LOCATION MISHAK             CO+WY
Established Series
Rev. AJC
03/2003

MISHAK SERIES


Typically, Mishak soils have very friable, granular, calcareous, very strongly alkaline A horizons and calcareous stratified C horizons that have continuous subhorizons of visible calcium carbonate accumulation.

TAXONOMIC CLASS: Fine-loamy, mixed, superactive, calcareous, frigid Typic Halaquepts

TYPICAL PEDON: Mishak loam - grassland. (Colors are for dry soil unless otherwise noted.)

A11--0 to 4 inches; light gray (10YR 7/2) loam, dark grayish brown (10YR 4/2) moist; moderate fine subangular blocky structure that parts to coarse granules; soft, very friable, slightly plastic; more than 15 percent exchangeable sodium; calcareous; very strongly alkaline (pH 9.4); gradual smooth boundary. (2 to 8 inches thick)

A12g--4 to 12 inches; light gray (10YR 7/2) loam stratified with thin lenses of sandy clay loam, dark grayish brown (10YR 4/2) moist; common medium distinct mottles of dark brown (10YR 4/3) moist; moderate coarse subangular blocky structure that parts to coarse granules; slightly hard, very friable, slightly plastic; peds are hard; more than 15 percent exchangeable sodium; calcareous; very strongly alkaline (pH 9.2); gradual wavy boundary. (0 to 20 inches thick)

C1cag--12 to 30 inches; light brownish gray (10YR 6/2) loam stratified with lenses of sandy clay loam, and clay loam, grayish brown (10YR 5/2) moist; many medium distinct mottles of brown (10YR 4/3) moist and (7.5YR 4/4) moist; massive, hard, friable, slightly plastic; less than 15 percent exchangeable sodium decreasing with depth; much visible secondary calcium carbonate as concretions, seams, and in finely divided forms; calcareous; strongly alkaline (pH 8.6); diffuse wavy boundary. (6 to 20 inches thick)

C2cag--30 to 60 inches; light brownish gray (10YR 6/2) sandy clay loam stratified with lenses of loam, sandy loam, and clay loam, grayish brown (10YR 5/2) moist; many medium distinct mottles of brown (10YR 4/3) moist and (7.5YR 4/4) moist; massive; hard, friable, slightly plastic; visible calcium carbonate as concretions and seams but less than above; calcareous; moderately alkaline (pH 8.4).

TYPE LOCATION: Rio Grande County, Colorado; NE1/4 of the NE1/4 Sec. 11, T. 38 N., R. 7 E.

RANGE IN CHARACTERISTICS: Mean annual soil temperature is 45 degrees F., and mean summer soil temperature is 62 degrees F. Depth to calcareous material ranges from 0 to 10 inches. The soils are strongly or very strongly alkaline in a majority of subhorizons in the control section. The control section averages 0 to 5 percent gypsum and does not exceed 3 percent gypsum in a majority of subhorizons above 24 inches. Conductivity ranges from 0 to 14 millimhos above a depth of 24 inches, but thin, discontinuous subhorizons totaling less than 4 inches in thickness with conductivity exceeding 14 millimhos occur in some pedons. Depth to the calcic horizon ranges from 12 to 40 inches. Rock fragments ranges from 0 to 15 percent in a major part of the control section and are mainly 1/2 to 10 inches in diameter. Hue ranges from 5Y through 7.5YR except that in some pedons a few discontinuous subhorizons have hue redder than 7.5YR and occupy less than half the thickness of the control section.

COMPETING SERIES: This is the Crowheart series. Crowheart soils have a coarse-loamy over sandy or sandy-skeletal control section.

GEOGRAPHIC SETTING: Mishak soils are on flood plains and low terraces. Slopes typically range from 0 to about 6 percent. These soils formed in thick, calcareous, stratified alluvial materials derived from a variety of rocks. At the type location, the average annual precipitation is 8 inches with peak periods of precipitation in the spring and early summer months. Mean annual temperature is 41 degrees F., and mean summer temperature is 61 degrees F.

GEOGRAPHICALLY ASSOCIATED SOILS: These are the Acasco and Torsido soils. Acasco soils have mollic epipedons and have less than 15 percent exchangeable sodium. Torsido soils have mollic epipedons and argillic horizons.

DRAINAGE AND PERMEABILITY: Somewhat poorly drained; slow runoff; moderate permeability. Soils have fluctuating water tables.

USE AND VEGETATION: They are used mainly for native hay meadows or for grazing. Native plants are water and salt tolerant grasses and sedges.

DISTRIBUTION AND EXTENT: Alamosa Valley Area, Colorado. The series is of limited extent.

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

SERIES ESTABLISHED: Rio Grande County Area, Colorado, 1972.

REMARKS: Last updated by the state 5/75.

The superactive cation exchange activity class was added in 03/2003 to the taxonomic classification by the National Soil Survey Center on request of the Lakewood MLRA office, without review of the soil series property data. The remainder of this document has not been updated.


National Cooperative Soil Survey
U.S.A.