Physiographic features

The Loamy Overflow ecological site occurs on nearly level lowlands and drainageways that receive additional water from overflow of streams or runoff from adjacent slopes.

Table 2. Representative physiographic features

Climatic features

The climate in MLRA 58D is typical of the drier portions of the Northern Great Plains where sagebrush steppes to the west yield to grassland to the east. Average annual precipitation ranges from 14 to 17 inches with most falling in the early growing season. Some high intensity, convective thunderstorms occur in the summer. Precipitation in winter occurs as snow. Temperatures show a wide range between summer and winter and between daily maximums and minimums. This wide range is due to the high elevation and dry air, which permit rapid incoming and outgoing radiation. Outbreaks of cold air from Canada in winter move rapidly from northwest to southeast and account for extreme minimum temperatures. Extreme storms may occur during the winter but have the most severe effect on ranching operations during late winter and in spring.

The normal average annual temperature is about 44 °F. January is the coldest month with average temperatures ranging from about 12 °F (Marmarth, North Dakota) to about 20 °F (Baker, Montana). July is the warmest month with temperatures averaging from about 70 °F (Marmarth, North Dakota) to about 76 °F (Baker, Montana). The range of normal average monthly temperatures between the coldest and warmest months is about 55 °F. Wind speeds are estimated to average about 11 miles per hour (mph) annually, ranging from about 13 mph during the spring to about 10 mph during the summer. Daytime winds are generally stronger than nighttime winds. Strong storms may bring brief periods of high winds with gusts of more than 50 mph.

Growth of cool-season plants begins in early to mid-March, slowing or ceasing in late June. Warm-season plants begin growth about mid-May and continue to early or mid-September. Cool-season plants may green-up in September and October if adequate soil moisture is present.

Table 3. Representative climatic features

Climate stations used

• (1) BAKER 1 E [USC00240412], Baker, MT

• (2) LADNER 9SW [USC00394671], Camp Crook, SD

• (3) CAMP CROOK [USC00391294], Camp Crook, SD

• (4) BUFFALO ASOS [USW00094037], Buffalo, SD

• (5) BUFFALO 13 ESE [USW00094081], Reva, SD

• (6) REDIG 11 NE [USC00397062], Buffalo, SD

• (7) HOOVER [USC00393945], Newell, SD

Influencing water features

This Loamy Overflow ecological site is located adjacent to intermittent and perennial streams and receives occasional flooding.

Stream Type: B6, C6 (Rosgen System)

Soil features

Soils that represent the Loamy Overflow ecological site have silt loam and loam surface textures that are 10 to 15 inches thick. Slopes range from 0 to 3 percent. Soils are deep and formed in alluvium derived from sedimentary rock. The texture of the subsurface layer’s ranges from fine sand to silty clay loam. The soils in this site are well drained and have a slow infiltration rate. Soils are stratified and are nonrestrictive to water movement and root penetration.

This site should show no evidence of rills, wind-scoured areas, or pedestalled plants. Water flow paths are broken, irregular in appearance, or discontinuous. The soil surface is stable and intact.

Major Soil correlated to the Loamy Overflow ecological site onclude, Glendive, Havre, Korchea, and Straw.

The Havre and Korchea series are also correlated to the Loamy Terrace (R058DY022SD) ecological site when found on a stream terrace with rare or no flooding.

These soils are susceptible mainly to water erosion typically as a result of flooding events. Erosion may occur with a loss of vegetative cover. Loss of 50 percent or more of the surface layer of the soils on this site can result in a shift in species composition and production.

More information can be found in the various soil survey reports. Contact the local USDA Service Center for soil survey reports that include more detail specific to your area of interest, or use the internet to access USDA’s Web Soil Survey.

Table 4. Representative soil features

Animal community

Wildlife Interpretations
MLRA 58D lies within the drier portion of the northern mixed-grass prairie ecosystem where sagebrush steppes to the west yield to grassland steppes to the east. Prior to European settlement, this area consisted of diverse grass- and shrubland habitats interspersed with varying densities of depressional instream wetlands and woody riparian corridors. These habitats provided critical life cycle components for many users. Many species of grassland birds, small mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and herds of roaming bison, elk, and pronghorn were among the inhabitants adapted to this semi-arid region. Roaming herbivores, as well as several small mammal and insect species, were the primary consumers linking the grassland resources to predators such as the gray wolf, mountain lion, and grizzly bear, and smaller carnivores such as the coyote, bobcat, fox, and raptors. The prairie dog was once abundant; however, the species remains a keystone species within its range. The black-footed ferret, burrowing owl, ferruginous hawk, mountain plover, and swift fox were associated with prairie dog complexes.

Historically, the northern mixed-grass prairie was a disturbance-driven ecosystem with fire, herbivory, and climate functioning as the primary disturbance factors either singly or in combination. Following European settlement, livestock grazing, cropland conversion, elimination of fire, energy development, and other anthropogenic factors influenced species composition and abundance. Introduced and invasive species further impacted plant and animal communities. The bison was a historical keystone species but had been extirpated in this area as a free-ranging herbivore. The loss of the bison and reduction of prairie dog populations and fire as ecological drivers greatly influenced the character of the remaining native plant communities and altered wildlife habitats. Human development has reduced habitat quality for area-sensitive species.

Within MLRA 58D, the Loamy Overflow ecological site provides upland grassland cover with an associated forb, shrub, and tree component. It was typically part of an expansive grassland landscape that included combinations of Shallow Loamy, Shallow Clayey, Thin Loamy, Thin Claypan, Sandy, Sandy Claypan, Loamy, Sandy Terrace and Clayey ecological sites.

This ecological site can support a riparian plant community and remains essentially intact. The floodplain plant community may be composed of mature cottonwood and various age classes of elm, green ash, and boxelder; with a shrub component of wild plum, western snowberry, silver buffaloberry, wild rose, etc. The presence or absence of this tree/shrub component is an important factor influencing wildlife species composition.

Occasional to frequent flooding deposits silt on the site which may allow for potential sprouting of plains cottonwood. This site is subject to invasion of grass species such as annual bromegrasses and Kentucky bluegrass. Woody species such as Eastern red cedar, Rocky Mountain juniper, Tamarisk, and Russian olive may invade this site.

The Loamy Overflow ecological site provides important habitat for grassland, woodland, and shrub nesting birds, small rodents, bats, mammalian predators, and a variety of reptiles, amphibians, and insects. Within MLRA 58D, this site provides the suitable habitat for numerous riparian associated species. This site provides foraging and brood rearing habitat for upland game birds such as greater sage-grouse and sharptailed grouse. However, due to the presence of invasive grass and/or woody species ground nesting birds’ reproduction is reduced.

Big Bluestem-Western Wheatgrass-Needlegrass/Shrubs/Scattered Trees (1.1): The predominance of grasses plus high diversity of forbs and shrubs in this community favors grazers and mixed-feeders, such as white-tailed deer. Plant communities associated with woody habitat provide habitat for songbirds such as brown thrasher, redheaded woodpecker, warbling vireo, yellow warbler, gray catbird, Say’s phoebe, loggerhead shrike, Lazuli bunting, yellow breasted chat, and black-headed grosbeak; and raptors such as red-tailed hawk, Swainson’s hawk, American kestrel, and great-horned owl. Insects, such as pollinators, play a large role in maintaining the forb community and provide a forage base for birds and other species. Diverse prey populations are available for grassland raptors and mammalian predators, especially bobcat.

The diversity of grasses, forbs, and shrubs provide high nutrition levels for small and large herbivores including voles, mice, thirteen-lined ground squirrel, Eastern cottontail rabbit, white-tailed jackrabbit, and deer. This ecological site provides excellent fawning habitat for white-tailed deer. The relatively high stature of this plant community provides suitable thermal, protective, and escape cover for small and large mammals. This plant community provides habitat for various amphibian and reptile species such as frogs, toads, salamanders, bull and garter snakes. Introduced bird species such as European starling, ring-necked pheasant, and gray partridge will use this site.

Native/Invaded State (2.0): Resulting from continuous seasonal grazing, non-use, or reduction in fire frequency, shrubs and western wheatgrass will dominate. Shrub diversity and density has increased. The tree component remains largely unchanged. Livestock damage to trees is often noticeable. The increase in the shrub component results in increased habitat for yellow warbler, gray catbird, loggerhead shrike, Bell’s vireo, brown thrasher, Lazuli bunting, and yellow breasted chat. When present, the tall tree component continues to provide habitat for red-tailed hawk, American kestrel, redheaded woodpecker, warbling vireo, black-headed grosbeak, and Say’s phoebe. This plant community provides habitat for various amphibian and reptile species such as frogs, toads, salamanders, bull, and garter snakes.

Invaded State (3.0): These plant communities develops under continuous season-long grazing of western wheatgrass. The dominant vegetation includes Kentucky bluegrass, smooth brome, and annual grasses, forbs, invaders, and early successional biennial and perennial species. Plant species from adjacent ecological sites may become minor components of this plant community. The community is susceptible to invasion of other non-native species due to soil disturbances and relatively high percent of bare ground. Soil erosion is potentially high, impacting offsite aquatic habitats through increased runoff, nutrient, and sediment loads. Reduced surface cover, low plant density, low plant vigor, loss of root biomass, and soil compaction, all contribute to decreased wildlife abundance and diversity. Since secondary succession is highly variable plant and wildlife species will vary. These plant communities provide habitat for generalist or early successional species.

Wooded State (4.0): Multiple successional changes can occur on lower reaches of drainages when trees establish on the site. However, this wildlife interpretation will only include a discussion of the “Lower and Upper Woody Draw” in general. Long-term prescribed grazing, continuous season-long grazing, continuous seasonal grazing, heavy wildlife browsing, fire, flooding (and no flooding), and time all influence plant community succession. Grass species may decline dramatically, and species composition can shift due to woody competition and disturbances.

Woody vegetation provides excellent nesting cover, escape cover, and den sites for a variety of species. Species such as white-footed mice, bushy-tailed woodrat, porcupine, sharp-tailed grouse, black-billed magpie, Townsend’s solitaire, dark-eyed junco, brown thrasher, lark sparrow, and white-crowned sparrow will also increase. Species such as meadow voles, spotted ground squirrel, northern grasshopper mice, and western harvest mice will not utilize this site. Grassland-nesting songbirds will be significantly reduced. Raptors such as the long-eared owl will increase.

This site provides habitat for other songbirds such as yellow warbler, orange-crowned warbler, yellow-rumped warbler, Wilson’s warbler, gray catbird, Say’s phoebe, loggerhead shrike, Lazuli bunting, yellow-breasted chat, wrens, and chickadees. Other raptors such as red-tailed hawk, Swainson’s hawk, American kestrel, and great-horned owl may continue to use this site. Insects continue to provide a significant forage base for birds and various bats, especially species such as the Western small-footed Myotis, the fringe-tailed Myotis and the Townsend’s big-eared bat. Diverse prey populations are available for grassland raptors and mammalian predators, especially bobcat. Other mammalian predators utilizing this plant community include the coyote, mink, long-tailed and least weasels, red fox, and spotted and striped skunks.

Grazing Interpretations
The following list suggests annual, initial stocking rates for average growing conditions. These estimates are conservative and should be used only as guidelines in the initial stages of conservation planning. Commonly, the current plant composition does not entirely match any particular plant community (as described in this ecological site description). Therefore, a resource inventory is necessary to document plant composition and production. More accurate estimates of carrying capacity should eventually be calculated using the following stocking rate information along with animal preference data and actual stocking records, particularly when grazers other than cattle are involved. In consultation with the land manager, a more intensive grazing management program that results in improved harvest efficiencies and increased carrying capacity may be developed.

The following suggested initial stocking rates are based on 912 lb/acre (air-dry weight) per animal-unit-month (AUM) with a 25 percent harvest efficiency of preferred and desirable forage species (refer to USDA-NRCS, National Range and Pasture Handbook). An AUM is defined as the equivalent amount of forage required by a 1,000-pound cow, with or without calf, for one month.

Plant Community: Big Bluestem-Western Wheatgrass-Needlegrass/Shrubs/Scattered Trees (1.1)
Average Production (lb/acre, air-dry): 2,800*
Stocking Rate (AUM/acre): 0.77*

Plant Community: Western Wheatgrass-Needlegrass/Shrubs/Scattered Trees (1.2)
Average Production (lb/acre, air-dry): 2,200*
Stocking Rate (AUM/acre): 0.60*

Plant Community: Western Wheatgrass-Needlegrass-Non-Native Cool-Season Grasses/Shrubs/Scattered Trees (2.1)
Average Production (lb/acre, air-dry): 1,800*
Stocking Rate (AUM/acre): 0.49*

Plant Community: Non-Native Cool-Season Grasses/Remnant Shrubs/Remnant Trees (3.1)
Average Production (lb/acre, air-dry): 1,600*
Stocking Rate (AUM/acre): 0.44*

Plant Community: All other plant communities identified in this document have variable annual production values and require onsite sampling to determine initial stocking rates.

*Total annual production and stocking rates are highly variable and require onsite sampling.

Total onsite annual production may contain vegetation deemed undesirable or untargeted by the grazing animal. Therefore, AUM values may need reducing to reflect only preferred or desirable forage species.

Grazing by domestic livestock is one of the major income-producing industries in the area. Rangeland in this area may provide yearlong forage for livestock. During the dormant period, the forage for livestock likely has insufficient protein to meet livestock requirements. Added protein allows ruminants to better utilize the energy stored in grazed plant materials. A forage quality test (either directly or through fecal sampling) should be used to determine the level of supplementation needed.

Hydrological functions

Water is the principal factor limiting forage production on this site. This site is dominated by soils in hydrologic group B. Infiltration and runoff potential for this site varies from moderate to high depending on soil hydrologic group, slope, and ground cover. In many cases, areas with greater than 75 percent ground cover have the greatest potential for high infiltration and lower runoff. An example of an exception would be where shortgrasses form a strong sod and dominate the site. Normally areas where ground cover is less than 50 percent have the greatest potential to have reduced infiltration and higher runoff. Refer to the USDA-NRCS National Engineering Handbook, Part 630, for hydrologic soil groups, runoff quantities, and hydrologic curves.

Recreational uses

This site provides opportunities for hunting upland game species. The wide variety of plants that bloom from spring until fall have aesthetic value that appeals to visitors.

Wood products

No appreciable wood products are typically present on this site.

Other products

Harvesting the seeds of native plants can provide additional income on this site.

Other information

Revision Notes: “Previously Approved” Provisional
This provisional ecological site description (ESD) has passed quality control (QC) and quality assurance (QA) to ensure it meets the 2014 NESH standards for a “Provisional” ecological site description.

This ecological site description (ESD) is an updated “Previously Approved” ESD that represented a first-generation tier of documentation that met all requirements as an “Approved” ESD as laid out in the 1997 National Range and Pasture Handbook (NRPH). The requirements for approved status changed with the release of the 2014 National Ecological Site Handbook (NESH). The previously approved document fully described the reference state and community phases in the state-and-transition model. All other alternative states were at least described in narrative form. The “Previously Approved” ESD has been field-tested for a minimum of five years and is a proven functional document for conservation planning. The “Previously Approved” ESD may not contain all tabular and narrative entries as required in the current “Approved” level of documentation, but it is expected this ESD will continue refinement toward the current “Approved” status.

Site Development and Testing Plan
Future work, as described in an official project plan, is necessary to validate the information in this provisional ecological site description. The plan will include field activities for low-, medium-, and high-intensity sampling, soil correlations, and analysis of the data. Annual field reviews should be done by soil scientists and vegetation specialists. Final field review, peer review, quality control, and quality assurance reviews are required to produce the final document.

Inventory data references

Information presented here has been derived from NRCS clipping data and other inventory data. Field observations from range-trained personnel were also used. Those involved in developing this site description include: Ryan Beer, Range Management Specialist (RMS), NRCS; Chuck Berdan, Biologist, Bureau of Land Management (BLM); Stan Boltz, RMS, NRCS; Dave Dewald, Wildlife BIO, NRCS; Mitch Faulkner, RMS, NRCS; Jody Forman, RMS, NRCS; Dennis Froemke, RMS, NRCS; Tom Juntti, BIO, United States Forest Service (USFS); Cheryl Nielsen, RMS, NRCS; Jeff Printz, RMS, NRCS; Mike Stirling, RMS, NRCS; Dan Svingen, BIO, USFS; Darrell Vanderbusch, Soil Scientist, NRCS; Cindy Zachmeier, BIO, NRCS; and Tim Zachmeier, BIO, BLM.

Other references

Cleland, D.T., J.A. Freeouf, J.E. Keys, G.J. Nowacki, C.A. Carpenter, and W.H McNab. 2007. Ecological subregions: Sections and subsections of the conterminous United States. USDA Forest Service, General Technical Report WO-76D. https://www.fs.fed.us/research/publications/misc/73326-wo-gtr-76d-cleland2007.pdf (accessed 31 January 2019).

Cowardin, L.M., V. Carter, F.C. Golet, and E.T. LaRoe. 1979. Classification of wetlands and deep-water habitats of the United States. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service FWS/OBS-79/31.
High Plains Regional Climate Center, University of Nebraska. 2018. http://www.hprcc.unl.edu/ (accessed 6 April 2018).

Larson, G.E. and J.R. Johnson. 1999. Plants of the Black Hills and Bear Lodge Mountains. South Dakota State University, College of Agriculture and Biological Sciences and Agriculture Experiment Station, Bulletin 732, Brookings, SD.

Toledo, D., M. Sanderson, K. Spaeth, J. Hendrickson, and J. Printz. 2014. Extent of Kentucky bluegrass and its effect on native plant species diversity and ecosystem services in the Northern Great Plains of the United States. Invasive Plant Science and Management. 7(4):543–522. Weed Science Society of America.

Soil Survey Staff. 2020. Official soil series descriptions. USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/soils/home/?cid=nrcs142p2_053587 (accessed 27 January 2020).

Soil Survey Staff. 2020. Web Soil Survey. USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. https://websoilsurvey.sc.egov.usda.gov/App/WebSoilSurvey.aspx (accessed 27 January 2020).

Strahler, A. N. 1957. Quantitative analysis of watershed geomorphology, Transactions of the American Geophysical Union 8 (6): 913-920.

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service. 1997. National range and pasture handbook, rev. 1, 2003. https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb1043055.pdf (accessed 7 January 2018).

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service. 2006. Land resource regions and major land resource areas of the United States, the Caribbean, and the Pacific Basin. Agriculture Handbook 296. https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/nrcs142p2_050898.pdf (accessed 17 January 2018).

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service. 2007. National engineering handbook, part 654. Rosgen Stream Classification Technique – Supplemental Materials, Technical Supplement 3E. https://directives.sc.egov.usda.gov/OpenNonWebContent.aspx?content=17833.wba (accessed 4 March 2019).

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service. 2012. National engineering handbook, part 630. Hydrology chapters from e-Directives. https://directives.sc.egov.usda.gov/viewerFS.aspx?hid=21422 (accessed 17 January 2018).

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service. 2014. National ecological site handbook, 1st ed. https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/soils/ref/?cid=nrcseprd1291232 (accessed 27 January 2018).

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service. 2018. Climate data. National Water and Climate Center. http://www.wcc.nrcs.usda.gov/ (accessed 2 December 2018).

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service. 2020. Electronic field office technical guide. https://efotg.sc.egov.usda.gov (accessed 27 January 2020).

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service. 2018. National Soil Information System, Information Technology Center. http://nasis.nrcs.usda.gov (accessed 25 May 2018.

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service. 2020. PLANTS database. National Plant Data Team, Greensboro, NC. http://plants.usda.gov (accessed 27 January 2020).

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 2018. EPA level III and level IV ecoregions of the conterminous United States. https://www.epa.gov/eco-research/level-iii-and-iv-ecoregions- conterminous-united-states (accessed 26 April 2018).

Contributors

Stan C. Boltz
Travis Patient
Rick L. Peterson

Approval

Suzanne Mayne-Kinney, 7/18/2024

Acknowledgments

This ecological site description was updated by Rick L. Peterson on January 31, 2020.

The ESDs were available for QC review by Mark Hayek, Emily Helms, Ryan Beer, and Mitch Faulkner.

All ecological sites were then reviewed and approved at the Provisional Level by David Kraft, Regional ESS, Salina, KS in September 2020.


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