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Highway U.S. 40 show any recent maintenance activity. At the time of the survey, • <br />subirrigation associated with the Yampa River alluvial system appeared to be the primary <br />source of supplemental moisture received during the growing season. These areas may be <br />flooded in the spring during the runoff season. Further indication of low management <br />levels is [he extensive presence of sodbound Kentucky bluegrass (POa oratensis). Other <br />species present include redtop (Aarostis alba), timothy (Phleum oratense), tall fescue <br />(Festuca arundinacea), slender wheatgrass (Aarooyron trachvcaulum) and smooth brome (Bromus <br />inermis). Netter areas may include cattail (TVpha latifolia), reed canary grass (Phalaris <br />arundinacee) or various Juncus and Carez species. <br />C - Cropland. A small inclusion (1.6 acres) of a large dry cropland field occurs in the <br />far southern portion of [he permit area. Cropland is also adjacent to the permit area in <br />section 10 (R88Y T6N) north along the rail spur. As is common in Routt County, these dry <br />cropland areas ere used for the growing of annual small grains, primarily winter wheat. <br />Because of the relatively dry climatic conditions, summer fallow practices are used to <br />improve soil moisture conditions for crop production. The current county average far wheat <br />production is approximately 25 bushels per acre (Rout[ County Agriculture Stabilization and <br />Conservation Service 1992 figures). <br />• <br />ASG - Alkali Saaebrush/Greasewood. This community, which is characterized by alkaline <br />soils end a broad, flat landform, extends from the base of the sagebrush covered rolling <br />hills to Dry Creek (25.1 acres). The area reflects the historic Dry Creek alluvial system <br />as well as colLuvial inf Luences from adjacent hill slopes. Alkali sagebrush (Artemisia <br />lonoilobe) is the visually dominant vegetation in most of the type. Greesewood (Sarcobatus <br />vermiculetus) is scattered throughout the type. In slight depressions ar areas nearer to <br />Dry Creek and tributary drainages, greesewood may be the more dominant lifeform. Gray <br />horsebrush (Tetradvmie canescens) is also a common shrub found in the type. Additional <br />species observed during the fall survey included western wheatgrass (Aaroovron smithii), <br />alkali bluegrass (P08 iuncifolia ), squirreltail (Sitanion sp.), penstemon (Penstemon sp. ), <br />yarrow (Athillea lanulosa), gumweed (Grindelia sguarrosa) and prickly pear (OOUntia <br />oolvacantha). Grazing pressure in this type had been heavy during the growing season. The <br />presence of abandoned farm equipment, historical fencing patterns end location of the type <br />in relation to Dry Creek end the nearby town of Hayden indicate pas[ heavy use. <br />AS - Alkali Saaebrush. The 1.2 acre alkali sagebrush type occurs on slopes with soils <br />derived from alkaline marine shales. These heavy soils have a low permeability, yet a <br />2 <br />