LOGAN COUNTY, COLORADO
<br />are subject to frequent flooding during spring and
<br />summer months.
<br />These soils are used entirely for limited livestock graz-
<br />ing and wildlife.
<br />Native vegetation consists mainly of scattered stands
<br />of grasses such as blue grama, sand reedgrass, and prairie
<br />cordgrass, and annual weeds, willows and cottonwood
<br />trees.
<br />Wetland wildlife, especially waterfowl, utilize these
<br />soils. The availability of moisture on these soils allows
<br />production of wetland plants that provide nesting and
<br />protective cover, as well as some food for waterfowl.
<br />Because these soils provide cover for wildlife and are
<br />near irrigated cropland where wildlife obtain much of
<br />their food, they are valuable to both wetland and range-
<br />land wildlife. They provide excellent cover for deer.
<br />Openland wildlife, especially pheasants, also use these
<br />areas for cover and nesting. Management for wildlife
<br />would include prevention of overgrazing by livestock, pro-
<br />tection from unplanned fire, and prevention of drainage.
<br />Where livestock are present, these valuable wildlife areas
<br />should be fenced to prevent overuse by livestock and un-
<br />wanted encroachment.
<br />Frequent flooding and the fluctuating water table
<br />severely limit these soils for use as homesites, roads and
<br />other urban developments.
<br />30-Glenberg fine sandy loam. This is a deep, well
<br />drained soil on low terraces and flood plains. It formed in
<br />calcareous, stratified, sandy alluvium deposited by inter-
<br />mittent streams in the western part of the county. The
<br />average annual precipitation ranges from 13 to 17 inches.
<br />Slopes are nearly level to gently sloping.
<br />Included in this unit are small areas of Haverson loam,
<br />0 to 3 percent slopes.
<br />Typically the surface layer is dark grayish brown and
<br />pale brown fine sandy loam about 13 inches thick and is
<br />calcareous in the lower part. The underlying layer is very
<br />pale brown, calc.i - ous fine sandy loam stratified with
<br />thin lenses of i. • - - ::nd silt loam to 60 inches or more.
<br />Permeability is moderately rapid. Effective rooting
<br />depth is 60 inches or more. Available water capacity is
<br />moderate. Surface runoff is slow. The erosion hazard is
<br />slight, and the soil blowing hazard is moderate. This soil
<br />is subject to occasional flooding occurring during spring
<br />and summer months.
<br />This soil is used mainly for grazing and irrigated
<br />cropland. Corn, alfalfa, sugar beets and small grains are
<br />the principal crops grown in irrigated areas. Some small
<br />isolated areas are used for nonirrigated cropland, with
<br />forage sorghum, wheat and millet as the main crops.
<br />The rangeland vegetation of this soil consists mainly of
<br />sand bluestem, sand reedgrass, blue grama, western
<br />wheatgrass, sedge, sand dropseed, needleandthread and
<br />switchgrass. Sand sagebrush is interspersed with the
<br />grasses. To maintain a productive growth of forage
<br />plants, proper grazing use and planned grazing systems
<br />are essential. When proper grazing is used along with
<br />deferred grazing, the vegetation is further benefited.
<br />31
<br />Fencing is necessary to obtain more uniform distribution
<br />of grazing. Brush management is needed when sand
<br />sagebrush becomes excessively dense and interferes with
<br />forage production.
<br />In irrigated areas the main concerns of management
<br />are proper use of irrigation water, soil fertility and soil
<br />blowing. This soil is suited to furrow, border or sprinkler
<br />irrigation. Leveling and good irrigation water manage-
<br />ment are necessary to obtain uniform distribution and ef-
<br />ficient use of water. Incorporating crop residues is
<br />needed to reduce soil blowing during periods when the
<br />soil is not protected by growing crops. It also improves
<br />soil tilth. Applications of manure and commercial fertilizer
<br />containing nitrogen and phosphorus are needed in main-
<br />taining soil fertility.
<br />Primary objectives of management in nonirrigated
<br />cropland areas are protecting soil from blowing and con-
<br />serving moisture. Stubble mulch tillage and incorporating
<br />crop residues are essential practices to protect the soil
<br />from blowing, improve soil tilth, and conserve moisture.
<br />Planting crops in alternate strips at right angles to the
<br />prevailing wind is effective in protecting soil from blow-
<br />ing. Production of close grown crops is most effective in
<br />protecting soil from blowing. Tillage should be kept to a
<br />minimum. Intensive use of conservation practices is es-
<br />sential to protect and maintain soil productivity.
<br />Windbreaks and environmental plantings are generally
<br />suited to this soil. Soil blowing is the principal concern to
<br />establishing trees and shrubs. This hazard can be over-
<br />come by special care consisting of cultivating only in the
<br />tree row and by leaving a strip of vegetative cover
<br />between the rows. Supplemental irrigation is necessary at
<br />the time of planting and during dry periods. Trees best
<br />suited and having good survival are Rocky Mountain ju-
<br />niper, eastern redcedar, ponderosa pine, Siberian elm,
<br />Russian-olive and hackberry. Shrubs best suited are
<br />skunkbush sumac, lilac and Siberian peashrub.
<br />Openland wildlife such as pheasant, co!' "
<br />and mourning dove are suited to this soil. In cropland
<br />areas favorable habitat can be developed by establishing
<br />nesting and escape cover. For pheasants, undisturbed
<br />nesting cover is vital and should be included in plans for
<br />habitat development. Tree and shrub plantings along
<br />fence lines, irrigation ditches, roadsides and streambanks
<br />also help encourage wildlife. Rangeland wildlife, including
<br />antelope and jackrabbits, can be encouraged by livestock
<br />grazing management, water developments, and types of
<br />fencing to permit unrestricted antelope movement.
<br />Where this soil is considered for homesites and other
<br />urban developments, the primary limiting soil feature is
<br />occasional flooding. Intensive and costly compensating
<br />measures such as embankments and elevated building
<br />pads are needed to minimize this condition. Capability
<br />subclass IVw nonirrigated, IIw irrigated.
<br />31-Gravel pits. This unit consists of open excavations
<br />and borrow areas from which soil and underlying materi-
<br />al, most commonly gravel, have been removed. The
<br />remaining exposed materials usually support limited
<br />vegetation.
|