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Key Characteristics
- FOREST [Soils typically have an E horizon and translocated clays (argillic horizon). They may have an O horizon but very seldom a mollic epipedon].
- ELEVATION LESS THAN 6,200 FEET? (Low Elevation) Soils are Frigid.
- Are you in LRU A/ Northern Low Elevation Hills?
- Slope 0-15%
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Key Characteristics
- FOREST [Soils typically have an E horizon and translocated clays (argillic horizon). They may have an O horizon but very seldom a mollic epipedon].
- ELEVATION LESS THAN 6,200 FEET? (Low Elevation) Soils are Frigid.
- Are you in LRU A/ Northern Low Elevation Hills?
- Slope 15+%
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Key Characteristics
- FOREST [Soils typically have an E horizon and translocated clays (argillic horizon). They may have an O horizon but very seldom a mollic epipedon].
- ELEVATION GREATER THAN 6,200 FEET? LRU B (High Elevation) Soils are Cryic.
- All other.
- Slopes 0-15%
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Key Characteristics
- FOREST [Soils typically have an E horizon and translocated clays (argillic horizon). They may have an O horizon but very seldom a mollic epipedon].
- ELEVATION GREATER THAN 6,200 FEET? LRU B (High Elevation) Soils are Cryic.
- Depressions/Cool Moist Slopes and Valleys, moss often present in great quantities
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Key Characteristics
- FOREST [Soils typically have an E horizon and translocated clays (argillic horizon). They may have an O horizon but very seldom a mollic epipedon].
- ELEVATION GREATER THAN 6,200 FEET? LRU B (High Elevation) Soils are Cryic.
- All other.
- Slopes 15-60%
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i
Key Characteristics
- FOREST [Soils typically have an E horizon and translocated clays (argillic horizon). They may have an O horizon but very seldom a mollic epipedon].
- ELEVATION GREATER THAN 6,200 FEET? LRU B (High Elevation) Soils are Cryic.
- All other.
- Slopes 60+%
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i
Key Characteristics
- FOREST [Soils typically have an E horizon and translocated clays (argillic horizon). They may have an O horizon but very seldom a mollic epipedon].
- ELEVATION LESS THAN 6,200 FEET? (Low Elevation) Soils are Frigid.
- Are you in LRU C/ Southern Dry Low Elevation Hills?
- Slope 0-45+%
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i
Key Characteristics
- FOREST [Soils typically have an E horizon and translocated clays (argillic horizon). They may have an O horizon but very seldom a mollic epipedon].
- ELEVATION LESS THAN 6,200 FEET? (Low Elevation) Soils are Frigid.
- Are you in LRU A/ Northern Low Elevation Hills?
- Cool fringe forest or pockets of increased moisture
- FOREST [Soils typically have an E horizon and translocated clays (argillic horizon). They may have an O horizon but very seldom a mollic epipedon].
- ELEVATION GREATER THAN 6,200 FEET? LRU B (High Elevation) Soils are Cryic.
- Cool fringe hardwood forest between pine dominated hills and valley loam or rangelands.
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Key Characteristics
- RANGELAND (Soils usually have a mollic epipedon, lack an O horizon and do not have an E horizon. Rangelands may have conifer encroachment but are not Forest Sites).
- NORMAL LANDSCAPE POSITIONS (Upland, slopes normally linear, 1 to 6 percent except sandy/sands sites can have complex slopes, Back slope, Summit, Foot slope)
- Are soils mod. deep or deep and have many (> 35%) coarse fragments (rocks) at or near the surface and throughout the soil profile?
- No. Are soils loamy with a thick dark colored surface layer (> 16” thick) and not adjacent to a stream? Typically, in upland “U-” or “V”-shaped valleys.
- No. Clay or Silty clay (40 to 55% clay) Surface (>1.75” ribbon) with Clayey Subsoil?
- No. Loam, Silt loam, Silty, Clay loam, Sandy clay loam, or Very fine sandy loam (0.5 to 1.75” ribbon)?
- No. Sandy loam, Fine sandy loam, or Loamy very fine sand (0.25 to 0.5” ribbon)?
- Yes. Sandy - North (R062XA009SD).
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Key Characteristics
- RANGELAND (Soils usually have a mollic epipedon, lack an O horizon and do not have an E horizon. Rangelands may have conifer encroachment but are not Forest Sites).
- RUN-OFF LANDSCAPE POSITIONS (Upland, normally convex short slopes > 6 percent, Shoulder).
- Dig hole to a depth of 20 inches minimum. Is there root restrictive layer within 10 inches of the soil surface?
- No. Is there a root restricting layer within 10-20 inches of the surface?
- Yes. Determine the soil texture.
- Clayey - Shallow Clayey - North (R062XA17SD)
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i
Key Characteristics
- RANGELAND (Soils usually have a mollic epipedon, lack an O horizon and do not have an E horizon. Rangelands may have conifer encroachment but are not Forest Sites).
- NORMAL LANDSCAPE POSITIONS (Upland, slopes normally linear, 1 to 6 percent except sandy/sands sites can have complex slopes, Back slope, Summit, Foot slope)
- Are soils mod. deep or deep and have many (> 35%) coarse fragments (rocks) at or near the surface and throughout the soil profile?
- Yes. Is the soil derived from flat fragmented metamorphic rock?
- Yes. Channery Loam - North (R062XA032SD).
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Key Characteristics
- RANGELAND (Soils usually have a mollic epipedon, lack an O horizon and do not have an E horizon. Rangelands may have conifer encroachment but are not Forest Sites).
- RUN-IN LANDSCAPE POSITIONS [Valley Bottomlands, Drainageways (not depressions), Toe slopes].
- Observe the soil to a depth of 60 inches. Is there evidence of a permanent water table within 0 to 1 foot of the surface and the site is dominated by hydrophytes?
- No. Is there evidence of a permanent water table within 1 to 2 feet of the surface?
- No. Is there evidence of a permanent water table within 2 to 5 feet of the surface?
- No. Is the site adjacent to a stream or a low stream terrace that occasionally floods and is located below 6,200’ in elevation? There may also be a seasonal water table present (>5 feet of the surface).
- Yes, located below/wetter than loamy overflow, precip zone between 22-30 inches.
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i
Key Characteristics
- RANGELAND (Soils usually have a mollic epipedon, lack an O horizon and do not have an E horizon. Rangelands may have conifer encroachment but are not Forest Sites).
- RUN-IN LANDSCAPE POSITIONS [Valley Bottomlands, Drainageways (not depressions), Toe slopes].
- Observe the soil to a depth of 60 inches. Is there evidence of a permanent water table within 0 to 1 foot of the surface and the site is dominated by hydrophytes?
- No. Is there evidence of a permanent water table within 1 to 2 feet of the surface?
- No. Is there evidence of a permanent water table within 2 to 5 feet of the surface?
- No. Is the site adjacent to a stream or a low stream terrace that occasionally floods and is located below 6,200’ in elevation? There may also be a seasonal water table present (>5 feet of the surface).
- No. Is the site very stony, occasionally flood, and located at or above 6,200’ in elevation?
- Yes. Stony Overflow - Central (R062XB039SD).
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-
i
Key Characteristics
- RANGELAND (Soils usually have a mollic epipedon, lack an O horizon and do not have an E horizon. Rangelands may have conifer encroachment but are not Forest Sites).
- RUN-IN LANDSCAPE POSITIONS [Valley Bottomlands, Drainageways (not depressions), Toe slopes].
- Observe the soil to a depth of 60 inches. Is there evidence of a permanent water table within 0 to 1 foot of the surface and the site is dominated by hydrophytes?
- No. Is there evidence of a permanent water table within 1 to 2 feet of the surface?
- No. Is there evidence of a permanent water table within 2 to 5 feet of the surface?
- No. Is the site adjacent to a stream or a low stream terrace that occasionally floods and is located below 6,200’ in elevation? There may also be a seasonal water table present (>5 feet of the surface).
- Yes, located below/wetter than loamy overflow, precip zone between 17-22 inch.
-
i
Key Characteristics
- RANGELAND (Soils usually have a mollic epipedon, lack an O horizon and do not have an E horizon. Rangelands may have conifer encroachment but are not Forest Sites).
- RUN-IN LANDSCAPE POSITIONS [Valley Bottomlands, Drainageways (not depressions), Toe slopes].
- Observe the soil to a depth of 60 inches. Is there evidence of a permanent water table within 0 to 1 foot of the surface and the site is dominated by hydrophytes?
- Yes. Wet Land (R062XY002SD).
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i
Key Characteristics
- RANGELAND (Soils usually have a mollic epipedon, lack an O horizon and do not have an E horizon. Rangelands may have conifer encroachment but are not Forest Sites).
- RUN-IN LANDSCAPE POSITIONS [Valley Bottomlands, Drainageways (not depressions), Toe slopes].
- Observe the soil to a depth of 60 inches. Is there evidence of a permanent water table within 0 to 1 foot of the surface and the site is dominated by hydrophytes?
- No. Is there evidence of a permanent water table within 1 to 2 feet of the surface?
- No. Is there evidence of a permanent water table within 2 to 5 feet of the surface?
- Yes, 2-5ft permanent water table.
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i
Key Characteristics
- RANGELAND (Soils usually have a mollic epipedon, lack an O horizon and do not have an E horizon. Rangelands may have conifer encroachment but are not Forest Sites).
- RUN-IN LANDSCAPE POSITIONS [Valley Bottomlands, Drainageways (not depressions), Toe slopes].
- Observe the soil to a depth of 60 inches. Is there evidence of a permanent water table within 0 to 1 foot of the surface and the site is dominated by hydrophytes?
- No. Is there evidence of a permanent water table within 1 to 2 feet of the surface?
- Yes. Wet Subirrigated (R062XY005SD).
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i
Key Characteristics
- RANGELAND (Soils usually have a mollic epipedon, lack an O horizon and do not have an E horizon. Rangelands may have conifer encroachment but are not Forest Sites).
- RUN-OFF LANDSCAPE POSITIONS (Upland, normally convex short slopes > 6 percent, Shoulder).
- Dig hole to a depth of 20 inches minimum. Is there root restrictive layer within 10 inches of the soil surface?
- Yes. Very Shallow
-
i
Key Characteristics
- RANGELAND (Soils usually have a mollic epipedon, lack an O horizon and do not have an E horizon. Rangelands may have conifer encroachment but are not Forest Sites).
- NORMAL LANDSCAPE POSITIONS (Upland, slopes normally linear, 1 to 6 percent except sandy/sands sites can have complex slopes, Back slope, Summit, Foot slope)
- Are soils mod. deep or deep and have many (> 35%) coarse fragments (rocks) at or near the surface and throughout the soil profile?
- Yes. Is the soil derived from flat fragmented metamorphic rock?
- No. Stony Hills - (R062XY029SD).
-
i
Key Characteristics
- RANGELAND (Soils usually have a mollic epipedon, lack an O horizon and do not have an E horizon. Rangelands may have conifer encroachment but are not Forest Sites).
- NORMAL LANDSCAPE POSITIONS (Upland, slopes normally linear, 1 to 6 percent except sandy/sands sites can have complex slopes, Back slope, Summit, Foot slope)
- Are soils mod. deep or deep and have many (> 35%) coarse fragments (rocks) at or near the surface and throughout the soil profile?
- No. Are soils loamy with a thick dark colored surface layer (> 16” thick) and not adjacent to a stream? Typically, in upland “U-” or “V”-shaped valleys.
- Yes. Valley Loam - (R062XY043SD).
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Ecological site keys
MLRA 062X - Black Hills - Rangeland (LRU's A-North, B-High Central, C-South, and Y-Common), and Black Hills - Forest Land (Low Elevation < 6,200' and High Elevation > 6,200').
I.
RANGELAND (Soils usually have a mollic epipedon, lack an O horizon and do not have an E horizon. Rangelands may have conifer encroachment but are not Forest Sites).
A.
RUN-OFF LANDSCAPE POSITIONS (Upland, normally convex short slopes > 6 percent, Shoulder).
1
Dig hole to a depth of 20 inches minimum. Is there root restrictive layer within 10 inches of the soil surface?
ii.
No. Is there a root restricting layer within 10-20 inches of the surface?
a.
Yes. Determine the soil texture.
2)
Loamy - Shallow Loamy - North (R062XA024SD), SwLy - Central (R062XB024SD), SwLy - South (R062XC024SD).
b.
No. Is the soil > 20 inches in depth but have a thin surface layer (typically less than 3”) and effervesce at or near the surface (within 6 inches)?
2)
No. See "Normal Landscape Positions"
B.
NORMAL LANDSCAPE POSITIONS (Upland, slopes normally linear, 1 to 6 percent except sandy/sands sites can have complex slopes, Back slope, Summit, Foot slope)
1
Are soils mod. deep or deep and have many (> 35%) coarse fragments (rocks) at or near the surface and throughout the soil profile?
i.
Yes. Is the soil derived from flat fragmented metamorphic rock?
ii.
No. Are soils loamy with a thick dark colored surface layer (> 16” thick) and not adjacent to a stream? Typically, in upland “U-” or “V”-shaped valleys.
b.
No. Clay or Silty clay (40 to 55% clay) Surface (>1.75” ribbon) with Clayey Subsoil?
1)
Yes. Clayey - North (R062XA011SD), Clayey - South (R062XC011SD).
2)
No. Loam, Silt loam, Silty, Clay loam, Sandy clay loam, or Very fine sandy loam (0.5 to 1.75” ribbon)?
a)
Yes. Is the site an old stream terrace?
(1)
Yes. Loamy Terrace. FUTURE PROJECT
(2)
No. Loamy - North (R062XA010SD), Ly - Central (R062XB010SD), Ly - South (R062XC010SD).
b)
No. Sandy loam, Fine sandy loam, or Loamy very fine sand (0.25 to 0.5” ribbon)?
(2)
No. See “ Run-in Landscape Position"
C.
RUN-IN LANDSCAPE POSITIONS [Valley Bottomlands, Drainageways (not depressions), Toe slopes].
1
Observe the soil to a depth of 60 inches. Is there evidence of a permanent water table within 0 to 1 foot of the surface and the site is dominated by hydrophytes?
ii.
No. Is there evidence of a permanent water table within 1 to 2 feet of the surface?
b.
No. Is there evidence of a permanent water table within 2 to 5 feet of the surface?
2)
No. Is the site adjacent to a stream or a low stream terrace that occasionally floods and is located below 6,200’ in elevation? There may also be a seasonal water table present (>5 feet of the surface).
a)
Yes. Dryer than lowland ES, Loamy Overflow - North (R062XA020SD), LyOv - South (R062XC020SD).
c)
Yes, located below/wetter than loamy overflow, precip zone between 17-22 inch.
... R062XC042SD – Lowland 17-22 PZ
d)
Yes, located below/wetter than loamy overflow, precip zone between 22-30 inches.
... R062XA042SD – Lowland 22-30 PZ
b)
No. Is the site very stony, occasionally flood, and located at or above 6,200’ in elevation?
(2)
No. See “Run-off and Normal Landscape Positions”
II.
FOREST [Soils typically have an E horizon and translocated clays (argillic horizon). They may have an O horizon but very seldom a mollic epipedon].
A.
ELEVATION LESS THAN 6,200 FEET? (Low Elevation) Soils are Frigid.
1
Are you in LRU A/ Northern Low Elevation Hills?
i.
Cool fringe forest or pockets of increased moisture
... F062XY057SD – Cool Fringe Mixed Hardwood Forest
2
Are you in LRU C/ Southern Dry Low Elevation Hills?
B.
ELEVATION GREATER THAN 6,200 FEET? LRU B (High Elevation) Soils are Cryic.
1
Depressions/Cool Moist Slopes and Valleys, moss often present in great quantities
... F062XB056SD – Highland Cool Valley Slopes and Depressions
2
Cool fringe hardwood forest between pine dominated hills and valley loam or rangelands.
... F062XY057SD – Cool Fringe Mixed Hardwood Forest
3
All other.
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