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<br />Saguache County area, Colorado
<br />and that o1 blue grama, threeawn, snakeweed, and
<br />rabbitbrush increases. Undesirable weeds and annual
<br />plants invade and become more abundant as the range
<br />condition declines.
<br />Deferred grazing, cross fencing, and stockwater
<br />developments are needed to prevent range deterioration
<br />and to promote the growth o1 more desirable plant
<br />species.
<br />This complex is limned for use as wrldlife habitat
<br />because of low vegetative production. On nonirrigated
<br />areas, these soils are best suited to habitat for such
<br />wildlife as antelope, jackrabbit, cottontail, and coyote. If
<br />wildlife use is planned, the value of these soils to wildlife
<br />can be improved by livestock water developments and
<br />grazing management practices. II the soil is irrigated,
<br />crop residue may provide food for ring-necked pheasant
<br />and waterfowl.
<br />These soils are suited to homesite development. The
<br />main limitation is the large content of cobblestones in
<br />the Garita soils. The sand and gravel substratum o1 the
<br />Platoro soils can cause seepage and pollution of ground
<br />water if these soils are used for sewage lagoons or
<br />trench-type landfills.
<br />This complex ~s in capability subclasses IVe, irrigated,
<br />and Vlle, nonirrigated. The Garda sods are in the Limy
<br />Bench range site, and the Platoro 5015 are rn the
<br />Mountain Outwash range site.
<br />27-Gelkie loam, 3 to 25 percent slopes. This deep.
<br />well drained soil is on toe slopes and mountain side
<br />slopes. Gelkie soils formed in colluv;um lrom igneous
<br />rock. This soil is at elevations o1 8,400 to 9.500 feet. The
<br />average annual precpitation is t7 inches; the average
<br />annual air temperature is 36 degrees F; and the frost-
<br />free season is about 60 days.
<br />Included in this unit are a few small areas of
<br />Bushvalley cobbly loam, Decross loam, and Seitz very
<br />stony loam.
<br />Typically, the surface layer of this Gelkie soil is grayish
<br />brown loam about 4 inches thick. The next layer is
<br />grayish brown clay loam about 9 inches thick. The
<br />subsoil rs brown gravelly clay IOam about 11 inches
<br />thick. The substratum to a depth of 60 ruches or more is
<br />calcareous, pale brown gravelly loam and very gravelly
<br />loam.
<br />Permeability is moderate. Effective rooting depth is 60
<br />inches or more. The available water capacity is high.
<br />Sudace runott is medium, and the erosion hazard rs
<br />moderate.
<br />This Soil i5 used a5 range and wiltllite habitat.
<br />The potential natural vegetation on this Gelkie sore rs
<br />dominated by Arizona fescue, western wheatgrass, and
<br />- needleandthread, wr[h bottlebrush squirreltail, elk sedge,
<br />and jnegrass in Smaller quantities. II the range condition
<br />deteriorates, the proponion of western wheatgrass and
<br />Arizona fescue decreases, and that of woody fortis.
<br />annuals, and bluegrass increases.
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<br />Seeding is advisable ~1 the range is in poor cond~t~on
<br />Species suitable for seeding are pubescent wheatgrass,
<br />intermediate wheatgrass, smooth brome, and big
<br />bluegrass. Seedbed preparation should be done on the
<br />contour or across slopes in order to minimize runott and
<br />soil losses before grasses become established. Mid-
<br />summer (late June) seedlings have proven to be most
<br />successful. Deferred grazing, cross fencing, stockwater
<br />developments, and salt placement help prevent range
<br />deterioration and promote growth antl vigor of desirable
<br />species.
<br />This soil supports habitat for such wildlife as bighorn
<br />sheep, mule deer, elk, coyote, cottontail, and jackrabbit.
<br />Proper livestock grazing management, well designetl
<br />fencing that allows free movement o1 big game, and
<br />I~vestock water developments increase wildlife
<br />populations.
<br />This soil is suited to homesite development. The main
<br />limital~ons are the slope and the moderate shrink-swell
<br />potential. Road designs should provide adequate
<br />drainage for surface runott.
<br />This soil is in capability subclass Vle. It ~s in the
<br />Mountain Loam (10- l0 14-rnch precipitation zone) range
<br />site.
<br />28-Gerrard loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes. This deep,
<br />poorly drained soil is on terraces, flood plains, and fans
<br />on alluvial valley Iloors. Efevatron is 7,600 to 8,300 tees.
<br />The soil formed in alluvium. The average annual
<br />precipitation is about 7 inches; the average annual air
<br />temperature is about 41 degrees F; and the average
<br />host-free period is about 95 days.
<br />Included in this unit are small areas of Platoro loam,
<br />San Arcacio sandy loam, and Torsido loam, all having
<br />slope o1 0 to t percent.
<br />Typically, the surface layer of this Gerrard soil is dark
<br />gray loam 4 inches thick. The subsurface layer is very
<br />dark grayrsh brown gravelly clay loam 4 inches thick The
<br />subsoil is grayish brown gravelly sandy clay loam about
<br />4 inches thick. The substratum to a depth of 60 inches is
<br />mainly light brown very gravelly loamy sand. Mottles are
<br />common in the subsoil and substratum
<br />Permeability is moderate. Eflectve rooting depth ~s
<br />limited by a high water table that fluctuates between
<br />depths o1 t foot and t.6 leet during the spring and
<br />summer. Available water capacty rs low. Sudace runott
<br />rs slow, and the erosion hazard is slight. In some years,
<br />flooding occurs during the spring runott season for snon
<br />periods.
<br />This Gerrard soil is used mainly for range, irrigated
<br />pasture, and hayland. In some small areas where
<br />drainage is established, it rs used for irrigated crops
<br />Protection Irom Ilooding, soil drainage, and land leveling
<br />are necessary to produce crops on this soil. If drainage
<br />~s established, the soil is suited to alfalfa, grasses, and
<br />small grains. Water-tolerant plants are most suitable for
<br />pasture seeding on this soil.
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