Soil associations and land classification for irrigation, Socorro County
Maker HJ, Downs JM, Anderson JU. 1972. Soil associations and land classification for irrigation, Socorro County. Research Report 234. New Mexico State University, Agricultural Experiment Station. Las Cruces, NM
Socorro County has a total land area of about 4,240,600 acres. Approximately 40 percent, or about 1,703,739 acres, is considered suitable for irrigation. Of this estimated acreage of irrigable land, about 18, 300 acres are now irrigated. Therefore, a large acreage of land remains that is suitable for irrigation. The potential for expanding irrigation is limited by a lack of water and by economic restrictions rather than by a shortage of suitable soils. Of the land classified as suitable for irrigation, approximately 21, 454 acres are in irrigation land class 1; 435, 897 acres are in class 2; 792, 764 acres are in class 3; and 453, 624 acres are in class 4. The remaining 2, 536, 861 acres in the county are in land class 6, which is not suitable for irrigation. The data are presented on the basis of the 22 soil associations shown on the general soil map. The irrigation land classification map shows the approximate distribution of irrigation land classes in Socorro County. Only the dominant land classes are shown in each of the areas outlined. The soil associations differ significantly in suitability for other uses just as they do in suitability for irrigation. For example, the use of land in the Rock Land-Lehmans-Lozier (No. 19) is generally restricted to recreation, habitat for wildlife, and very limited grazing for livestock. In contrast, the Gila-Vinton- Glendale association (No. 1) is suitable for many uses, including irrigated farming, range, urban and industrial sites, recreation, and habitat formany species of wildlife. The high mountainous land included in soil association 21 includes the principal timberproducing soils in the county. In addition to forestry, it is suitable for range use, provides a good habitat formany species of wildlife, and offers a number of recreational opportunities. Engineering classification of these soils is also provided to facilitate use of the soil association information by engineers and others acquainted with these groupings. Information relative to the suitability of the soils for a variety of engineering uses and specific factors limiting their use are also given in the engineering section.