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SITE DESCRIPTION
<br />17-Fort Collins loam, I to 3 percent slopes. This
<br />deep, well drained soil is on uplands. It formed in
<br />eolian silt and fine sand. The native vegetation is
<br />mainly grass. Elevation is 5,500 to 6,300 feet. The
<br />average annual precipitation is 12 to 16 inches, the
<br />average annual air temperature is 50 to 54 degrees F,
<br />and the average frost-free period is 125 to 150 days.
<br />Typically, the surface layer is grayish brown
<br />loam about 4 inches thick. The subsoil is clay loam
<br />about 19 inches thick. The substratum to a depth of
<br />60 inches or more is loam. The soil is neutral to a
<br />depth of 4 inches, mildly alkaline to a depth of 23
<br />inches, and moderately alkaline below that depth.
<br />Included in this unit is about 10 percent Baca
<br />loam in swales and drainageways.
<br />Permeability of this Fort Collins soil is moderate.
<br />Available water capacity is high. Effective rooting
<br />depth is 60 inches or more. Runoff is medium, and
<br />the hazard of water erosion is slight to moderate.
<br />This unit is used mainly as rangeland. It is also used
<br />as irrigated and nonirrigated cropland. Hay and
<br />pasture are the main irrigated crops. Wheat is the
<br />main nonirrigated crop.
<br />The potential plant community on this unit is
<br />mainly blue grama. Other grasses that characterize
<br />the unit are western wheatgrass and sideoats grama.
<br />The average annual production ol'air-dry vegetation
<br />is about 1,000 pounds per acre. If the condition of the
<br />range deteriorates, threeawn, cholla, pricklypear, and
<br />snakeweed increase. Range seeding is suitable if the
<br />range is in poor condition.
<br />This unit is well suited to irrigated hay and
<br />pasture. Irrigation water can be applied by
<br />corrugations and by flooding from contour ditches.
<br />Leveling helps to insure the uniform application of
<br />water. To avoid over irrigating and leaching of plant
<br />nutrients, applications of irrigation water should be
<br />adjusted to the available water capacity, the water
<br />intake rate, and the crop needs.
<br />Proper grazing practices, weed control, and
<br />fertilizer are needed to insure maximum quality of
<br />forage. If properly managed, this unit can produce 4.5
<br />tons of irrigated alfalfa hay per acre.
<br />In areas of nonirrigated cropland, control of soil
<br />blowing and conservation of moisture are important
<br />concerns. Because precipitation is not sufficient for
<br />annual cropping, a cropping system that includes
<br />small grain and summer fallow is most suitable. Soil
<br />blowing can be reduced by planting crops in alternate
<br />strips at right angles to the prevailing wind.
<br />Excessive cultivation can result in the formation
<br />of a tillage pan. This pan can be broken by subsoiling
<br />when the soil is dry. Crop residue left on or near the
<br />surface helps to conserve moisture, maintain filth, and
<br />control erosion. With good management, this unit can
<br />EXHIBIT B (CONT)
<br />produce 14 bushels per acre of wheat grown in a
<br />wheat-fallow cropping system.
<br />This unit is well suited to windbreaks and
<br />environmental plantings. The hazard of soil blowing
<br />can be reduced by cultivating only in the tree rows
<br />and by leaving a strip of vegetation between the rows.
<br />Supplemental irrigation may be needed when planting
<br />and during dry periods. Among the trees that are
<br />suitable for planting are Russian-olive and Chinese
<br />elm. Among the shrubs are Siberian peashrub and
<br />lilac.
<br />This unit is well suited to homesite development.
<br />This map unit is in capability subclasses lie, irrigated,
<br />and IVe, nonirrigated. It is in Loamy Plains range
<br />site.
<br />63-Otero fine sandy loam, 1 to 9 percent slopes.
<br />This deep, somewhat excessively drained soil is
<br />on foot slopes and uplands. It formed in alluvium and
<br />eolian sand. The native vegetation is mainly grass.
<br />Elevation is 6,300 to 7,500 feet. The average annual
<br />precipitation is 12 to 15 inches, the average annual air
<br />temperature is 48 to 52 degrees F, and the average
<br />frost-free period is 100 to 130 days.
<br />Typically, the surface layer is light brownish
<br />gray sandy loam about 6 inches thick. The substratum
<br />to a depth of 60 inches or more is sandy loam. The
<br />soil is mildly alkaline to a depth of 6 inches and
<br />moderately alkaline below that depth.
<br />Included in this unit is about 20 percent Kim fine
<br />sandy loam in areas between low, dune like ridges.
<br />Also included are small areas of Olney sandy loam in
<br />drainageways.
<br />Permeability of this Otero soil is moderately
<br />rapid. Available water capacity is moderate. Effective
<br />rooting depth is 60 inches or more. Runoff is slow to
<br />medium, and the hazard of water erosion is slight to
<br />very high. The hazard of soil blowing is high.
<br />This unit is used as rangeland.
<br />The potential plant community on this unit is
<br />mainly big bluestem, little bluestem, and sand
<br />reedgrass. Other grasses that characterize the unit are
<br />blue grama, sideoats grama, needleandthread, and
<br />western wheatgrass. The average annual production
<br />of air-dry vegetation is about 1,100 pounds per acre.
<br />If the condition of the range deteriorates, blue grama,
<br />threeawn, snakeweed, yucca, and rabbit brush
<br />increase. Range seeding is suitable if the range is in
<br />poor condition.
<br />If this unit is used for windbreaks and
<br />environmental plantings, the main limitations are the
<br />droughtiness of the soil and the hazard of soil
<br />blowing in disturbed areas.
<br />This unit is well suited to homesite development.
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