LOCATION MAUDLIN            CO
Established Series
Rev. DLS/GB
02/1999

MAUDLIN SERIES


The Maudlin series consists of moderately deep, well drained soils formed in residuum derived from sandstone. Maudlin soils are on plateaus. Slopes range from 3 to 15 percent. The mean annual precipitation is about 17 inches and the mean annual temperature is about 41 degrees F.

TAXONOMIC CLASS: Fine-loamy, mixed, superactive, frigid Typic Argiustolls

TYPICAL PEDON: Maudlin fine sandy loam, rangeland. (Colors are for dry soil unless otherwise noted.)

A1--0 to 4 inches; dark brown (10YR 4/3) fine sandy loam, very dark grayish brown (10YR 3/2) moist; weak medium subangular blocky structure parting to moderate medium granular; soft, very friable, slightly sticky and slightly plastic; neutral (pH 6.6); clear smooth boundary. (2 to 5 inches thick)

A2--4 to 8 inches; grayish brown (10YR 5/2) fine sandy loam, very dark grayish brown (10YR 3/2) moist; moderate medium subangular blocky structure; slightly hard, friable, slightly sticky and slightly plastic; neutral (pH 6.6); clear smooth boundary. (4 to 10 inches thick)

A3--8 to 12 inches; brown (10YR 5/3) fine sandy loam, dark brown (10YR 3/3) moist; moderate medium subangular blocky structure; slightly hard, friable, slightly sticky and slightly plastic; neutral (pH 6.8); clear wavy boundary. (0 to 6 inches thick)

Bt--12 to 21 inches; yellowish brown (10YR 5/6) sandy clay loam, yellowish brown (10YR 5/4) moist; moderate medium subangular blocky structure; very hard, friable, sticky and plastic; common distinct clay films on ped faces; neutral (pH 6.8); clear wavy boundary. (8 to 20 inches thick)

BC--21 to 30 inches; light yellowish brown (10YR 6/4) gravelly fine sandy loam, dark yellowish brown (10YR 4/4) moist; weak fine subangular blocky structure; hard, friable, slightly sticky and slightly plastic; 30 percent pebbles; neutral (pH 6.6); clear smooth boundary. (0 to 10 inches thick)

R--30 inches; hard sandstone.

TYPE LOCATION: Moffat County, Colorado; approximately 4 miles northwest of Hamilton, about 230 feet north and 70 feet west of the southeast corner of Sec. 14, T. 5 N., R. 92 W. Longitude: 107 degrees, 40 minutes, 39 seconds west. Latitude: 40 degrees, 22 minutes, 38 seconds north.

RANGE IN CHARACTERISTICS: Mean annual soil temperature ranges from 42 to 45 degrees F. The moisture control section is moist in all parts for 30 or more consecutive days immediately after May 1, and dry in all parts for 45 or more consecutive days immediately after July 15, and moist in some part for most of the period from September 1 to March 30. Lithic contact is at a depth of 20 to 40 inches. The mollic epipedon is 8 to 14 inches thick.

The A horizons have hue of 10YR or 7.5YR, value of 4 or 5 dry, 3 or 4 moist, and chroma of 2 or 3. Values of 3 extend to at least 7 inches. Reaction is neutral or mildly alkaline.

The Bt horizon has hue of 10YR or 7.5YR, value of 5 or 6 dry, 4 or 5 moist, and chroma of 3 or 4. It is fine sandy loam, sandy clay loam, or loam. Rock fragment content ranges from 0 to 15 percent. Reaction is neutral or mildly alkaline.

The BC horizon has hue of 10YR or 7.5YR, value of 5 or 6 dry, 4 or 5 moist, and a chroma of 3 or 4. It is fine sandy loam, sandy clay loam, or loam with 0 to 35 percent rock fragments. Reaction is neutral or mildly alkaline.

COMPETING SERIES: These are the Beartooth (MT), Beeno (WY), Bookcliff (UT), Bullflat (SD), Cortyzack (CO), Dooley (MT), Empedrado (CO), Fairfield (MT), Farnuf (MT), Felor (SD), Greenway (SD), Gurney (SD), Hangdo (UT), Krem (ND), Lefor (ND), Lininger (CO), Livona (ND), Martinsdale (MT), Moen (CO), Reeder (ND), Sponseller (AZ), Trag (CO), Tschicoma (NM), Ulrant (WY), Vida (MT), Watrous (ND), Wemple (MT), Williams (ND), and Yegen (MT) series. Beartooth, Bookcliff, Bullflat, Cortyzack, Dooley, Empedrado, Fairfield, Farnuf, Felor, Greenway, Hangdo, Livona, Martinsdale, Sponseller, Trag, Tschicoma, Ulrant, Vida, Wemple, Williams, and Yegen soils lack bedrock above a depth of 40 inches. Beeno, Lefor, Lininger, and Reeder soils have a paralithic contact at a depth of 20 to 40 inches. Gurney and Moen soils are calcareous. Krem soils have a sandy epipedon 20 to 40 inches thick. Watrous soils are moist in some part of the moisture control section after July 15.

GEOGRAPHIC SETTING: Maudlin soils are on plateaus. Slopes range from 3 to 15 percent. The soil formed in residuum derived from sandstone. Elevation ranges from 6,500 to 8,500 feet. The mean annual precipitation ranges from 16 to 18 inches. Mean annual temperature ranges from 40 to 43 degrees F. The frost-free period is about 65 to 85 days. July is the driest month during the growing season.

GEOGRAPHICALLY ASSOCIATED SOILS: These are the Duffymont, Tolman, Morapos, and Nortez soils. Duffymont and Tolman soils are shallow. Morapos and Nortez soils are in a fine family.

DRAINAGE AND PERMEABILITY: Well drained; slow runoff; moderate permeability.

USE AND VEGETATION: These soils are used for livestock grazing and wildlife habitat. Native vegetation consists of mountain brome, nodding brome, Letterman needlegrass, slender wheatgrass, elk sedge, Columbia needlegrass, mountain snowberry, and mountain big sagebrush.

DISTRIBUTION AND EXTENT: Maudlin soils occur in northwestern Colorado. The series is of small extent. The total area is about 4,400 acres.

MLRA SOIL SURVEY REGIONAL OFFICE (MO) RESPONSIBLE: Bozeman, Montana

SERIES ESTABLISHED: Moffat County (Moffat County Area), Colorado, 1991.

REMARKS: The diagnostic horizons recognized in the pedon are: The mollic epipedon - the zone from 0 to 12 inches; and the argillic horizon - the zone from 12 to 21 inches. A lithic contact is at 30 inches. Last updated by the state 12/90.


National Cooperative Soil Survey
U.S.A.