Physiographic features

This site occurs on level to gently undulating plains of the High Plains. Elevations range from 4,300 to 5,100 feet above sea level. Slopes range from 0 to 9 percent.

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

This site is not influenced by water from a wetland or stream.

Soil features

These soils are moderately deep to deep, well-drained soils. The surface layers are loams 8 to 12 inches over a loam or clay loam subsurface. These soils have moderate to moderately slow permeability. Runoff is medium. Available water-holding capacity is high. Effective rooting depth is 20 too more than 60 inches.

Table 4. Representative soil features

Animal community

No Data

Hydrological functions

The runoff curve numbers are determined by field investigations using hydrologic cover
conditions and hydrologic soil groups.
Soil Series---- Hydrologic Group
Berthoud------- B
Carnero-------- C
Campus--------- B
Dean----------- B
Dioxice-------- B
Duma----------- B
Gruver--------- C
Tapia---------- B
Texline-------- B

Recreational uses

This site has limited recreation potential; limited mainly by lack of live water and shade. Hiking, camping and picnicking are poor to fair. Photography of wild flowers and wildlife is fair.
Hunting for antelope is fair to good. The natural beauty is enhanced by the “wide open spaces” typical of the area.

Wood products

This site produces no commercial wood products.

Other products

Grazing:
This site can be used by all classes of livestock during any season of the year. Due to the occasional severe winter storms, emergency feed may be necessary. Yearling calves grazing from April to October may be favored because of these winter storms. Supplemental protein is needed if site is grazed during the winter. Continuous yearlong grazing or grazing continually during the period from April through October will result in a plant community dominated by blue grama and buffalograss. Continuous heavy grazing will cause blue grama to form low dense turf. Forage production is greatly reduced under these conditions. A system of deferred
grazing, which varies the season of grazing and rest in a pasture during successive years, is needed to improve or maintain a healthy well-balanced plant community. Different seasons of rest will benefit different plants. Winter rest will benefit winterfat and fringed sagewort. Spring rest (April – June) will allow western wheatgrass to grow and reproduce. Summer rest will benefit warm-season species such as blue grama, sideoats grama, and vine-mesquite.
Approximately 90 percent of the total yield is from species that furnish forage for grazing
animals.

Other information

Guide to Suggested Initial Stocking Rate Acres per Animal Unit Month
Similarity Index ---Ac/AUM
100 - 76----------- 2.2 – 2.7
75 – 51------------ 2.8 – 5.1
50 – 26------------ 5.1 – 8.8
25 – 0------------- 8.8+

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 Union, Harding Colfax.

Contributors

Don Sylvester
Elizabeth Wright
John Tunberg