Soil Survey of Runnels County, Texas Page: 8
[2] 62 [2] p., 73 folded p. of plates : ill., maps (some col.) ; 28 cm.View a full description of this book.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
SOIL SURVEY
The Winters soils in this complex differ from those in
the complexes previously described, mainly in having a 6-
to 8-inch surface layer.
These soils have medium runoff. The risk of water ero-
sion is moderate. The risk of soil blowing is moderate.
These soils are well suited to cultivation, and about
half the acreage is cultivated. Large amounts of organic
matter and stubble on the surface are needed to con-
trol soil blowing. Sorghum and small grain are ex-
amples of suitable crops. In terracing and leveling,
the depth of cuts and fills is limited because of the dif-
ference in clay content of the surface layer and sub-
soil. Areas in which the subsoil is exposed have poor
tilth and low fertility. Without terraces, more stubble
is needed to slow down runoff. The response to fer-
tilization is good.
This complex is used as range. It produces a wide
variety of vegetation. It makes good wildlife habitat
because the vegetation includes oaks and other woody
plants that supply cover, browse, and mast. (Capabili-
ty unit IIIe-4; Sandy Loam range site)
Cobb-Winters fine sandy loams, 3 to 5 percent slopes
(CwC).-This complex is in the northwestern part of the
county, mostly on low rounded hills and ridges. It is made
up dominantly of Cobb soils. Slopes are convex. Each
mapped area is about 10 percent Cobb loamy fine sand,
about 1 percent Latom soils, and about 1 percent outcrops
of sandstone and conglomerate.
Cobb soils have a noncalcareous surface layer about 4
to 6 inches thick and a subsoil of reddish, noncalcareous
sandy clay loam that extends to a depth of about 30 inches.
The underlying material is weakly cemented sandstone.
Winters soils have a 4- to 8-inch surface layer.
These soils have moderate permeability and a moderate
available water capacity. The risk of soil blowing is mod-
erate, and the risk of water erosion is moderate. Fertility
is moderate.
If these soils are to be used as cropland, a cropping sys-
tem that supplies large amounts of organic matter and
litter is needed for control of soil blowing and water ero-
sion. Sorghum and small grain are examples of suitable
crops. Tillage should be on the contour. Terraces are
needed. In part of the acreage the soils are shallow over
sandstone, are not suitable for terracing, and should be in
permanent pasture.
This complex is used as range. It produces a wide variety
of vegetation. It makes good wildlife habitat because the
vegetation includes oaks and other woody plants that pro-
vide cover, browse, and mast. (Capability unit IVe-4;
Sandy Loam range site)
Colorado Series
The Colorado series consists of deep, calcareous loams,
silt loams, and clay loams that developed in recent al-
luvium on flood plains. These soils occur along all of
the major streams in this county. They are subject to
frequent flooding and deposition of fresh sediments.
In a typical profile the top layer is light reddish-
brown loam about 16 inches thick. The next layer is
light reddish-brown, stratified loam, clay loam, and
fine sandy loam. It extends to a depth of more than 60
inches.A
Figure 2.-Profile of Colorado loam. Roots extend to a depth of
about 5 feet.
These soils have a very deep root zone (fig. 2), mod-
erate permeability, and a high capacity for holding
water and plant nutrients.
A typical profile of a Colorado loam is 500 feet east
of U.S. Highway 83 and 3,400 feet southeast of its in-
tersection with U.S. Highway 67 in Ballinger.
C1-0 to 16 inches, light reddish-brown (5YR 6/3) loam,
reddish brown (5YR 4/3) when moist, structureless;
hard when dry, friable when moist; surface crust a
inch thick; roots are abundant; earthworm casts are
few to common; calcareous.
C2-16 to 60 inches +, light reddish-brown (5YR 6/3) strati-
fied loam, clay loam, and fine sandy loam, reddish
brown (5YR 4/3) when moist; structureless; hard
when dry, friable when moist; few earthworm casts;
very thin, slightly darker colored layers of clay loam
and fine sandy loam; evidence of recent stratifica-
tion; bedding planes evident; calcareous.
The profile ranges from loam or silt loam to clay loam in
texture and is 18 to 35 percent clay and more than 15 percent
coarser than very fine sand. Some profiles are as much as 15
percent gravel. The degree of stratification varies. In dry soil
the color of the C1 horizon ranges from light reddish brown
through brown and grayish brown to dark brown in hue of
2.5YR through 10YR. In some areas the C1 horizon, when
moist, has a color value of less than 3.5. In these areas this
layer is less than 10 inches thick. Thin layers below a depth
of 15 inches are darker colored than the surface layer. Parts
of any layer at a depth between 10 and 40 inches may show
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This book can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Related Items
Other items on this site that are directly related to the current book.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Book.
Wiedenfeld, C. C.; Barnhill, L. J. & Novosad, Clifford J. Soil Survey of Runnels County, Texas, book, March 1970; Washington D.C.. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth224548/m1/12/: accessed July 17, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.