Physiographic features

This site occurs on nearly level to undulating areas of the High Plains. Characteristically, the landscape is hummocky. Elevation ranges from 4,300 feet to 6,200 feet above sea level.
Slopes are usually from 0 to 8 percent. The 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

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

Soil features

The soils of this site are deep, and well drained. The surface textures are fine sand or loamy fine sand from 8 to 20 inches thick. The texture of the argillic subsoil is sandy clay loam or fine sandy loam. In some soils, a calcic horizon occurs at a depth of 12 to 20 inches. The soils have a moderately rapid to moderate permeability. The available water-holding capacity is moderate to high. The plant-soil-air-water relationship is good. Effective rooting depth is 60 inches or
more. These soils are particularly susceptible to wind erosion when vegetative cover is reduced.

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
Church-------- D
Dalhart------- B
Dallam-------- B
Manter-------- B
Otero--------- B
Rickmore------ C
Spurlock------ B
Vingo--------- B

Recreational uses

Recreation potential is limited due to the lack of access roads for two-wheel drive vehicles, lack of live water and 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 varying color hues of vegetation as it matures.

Wood products

This site has no significant wood production potential.

Other products

Grazing:
This site can be grazed any season of the year by all classes of livestock, generally without
regard to age. However, it is most efficiently utilized by cattle. 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 furnishes forage for grazing animals.
Continuous grazing or grazing continually during the period from April through 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 become the dominant vegetation. A system of deferred grazing, which varies the season of grazing and rest is needed to maintain or 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 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 is 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 stage of development, can remove the heads and prevent subsequent interference and injury to cattle by the 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.

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+

Inventory data references

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.
Characteristic Soils Are:
Dallam Vingo
Rickmore
Other Soils included are:
Church, Dalhart, Manter, Otero, Spurlock Seelize

Type locality

Contributors

Don Sylvester
Elizabeth Wright
John Tunberg