hazard of erosion is
<br />moderate.
<br />This soil is used as range and for wildlife habitat.
<br />The potential natural vegetation on this Garita soil is
<br />dominated by wintedat, lourw~ng saltbush. Indian
<br />ricegrass, and blue grama. II the range deterrorates, the
<br />proportion o1 these more desirable plants decreases,
<br />antl that of plants such as threeawn, pricklypear,
<br />snakeweed, pmgue. and other forbs increases.
<br />Undesirable weeds and annual plants invade and
<br />become more abundant as range condition declines.
<br />Establishing rangeland seedings ~s difficult on this soil
<br />because of the low raintafl. Deterred grazing, cross
<br />1enc~ng, and stockwater developments are the practices
<br />most needed fo prevent range deterioration and to
<br />promote the growth of more desirable plant speues.
<br />This Garita soil has limited potential for wildlife habitat
<br />because of sparse vegetation. The soil is best suted to
<br />habrtat for wildlife such as antelope, jackrabbit,
<br />cottontail, and coyote.
<br />This soil is suited to homes~te development. The main
<br />IimilatiOnS are slope and the large number of rock
<br />Iragments throughout the soil profile. Gravel and
<br />cobblestones should be removed Irom areas that are to
<br />be lantlscaped, particularly i1 these areas are used for
<br />lawns. Slope limits the use of this soli as septic tank
<br />absorption lrelds, 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 o1 water supplies as a
<br />result of seepage Irom onsite sewage disposal systems.
<br />This soil ~s in capabihry subclass Vue, nonungated. It is
<br />in the Limy Bench range site.
<br />26-Garita-Platoro complex, 7 to 9 percent slopes.
<br />These deep, well drained soils occur on fans and
<br />terraces on alluvial valley Iloors. Elevation is 7,600 to
<br />8,400 feet. The average annual precipitation is akwut 8
<br />inches; the average annual air temperature is about 41
<br />degrees F; and the frost-tree period is about 95 days.
<br />
<br />Sod Survey
<br />The Garita sores make up 55 percent of the unit, and
<br />the Platoro soils make up about 40 percent. Garrta soils
<br />diner from the Platoro soils by having a layer o1
<br />concentrated calcium carbonate and a greater
<br />percentage o1 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 rn calcareous, gravelly alluvium
<br />derived principally from basalt. Typically, the surface
<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 o1 about 21 inches
<br />is whrfe 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 />gravelly loam and has less 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 sorts are deep and well drained. They
<br />formed in alluvwm derived mainly Irom igneous rocks.
<br />Typically, the surface layer is light brownish gray loam
<br />about 8 inches thick. The subsoil is brown clay loam in
<br />the upper 9 inches and calcareous, brown gravelly clay
<br />IOam in the IOwer 4 inCheS The upper part 01 the
<br />substratum, about 12 ~ncnes thick, is brown very gravelly
<br />loam with ws~ble calcium carbonate; and the lower part
<br />of the substratum, extending to a depth of 60 inches or
<br />more. ~s light brownish gray very gravelly loamy santl.
<br />In Platoro sods. permeability is moderately slow
<br />Effectrve rooting depth ~s 60 inches or more. Available
<br />water capacity rs moderate. Surface runoff is medium, and
<br />the hazard of erosion is slight The hazard of soil blowing
<br />is moderate.
<br />These sods 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, furrow, 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 lrelds, appl~CaliOns of Commercial fertilizers,
<br />manure, and plant residue are commonly needed
<br />The potential natural vegetation on the Garita soils is
<br />dominated by wintertat, Indian ricegrass, blue grama, and
<br />fourwing saltbush. If the range deter~orales, the
<br />proportion of these more desirable plants decreases,
<br />and that of plants such as threeawn, pricklypear,
<br />snakeweed, pingue, and other forbs 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 soils is
<br />dominated by blue grama. Indian ricegrass,
<br />needleandthread, wmterfat, and 10urvnng saltbush. It the
<br />range deteriorates, the propon~on of Indian ricegrass,
<br />needleandthread. and western wheatgrass decreases.
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