Abstract |
The San Juan County general soil map was used to estimate the amount of irrigable land in each soil area. Approximately 38 percent of the soils (1,341,500 acres) are suitable as cropland under irrigation. Irrigable land is widely distributed and frequently occurs in small tracts, which limits its use for irrigation. The 18 soil associations are rated according to Federal Water Resources Council's criteria which consider texture, moisture retention, depth, salinity, sodic conditions, permeability, erosion, topography and drainage. The soils are also classified according to the AASHO and the Unified systems. Topography, climate, land use, soil characteristics, present land use and irrigation potential are examined. The soils are reviewed for irrigation and engineering uses to provide information for preliminary planning for forestry, range, urban, engineering, recreation, wildlife and irrigation development. Tables show climatic data, soil characteristics, land classification criteria, irrigation land classes for soils and engineering soils. Figures show soil and irrigable land distribution. (WRSIC abstract) |