Physiographic features

This site occurs on level to gently undulating sloping eolian and alluvial sediments on the uplands. Characteristically, the landscape is hummocky. Elevation ranges from 3,600 to 4,800 feet above sea level. Slope ranges from 0 to 9 percent. Exposure varies and is not significant.

Table 2. Representative physiographic features

Climatic features

The climate of this area can be classified as “semi-arid continental”.

Precipitation averages from about 15 to 16 inches annually with approximately 75 percent of this yearly moisture falling during the period of May through October. Most summer rainfall is associated with usually brief afternoon and evening thundershowers, which occasionally produce heavy rain over a small area, and sometimes bring a little hail. Winters are generally dry, with only one or two days a month when as much as one-tenth inch of moisture falls. However, winter average 20 inches of snow, although most snowfalls are light with an occasional storm producing up to six inches. Following these storms, snow may lie on the ground for several days and occasionally moderate to strong winds accompanying these storms result in blizzard conditions and heavy drifting. Although the precipitation patterns favor the production of warm-season plants, sufficient moisture is received in the late winter and the spring to support cool-season plants. Approximately 25 percent of the annual precipitation is received during April and May. May is generally the wettest month followed by July and then August.

Temperatures show the seasonal changes and large annual and diurnal ranges characteristic of such a climate. Summers are generally mild. The high daily temperature reading exceed 90 degrees F about one-third of the time, and readings of 100 degrees F occur about once a year. Rapid cooling after sundown results in minimum temperatures below 60 degrees F on most nights, even in midsummer. Winter shade temperatures usually rise to the mid-40’s and an average of only 15 days fail to see temperatures rise above the freezing mark most of the time from early November through March; below zero readings occur on an average of only three times a year.

The freeze-free season ranges from 168 days to 171 days between April 28th to October 16th. Both temperatures and annual precipitation favor warm-season plants. About 40 percent of the annual precipitation is received during the season where temperatures will benefit cool-season plants and only 10 percent falls during the dormant season.

While open to winter invasions of arctic air over the Great Plains, this area is far enough south and west to miss many of these outbreaks. Mountains to the north and west intercept mush of the precipitation from the Pacific northwest storms coming through this area during the winter. An average hourly wind velocity for the year is 15 miles per hour. Somewhat higher winds prevail during the spring months, but velocities exceeding 24 mile per hour are experienced only 10 percent of the usual year. Stronger winds blow chiefly from a westerly or southwesterly direction during the spring. Relative humidity is moderately low.

Climate data was obtained from http://www.wrcc.sage.dri.edu/summary/climsmnm.html web site using 50% probability for freeze-free and frost-free seasons using 28.5 degrees F and 32.5 degrees F respectively.

Table 3. Representative climatic features

Influencing water features

Soil features

The soils of this site are deep and well drained. The surface textures are fine sandy or loamy fine sand from 10 to 36 inches thick. The textures of the argillic subsoil are sandy clay loam, fine sandy loam or loamy fine sand. In some soils, a calcic horizon occurs at a depth of 20 to 40 inches. The soils have moderately rapid or moderate permeability. The available water-holding capacity is moderate to high. The plant-soil-air-water relationship is good. Because of the coarse surface textures, the soils, if unprotected by plant cover and organic residue, becomes wind blown and low hummocks or dunes are formed around shrubs.

Table 4. Representative soil features

Animal community

Habitat for Wildlife:
No Data

Hydrological functions

Soil Series----Hydrologic Group
Amarillo-------B
Arch-----------B
Brownfield------A
Clovis---------B
Drake----------B
Gomez----------B
Mansker--------B
Springer-------A, B

Recreational uses

Recreation potential is limited due to the lack of access roads for two-wheel drive vehicles, lack of live water and the lack of shade. The terrain typical of the “wide open spaces” of the area enhances aesthetic appeal. Hunting for upland game birds and antelope is fair. The natural beauty is enhanced by the variety of flowering plants that bloom from early spring to fall and the varying color hues of vegetation as it matures.

Wood products

This site produces no wood products.

Other products

Grazing:
This site can be grazed any season of the year by all classes of livestock, generally without regard to age. However, cattle most efficiently utilize it. The variety of grasses, forbs and half-shrubs furnishes good nutrition to grazing animals during most seasons of the year. Approximately 90 percent of the annual production furnish forage for grazing animals. Continuous grazing or grazing continually during the period from April to October by cattle will result in a plant community dominated by low forage value species such as sand dropseed, sand sagebrush, yucca and threeawn spp. Sand sagebrush and yucca may increase to the extent that they are the dominant vegetation. A system of deferred grazing, which varies the season of grazing and rest, is needed to maintain or to improve a healthy well-balanced plant community. Rest in different seasons benefits different plants. Winter rest will benefit all woody species. Spring rest (April-June) encourages forb production and will benefit New Mexico feathergrass, Indian ricegrass and needleandthread. Summer rest (July-September) benefits warm-season grasses such as sand bluestem, sideoats grama and little bluestem to grow and reproduce. Fall rest allows plants to complete their growth cycle. New Mexico feathergrass and needleandthread are utilized readily by cattle in the spring and fall and least utilized in the summer when the awns interfere with utilization and may injure cattle. Although utilization in June is detrimental to stands of needleandthread and New Mexico feathergrass, a quick, moderate cropping when the heads are in the boot state of development can remove the heads and prevent subsequent interference and injury to cattle by awns. For this purpose, the timing and degree of use must be determined on limited areas, preferably when soil moisture is adequate for regrowth, and should be followed by a period of deferment. Sand sagebrush can be controlled by concentrating cattle during the late winter and early spring followed by deferment until October.

Other information

Guide to Suggested Initial Stocking Rate Acres per Animal Unit Month
Similarity Index---Ac/AUM
100 - 76-----------1.8 – 3.0
75 – 51------------2.3 – 4.3
50 – 26------------3.0 – 8.6
25 – 0-------------8.6+

Type locality

Other references

Data collection for this site was done in conjunction with the progressive soil surveys within the Southern High Plains 77 Major Land Resource Area of New Mexico. This site has been mapped and correlated with soils in the following soil surveys: Curry, Harding, & Quay.

Contributors

Christine Bishop
Don Sylvester
Elizabeth Wright
John Tunberg