LOCATION GRUBCREEK OR
Established Series
IRD. JLW/RJO/TLC/DAL
01/2019
GRUBCREEK SERIES
Landscape--mountains, plateaus
Landform--mountain slopes, plateaus, mass failures on mountain slopes
Slope--0 to 60 percent
Parent material--colluvium derived from andesite or basalt mixed with loess and an influence of volcanic ash in the upper part
Mean annual precipitation--about 550 mm
Mean annual air temperature--about 6 degrees C
Depth class--moderately deep to lithic bedrock
Drainage class--well drained
Soil moisture regime--xeric
Soil temperature regime--frigid
Soil moisture subclass--typic
TAXONOMIC CLASS: Loamy-skeletal, isotic, frigid Vitrandic Haploxerolls
TYPICAL PEDON: Grubcreek gravelly ashy loam, forested, on a 12-percent, southwest-facing slope at an elevation of 1878 m (Textures are apparent field textures.)
Oi--0 to 3 cm; slightly decomposed needles and twigs
Oe--3 to 8 cm; moderately decomposed needles
A--8 to 18 cm; gravelly ashy loam, brown (7.5YR 4/2) dry, dark brown (7.5YR 3/2) moist; weak fine granular structure and weak fine subangular blocky; slightly hard, very friable, slightly sticky and slightly plastic; common very fine and few fine roots throughout; common very fine irregular pores; 25 percent gravel; slightly acid (pH 6.2); clear wavy boundary
AB--18 to 38 cm; very gravelly ashy loam, brown (7.5YR 4/2) dry, very dark grayish brown (10YR 3/2) moist; weak medium subangular blocky structure parting to weak fine subangular blocky; slightly hard, friable, slightly sticky and slightly plastic; common very fine and few fine and medium roots throughout; common very fine irregular and tubular pores; 30 percent gravel and 6 percent cobbles; neutral (pH 6.8); abrupt wavy boundary
2Bw--38 to 66 cm; very gravelly sandy clay loam, brown (7.5YR 5/4) dry, dark brown (7.5YR 3/4) moist; weak fine and medium subangular blocky structure; slightly hard, friable, slightly sticky and slightly plastic; few very fine roots throughout; few very fine tubular and irregular pores; 40 percent gravel and 15 percent cobbles; neutral (pH 6.8); abrupt irregular boundary
2R--66 cm; andesitic basalt
TYPE LOCATION: Grant County, Oregon, in the SW1/4SE1/4SE1/4 of section 15, T. 11 S., R. 33 E.; Dixie Meadow U.S. Geological Survey quadrangle; latitude 44.6063710, longitude -118.7196790, datum WGS 84 (source of coordinates unknown)
RANGE IN CHARACTERISTICS:
Mean annual soil temperature--about 4 to 8 degrees C
Mean summer soil temperature--about 9 to 12 degrees C
Mean winter soil temperature--about -1 to 2 degrees C
Soil moisture control section--dry 60 to 75 consecutive days in summer
Ultic subgroup feature--base saturation less than 75 percent in AB horizon
Depth to lithic contact--50 to 100 cm
Thickness of mollic epipedon--25 to 45 cm
Thickness of ash-influenced layers--20 to 45 cm
Estimated properties of layers influenced by volcanic ash
*Ammonium oxalate extractable Al + 1/2 Fe--0.3 to 0.9 percent
*0.02- to 2.0-mm fraction--5 to 15 percent
*Glass content in 0.02- to 2.0-mm fraction--5 to 15 percent
Particle-size control section
*Clay content--18 to 33 percent
*Total rock fragment content--35 to 55 percent
A horizon
Moist color--7.5YR 2/1, 7.5YR 2.5/1, 7.5YR 2.5/2, 7.5YR 3/2
Dry color--7.5YR 3/1, 7.5YR 4/2, 7.5YR 5/2
Fine-earth texture--ashy sandy loam, ashy loam
Clay content--8 to 22 percent
Sand content--35 to 65 percent
Organic matter content--2.5 to 8 percent
Total rock fragment content--2 to 35 percent
Gravel content--2 to 35 percent
Cobble content--0 to 2 percent
Stone content--0 to 2 percent
Reaction--6.1 to 6.5
Base saturation (sum of cations)--40 to 70 percent
Thickness--10 to 20 cm
AB horizon
Moist color--7.5YR 2.5/2, 7.5YR 3/2, 10YR 3/3
Dry color--7.5YR 4/2, 7.5YR 5/2, 7.5YR 5/3, 10YR 5/3
Fine-earth texture--ashy sandy loam, ashy loam, ashy sandy clay loam
Clay content--18 to 30 percent
Sand content--40 to 65 percent
Organic matter content--2 to 5 percent
Total rock fragment content--15 to 45 percent
Gravel content--15 to 45 percent
Cobble content--0 to 10 percent
Stone content--0 to 2 percent
Reaction--6.1 to 7.3
Base saturation (sum of cations)--55 to 75 percent
Thickness--15 to 30 cm
2Bw horizon, and 2BC horizon (where present)
Moist color--7.5YR 3/4, 7.5YR 4/2, 7.5YR 4/3, 10YR 3/4
Dry color--7.5YR 4/2, 7.5YR 4/3, 7.5YR 5/3, 7.5YR 5/4, 10YR 5/4
Fine-earth texture--clay loam, sandy clay loam
Clay content--21 to 32 percent
Sand content--40 to 65 percent
Organic matter content--0.5 to 2 percent
Total rock fragment content--35 to 60 percent
Gravel content--25 to 45 percent
Cobble content--5 to 15 percent
Stone content--0 to 10 percent
Reaction--6.1 to 7.3
Base saturation (sum of cations)--70 to 90 percent
Thickness--25 to 70 cm
COMPETING SERIES:
Bearspring--very deep (more than 150 cm); formed in granitic colluvium; mollic epipedon 25 to 40 cm thick; particle-size control section averages 7 to 15 percent clay
Bigelk--very deep (more than 150 cm); mixed till; mixed ash mantle 20 to 35 cm thick (35 to 50 percent glass content); discontinuity between ash mantle and buried cambic horizon; particle-size control section averages 7 to 17 percent clay; dry 45 to 60 consecutive days in summer
Cassal--deep (100 to 150 cm) to densic contact (till); discontinuity between layer of volcanic ash influence and till substratum; distinct redoximorphic features at a depth of 75 to 115 cm
Cherrycreek--deep (100 to 150 cm) to lithic contact (basalt); no organic layer above mineral soil surface (nonforested); mixed mantle of volcanic ash and loess 90 to 125 cm thick (glass content 15 to 30 percent); mollic epipedon 50 to 90 cm thick; particle-size control section averages 12 to 18 percent clay
Deck--moderately deep (50 to 100 cm) to lithic contact (metavolcanic rock); mixed volcanic ash mantle (glass content 30 to 55 percent); discontinuity between ash mantle and buried cambic horizon
Eastpine--moderately deep (50 to 100 cm) to lithic contact (metasedimentary rock); dry 45 to 60 consecutive days in summer
Egyptcreek--moderately deep (50 to 100 cm) to lithic contact (welded tuff); mollic epipedon 20 to 35 cm thick; dry 75 to 90 consecutive days in summer
Fredonyer--moderately deep (50 to 100 cm) to lithic contact (andesite, basalt); no organic horizon above mineral soil surface (nonforested); mollic epipedon 50 to 100 cm thick; dry more than 90 consecutive days in summer
Golfer--moderately deep (50 to 100 cm) to paralithic contact (weathered granite); particle-size control section averages 2 to 10 percent clay; dry 60 to 75 consecutive days in summer
Kettlecreek--deep (100 to 150 cm) to lithic contact (argillite)
Longs--deep (100 to 150 cm) to lithic contact (basalt); mollic epipedon 50 to 115 cm thick; faint clay films on ped faces in subsoil; dry 45 to 75 consecutive days in summer
McCrosket--deep (100 to 150 cm) to paralithic contact (metasedimentary rock)
Midpeak--moderately deep (50 to 100 cm) to lithic contact (breccia); discontinuity between mixed volcanic ash mantle and buried cambic horizon; particle-size control section averages 5 to 15 percent clay
Mineral--moderately deep (50 to 100 cm) to lithic contact (granitic rock)
Peahke--moderately deep (50 to 100 cm) to lithic contact (sedimentary rock); volcanic ash mantle 20 to 35 cm thick (glass content 20 to 30 percent); 60 to 70 percent channers in particle-size control section; dry 45 to 60 consecutive days in summer
Piersonte--very deep (more than 150 cm); formed in colluvium derived from shale; mollic epipedon 50 to 90 cm thick; dominantly shale channers in particle-size control section; dry 60 to 90 consecutive days in summer
Porch--moderately deep (50 to 100 cm) to lithic contact (argillite); particle-size control section averages 10 to 17 percent clay
Scoap--very deep (more than 150 cm); formed in till or outwash material of mixed lithology; mollic epipedon 50 to 75 cm thick; particle-size control section averages 8 to 12 percent clay
Shalrock--moderately deep (50 to 100 cm) to lithic contact (sandstone); discontinuity between mixed volcanic ash mantle and substratum; particle-size control section averages 5 to 12 percent clay and 25 to 50 percent medium and coarse sand
Shilling--very deep (more than 150 cm); formed in colluvium derived from basalt; dry 45 to 75 consecutive days in summer
Umatilla--very deep (more than 150 cm); formed in colluvium derived from basalt; mollic epipedon 50 to 75 cm thick (mollic colors throughout); discontinuity between ashy layer and subsoil
Webbgulch--moderately deep (50 to 100 cm) to lithic contact (andesitic basalt, basalt); particle-size control section averages 11 to 17 percent clay
Yellcreek--very deep (more than 150 cm); formed in mixed colluvium; discontinuity between layer of volcanic ash influence and substratum; mollic epipedon 20 to 40 cm thick; particle-size control section averages 5 to 15 percent clay and 50 to 80 percent rock fragments
GEOGRAPHIC SETTING:
Elevation--1140 to 1740 m
Climate--cold, wet winters; warm, dry summers
Mean annual precipitation--390 to 750 mm
Mean annual air temperature--2 to 7 degrees C
Frost-free period--25 to 100 days
GEOGRAPHICALLY ASSOCIATED SOILS:
Anatone--on plateaus, ridgetops, and south- or west-facing slopes; 25 to 50 cm (shallow) to lithic contact (basalt, andesite, welded tuff); no argillic horizon; skeletal particle-size control section; minor ash influence; under sagebrush, Idaho fescue, and bluebunch wheatgrass
Bocker--on shoulders and plateau summits; 10 to 25 cm (very shallow) to lithic contact (basalt); no argillic horizon; minor ash influence; under sagebrush, Idaho fescue, and bluebunch wheatgrass
Bolletto--on convex to planer, mid to upper erosional backslopes; 50 to 100 cm (moderately deep) to lithic contact (tuffaceous rock); minor influence of volcanic ash; argillic horizon that has less than 35 percent rock fragments; under
Douglas-fir, ponderosa pine, common snowberry, elk sedge, and Idaho fescue
Cougarrock--on backslopes; moderately deep (50 to 100 cm) to lithic contact (andesitic tuff breccia); mixed volcanic ash and colluvium over a buried clayey-skeletal argillic horizon; under grand fir, lodgepole pine, western larch, big huckleberry, birchleaf spirea, and pinegrass
Fivebit--on plateaus and backslopes; 25 to 50 cm (shallow) to lithic contact (rhyolitic tuff, andesite, or basalt); minor influence of volcanic ash in loamy-skeletal colluvium; under scattered ponderosa pine,
Douglas-fir, and western juniper with sagebrush and Idaho fescue
Hafmau--on rolling mountain side slopes and benches; 36 to 50 cm (shallow) to lithic contact (basalt, tuff); argillic horizon; under
Douglas-fir, ponderosa pine, elk sedge, and heartleaf arnica
Humarel--on eroding backslopes; andesitic tuff breccia mudflow deposits; 50 to 100 cm (moderately deep) to lithic contact (welded pyroclastic flows, mafic extrusive rock); influence of volcanic ash; mollic epipedon and argillic horizon, under ponderosa pine,
Douglas-fir, common snowberry, and elk sedge
Meaufun--on mountain backslopes; mollic epipedon of ash mixed with colluvium; argillic horizon; under
Douglas-fir and ponderosa pine forest
Sharpridge--on lower backslopes, footslopes, and toeslopes; 100 to 200 cm (deep, very deep) to lithic contact (tuff); volcanic ash mantle 35 to 45 cm thick; argillic horizon; under grand fir,
Douglas-fir, western larch, big huckleberry, darkwoods violet, and western fescue
DRAINAGE AND SATURATED HYDRAULIC CONDUCTIVITY:
Saturation during normal years--none
Flooding--none
Ponding--none
Saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ksat)--moderately high
USE AND VEGETATION:
Use--timber production, livestock grazing, recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed
Native vegetation--ponderosa pine, Douglas-fir, grand fir, lodgepole pine, western larch, western juniper, pinegrass, elk sedge, heartleaf arnica, woodland strawberry, tailcup lupine, common yarrow, common snowberry, white spirea, northwestern sedge, Virginia strawberry, white hawkweed, low Oregon grape, Ross' sedge, baldhip rose, Wheeler bluegrass, lupine, Idaho fescue
Plant association--PSME/CARU (Douglas-fir/pinegrass), PSME/SYAL (Douglas-fir/common snowberry), PSME/CAGE (Douglas-fir/elk sedge), PIPO/CARU (ponderosa pine/pinegrass)
DISTRIBUTION AND EXTENT: South-central Blue Mountains, Oregon; MLRA 43C; moderate extent
SOIL SURVEY REGIONAL OFFICE (SSRO) RESPONSIBLE: Portland, Oregon
SERIES ESTABLISHED: Malheur National Forest, Oregon; 2018
REMARKS:
Diagnostic horizons and other features recognized in this pedon
*Mollic epipedon--zone from 8 to 38 cm
*Cambic horizon--zone from 38 to 66 cm
*Volcanic glass--zone from 8 to 38 cm
*Particle-size control section--zone from 33 to 66 cm
National Cooperative Soil Survey
U.S.A.