LOCATION ZEPHYRCOVE NVEstablished Series
The Zephyrcove series consists of moderately deep, well drained soils that formed in colluvium over residuum weathered from trachyte. The Zephyrcove soils are on sideslopes and ridgetops on mountains. Slopes range from 9 to 70 percent. The mean annual precipitation is about 700 millimeters and the mean annual air temperature is about 5.5 degrees C.
TAXONOMIC CLASS: Coarse-loamy, isotic, frigid Ultic Haploxeralfs
TYPICAL PEDON: Zephyrcove stony sandy loam on a southeast facing (139 degree), 27 percent slope at an elevation of 2198 meters. When described on 07/12/2004 the soil was dry throughout. Colors are for dry soils unless otherwise noted.
Oi--0 to 6 cm; slightly decomposed plant material; 10 percent stones; abrupt smooth boundary. (0 to 15 cm thick)
Oe--6 to 11 cm; moderately decomposed plant material; 10 percent stones; abrupt smooth boundary. (0 to 10 cm thick)
A--11 to 18 cm; grayish brown (10YR 5/2) stony sandy loam, very dark grayish brown (10YR 3/2) moist; 3 percent clay; weak very fine granular structure; soft, very friable, nonsticky and nonplastic; many fine and very fine, common medium and coarse roots; common very fine and fine interstitial pores; 5 percent gravel and 10 percent stones; neutral, pH 6.8; abrupt smooth boundary. (5 to 25 cm thick)
Bw--18 to 30 cm; pale brown (10YR 6/3) stony sandy loam, brown (10YR 4/3) moist; 4 percent clay; moderate medium and fine subangular blocky structure; soft, very friable, nonsticky and nonplastic; many fine, few medium and common very fine roots; common very fine and fine interstitial pores; 5 percent gravel and 10 percent stones; slightly acid, pH 6.5; clear smooth boundary. (8 to 20 cm thick)
Bt1--30 to 41 cm; very pale brown (10YR 7/3) gravelly sandy loam, brown (10YR 5/3) moist; 8 percent clay; moderate fine and medium subangular blocky structure; soft, very friable, slightly sticky and slightly plastic; many fine, few medium and common very fine roots; few very fine and fine interstitial pores; 5 percent faint clay films; 15 percent gravel; neutral, pH 6.8; abrupt smooth boundary.
Bt2--41 to 64 cm; very pale brown (10YR 7/3) gravelly sandy loam, yellowish brown (10YR 5/4) moist; 13 percent clay; moderate fine and medium subangular blocky structure; soft, very friable, slightly sticky and slightly plastic; many fine, few medium and common very fine roots; 50 percent continuous distinct clay films; 15 percent gravel; neutral, pH 6.7; clear smooth boundary.
Bt3--64 to 88 cm; very pale brown (10YR 7/4) sandy clay loam, yellowish brown (10YR 5/4) moist; 24 percent clay; strong medium subangular blocky and strong fine subangular blocky structure; slightly hard, friable, slightly sticky and slightly plastic; common fine and medium and few coarse roots; 50 percent continuous distinct clay films; slightly acid, pH 6.4; clear wavy boundary. (The combined thickness of the Bt horizons is 30 to 64 cm thick)
Cr--88 to 102 cm; Moderately cemented trachyte bedrock; structureless massive; moderately cemented; few medium roots in cracks greater than 10 cm apart; 10 percent prominent clay films on bedrock; slightly acid, pH 6.2;
TYPE LOCATION: Douglas County, Nevada, 509 meters south and 551 meters east of the northwest corner of Section 13, Township 14N, Range 18E, 39 degrees, 4 minutes, 44 seconds North latitude and 119 degrees, 54 minutes, 41 seconds West longitude, NAD83 - U.S.G.S Quad: Glenbrook, Nevada.
RANGE IN CHARACTERISTICS:
Surface rock fragment content:
12 to 35 percent consisting of:
5 to 15 percent boulders
5 to 15 percent stones
2 to 10 percent cobbles
Reaction: slightly acid to neutral
Base saturation: 35 to 75 percent. (By amonium acetate)
Control section:
Rock fragments: 5 to 25 percent, with 0 to 25 percent gravel and 0 to 10 percent cobbles.
Clay content: averages 8 to 18 percent clay, individual horizons can range up to 30.
Mineralogy: isotic
A horizon:
Hue: 10YR
Value: 4 through 6 dry; 3 or 4 moist
Chroma: 2 through 4 dry or moist
Texture of the fine earth fraction: Sandy loam or loamy sand
Rock fragments: 5 to 25 percent
2 to 15 percent gravel
2 to 15 percent cobbles
2 to 15 percent stones
Organic matter: 5 to 10 percent
Reaction: slightly acid to neutral
Bw horizon:
Hue: 10YR
Value: 5 through 7 dry; 3 through 6 moist
Chroma: 2 through 4 dry or moist
Texture of the fine earth fraction: Sandy loam or loamy sand
Rock fragments: 5 to 25 percent
2 to 15 percent gravel
2 to 15 percent cobbles
2 to 15 percent stones
Organic matter: 1 to 3 percent
Reaction: slightly acid to neutral
Bt horizons:
Hue: 10YR
Value: 6 or 7 dry; 4 through 6 moist
Chroma: 3 or 4 dry or moist
Texture of the fine earth fraction: Loamy sand, sandy loam or sandy clay loam
Rock fragments: 5 to 25 percent consisting mostly of gravels and paragravels
Organic matter: 0.25 to 1 percent
Reaction: slightly acid to neutral
COMPETING SERIES: This is the Clarkslodge soils. Clarkslodge soils are greater than 150 cm deep to bedrock.
GEOGRAPHIC SETTING: The Zephyrcove soils are on sideslopes and ridgetops. Slopes range from 5 to 80 percent. These soils formed in colluvium over residuum weathered from trachyte. Elevation is 1925 to 2310 meters. The climate is subhumid with warm dry summers and cold moist winters. The mean annual precipitation is 580 to 740 millimeters and the mean annual air temperature is 4.5 to 7 degrees C. The frost free season is 40 to 90 days
GEOGRAPHICALLY ASSOCIATED SOILS: These are the Southcamp and Genoapeak soils. The Southcamp soils are deeper than 100 cm to bedrock and typically on more northerly aspects. The Genoapeak soils are less than 50 cm to bedrock and are typically in more convex positions on the landscape.
DRAINAGE AND PERMEABILITY: Well drained, moderate permeability above the bedrock, high runoff.
USE AND VEGETATION: This soil is used for recreation and wildlife. Vegetation is white fir and Greenleaf manzanita.
DISTRIBUTION AND EXTENT: This soil is of minor extent in Nevada in MLRA 22A -- Sierra Nevada Mountains
MLRA SOIL SURVEY REGIONAL OFFICE (MO) RESPONSIBLE: Davis, California
SERIES ESTABLISHED: Douglas County, (Tahoe Basin area), Nevada. Source of name: the name of a local cove on Lake Tahoe.
REMARKS:
Diagnostic horizons and features recognized in this pedon are:
Particle Size Control Section for this pedon: 30 to 80 cm (the Bt1, Bt2, and portions of the Bt3 horizons)
Argillic horizon: 35 to 88 cm (the Bt1, Bt2, and the Bt3 horizons)
Paralithic contact: 88 cm (the Cr horizon)