LOCATION SNYDER                  TX

Established Series
Rev. ALS-RMR-JAG
04/2011

SNYDER SERIES

The Snyder series consists of very deep, well drained, moderately permeable soils that formed in calcareous loamy Pleistocene alluvium derived from the Ogallala formation of Miocene-Pliocene age. These nearly level to gently sloping soils formed on shoulders and knolls on plains. Slope ranges from 0 to 5 percent. Mean annual air temperature is about 16.7 degrees C (62 degrees F) and mean annual precipitation is about 508 mm (20 in).

TAXONOMIC CLASS: Fine-loamy, mixed, superactive, thermic Aridic Calciustolls

TYPICAL PEDON: Snyder loam, on a north facing, 2 percent slope in rangeland; elevation is 801 m (2,629 ft) (Colors are for dry soil unless otherwise stated.)

A--0 to 13 cm (0 to 5 in); brown (7.5YR 4/3) loam, dark brown (7.5YR 3/3) moist; moderate fine and medium subangular blocky structure; moderately hard, friable; many fine and few medium roots throughout; common fine and few medium tubular pores; 2 percent round indurated quartzite pebbles, strong effervescence; moderately alkaline; clear smooth boundary. (Thickness is 8 to 25 cm [3 to 10 in].)

Bw--13 to 28 cm (5 to 11 in); brown (7.5YR 4/3) clay loam, dark brown (7.5YR 3/3) moist; moderate coarse and very coarse prismatic structure parting to strong fine and medium subangular blocky; hard, firm; many fine and few medium roots throughout; common fine and few medium tubular pores; 2 percent faint clay films on surfaces along pores and 3 percent faint clay films on all faces of peds; 3 percent fine prominent spherical insect casts throughout; 2 percent round indurated quartzite pebbles; strong effervescence; moderately alkaline; clear smooth boundary. (Thickness is 0 to 15 cm [0 to 6 in].)

Bk1--28 to 46 cm (11 to 18 in); brown (7.5YR 4/4) clay loam, dark brown (7.5YR 3/4), moist; weak medium and coarse prismatic structure parting to moderate fine and medium subangular blocky; moderately hard, friable; many fine and few medium roots throughout; common fine and few medium tubular pores; 2 percent faint clay films on surfaces along pores and 3 percent faint clay films on all faces of peds; 3 percent fine prominent spherical insect casts throughout and 3 percent very fine prominent threadlike carbonate masses with sharp boundaries on faces of peds; 2 percent round indurated quartzite pebbles; strong effervescence; moderately alkaline; clear smooth boundary. (Combined thickness of the Bk horizons is 48 to 165 cm [19 to 65 in].)

Bk2--46 to 107 cm (18 to 42 in); pink (7.5YR 7/3) clay loam, reddish yellow (7.5YR 6/6), moist; weak coarse and very coarse prismatic structure parting to weak fine subangular blocky; soft, friable; common fine and few medium roots throughout; few fine and medium tubular pores; 30 percent fine and 30 percent medium prominent irregular moderately cemented carbonate masses with diffuse boundaries throughout and 10 percent fine and 10 percent medium prominent spherical strongly cemented carbonate nodules with sharp boundaries throughout; 2 percent round indurated quartzite pebbles; violent effervescence; moderately alkaline; gradual smooth boundary.

Btk1--107 to 132 cm (42 to 52 in); reddish yellow (5YR 6/6) clay loam, yellowish red (5YR 5/6), moist; moderate coarse and very coarse prismatic structure parting to moderate medium and coarse subangular blocky; hard, firm; few fine and medium roots throughout; 2 percent faint clay films on surfaces along pores and 3 percent faint clay films on all faces of peds; 2 percent fine, 2 percent medium, and 1 percent coarse prominent spherical strongly cemented carbonate nodules with sharp boundaries throughout and 15 percent coarse and 10 percent very coarse prominent irregular moderately cemented carbonate masses with sharp boundaries throughout; 2 percent round indurated quartzite pebbles; strong effervescence; moderately alkaline; gradual smooth boundary. (Combined thickness of the Btk horizons is 0 to 132 cm [0 to 52 in])

Btk2--132 to 183 cm (52 to 72 in); yellowish red (5YR 5/6) clay loam, yellowish red (5YR 4/6), moist; moderate coarse and very coarse prismatic structure parting to moderate medium and coarse subangular blocky; hard, firm; few fine and medium roots throughout; 15 percent distinct clay films on all faces of peds; 2 percent fine, 2 percent medium, and 1 percent coarse prominent spherical strongly cemented carbonate nodules with sharp boundaries throughout and 15 percent coarse and 10 percent very coarse prominent irregular moderately cemented carbonate masses with sharp boundaries throughout; 2 percent round indurated quartzite pebbles; strong effervescence; moderately alkaline; gradual smooth boundary.

Btk3--183 to 239 cm (72 to 94 in); strong brown (7.5YR 5/6) clay loam, reddish yellow (7.5YR 6/6), moist; moderate coarse and very coarse prismatic structure parting to moderate fine and medium subangular blocky; hard, firm; few fine and medium roots throughout; 15 percent distinct clay films on all faces of peds; 2 percent fine, 2 percent medium, and 1 percent coarse prominent spherical strongly cemented carbonate nodules with sharp boundaries throughout and 15 percent coarse and 5 percent very coarse prominent irregular moderately cemented carbonate masses with sharp boundaries throughout; 2 percent round indurated quartzite pebbles; strong effervescence; moderately alkaline.

TYPE LOCATION: Scurry County, Texas; From the intersection of U.S. 180 and U.S. 208 in downtown Snyder; north on U.S. 208 1.6 miles to U.S. 84; northwest on U.S. 84 10.5 miles to county road 2126; west on county road 2126 3.1 miles to private ranch road; south 1.3 miles on ranch road; 0.9 mile northeast on ranch road; 0.4 mile east along fence line; site is 0.2 mile south in pasture. (Latitude: 32 degrees 50 minutes 23.10 seconds N; Longitude: 101 degrees 3 minutes 17.10 seconds W.; Dermott USGS topographic quadrangle; NAD 83).

RANGE IN CHARACTERISTICS:
Soil Moisture: An ustic soil moisture regime bordering on aridic. The soil moisture control section is dry in some or all parts for more than 225 days but less than 270 cumulative days in normal years. November through March are the driest months, while April through October are the wettest.

Mean annual soil temperature: 13.9 to 16.7 degrees C (57 to 62 degrees F).
Depth to secondary calcium carbonate: 0 to 33 cm (0 to 13 in)
Depth to calcic horizon: 18 to 58 cm (7 to 23 in)
Depth to cambic horizon: 10 to 15 cm (4 to 6 in)
Thickness of the mollic epipedon: 18 to 46 cm (7 to 18 in)
Thickness of the calcic horizon: 58 to 193 cm (23 to 76 in)
Thickness of the solum: 152 to 203 cm (60 to 80 in)

Particle-size control section (weighted average)
Silicate clay content: 28 to 35 percent
Sand content: 21 to 45 percent
Coarse Fragments: 0 to 3 percent

A horizon
Hue: 7.5YR or 10YR
Value: 4 or 5, 3 moist
Chroma: 3 or 4, 2 or 3 moist
Texture: fine sandy loam, loam, sandy clay loam, clay loam
Total clay content: 15 to 35 percent
Coarse fragment: 0 to 3 percent rounded quartzite pebbles
Calcium carbonate equivalent: 9 to 12 percent
Effervescence: strong to violent
Reaction: slightly alkaline or moderate alkaline

Bw horizon (where present)
Hue: 7.5YR or 10YR
Value: 3 or 4
Chroma: 3 or 4
Texture: clay loam or clay
Total clay content: 30 to 44 percent
Coarse fragment: 0 to 3 percent rounded quartzite pebbles
Calcium carbonate equivalent: 8 to 24 percent
Effervescence: strong to violent
Reaction: moderately alkaline

Btk horizon (where present)
Hue: 5YR or 7.5YR
Value: 3 to 5
Chroma: 4 to 6
Texture: clay loam or clay
Total clay content: 30 to 44 percent
Coarse fragment: 0 to 3 percent rounded quartzite pebbles
Calcium carbonate equivalent: 20 to 46 percent
Clay films: located on vertical and horizontal ped faces, contrast is faint to distinct
Identifiable secondary carbonate: 5 to 30 percent, fine to very coarse, masses and nodules, throughout
Effervescence: strong to violent
Reaction: slightly alkaline or moderately alkaline

Bk horizon
Hue: 5YR to 10YR
Value: 3 to 8
Chroma: 3 to 8
Texture: loam, clay loam, clay
Total clay content: 22 to 46 percent
Coarse fragment: 0 to 3 percent rounded quartzite pebbles
Calcium carbonate equivalent: 8 to 70 percent
Identifiable secondary carbonate: 3 to 80 percent, fine to very coarse, masses and nodules, throughout
Effervescence: strong to violent
Reaction: slightly alkaline or moderately alkaline

COMPETING SERIES: These are the Mansic (OK), Murray (TX), Pep (TX), and Portales (NM) series. Similar soils are the Estacado (TX), Mansker (TX), and Zita (TX).
Mansic: have P-E indices more than 32 and have solum thickness less than 102 cm (40 in)
Murray: have silt loam surface texture, have mean annual precipitation ranging from 33 to 38 cm (13 to 15 in), and occur at elevations more than 1,219 m (4,000 ft) on piedmont slopes and fan terraces
Pep: depth to a calcic horizon is more than 59 cm (20 in)
Portales: slopes range from 0 to 1 percent, formed in sediments derived from the Blackwater Draw Formation, are in a slightly more moist climate, and are associated with playas
Estacado: depth to a calcic horizon is more than 61 cm (24 in)
Mansker: have carbonatic mineralogy
Zita: depth to a calcic horizon is more than 59 cm (20 in) and solum thickness less than 152 cm (60 in)

GEOGRAPHIC SETTING:
Parent material: calcareous loamy Pleistocene age alluvium derived from the Ogallala Formation of Miocene-Pliocene age
Landform: nearly level to gently sloping shoulders and knolls on plains
Slope: 0 to 5 percent
Mean annual air temperature range: 15 to 17.8 degrees C (59 to 64 degrees F)
Mean annual precipitation range: 46 to 56 cm (18 to 22 in)
Precipitation pattern: Precipitation falls mostly during the months of April through October. November through March are the driest months. Spring precipitation occurs during widely scattered intense thunderstorms.
Frost-free period: 220 to 230 days
Elevation: 640 to 869 m (2,100 to 2,850 ft)
Thornthwaite annual P-E indices: 26 to 32

GEOGRAPHICALLY ASSOCIATED SOILS: These are the Dermott (TX), Lipan (TX), Sagerton (TX), Pyron (TX), and Roscoe (TX) series.
Dermott: occurs higher in the landscape on ridges and breaks, and also lower in the landscape on side slopes, and has a petrocalcic horizon.
Lipan: occurs in enclosed depressions and is a Vertisol.
Sagerton: occurs on similar to higher landscape positions and depth to a calcic horizon is more than 51 cm (20 in).
Pyron: occurs on similar to higher landscape positions and depth to a calcic horizon is more than 64 cm (25 in).
Roscoe: occurs in similar landscapes in elongated concave water receiving positions and is a Vertisol

DRAINAGE AND PERMEABILITY: Well drained. Permeability is moderate. Runoff is negligible on 0 to 1 percent slopes and low on 1 to 5 percent slopes.

USE AND VEGETATION: Used primarily for livestock grazing and crop production. Crops grown are cotton, wheat, and grain sorghum. Native vegetation consists of buffalograss, threeawn, curly mesquite, sideoats grama, broomweed, Texas wintergrass, sprangletop, silver bluestem, perennial dropseed, and mesquite. Ecological site is Clay Loam (078BY07TX).

DISTRIBUTION AND EXTENT: Southwest portion of the Central Rolling Red Plains, Western Part; Land Resource Region H; MLRA 78B. The series is of moderate extent.

MLRA SOIL SURVEY REGIONAL OFFICE (MO) RESPONSIBLE: Temple, Texas

SERIES ESTABLISHED: Scurry County, Texas, 2005, MLRA 78 soil survey area. The name is from a community on the Roscoe Plain.

REMARKS: The series was formerly included in the Mansker series. The Mansker series has carbonatic mineralogy.
Diagnostic horizons and features recognized in this pedon are:

Particle size control section: 25 to 102 cm (10 to 40 in). (Bw, Bk horizons)
Mollic epipedon: 0 to 28 cm (0 to 11 in). (A and Bw horizons)
Argillic horizon: 107 to 203 cm (42 to 80 in). (Btk1, Btk2, and Btk3 horizons)
Calcic horizon: 46 to 203 cm (18 to 80 in). (Bk, Btk1, Btk2, and Btk3 horizons)
Cambic horizon: 13 to 46 cm (5 to 18 in). (Bw, Bk horizon)
The assignment of the cation-exchange activity class is supported by laboratory data number S03TX-415-003 from Scurry County, Texas.

ADDITIONAL DATA: NSSL Data from type location S03TX-415-003. Particle-size analysis, calcium carbonate equivalent, sieve analysis, and pH tests performed at the project office on 6 described pedons.

TAXONOMIC VERSION: Keys to Soil Taxonomy, Tenth Edition, 2006

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National Cooperative Soil Survey
U.S.A.