HomeMy WebLinkAbout1.15 Soils report'" YALERUS () Soils Report
Intra ta Soils-Rifle Area, Colorado, Parts of Garfield and Mesa Counties Hunter Mesa Compressor Station All Uses Introduction to Soils Soils 101 What is soil? (less technical) Soil is
a naturally occurring mixture of mineral and organic ingredients with a definite form, structure, and composition. The exact composition of soil changes from one location to another.
The following is the average composition by volume of the major soil ingredients: 45% Minerals (clay, silt, sand, gravel, stones). 25% Water (the amount varies depending upon precipitation
and the waterholding capacity of the soil). 25% Air (an essential ingredient for living organisms). 5% Organic matter or humus (both living and dead organisms). A soil is composed primarily
of minerals which are produced from parent material that is weathered or broken into small pieces. Beyond occasional stones, gravel, and other rock debris, most of the mineral particles
are called sand, silt, or clay. These mineral particles give soil texture. Sand particles range in diameter from 2 mm to 0.05 mm, are easily seen with the unaided eye, and feel gritty.
[One millimeter (mm) is about the thickness of a dime.] Silt particles are between 0.05 mm and 0.002 mm and feel like flour. Clay particles are smaller than 0.002 mm and cannot be seen
with the unaided eye. Clay particles are the most reactive mineral ingredient in the soil. Wet clay usually feels sticky. Water and air occupy the pore spaces-the area between the mineral
particles. In these small spaces, water and air are available for use by plants. These small pore spaces are essential to the life of soil organisms, to soil productivity, and to plant
growth. The final ingredient of a soil is organic matter. It is comprised of dead plant and animal material and the billions of living organisms that inhabit the soil. (From "Conserving
Soil," NRCS) What is soil? (more technical) Soil is a natural body which consists of solids (minerals and organic matter), liquid, and gases that occurs on the land surface, occupies
space, and is characterized by one or both of the following: (1) horizons, or layers, that are distinguishable from the initial material as a result of additions, losses, transfers,
and transformations of energy and matter or (2) the ability to support rooted plants in a natural environment. The upper limit of soil is the boundary between soil and air, shallow water,
live plants, or plant materials that have not begun to decompose. Natural Resources Conservation Service Web Soil Survey National Cooperative Soil Survey 9/27/2010 Page 1 of 17
Intro to Soils-Rifle Area, Colorado, Parts of Garfield and Mesa Counties Hunter Mesa Compressor Station Areas are not considered to have soil ifthe surface is permanently covered by
water too deep (typically more than 2.5 meters) for the growth of rooted plants. The lower boundary that separates soil from the nonsoil underneath is most difficult to define. Soil
consists of horizons near the earth's surface that, in contrast to the underlying parent material, have been altered by the interactions of climate, relief, and living organisms over
time. Commonly, soil grades at its lower boundary to hard rock or to earthy materials virtually devoid of animals, roots, or other marks of biological activity. For purposes of classification,
the lower boundary of soil is arbitrarily set at 2 meters. (From "Soil Taxonomy," second edition, 1999) How does soil form? Soils develop as a result of the interactions of climate,
living organisms, and landscape position as they influence parent material decomposition over time. Differences in climate, parent material, landscape position, and living organisms
from one location to another as well as the amount of time the material has been in place all influence the soil-forming process. The five soil-forming factors are: Parent material,
Climate, Living organisms, Landscape position, and Time. Parent Material Parent material refers to that great variety of unconsolidated organic (such as fresh peat) and mineral material
in which soil formation begins. Mineral material includes partially weathered rock, ash from volcanoes, sediments moved and deposited by wind and water, or ground-up rock deposited by
glaciers. The material has a strong effect on the type of soil developed as well as the rate at which development takes place. Soil development may take place quicker in materials that
are more permeable to water. Dense, massive, clayey materials can be resistant to soil formation processes. In soils developed from sandy parent material, the A horizon may be a little
darker than its parent material, but the B horizon tends to have a similar color, texture, and chemical composition. Climate Climate is a major factor in determining the kind of plant
and animal life on and in the soil. It determines the amount of water available for weathering minerals and transporting the minerals and elements released. Climate through its influence
on soil temperature, determines the rate of chemical weathering. Warm, moist climates encourage rapid plant growth and thus high organic matter production. The opposite is true for cold,
dry climates. Organic matter decomposition is also accelerated in warm, moist climates. Under the control of climate, freezing and thawing or wetting and drying break parent material
apart. Natural Resources Conservation Service Web Soil Survey National Cooperative Soil Survey 9/27/2010 Page 2 of 17
Intro to Soils-Rifle Area, Colorado, Parts of Garfield and Mesa Counties Hunter Mesa Compressor Station Rainfall caUses leaching. Rain dissolves some minerals, such as carbonates, and
transports them deeper into the soil. Some acid soils have developed from parent materials that originally contained limestone. Rainfall can also be acid, especially downwind from industrial
production. Living organisms Plants affect soil development by supplying upper layers with organic matter, recycling nutrients from lower to upper layers, and helping to prevent erosion.
In general, deep rooted plants contribute more to soil development than shallow rooted ones because the passages they create allow greater water movement, which in turn aids in leaching.
Leaves, twigs, and bark from large plants fall onto the soil and are broken down by fungi, bacteria, insects, earthworms, and burrowing animals. These organisms eat and break down organic
matter releasing plant nutrients. Some change certain elements, such as sulfur and nitrogen, into usable forms for plants. Microscopic organisms and the humus they produce also act as
a kind of glue to hold soil particles together in aggregates. Well-aggregated soil is ideal for providing the right combination of air and water to plant roots. Landscape position Landscape
position causes localized changes in moisture and temperature. When rain falls on a landscape, water begins to move downward by the force of gravity, either through the sailor across
the surface to a lower elevation. Even though the landscape has the same soil-forming factors of climate, organisms, parent material, and time, drier soils at higher elevations may be
quite different from the wetter soils where water accumulates. Wetter areas may have reducing conditions that will inhibit proper root growth for plants that require a balance of soil
oxygen, water, and nutrients. Steepness, shape, and length of slope are important because they influence the rate at which water flows into or off the soil. If unprotected, soils on
slopes may erode leaving a thinner surface layer. Eroded soils tend to be less fertile and have less available water than uneroded soils of the same series. Aspect affects soil temperature.
Generally, for most of the continental United States, soils on north-facing slopes tend to be cooler and wetter than soils on southfacing slopes. Soils on north-facing slopes tend to
have thicker A and B horizons and tend to be less droughty. Time Time is required for horizon formation. The longer a soil surface has been exposed to soil-forming agents like rain and
growing plants, the greater the development of the soil profile. Soils in recent alluvial or windblown materials, or soils on steep slopes where erosion, has been active may show very
little horizon development. Soils on older, stable surfaces generally have well-defined horizons because the rate of soil formation has exceeded the rate of geologic erosion or deposition.
As soils age, many original minerals are destroyed. Many new ones are formed. Soils become more leached, more acid, and more clayey. In many well drained soils, the B horizons tend to
become redder in color with time. (Found in "From the Surface Down," NRCS) Natural Resources Conservation Service Web Soil Survey National Cooperative Soil Survey 9/27/2010 Page 3 of
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Intro to Soils-Rifle Area, Colorado, Parts of Garfield and Mesa Counties Hunter Mesa Compressor Station What are soil horizons? Soils are deposited in or developed into layers. These
layers, called horizons, can be seen where roads have been cut through hills, where streams have scoured through valleys, or in other areas where the soil is exposed. Where soil-forming
factors are favorable, five or six master horizons may be in a mineral soil profile. Each master horizon is subdivided into specific layers that have a unique identity. The thickness
of each layer varies with location. Under disturbed conditions, such as intensive agriculture, or where erosion is severe, not all horizons will be present. Young soils have fewer major
horizons. The uppermost layer generally is an organic horizon, or 0 horizon. It consists of fresh and decaying plant residue from such sources as leaves, needles, twigs, moss, lichens,
and other organic material accumulations. Some organic materials were deposited under water. The subdivisions Oa, Oe, and Oi are used to identify levels of decomposition. The 0 horizon
is dark because decomposition is producing humus. Below the 0 horizon is the A horizon. The A horizon is mainly mineral material. It is generally darker than the lower horizons because
of the varying amounts of humified organic matter. This horizon is where most root activity occurs and is usually the most productive layer of soil. It may be referred to as a surface
layer in a soil survey. An A horizon that has been buried beneath more recent deposits is designated as Ab. The E horizon generally is bleached or whitish in appearance. As water moves
down through this horizon, soluble minerals and nutrients dissolve and some dissolved materials are washed (leached) out. The main feature of this horizon is the loss of silicate clay,
iron, aluminum, humus, or some combination of these, leaving a concentration of sand and silt particles. Below the A or E horizon is the B horizon, or subsoil. The B horizon is usually
lighter colored, denser, and lower in organic matter than the A horizon. It commonly is the zone where leached materials accumulate. The B horizon is further defined by the materials
that make up the accumulation, such as the letter t in the designation Bt, which identifies that clay has accumulated. Other iIIuvial concentrations or accumulations include iron, aluminum,
humus, carbonates, gypsum, or silica. Soil not having recognizable concentrations within B horizons but showing a color or structural difference from adjacent horizons is designated
Bw. Still deeper is the C horizon or substratum. The C horizon may consist of less clay, or other less weathered sediments. Partially disintegrated parent material and mineral particles
are in this horizon. Some soils have a soft bedrock horizon that is given the designation Cr. C horizons described as 2C consist of different material, usually of an older age than horizons
which overlie it. The lowest horizon, the R horizon, is bedrock. Bedrock can be within a few inches of the surface or many feet below the surface. Where bedrock is very deep and below
normal depths of observation, an R horizon is not described. (Found in "From the Surface Down," NRCS) Natural Resources Conservation Service Web Soil Survey National Cooperative Soil
Survey 9/2712010 Page 4 of 17
) Intro to Soils-Rifle Area, Colorado, Parts of Garfield and Mesa Counties Hunter Mesa Compressor Station What is a soil scientist? A soil scientist studies the upper few meters of the
earth's crust in terms of its physical and chemical properties; distribution, genesis and morphology; and biological components. A soil scientist needs a strong background in the physical
and biological sciences and mathematics. (From "Careers in Soil Science" http://soils.usda.gov/education/facts/careers.html ) What is a soil survey? One of the main tools available to
help land users determine the potentials and limitations of soils is a soil survey. Soil surveys are available through the USDA, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). The surveys
are made by NRCS in cooperation with other Federal, State, and local agencies. Our offices can provide this information, but more and more soil surveys are also available on the Internet.
Web Soil Survey allows you to produce a customized soil survey for your own area of interest. A soil survey generally contains soils data for one county, parish, or other geographic
area, such as a major land resource area. During a soil survey, soil scientists walk over the landscapes, bore holes with soil augers, and examine cross sections of soil profiles. They
determine the texture, color, structure, and reaction of the soil and the relationship and thickness of the different soil horizons. Some soils are sampled and tested at soil survey
laboratories for certain soil property determinations, such as cation-exchange capacity and bulk density. Like any tool, a soil survey is helpful only if you know what it can and can't
do, and if you use it accordingly. The survey does not replace careful on site investigation or analysis by a soil scientist (Found in "From the Surface Down," NRCS) Who uses a soil
survey? Soil surveys available from the Natural Resources Conservation Service are intended for many different users. They can help homebuyers or developers determine soil-related hazards
or limitations that affect homesites. They can help land use planners determine the suitability of areas for housing or onsite sewage disposal systems. They can help farmers estimate
the potential crop or forage production of his land. They can be used to determine the suitability and limitations of soils for pipelines, buildings, landfills, recreation areas, and
many other uses. Many people assume that soils are all more or less alike. They are unaware that great differences in soil properties can occur within even short distances. Soils may
be seasonally wet or subject to flooding. They may be shallow to bedrock. They may be too unstable to be used as a foundation for buildings or roads. Very clayey or wet soils are poorly
suited to septic tank absorption fields. A high water table makes a soil poorly suited to basements or underground installations. These soil properties and many others that affect land
use are given in soil surveys. Each soil survey describes the properties of soils in the county or area surveyed and shows the location of each kind of soil on detailed maps. Natural
Resources Conservallon Service Web Soil Survey National Cooperative Soil Survey 9/27/2010 Page 5 of 17
Intra to Soils-Rifle Area, Colorado, Parts of Garfield and Mesa Counties Hunter Mesa Compressor Station What is a map unit? A map unit delineation on a soil map represents an area dominated
by one or more major kinds of soil or miscellaneous areas. A map unit is identified and named according to the taxonomic classification of the dominant soils. Within a taxonomic class
there are precisely defined limits for the properties of the soils. On the landscape, however, the soils are natural phenomena, and they have the characteristic variability of all natural
phenomena. Thus, the range of some observed properties may extend beyond the limits defined for a taxonomic class. Areas of soils of a single taxonomic class rarely, if ever, can be
mapped without including areas of other taxonomic classes. Consequently, every map unit is made up of the soils or miscellaneous areas for which it is named and some minor components
that belong to taxonomic classes other than those of the major soils. Most minor soils have properties similar to those of the dominant soil or soils in the map unit, and thus they do
not affect use and management. These are called noncontrasting, or similar, components. They mayor may not be mentioned in a particular map unit description. Other minor components,
however, have properties and behavioral characteristics divergent enough to affect use or to require different management. These are called contrasting, or dissimilar, components. They
generally are in small areas and could not be mapped separately because of the scale used. Some small areas of strongly contrasting soils or miscellaneous areas are identified by a special
symbol on the maps. The contrasting components are mentioned in the map unit descriptions. A few areas of minor components may not have been observed, and consequently they are not mentioned
in the descriptions, especially where the pattern was so complex that it was impractical to make enough observations to identify all the soils and miscellaneous areas on the landscape.
The presence of minor components in a map unit in no way diminishes the usefulness or accuracy of the data. The objective of mapping is not to delineate pure taxonomic classes but rather
to separate the landscape into landforms or landform segments that have similar use and management requirements. The delineation of such segments on the map provides sufficient information
for the development of resource plans. If intensive use of small areas is planned, however, onsite investigation is needed to define and locate the soils and miscellaneous areas. What
is a consociation, complex, association, undifferentiated group, or miscellaneous area? A consociation is a kind of map unit that consists of one major soil or miscellaneous area plus
any components of minor extent. The major component is identified in the map unit name. "Consociation" is a coined term. Some map units are made up of two or more major soils or miscellaneous
areas. These map units are complexes, associations, or undifferentiated groups. A complex consists of two or more soils or miscellaneous areas in such an intricate pattern or in such
small areas that they cannot be shown separately on the maps. The pattern and proportion of the soils or miscellaneous areas are somewhat similar in all areas. Natural Resources Conservation
Service Web Soil Survey National Cooperative Soil Survey 9/27/2010 Page 6 of 17
) ) Intro to Soils-Rifle Area, Colorado, Parts of Garfield and Mesa Counties Hunter Mesa Compressor Station An association is made up of two or more geographically associated soils or
miscellaneous areas that are shown as one unit on the maps. Because of present or anticipated uses of the map units in the survey area, it was not considered practical or necessary to
map the soils or miscellaneous areas separately. The pattern and relative proportion of the soils or miscellaneous areas are somewhat similar. An undifferentiated group is made up of
two or more soils or miscellaneous areas that could be mapped individually but are mapped as one unit because similar interpretations can be made for use and management. The pattern
and proportion of the soils or miscellaneous areas in a mapped area are not uniform. An area can be made up of only one of the major soils or miscellaneous areas, or it can be made up
of all of them. Miscellaneous areas have little or no soil material and support little or no vegetation. What is an Official Series Description? The Official Soil Series Descriptions
(OSD) is a national collection of more than 20,000 detailed soil series descriptions, covering the United States, Territories, Commonwealths, and Island Nations served by USDA-NRCS.
The descriptions, in a text format, serve as a national standard. The soil series is the lowest category of the national soil classification system. The name of a soil series is the
common reference term, used to name soil map units. Soil series are the most homogenous classes in the system of taxonomy. "Official Soil Series Descriptions" define specific soil series
in the United States, Territories, Commonwealths, and Island Nations served by USDA-NRCS. They are descriptions of the taxa in the series category of the national system of soil classification.
They serve mainly as specification for identifying and classifying soils. The descriptions contain soil properties that define the soil series, distinguish it from other soil series,
serve as the basis for the placement of that soil series in the soil family, and provide a record of soil properties needed to prepare soil interpretations. (From "OSO Fact Sheet" http://soils.usda
.gov/technical/classification/osd/fact_sheet.html ) Information for Land Users Homebuyers The foundation supports the walls, the walls support the roof, and the soil holds them all.
But how can you tell if the soil will be a good "home" for your house? You need to answer some important questions: Natural Resources Conservation Service Web Soil Survey National Cooperative
Soil Survey 912712010 Page 7 of 17
Intro to Soils-Rifle Area, Colorado, Parts of Garfield and Mesa Counties Hunter Mesa Compressor Station Is the soil stable, or does it have properties that can cause the foundation or
walls to crack? Is the soil in an area subject to flooding? Will storm runoff drain safely away from the house and lot? Or will it turn your yard, or basement, into a pond? Does the
soil have a seasonal high water table that can cause a basement to flood or a septic system to fail? Is the soil deep enough for a basement to be dug economically? For garden and landscape
plants to take root and thrive? Is the soil so steep that erosion may be severe? A soil survey can help you answer these and many other questions about the soil. Land Use Planners Soil
surveys can help planners make and substantiate the decisions that local government officials translate into zoning ordinances, building permits, authorizations for sewer extension,
and other regulations that mold a growing community. Information about soil limitations for given uses helps prevent major mistakes in land use and unnecessary costs to individuals and
the community. Soil surveys help in determining the extent of floodprone areas, and they rate the hazards that affect use of soils in such areas. In many states soil surveys are used
to guide municipal and other government agencies in restricting the use of flood plains for housing, septic tank absorption fields, and other forms of intensive development. Zoning areas
for housing, recreation, commercial, and other kinds of development should take account of the suitability and limitations of soils for such uses. Soil surveys describe soil properties
in detail and can help planners establish general patterns of soil suitability and limitations for various land uses. Erosion and sedimentation may increase where land is being developed.
Sediment has become a major pollutant, and communities throughout the Nation spend millions of dollars every year just to remove sediment from drinking water. Planners and other authorities
can use soil maps and soil data to identify sources of sediment and to develop plans for controlling erosion and sedimentation. Septic tank absorption fields do not work in wet or impermeable
soils. Soil surveys provide detailed descriptions of soil properties that can be used to determine the suitability of areas for absorption fields. They indicate soil hazards that affect
absorption fields, such as slow permeability caused by high clay content, the presence of a high water table, or excessive permeability that may allow effluent to pollute ground water.
In many parts of the United States soil surveys are used as a basis for ordinances that regulate use of land for septic tank absorption fields. Through use of soil surveys, roads and
highways can be routed to avoid major soil hazards, and sources of borrow material needed in constructing highways can be located. Contractors can bid for work more accurately and can
consider soil suitability and limitations in planning and designing specific structures. Natural Resources Conservation Service Web Soil Survey National Cooperative Soil Survey 9/2712010
Page 8 of 17
Intro to Soils-Rifle Area, Colorado. Parts of Garfield and Mesa Counties Hunter Mesa Compressor Station Recreation uses of land should be based on suitability of soils. Soil surveys
can help in identifying areas suitable for campsites, golf courses, manmade fishponds, and many other recreation facilities. They also can help in planning the construction and layout
of large recreation areas that have restrooms, parking areas, outbuildings, and other structures. Prime farmland can be identified through use of soil surveys. Other areas suited to
development and not so well suited to farming may be selected for development instead. In planning uses for specific areas, an onsite investigation by a trained professional can determine
if there are any soil hazards or limitations, and whether these can be overcome by corrective measures. Appraisers In appraising the income potential of farmland it is essential to distinguish
between income differences caused by soil properties and those caused by management. If two farms are managed in much the same way and still show differences in income, it is likely
that the soils differ in inherent productivity. Likewise, two farms that have identical soil resources have the same potential productivity even if they are now managed differently.
Soil surveys available from the Natural Resources Conservation Service can help bankers, loan companies, tax assessors, farmers, and others who need to know about the productivity of
farmland obtain reliable estimates of the potential productivity of soils in their area. Developers and Builders As a developer or builder, you probably know of construction projects
on which time and money were lost because of unforeseen soil hazards. Soil surveys available from the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) can help you anticipate soil hazards
at proposed construction areas, plan optimum development, and ensure adequate conservation during and after construction. Soil surveys can help you determine whether tracts are suitable
for development and avoid cost overruns caused by unforeseen soil hazards. By studying soil maps and supporting data in soil surveys, you can determine the soil conditions in areas where
you plan to build and decide what additional investigations, if any, are needed. Soil surveys can help you avoid the unnecessary complications that attend failure of foundations, soil
slippage, flooded basements, and other structural breakdowns caused by adverse soil properties. Special foundations, walls, and floor drains can be planned if soil hazards indicate that
buildings of standard design would likely fail. Soil surveys describe soil properties in detail so that you can anticipate such problems and prepare alternative designs or select other
areas for development. Waste Disposal Entities Whether you are a homeowner, land use planner, board of health official, county sanitarian, or land developer, waste management concerns
you. Soil surveys available from the Natural Resources Conservation Service can help in planning the disposal of liquid and solid wastes through septic tank absorption fields, sewage
lagoons, and sanitary landfills. Natural Resources Conservation Service Web Soil Survey National Cooperative Soil Survey 9/2712010 Page 9 of 17
Intra to Soils-Rifle Area, Colorado, Parts of Garfield and Mesa Counties Hunter Mesa Compressor Station Septic tank absorption fields Because of rapid suburban expansion, the number
of homes that do not have access to a public sewage disposal system has increased greatly. The most common system for individual homes is one in which the sewer line from the house leads
to an underground septic tank in the yard. Overflow from the tank disperses into the soil through a system of underground drains or perforated pipes. To design a system that will work,
you need to know the capacity of the soil to absorb effluent. Movement of effluent through soil is determined mainly by the porosity of the soil, the size of the soil particles, and
by the kind of clay in the soil. Effluent moves faster through sandy and gravelly soils than through clayey soils. Soils high in clay content have limited pore space for holding effluent.
Some kinds of clay expand when wet and close the pores entirely. Such soils are unsuitable for absorption fields. If the soil is not porous, the effluent simply builds up and seeps to
the surface. Soils that have a high water table may be saturated part of the year. A saturated soil cannot absorb additional liquid, and the unfiltered septic tank effluent discharged
into the drains may seep to the surface. If there is a seasonal high water table, the septic tank absorption field may work in dry seasons but fail in wet seasons. Soil that is shallow
to rock or soil that has a cemented layer just below the boltom of the trench in which drains are laid lacks space for the effluent to be absorbed. About 4 feet of soil material between
the boltom of the trench and any rock formation is necessary for absorption, filtration, and purification of septic tank effluent. More than 4 feet may be required if the underlying
rock is limestone that contains water used for domestic use. Steep slopes-15 percent or steeper-make it difficult to control the distribution of effluent. Effluent distributed into soil
on a steep slope may seep onto the ground surface at a lower level. Digging drain trenches on the contour insures that the effluent flows slowly through the drains and disperses throughout
the absorption field. Soils that are subject to flooding should not be used for absorption fields. Flooding destroys the effectiveness of the field and allows unfiltered effluent to
pollute the stream. Before a septic tank absorption field or onsite sewage facility is designed for a specific area, an onsite investigation by a trained professional can determine if
there are any soil hazards or limitations and whether these can be overcome by corrective measures. Sewage lagoons Sewage lagoons are shallow manmade ponds used to hold sewage for the
time required for bacterial decomposition, after which the clarified water is released from the lagoon. The lagoon must be capable of holding water with a minimum of seepage. The soil
material in the boltom of the lagoon and in the embankment should be free of stones and boulders that interfere with compaction. Porous soils have severe limitations for sewage lagoons
because water moves through the soil too rapidly. Natural Resources Conservation Service Web Soil Survey National Cooperative Soil Survey 9/27/2010 Page 10 of 17
Intro to Soils-Rifle Area, Colorado, Parts of Garfield and Mesa Counties Hunter Mesa Compressor Station The soil also should be low in organic-matter content to reduce the potential
growth of aquatic plants. There should be no hazard of flooding, and the depth to water table should be at least 40 inches. Slope should be no more than about 7 percent. Sanitary landfills
Sanitary landfill is one way to dispose of garbage, boxes, plastic and metal containers, and other solid wastes. Refuse is spread, compacted, and covered with soil material daily. Landfill
cannot be placed just anywhere. The properties of the soil and the kind of management determine the success of a sanitary landfill. Soils used for landfill should not be subject to flooding
or have a high water table. Flooding the landfill causes pollution of offsite areas. If the water table is seasonally high, leachate from the landfill may contaminate ground water. Steep
slopes cause an erosion hazard. More care is needed on sloping to steep soils to dispose of runoff water, including that from adjacent higher elevations. More grading is required for
the roads that lead to and from a landfill on sloping to steep soils than on nearly level soils. Soils used for landfill should be easy to excavate and should hold up under heavy vehicular
traffic in all kinds of weather. Most finetextured (high clay content) soils are plastic and sticky when wet and are difficult to excavate, grade, and compact. Water movement through
the soil should be moderate to slow to retard the movement of leachate from the landfill into underlying layers where it may pollute ground water. Cover material must be easy to dig,
move, and spread over the refuse during both wet and dry periods. It must be easy to compact to reduce the rate of water intake. The area from which the cover material is taken should
be suitable for revegetating in order to prevent erosion in the borrow area. Soil used for the final cover layer should be well suited to the growth of plants. Disposing of other kinds
of waste Research is being conducted on the disposal of many kinds of wastes into soils. Such wastes include animal wastes from feedlots; residues from vegetable, meat, poultry, and
dairy processing plants; chemicals used for fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides; and effluent and sludge from municipal sewage plants. Basic factors to consider in disposing of these
wastes into the soil are the ability of the soil to assimilate wastes safely, the quality of the waste, particularly its content of nutrients and heavy metals, and the ability of vegetation
grown in the disposal areas to utilize the nutrients in the waste. Soil properties that affect use for landfills also affect use of soils for disposing of other kinds of wastes. Park
Boards and Recreation Area Planners More ski resorts, dude ranches, camps, parks, picnic areas, and other private and public recreation areas are needed to meet the growing demand for
recreation. But just because recreation is for fun does not mean the selection and layout of areas can be haphazard. Soil suitability and limitations should be considered in planning
recreation areas. Natural Resources Conservation Service Web Soil Survey National Cooperative Soil Survey 9/27/2010 Page 11 0117
Intra to Soils-Rifle Area, Colorado, Parts of Garfield and Mesa Counties Hunter Mesa Compressor Station This Web site tells how soil surveys available from the Natural Resources Conservation
Service can help you select tracts suitable for recreation development and plan adequate conservation to ensure that the areas remain attractive and usable. Why soil data are needed
It cannot be assumed that just any piece of land can be used for recreation. Some soils are as unsuitable for recreation as they are for supporting buildings or for growing oranges.
Among the soil properties that affect recreation uses are the following. Flood hazard severely limits use of soils for camps and recreation buildings, but such soils are suitable for
hiking and nature study and other less intensive uses. High water tables impose severe limitations on use of soils for campsites, roads and trails, playgrounds, and picnic areas. Droughtiness
makes it difficult to grow grass needed to prevent erosion, and droughty soils may require irrigation to maintain vegetation. Some clayey soils swell when wet and shrink when dry. This
shrinking and swelling may damage floors and foundations of recreation buildings. Such soils may fail to support roads and other structures unless special design is used. Steep slopes
limit the use of soils for playgrounds, campsites, buildings, roads, and trails, but are appropriate for hiking areas. If bedrock is at shallow depth, it is difficult to level soils
for playgrounds and campsites, to construct roads and trails, and to establish vegetation. Shallow soils are poorly suited for uses that require extensive grading. A clayey or sandy
surface layer makes some soils undesirable for playgrounds, campsites, or other uses that require heavy foot traffic. Soils high in clay content are sticky when wet and remain wet for
long periods after rains. Loose sandy soils are unstable and dusty when dry. Sandy loam and loam soils are the most suitable for recreation uses that require heavy foot traffic. Stones,
gravel, and rocks impose moderate to severe limitations on use of soils for campsites, playgrounds, trails, and other uses that require heavy foot traffic. The absorptive capacity of
soils determines whether a septic tank absorption field will work. The soil should be deep and permeable, there should be no seasonal high water table, the slope should not be steep,
and there should be no danger of flooding. Suitability for impounding water determines whether the soil can be used for manmade fishponds. Ponds are desirable for other recreation uses,
such as shooting preserves, dude ranches, vacation farms, and wildlife and nature study areas. Soils suited to manmade ponds generally are deep, have low permeability when compacted,
are not steep, and have a low susceptibility to piping. Selecting recreation areas Soil surveys can help you select areas suitable for a wide range of recreation uses, including the
following: Natural Resources Conservation Service Web Soil Survey National Cooperative Soil Survey 9/2712010 Page 12 of 17
Intra to Soils-Rifle Area, Colorado, Parts of Garfield and Mesa Counties Hunter Mesa Compressor Station wetland refuges for waterfowl wildlife management open space or nature study areas
parks athletic fields ski areas golf courses campsites, hiking trails, and picnic areas dude ranches woodlands hunting reserves manmade ponds Maintaining recreation areas For the manager
of a ski resort, dude ranch, camp, park, picnic area, playground, or other private or public recreation area, a soil survey can provide information necessary for planning a conservation
program to protect the area against erosion and other kinds of site damage. A soil survey can guide you in selecting a use for each area, based on the suitability olthe soil. For example,
soils that are susceptible to erosion can be planted to trees, shrubs, and grasses and used in a nonintensive way, such as for nature study. Loamy, well-drained soils can be used for
play areas and other uses that require heavy foot traffic. A soil survey also helps in determining the kind of conservation measures needed to protect the soils while in use. Soil information,
which for many years has helped farmers and ranchers prepare conservation plans, can also be used by a camp operator or manager of any recreation area. Vegetation adapted to the soil
can be selected and planted to protect the soil from erosion. Dams, terraces, diversions, waterways, and other mechanical measures to control water runoff can be installed in critical
areas. In wet areas, if the soil and topography permit and if outlets are available, drains can be installed. An onsite investigation of a specific site by a trained professional can
determine if there are any soil hazards or limitations, and whether these can be overcome by corrective measures. Construction Engineers On many construction projects a major soil hazard
is discovered only after the site has been selected and construction is underway. The unforeseen hazard generally leads to delays in construction and to cost overruns. If soil hazards
are known before construction begins, special compensating designs can be prepared in advance or alternate sites can be selected. Although nearly any site can be made suitable for most
uses if enough money is spent, avoiding poor sites where possible helps keep construction and maintenance costs to a minimum. Soil surveys available from the Natural Resources Conservation
Service (NRCS) can help engineers anticipate soil-related hazards that affect construction of buildings, highways, pipelines, transmission lines, and similar installations. Natural Resources
Conservation Service Web Soil Survey National Cooperative Soil Survey 9/27/2010 Page 13 of 17
Intro to Soils-Rine Area, Colorado, Parts of Garlield and Mesa Counties Hunter Mesa Compressor Station Determining soil hazards Soil surveys show the location of and describe each kind
of soil in the county or area and describe the soil properties. These data can help engineers anticipale soil-related problems and plan onsite inspection. Failure to investigate adequately
may lead to expensive delays in construction or eventual structural breakdown. How soil surveys can help engineers Construction engineers are particularly interested in soil properties
that may require special structural measures to overcome or special maintenance once construction is completed. Soil surveys describe important soil properties that affect construction,
including the following: Shrink-swell potential: Certain kinds of clay soils expand when wet and shrink when dry, and special foundations are required to compensate for this movement.
Soil surveys identify soils that have large shrink-swell potential. Wetness: Soil surveys provide data on natural soil drainage, permeability, depth to seasonal water table, and suitability
for winter grading for various kinds of soils. They can help engineers anticipate seasonal limitations on the use of heavy machinery for earthmoving and compacting and estimate the hazard
of flooding or damage to underground structures caused by soil wetness. Depth to bedrock: Soil surveys show areas where bedrock is at a depth of less than 5 or 6 feet and indicate the
kind of bedrock. Erodibility: Soil surveys provide information on how susceptible each soil is to erosion. Slope is only one factor contributing to erodibility. Other soil properties
are also important, especially those properties that determine the cohesiveness of soil particles. These properties commonly vary within different layers of the same soil and cause different
degrees of erodibility in different soil layers. Flood hazard: The hazards of flooding and ponding are rated in soil surveys, and flood-prone areas are shown on soil maps. Such information
does not take the place of hydrologic studies to determine the severest flood expected once in 10, 25, 50, or 100 years, but it does provide reliable estimates of areas where floods
are most likely. Slope: Slope gradient is a determining factor in establishing the final grade of a construction site and the amount of cut and fill needed to achieve the final grade.
Ranges in slope are recorded in soil surveys, and areas where cuts and fills may be needed can be identified by studying soil maps. Slope particularly affects the installation of underground
conduits and the construction of roads and highways. Bearing capacity: Soil surveys give estimates of the particle size and plasticity of soils, and each soil layer is classified according
to the Unified and the AASTHO systems. These classifications help in evaluating soils for shallow foundations and determining ease of compaction, ease of winter grading, trafficability,
density, moisture relationships, susceptibility to frost action, and other properties. Corrosion potential: Standard concrete deteriorates rapidly in very acid soils, and steel corrodes
in soils that are highly saline or acid. The corrosion potential of each kind of soil is rated in soil surveys. Organic layers: Muck and peat are very soft and unstable, and if drained,
they subside. Areas of organic soils are shown in soil surveys, and the thickness of organic layers is indicated. Natural Resources Conservation Service Web Soil Survey National Cooperative
Soil SUivey 9/2712010 Page 14 of 17 ) J
Intro to Soils-Rifle Area, Colorado, Parts of Garfield and Mesa Counties Hunter Mesa Compressor Station Ease of excavation: Excavating friable soils may cost half as much as excavating
soils that are hard and compact. Sticky, clayey soils are difficult to spread in thin layers. Some soils are very susceptible to sloughing in trenches; others are stable. All these properties
may differ from layer to layer in the same soil. Data presented in soil surveys can be used by engineers to anticipate earthmoving problems and to prepare more accurate bids for earth-moving.
Soil surveys also provide interpretations of the effect of soil properties on many kinds of land use. These interpretations and other data can be used to determine soil suitability as
a source of topsoil, sand and gravel, roadfill for highway subgrade, and impermeable material. The interpretations also show the degree and kind of limitations of soils if used for septic
tank absorption fields, foundations for low buildings, underground utility lines, pipelines, highways, roads, streets, and parking lots. Farmers and Ranchers As farmer or rancher you
don't have time or capital to spend on elaborate agricultural research and experiments or on mapping and studying soils. But you are interested in the results of such studies if they
can help you to manage more profitably. Soil surveys contain detailed maps and descriptions of soils in your area. This information can contribute to the management of your farm or ranch.
For specific sites and uses, an onsite investigation of the soils by a trained professional can determine if there are any soil hazards or limitations, and whether these can be overcome
by corrective measures. How soil surveys can help farmers To stay in business, farmers have to evaluate important developments in agricultural management. A soil survey can playa major
part in this aspect of managing a farm. Management practices: Farm production depends largely on fitting soil management practices to the soil properties as accurately as possible. It
is the right combination of a number of practices that gets optimum results. Researchers try various combinations of fertilizers, tillage methods, water management, and conservation
measures. Combinations that produce the greatest yields at the least cost on soils at experiment stations can be expected to give equally good results on similar soils elsewhere. Soil
descriptions presented in the soil survey of your area can help you evaluate prospective changes in management of your soils. New practices also are constantly on trial at state and
other agricultural experiment stations. By comparing soils at such stations with those described in the soil survey of your area, you can estimate the likely success of new practices
on your farm. Special crops: You may want to know if new or special crops will work for you. The soil survey of your area describes soil properties that affect crop growth and provides
information that could save you costly experiments in determining the best way to manage your land for unfamiliar crops. Crop yields: Estimated yields of major crops under a high level
of management are included in published soil surveys. The estimated yields can help you calculate approximately what returns to expect on your soils and determine whether a high level
of management would increase yields enough to pay the extra cost. Natural Resources Conservation Service Web Soil Survey National Cooperative Soil Survey 9/2712010 Page 15 of 17
Intro to Soils-Rifle Area, Colorado, Parts of Garfield and Mesa Counties Hunter Mesa Compressor Station Conservation plan: A soil survey can help you determine how intensively you can
use your soils without damage. It also helps in determining what conservation measures are needed to control erosion and maintain or increase the productivity of your farm. Reclaiming
land: Some severely eroded soils respond readily to soil treatments, such as fertilizer, lime, and green manure, but other soils respond very poorly. A soil survey can help you decide
whether added treatment to reclaim soils is likely to succeed. Waste disposal: Feedlots, poultry and broiler plants, and dairy farms dispose of manure and other wastes into soils. A
soil survey helps in determining how much waste the soils can absorb and in what form. Recreation: A soil survey can help in selecting areas suitable for manmade ponds. It also can help
in planning development of land for fee fishing, hunting, camping, and other recreation facilities used to supplement income. How soil surveys can help ranchers As a rancher, you want
the greatest amount of high-quality forage from your range. Because forage yields depend in large part on soil properties, detailed knowledge of the soils on your ranch can help you
manage your range more effectively. Range potential: A soil survey provides detailed soil descriptions that can help you relate the kinds of soil on your ranch to the distinctive kind
and amount of vegetation each soil can support. Soil texture, depth, wetness, available water, slope, and topographic position are among the important soil properties that affect range
potential. Deep loamy soils on bottom lands may produce the most desirable range plants. On uplands where rainfall is moderate, medium-textured soils that take in water readily may produce
desirable plants if grazing is controlled. In some dry areas sandy soils are more productive than clayey soils. Grouping the soils on your range according to their potential productivity
helps you plan the kind of management needed to increase forage yields. Range management: A soil survey can help you estimate the likely benefits of management practices. For example,
the soil in an area of brush or mesquite may have such low potential productivity that the cost of chaining or chemical removal may not be worth the ultimate yield in forage. On the
other hand, there may be rocky areas or hillsides where the soils are capable of producing more forage if properly managed. A soil survey can help you determine such natural differences
in productivity. Grazing management: If range is overgrazed, desirable plants decrease and less desirable plants may take over the site. A soil survey can help you identify soils that
are producing at less than their potential. Each soil survey names the main species of desirable and undesirable range plants that grow on the soils and provide estimates of forage yields
than can be expected under favorable and unfavorable conditions. Pasture, hay, and silage: You may need to grow more winter feed or establish more pasture. A soil survey rates soil suitability
for hay and pasture plants so that you can determine which areas will be most productive for this use. Wildlife and recreation: To supplement income, many ranchers use their land for
fee hunting or other kinds of recreation. A soil survey provides information that can help you manage your land for wildlife habitat or identify areas suitable for recreation development.
Natural Resources Conservation Service Web Soil Survey National Cooperative Soil Survey 9/2712010 Page 16 of 17
Intra to Soils-Rifle Area, Colorado, Parts of Garfield and Mesa Counties Hunter Mesa Compressor Station Conservation plan: A soil survey can help you plan conservation management of
your range. Soil maps and soil descriptions help you identify problem areas, select suitable areas for stock ponds, and establish schedules for grazing and proper use of the soils on
your range. What soil data are available? Soil surveys contain detailed maps and descriptions of soils and they provide interpretations of soil properties for farming and ranching where
such land use is practiced. Among the soil properties that affect use of soils for farming and ranching are the content of sand, silt, and clay, acidity and alkalinity, flood hazard,
depth to water table, natural drainage, erodibility, organic-matter content, and fertility. These and many other properties described in soil surveys provide basic information for managing
soils on a farm or ranch. To determine whether a soil survey of your area is available, call the local office of the Natural Resources Conservation Service. The soil conservationist
or soil scientist will welcome an opportunity to discuss conservation management of your soils with you. Urban Uses References and resources Earth Team (http://soils.usda.gov/partnerships/earth_team/
) FEMA flood plain maps (http://gis1.msc.fema.gov) orFEMAMap Service Center at 1-800-358-9616). If you would like to examine the maps and speak with someone knowledgeable about your
local circumstances, you may also contact your local map repository, an office that keeps the FEMA maps for public reference and use. This office is generally in your local planning,
engineering, or public works department. Scheyer, J.M., and K.w. Hipple. 2005. Urban Soil Primer. United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service (http://soils.usda.go
v/use/urban/primer.html) Soil Risks and Hazards (http://soils.usda.gov/use/risks.html) United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service. Field Office Technical
Guide (eFOTG) (http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/technical/efotg/) United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service. PLANTS database. National Plant Data Center
(http://plants.usda.gov/) United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) (http://www.epa.gov) Natural Resources Conservation Service Web Soil Survey National Cooperative Soil Survey
9/27/2010 Page 17 of 17
Selected Survey Area Interpretation Descriptions-Rifle Area, Colorado, Parts of Garfield and Mesa Counties Hunter Mesa Compressor Station Selected Survey Area Interpretation Descriptions
This report allows the customer to produce a report showing the description and criteria of the soil interpretation(s) of his or her choice. The descriptions are concatenated one after
the other. Report-Selected Survey Area Interpretation Descriptions Rifle Area, Colorado, Parts of Garfield and Mesa Counties Interpretation name: ENG· Small Commercial Buildings Displayed
in report(s): Dwellings and Small Commercial Buildings Natural Resources Conservation Service Web Soil Survey National Cooperative Soil Survey 9/27/2010 Page 1 of 8
) ) ) Selected Survey Area Interpretation Descriptions-Rifle Area, Colorado, Parts of Garfield and Mesa Counties Hunter Mesa Compressor Station Summary: Soils can be a non-member, partial
member or complete members of the set of soils that are limited for "Small Commercial Buildings". If a soil's property within 150 cm (60 inches) of the soil surface has a membership
indices greater then zero, then that soil property is limiting and the soil restrictive feature is identified. The overall interpretive rating assigned is the maximum membership indices
of each soil interpretive property that comprise the "Small Commercial Buildings" interpretive rule. Minor restrictive soil features are identified but not considered as part of the
overall rating process. These restrictive features could be important factors where the major restrictive features are overcome through design application. Soils are placed into interpretive
rating classes per their rating indices. These are not limited (rating index = 0), somewhat limited (rating index> 0 and < 1.0), or very limited (rating index = 1.0). Description: Small
commercial buildings are those buildings that are less than three stories without basements. The foundation is assumed to be spread footings of reinforced concrete at a depth of 2 feet
or at the depth of maximum frost penetration, whichever is deeper. Scope: National Soil properties influence the development of building and construction sites, including the selection
of the site, the design of the structure, construction, performance, and after construction maintenance. The soil interpretations for small commercial buildings are used as a tool in
evaluating soil suitability and identifying soil limitations for the practice. The rating is for soils in their present condition and does not consider present land use. Ratings are
based on properties and qualities affecting the capacity of the soil to support a load without movement and those that affect excavation and construction costs. The properties and qualities
affecting load-supporting capacity without movement are presence of a high water table, flooding, and the shrink-swell behavior and compressibility of the soils. Compressibility is inferred
from the Unified classification. Properties influencing the ease and amount of excavation are flooding, a high water table, slope, depth to bedrock or a cemented pan, hardness of bedrock
or a cemented pan, and the amount and size of coarse fragments. Criteria: The interpretive rating is the most limiting of the following restrictive features. 1. Depth to hard bedrock:
Shallow depth to hard bedrock limits site preparation such as shaping and leveling and restricts installation of small buildings and roads or streets. Soil feature considered is the
top depth of the first restrictive layer where restrictive type is "bedrock (lithic)". Depth to restrictive feature must be synchronized with the depth to the restrictive feature horizon
shown in the horizon table. Property used: DEPTH TO BEDROCK HARD (Modality -representative value) Natural Resources ConservatIon Service Web Soil Survey National Cooperative Soil SUivey
9/27/2010 Page 2 of 8
Selected Survey Area Interpretation Descriptions-Rifle Area, Colorado, Parts of Garfield and Mesa Counties Hunter Mesa Compressor Station Restrictive limits: Limiting < 50cm Somewhat
limiting => 50 to < 100cm Not limiting => 100cm Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class. 2. Flooding: Soil that Hoods limit the installation and function for building site applications.
Soil feature considered is maximum Hooding frequency classes over 12 months. Property used: FLOODING FREQUENCY (Maximum Duration) (Modality -representative value) Restrictive limits:
Limiting = "very rare" or "rare" or "occasional" or "frequent" or "very frequent" Not limiting = "none" Null frequency is assigned to the Not limiting class. 3. Content of organic matter:
Soil in Unified class pt, 01, or oh is high in organic materials, has low strength, and is hard to reclaim. Soil feature considered is the rv or first Unified class of the thickest soil
layer above a restrictive layer and between 25 and 100cm. Property used: UNIFIED THICKEST LAYER 25-100cm (Modality -representative value) Restrictive limits: Limiting = pt, 01, or oh
Not limiting not = pt, 01, or oh Null Unified classes are assigned to the Not limiting class. 4. Content of large stones: Large stone impede the workability of the Soil and restrict
trafficability of heavy machinery and site reclamation. Soil feature considered is the weighted average percentage of rock fragments of size greater than 75mm in the horizons above a
restrictive feature or from a to 100 cm deep. Property used: FRAGMENTS> 75MM WEIGHTED AVE. IN DEPTH 0-100CM (Modality -high, low, representative value) Restrictive limits: Limiting>
50% Somewhat limiting >= 25% to <= 50% Not limiting < 25% Null fragment data are assigned Not rated. Natural Resources Conservation Service Web Soil Survey National Cooperative Soil
Survey 9/27/2010 Page 3 of 8
Selected Survey Area Interpretation Descriptions-Rifte Area, Colorado, Parts of Garfield and Mesa Counties Hunter Mesa Compressor Station 5. Depth to permafrost: Permafrost (permanently
frozen soil layer) restricts or effects excavation, manipulation, transport, stability, and workability of the soil material. Soil features considered are restrictive feature depth and
where kind is permafrost or USDA TEXTURE (IN-LIEU-OF) is "cpf' or USDA TEXTURE MODIFIER is "pf'. Property used: DEPTH TO PERMAFROST (Modality -representative value) Restrictive limits:
Limiting < 50cm Somewhat limiting => 50 to =< 100cm Not limiting> 100cm Null depths are assigned to the Not limiting class. OR Property used: USDA TEXTURE (IN-LIEU-OF) (Modality -representative
value) Restrictive limits: Limiting = "cpf' Not limiting not = "cpf' Null USDA Texture (In-Lieu-Of) are assigned to the Not limiting class. OR Property used: USDA TEXTURE MODIFIER (Modality
-representative value) Restrictive limits: Limiting = "pf' Not limiting not = "pf' Null USDA Texture Modifier are assigned to the Not limiting class. 6. Ponding: Ponding is the condition
where standing water is on the soil surface for a given period of time. Soil that pond has restrictions that limit the installation and function of most landuse applications. Soil features
considered are ponding duration and frequency classes for all months. Property used: PONDING DURATION (Modality -representative value) Restrictive limits: Limiting = "very brief' or
"brief' or "long" or "very long" Not limiting not = "very brief' or "brief' or "long" or "very long" Natural Resources Conservation Service Web Soil Survey National Cooperative Soil
Survey 9/27/2010 Page 4 of 8
Selected Survey Area Interpretation Descriptions-Rine Area, Colorado, Parts of Garfield and Mesa Counties Hunter Mesa Compressor Station Null duration is assigned to the Not limiting
class. OR Property used: PONDING FREQUENCY (Modality -representative value) Restrictive limits: Limiting = "none" Not limiting not = "none" Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting
class. 7. Depth to soft bedrock: Shallow depth to soft bedrock limits site preparation such as shaping and leveling and restricts the installation of small buildings and roads or streets.
Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first restrictive layer where restrictive type is "bedrock (paralithic)." Depth to restrictive feature must be synchronized with the depth
to the restrictive feature horizon shown in the horizon table. Property used: DEPTH TO BEDROCK SOFT (Modality -representative value) Restrictive limits: Limiting < 50cm Not limiting
=> 50cm Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class. 8. Shrink-swell: Excessive shrink-swell in the thickest layer between 25 and 100cm deep can cause building foundations to shift.
flooring slabs to crack and roadways to buckle. Soil feature considered is percent linear extensibility of the thickest layer between a depth of 10 to 40 inches or above bedrock. Property
used: SHRINK-SWELL THICKEST LAYER 25-100cm OR ABOVE ROCK (Modality -high, low, and representative value) Restrictive limits: Limiting> 6% Somewhat limiting => 3% to <= 6% Not limiting
< 3% Null linear extensibility is assigned to the Not limiting class. 9. Slope: Steep slopes affect the design and function of installed systems and facilities. Soil feature considered
is the component slope. Property used: SLOPE (Modality -low, high, representative value) Restriction limits: Limiting => 8% Natural Resources ConseNatlon SeNlee Web Soil Survey National
Cooperative Soil Survey 9/27/2010 Page 5 of 8
Selected Survey Area Interpretation Descriptions-Rifle Area, Colorado, Parts of Garfield and Mesa Counties Hunter Mesa Compressor Station Somewhat limiting> 4 and < 8% Not limiting =<
4% Null Slope is assigned Not rated. 10. Depth to thick cemented pan: Depth to thick cemented pan limits site preparation such as shaping and leveling and restricts the installation
of small buildings and roads or streets. Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first restrictive layer more then 46cm thick where restrictive kind is "fragipan", "duripan",
"petrocalcic", "ortstein", or "petrogypsic" and restrictive feature hardness is not noncemented. Depth to restrictive feature must be synchronized with the depth to the restrictive feature
horizon shown in the horizon table. Property used: DEPTH TO CEMENTED PAN THICK (Modality -representative value) Restrictive limits: Limiting =< 50cm Somewhat limiting> 50 to < 100cm
Not limiting => 100cm Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class. AND NOT Property used: RESTRICTIVE FEATURE HARDNESS (Modality -representative value) Restrictive limits: Limiting
not = noncemented Not limiting = noncemented Null hardness is assigned to the Not limiting class. 11. Depth to thin cemented pan: Depth to thin cemented pan limits site preparation such
as shaping and leveling and restricts the installation of small buildings and roads or streets. Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first restrictive layer less then or equal
to 46cm thick where restrictive kind is "fragipan", "duripan", "petrocalcic", "ortstein", or "petrogypsic" and restrictive feature hardness is not noncemented. Depth to restrictive feature
must be synchronized with the depth to the restrictive feature horizon shown in the horizon table. Property used: DEPTH TO CEMENTED PAN THIN (Modality -representative value) Restrictive
limits: Limiting < 50cm Not limiting => 50cm Natural Resources Conservation Service Web Soil Survey National Cooperative Soil Survey 9/27/2010 Page 6 of 8
Selected SU/vey Area Interpretation Descriptions-Rifle Area, Colorado, Parts of Garfield and Mesa Counties Hunter Mesa Compressor Station Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
AND NOT Property used: RESTRICTIVE FEATURE HARDNESS (Modality -representative value) Restrictive limits: Limiting not = noncemented Not limiting = noncemented Null hardness is assigned
to the Not limiting class. 12. Subsidence: Soils with high subsidence can cause building and road foundations to shift or collapse, flooring slabs to crack and roadways to buckle. Soil
feature considered is total subsidence. . Property used: SUBSIDENCE TOTAL (Modality -high, low, representative value) Restriction limits: Limiting => 30cm Not limiting < 30cm Null pH
values are assigned to the Not limiting class. 13. Depth to saturated zone: Soils with shallow depth to a water table maybe difficult to reclaim and revegetated. These areas are slow
to drain and can become waterlogged and boggy during periods of heavy precipitation. Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first layer where soil moisture layer status is wet
or saturated during any month. Property used: HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM (Modality -representative value) Restrictive limits: Limiting =< 43cm Somewhat limiting> 43 to <= 75cm Not
limiting> 75cm Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class. 14. Unstable fill: Soils that are reconstructed because of land reclamation practices can cause differential settlement.
These areas of differential settlement are difficult to identify and are typically destructive to engineering infrastructure. Soil feature considered is the component local phase. Property
used: COMPONENT LOCAL PHASE Restrictive limits: Natural Resources Conservation Service Web Soil Survey National Cooperative Soil Survey 9/27/2010 Page 7 of 8
Selected Survey Area Interpretation Descriptions-Rifle Area, Colorado, Parts of Garfield and Mesa Counties Hunter Mesa Compressor Station Limiting = "unstable fill" Not limiting not
= "unstable fill" Null local phase is assigned to the Not limiting class. Data Source Information Soil Survey Area: Survey Area Data: Natural Resources Conservation Service Rifle Area,
Colorado, Parts of Garfield and Mesa Counties Version 6, Mar 25, 2008 Web Soil Survey National Cooperative Soil Survey 9/27/2010 Page 8 of 8
Selected Soil Interpretations-Rifle Area, Colorado, Parts of Garfield and Mesa Counties Hunter Mesa Compressor Station Selected Soil Interpretations This report allows the customer to
produce a report showing the results of the soil interpretation(s) of his or her choice. It is useful when a standard report that displays the results of the selected interpretation(s)
is not available. When customers select this report, they are presented with a list of interpretations with results for the selected map units. The customer may select up to three interpretations
to be presented in table formal. For a description of the particular interpretations and their criteria, use the "Selected Survey Area Interpretation Descriptions" report. Report-Selected
Soil Interpretations Selected Soli Interpretations-Rine Area, Colorado, Parts of Garfield and Mesa Counties Map symbol and soli name Pct. of map Eng· small commercial buildings 55-Potts
loam, 3 to 6 percent slopes Potts 58-Potts-lidefonso complex, 12 to 25 percent slopes Potts IIdefonso 66-T orriorthents-Camborthids-Rock outcrop complex, steep Torriorthents, steep Camborthlds,
steep Rock outcrop, steep Natural Resources Conservation Service unit Rating class and limiting features 85 Somewhat limited Shrink-swell Slope 60 Very limited Slope Shrink-swell 30
Very limited Slope Large stones content 45 Very limited Stope Depth to hard bedrock 20 Very limited Slope Shrink-swell Depth to hard bedrock 15 Not rated Web Soil Survey National Cooperative
Soil Survey Value 0.50 0.13 1.00 0.50 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 0.50 0.02 9/27/2010 Page 1 of2
Selected Soil Interpretations-Rifle Area, Colorado, Parts of Garfield and Mesa Counties Hunter Mesa Compressor Station Data Source Information Soil Survey Area: Survey Area Data: Natural
Resources Conservation Service Rifte Area, Colorado, Parts of Garfield and Mesa Counties Version 6, Mar 25, 2008 Web Soil Survey National Cooperative Soil Survey 9/27/2010 Page 2 of
2