Laserfiche WebLink
Richartl D. Lamm <br />Governor <br />DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES <br />David H. Getches. Executive Director <br />MINED LAND RECLAMATION DI\ <br />DAVID C. SHELTO N, Director <br />December 7, 1983 <br />Mr. James L. Clark <br />Elam Construction, Inc. <br />1225 So. 7th Street <br />Grand Junction, Colorado 81501 <br />Re: Grass Species that Should be Adaptable to the Grand Junction, <br />Colorado Area <br />Dear Operator: <br />During a November, 1983 inspection of the Grand Junction area, a number <br />of operators expressed concern over the problem of establishing a diverse <br />grass stand given the severity of the local environment. Assistance was <br />requested from the Division of Mined Land Reclamation to identify <br />adaptable species to the alkaline soils of the Grand Junction area. <br />Mr. Peter O'Connor, reclamation specialist, reviewed a number of <br />publications and identified the following grass species that should be <br />adaptable to the low precipitation, alkaline soils of the Grand Junction <br />area. <br />A. Native Grass Species <br />1. Alkali sacaton: Perennial bunchgrass, with poor to fair ease <br />of establisnment, that is found naturally on alkali flats. The <br />plant is best suited for clayey textures and not adapted to sandy <br />soils. <br />2. Basin wildrye: Perennial bunchgrass that is moderately easy <br />to establish adapted to medium to clayey soils but not adapted to <br />sandy soils. This species is commonly found on alkali soils. <br />3. Galleta: Perennial mid grass that is adapted to all soil <br />types. The grass is tolerant of moderately alkaline soils and can <br />survive in areas with precipitation down to 3.7 inches/year. <br />4. Indian ricegrass: Perennial bunchgrass with a low gennination <br />rate causing this species to be classified by many as "difficult to <br />establish". This grass grows best on sandy and silty textured <br />soils that are weakly alkaline. Indian ricegrass is commonly found <br />in deserts with precipitation of 6 inches/year. <br />423 Centennial Building, 1313 Sherman Street Denver, Colorado 80203 Tel. (303) 866-3567 <br />r.; <br />~G- ~-5 <br />