Rural Municipality of Minitonas

Information Bulletin 99-45 Rural Municipality of Minitonas Information Bulletin 99-45 Page 1

Rural Municipality of Minitonas

Information Bulletin 99-45

Prepared by:

Land Resource Unit, Brandon Research Centre, Research Branch, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.

Department of Soil Science, University of .

Manitoba Soil Resource Section, Soils and Crops Branch, Manitoba Agriculture.

Printed March, 2000 Page 2 Information Bulletin 99-45 Rural Municipality of Minitonas

PREFACE ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This is one of a new series of information bulletins for individual Continuing support for this project has been provided by Brandon rural municipalities of Manitoba. They serve to introduce the newly Research Centre and PFRA Manitoba. The project was initiated by developed digital soil databases and illustrate several typical derived the Land Resource Unit under the Canada-Manitoba Agreement of and interpretive map products for agricultural land use planning Agricultural Sustainability. applications. The bulletins will also be available in diskette format for each rural municipality. The following individuals and agencies contributed significantly to the compilation, interpretation, and derivation of the information Information contained in this bulletin may be quoted and utilized contained in this report. with appropriate reference to the originating agencies. The authors and originating agencies assume no responsibility for the misuse, Managerial and administrative support was provided by: alteration, re-packaging, or re-interpretation of the information. R.G. Eilers, Head, Land Resource Unit, Brandon Research Centre, This information bulletin serves as an introduction to the land Research Branch, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. resource information available for the municipality. More detailed G.J. Racz, Head, Department of Soil Science, University of information, including copies of the primary soil and terrain maps Manitoba. at larger scales, may be obtained by contacting Technical support was provided by: Land Resource Unit Room 360 Ellis Bldg, University of Manitoba G.W. Lelyk, and P. Cyr, Land Resource Unit, Brandon Research , Manitoba R3T 2N2 Centre, Research Branch, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. Phone: 204-474-6118 FAX: 204-474-7633 J. Fitzmaurice, and A. Waddell, Department of Soil Science, University of Manitoba. CITATION G.F. Mills, P. Ag, Winnipeg, Manitoba Land Resource Unit, 2000. Soils and Terrain. An Introduction to the J. Griffiths, and C. Aglugub, Soil Resource Section, Soils and Crops Land Resource. Rural Municipality of Minitonas. Information Branch, Manitoba Agriculture. Bulletin 99-45, Brandon Research Centre, Research Branch, R. Lewis, PFRA, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Professional expertise for data conversion, correlation, and interpretation was provided by:

W.R. Fraser and R.G. Eilers, Land Resource Unit, Brandon Research Centre, Research Branch, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. P. Haluschak and G. Podolsky, Soil Resource Section, Soils and Crops Branch, Manitoba Agriculture. Rural Municipality of Minitonas Information Bulletin 99-45 Page 3

INTRODUCTION

The location of the Rural Municipality of Minitonas is shown in Figure 1. A brief overview of the database information, and general environmental conditions for the municipality are presented. A set of maps derived from the data for typical agricultural land use and planning applications are also included.

The soil map and database were compiled and registered using the Geographic Information System (PAMAP GIS) facilities of the Land Resource Unit. These databases were used in the GIS to create the generalized, derived and interpretive maps and statistics in this report. The final maps were compiled and printed using Coreldraw.

This bulletin is available in printed or digital format. The digital bulletin is a Windows based executable file which offers additional display options, including the capability to print any portion of the bulletin.

Figure 1. Rural municipalities of southern Manitoba. Page 4 Information Bulletin 99-45 Rural Municipality of Minitonas

LAND RESOURCE DATA Base Layer

The soil and terrain information presented in this bulletin was Digital base map information includes the municipality and compiled as part of a larger project to provide a uniform level of township boundaries, along with major streams, roads and land resource information for agricultural and regional planning highways. Major rivers and lakes from the base layer were also used purposes throughout Agro-Manitoba. This information was as common boundaries for the soil map layer. Water bodies larger compiled and analysed in two distinct layers as shown in Figure 2. than 25 ha in size were digitized as separate polygons.

Soil Layer

The most detailed soil information currently available was selected as the data source for the digital soil layer for each rural municipality.

Comprehensive detailed soil maps (1:20 000 to 1:50 000 scale) have been published for many rural municipalities. Where they were available, the individual soil map sheets were digitized and compiled as a single georeferenced layer to match the digital RM base. Map polygons have one or more soil series components, as well as slope and stoniness classes. Soil database information was produced for each polygon, to meet national standards (MacDonald and Valentine, 1992). Slope length classes were also added, based on photo-interpretation.

Older, reconnaissance scale soil maps (1:126 720 scale) represented the only available soil data source for many rural municipalities. These maps were compiled on a soil association basis, in which soil landscape patterns were identified with unique surficial geological deposits and textures. Each soil association consists of a range of different soils ("associates") each of which occurs in a repetitive position in the landscape. Modern soil series that best represent the soil association were identified for each soil polygon. The soil and Figure 2. Soil and Base Map data. modifier codes provide a link to additional databases of soil properties. In this way, both detailed and reconnaissance soil map polygons were related to soil drainage, surface texture, and other soil properties to produce various interpretive maps. Slope length classes were also added, based on photo-interpretation. Rural Municipality of Minitonas Information Bulletin 99-45 Page 5

SOIL AND TERRAIN OVERVIEW slopes are under 2 percent except for slightly greater relief and slopes of 2 to 5 percent along river valleys and in local areas of The Rural Municipality (RM) of Minitonas covers 120 397 hectares glacial till. In contrast, the Duck Mountain and the Porcupine of land (approximately 13 townships) in the Escarpment are hilly with local relief up to 8 metres and slopes north of the Duck Mountains in western Manitoba (page 3). ranging from 9 to 30 percent (page 9). Drainage of the municipality Approximately 1.5 townships are located within the Duck Mountain is facilitated by the Swan and Woody Rivers and their tributaries Provincial Forest. Minitonas is the main population and agriculture flowing northeast toward . Soils are dominantly service centre in the municipality. imperfectly drained throughout the level to depressional terrain of the Armit River-Swan River Plain whereas well drained soils are The climate in the municipality can be related to weather data from dominant in the Duck Mountain area. Poorly drained and peaty Swan River located 4 km to the west. The mean annual temperature soils occur in depressional sites throughout the municipality (page is 1.4/C at and the mean annual precipitation is 499 mm 13) (Environment Canada, 1993). The average frost-free period is 110 0 days and degree-days above 5 C average 1486 (Ash, 1991) although Soil materials were deposited during the last glaciation and during the growing season is shorter and cooler at higher elevations in the the time of glacial Lake Agassiz. Lacustrine sediments ranging in Duck Mountain area. The calculated seasonal moisture deficit for texture from sand to loam and clay are dominant with areas of the period between May and September is slightly less than 200 mm stony, loam textured glacial till being more common on low ridges at higher elevations and slightly greater than 200 mm throughout the in the Armit River-Swan Lake Plain and at higher elevation in the remainder of the municipality. The estimated effective growing Duck Mountain Upland. Sand and gravel beach ridges and deltas degree days (EGDD) above 5/C accumulated from date of seeding occur in the Escarpment areas (page 11). to the date of the first fall frost varies from 1200 at the higher elevations to in excess of 1300 in the rest of the municipality Soils in the municipality have been mapped at a reconnaissance (Agronomic Interpretations Working Group, 1995). These level (1:126 720 scale) and published in the soil survey report for parameters provide an indication of length of growing season and the Swan River Map Sheet Area (Ehrlich et al., 1962) and in Open the moisture and heat energy available for crop growth, and except Files for Soils of the Swan Lake Area and Soils of the Duck for the higher elevations, are generally adequate to support a wide Mountain Forest Reserve (Open File, LRU, 2000b and 2000c). The range of crops adapted to western Canada. area around the Swan River townsite is mapped at a detail 1:20 000 scale (Mills and Podolsky, 1987). According to the Canadian The Duck Mountain Upland in the southern part of the municipality System of Soil Classification (Soil Classification Working Group, at an elevation of 645 metres above sea level (m asl) and a portion 1998), well and imperfectly drained Black Chernozem soils of the Porcupine Hills in the north (540 m asl) are the highest areas developed on clayey (Plainview series), loamy (Swanford and in the municipality. These uplands are bordered by steep Valley series) and sandy (Gilbert and Lenswood series) lacustrine escarpments sloping at rates of 25 to 33 m/km (136 to 175 ft/mi) sediments and loamy glacial till (Meharry association) are toward the level to gently undulating terrain of the Armit River- dominant. Dark Gray Chernozem and Luvisol soils occur mainly on Swan Lake Plain located between the two uplands. The surface of loamy glacial till (Waitville, Erickson, Rose Ridge and Grifton this plain slopes gradually to the northeast at a rate of 2.7 m/km or associations) and clayey lacustrine sediments (Blackstone and Duck 14 ft/mi (Canada-Manitoba Soil Survey, 1980). The dominant Mountain associations) in the Duck Mountain Upland and in the Page 6 Information Bulletin 99-45 Rural Municipality of Minitonas

Porcupine Hills area. Local areas of poorly drained soils (Gleysols) and tillage practices. To highlight areas with potential for water occupy depressional sites in all landscapes. Regosolic soils occur erosion, a risk map has been included to show where special on stratified stream deposits in the valleys and on steeply sloping practices should be adopted to mitigate this risk (page 23). About areas of eroded slopes (page 11). 60 percent of the land, mainly in the level terrain of the Armit River-Swan Lake Plain, is at a Negligible to Moderate risk of Management considerations are related to coarse and fine soil degradation. The risk increases to High and Severe as steepness textures, topography, and wetness (page 15). Variably stony surface and length of slope increase in upland areas above the Escarpment. conditions occur on the till soils but very stony soils are of particular In addition, coarse loamy and sandy textured lacustrine soils are at concern on the water worked till soils in the Armit River-Swan Lake a greater risk of erosion by wind. Management practices for land in Plain. All soils are non-saline. annual crop focus primarily on maintaining adequate crop residues to provide sufficient surface cover. Adequate protection of the Seventy-five percent of the land in the municipality is rated in sandy soils most at risk from wind erosion and the steeply sloping Classes 1, 2 and 3 for agriculture capability (page 17). Limitations soils may require a shift in land use away from annual cultivation to affecting agriculture use are droughtiness, stoniness, wetness and production of perennial forages and pasture or permanent tree cover. topography. About 16 percent of the area is rated Good for irrigation suitability and 39 percent is rated as Fair (page 19). Very Agriculture is the dominant land use in the RM of Minitonas. An poorly drained soils and steeply sloping soils are rated in Class 6 for assessment of the status of land use in 1994 obtained through agriculture. These soils and clayey textured soils are rated Poor for analysis of satellite imagery showed that 49 percent of the land is in irrigation. annual cropland. Production of forages takes place on 3 percent of the area while grassland occupies 13 percent. Most of the treed A major issue currently receiving considerable attention is the land (30 percent) is in the Duck Mountains and in the northeast part sustainability of agricultural practices and their potential impact on of the municipality, but tree cover also occurs on steeply sloping the soil and groundwater environment. To assist in highlighting this soils adjacent to stream channels. Grassland and treed areas outside concern to land planners and agricultural producers, an assessment the forest reserve provide forage and grazing capacity as well as of potential environmental impact (EI) under irrigation has been wildlife habitat. Wetlands and small water bodies occupy nearly 3 included in this bulletin (page 21). As shown, the risk of adverse percent of the area. Various non-agricultural uses such as recreation impact on the environment is dominantly Minimal, Low and and infrastructure for urban areas and transportation occupy about Moderate. Coarse textured soils and land adjacent to drainage 2 percent of the municipality. Land within the forest reserve channels are rated as having a High potential for impact. These provides wildlife habitat as well as recreation opportunities (page conditions increase the risk for deep leaching of potential 25). contaminants on the soil surface and the potential for rapid runoff from the soil surface into adjacent wetlands or water bodies. This The majority of the soils in the RM of Minitonas have moderate to EI map is intended to be used in association with the irrigation moderately severe limitations for arable agriculture. Careful choice suitability map. of crops and maintenance of adequate surface cover is essential for the management of sensitive lands with coarse texture or steeper Another issue of concern to producers, soil conservationists and slopes. Implementation of minimum tillage practices and crop land use specialists is soil erosion caused by agricultural cropping rotations including forage on a site by site basis will help to reduce Rural Municipality of Minitonas Information Bulletin 99-45 Page 7 the risk of soil degradation, maintain productivity and insure that agriculture land-use is sustainable over the long-term. Page 8 Information Bulletin 99-45 Rural Municipality of Minitonas

DERIVED AND INTERPRETIVE MAPS Digital databases derived from recent detailed soil inventories contain additional detailed information about significant inclusions A large variety of computer derived and interpretive maps can be of differing soil and slope conditions in each map polygon. This generated from the digital soil and landscape databases. These information can be portrayed at larger map scale than shown in this maps are based on selected combinations of database values and bulletin. assumptions. Information concerning particular interpretive maps, and the Derived maps show information that is given in one or more primary soil and terrain map data, can be obtained by contacting the columns in the computer map legend (such as soil drainage or slope Manitoba Soil Resource Section of Manitoba Agriculture, the local class). PFRA office, or the Land Resource Unit.

Interpretive maps portray more complex land evaluations based on a combination of soil and landscape information. Interpretations are based on soil and landscape conditions in each polygon. Interpretative maps typically show land capabilities, suitabilities, or risks related to sustainability.

Several examples of derived and interpretive maps are included in this information bulletin:

Derived Maps Slope Generalized Soil Drainage Management Considerations

Interpretative Maps Agricultural Capability Irrigation Suitability Potential Environmental Impact Water Erosion Risk Land Use

The maps have all been reduced in size and generalized (simplified) in order to portray conditions for an entire rural municipality on one page. These generalized maps provide a useful overview of conditions within a municipality, but are not intended to apply to site specific land parcels. On-site evaluations are recommended for localized site specific land use suitability requirements. Rural Municipality of Minitonas Information Bulletin 99-45 Page 9

Slope Map. Table 1. Slope Classes1

Slope describes the steepness of the landscape surface. The slope Slope Class Area Percent classes shown on this map are derived from the digital soil and (ha) of RM terrain layer database. Specific colours are used to indicate the dominant slope class for each polygon in the RM. Additional slope 0 - 2 % 82596 68.6 classes may occur in each polygon area, but cannot be portrayed at this reduced map scale. 2 - 5 % 18874 15.7

5 - 9 % 12032 10.0

9 - 15 % 4993 4.1

15 - 30 % 59 0.0

> 30 % 1332 1.1

Unclassified 0 0.0

Water 510 0.4

Total 120397 100.0

1 Area has been assigned to the dominant slope in each soil polygon. Page 10 Information Bulletin 99-45 Rural Municipality of Minitonas Slope Map Rural Municipality of Minitonas Information Bulletin 99-45 Page 11

Generalized Soil Map. Table 2. Generalized Soil Groups1 (cont.)

The most recently available soil maps were digitized to produce the Soil Groups Area Percent new digital soil map. For older reconnaissance soil maps, areas of (ha) of RM overprinted symbols or significant differences in topography have been delineated as new polygons. All soil polygons have been Extremely Calcareous Loamy Till (Brunisols and digitized and translated into modern soil series equivalents. Dark Gray Chernozems) 119 0.1 Weakly Calcareous, Sandy Loam Till (Gleysols) The general soil groups provide a very simplified overview of the 926 0.8 soil information contained in the digital soil map. The hundreds of Weakly Calcareous, Sandy Loam Till 1224 1.0 individual soil polygons have been simplified into broad groups of Highly Calcareous Loamy Till soils with similar parent material origins, textures, and drainage (Black Chernozems) 173 0.1 classes. The dominant soil in each polygon determines the soil Loamy Till (Luvisols) 10287 8.5 group, area, and colour for the generalized soil map. Gleysolic soils Highly Calcareous Loamy Till (Brunisols and groups have poor to very poor drainage, while other mineral soil Dark Gray Chernozems) 2032 1.7 groups typically have a range of rapid, well, or imperfectly drained Loamy Till (Dark Gray Chernozem) 1319 1.1 soils. Clayey Lacustrine (Gleysols) 5559 4.6 Loamy Lacustrine (Gleysols) 2544 2.1 More detailed maps showing the dominant and subdominant soils Sandy Loam Lacustrine (Gleysols) 954 0.8 in each polygon can also be produced at larger map scales. Shallow Organic Fen Peat 3065 2.5 Sandy Lacustrine (Gleysols) 2101 1.7 Table 2. Generalized Soil Groups1 Clayey Lacustrine (Black Chernozems) 12664 10.5 Loamy Lacustrine 22368 18.6 Soil Groups Area Percent Sandy Loam Lacustrine 8016 6.7 (ha) of RM Variable Textured Alluvium (Regosols) 8828 7.3 Sandy Lacustrine 11867 9.9 Deep Organic Forest or Sphagnum Peat 1177 1.0 Eroded Slopes 1332 1.1 Shallow Organic Forest Peat 4166 3.5 Sand and Gravel 3194 2.7 Clayey Lacustrine (Luvisols and Water 510 0.4 Dark Gray Chernozems) 11742 9.8 Total 120397 100.0 Highly Calcareous Loamy Till (Gleysols) 1792 1.5 1 Variable Textured Alluvium (Gleysols) 2435 2.0 Based on the dominant soil series for each soil polygon. Page 12 Information Bulletin 99-45 Rural Municipality of Minitonas Generalized Soil Map Rural Municipality of Minitonas Information Bulletin 99-45 Page 13

Soil Drainage Map. Table 3. Drainage Classes1

Drainage is described on the basis of actual moisture content in Drainage Class Area Percent excess of field capacity, and the length of the saturation period (ha) of RM within the plant root zone. Five drainage classes plus three land classes are shown on this map. Very Poor 11342 9.4

Very Poor - Water is removed from the soil so slowly that the water Poor 6911 5.7 table remains at or on the soil surface for the greater part of the time the soil is not frozen. Excess water is present in the soil throughout Poor, drained 6467 5.4 most of the year. Imperfect 63254 52.5 Poor - Water is removed so slowly in relation to supply that the soil remains wet for a large part of the time the soil is not frozen. Well 29047 24.1 Excess water is available within the soil for a large part of the time. Rapid 2865 2.4 Poor, drained - Water is removed slowly in relation to supply and the soil remains wet for a significant portion of the growing season. Rock 0 0.0 Although these soils may retain characteristics of poor internal drainage, extensive surface drainage improvements enable these Marsh 0 0.0 soils to be used for annual crop production. Unclassified 0 0.0 Imperfect - Water is removed from the soil sufficiently slowly in relation to supply to keep the soil wet for a significant part of the Water 510 0.4 growing season. Excess water moves slowly down the profile if precipitation is the major source. Total 120397 100.0

Well - Water is removed from the soil readily but not rapidly. 1 Area has been assigned to the dominant drainage class for each soil polygon. Excess water flows downward readily into underlying materials or laterally as subsurface flow.

Rapid - Water is removed from the soil rapidly in relation to supply. Excess water flows downward if underlying material is pervious. Subsurface flow may occur on steep slopes during heavy rainfall.

Drainage classification is based on the dominant soil series within each individual soil polygon. Page 14 Information Bulletin 99-45 Rural Municipality of Minitonas Soil Drainage Map Rural Municipality of Minitonas Information Bulletin 99-45 Page 15

Management Considerations Map. W = Wetness - soil landscapes that have poorly drained soils and/or >50 % wetlands (due to seasonal and annual flooding, surface Management consideration maps are provided to focus on awareness ponding, permanent water bodies (sloughs), and/or high water tables), of land resource characteristics important to land use. This map does require special management practices to mitigate adverse impact on not presume a specific land use. Rather it portrays the most common water quality, protect subsurface aquifers, and sustain crop production and wide spread attributes that apply to most soil landscapes in the during periods of high risk of water logging. province. O = Organic - soil landscapes with organic soils, requiring special These maps highlight attributes of soil-landscapes that the land management considerations of drainage, tillage, and cropping to manager must consider for any intended land use. sustain productivity and minimize subsidence and erosion.

- Fine texture R = Bedrock - soil landscapes that have shallow depth to bedrock (< - Medium texture 50 cm) and/or exposed bedrock which may prevent the use of some or - Coarse texture all tillage practices as well as the range of potential crops. They - Topography require special cropping and management practices to sustain - Wetness agricultural production. - Organic - Bedrock Table 4. Management Considerations1

F = Fine texture - soil landscapes with fine textured soils (clays and Land Resource Characteristics Area Percent silty clays), and thus low infiltration and internal permeability rates. (ha) of RM These require special considerations to mitigate surface ponding (water logging), runoff, and trafficability. Timing and type of tillage practices Fine Texture 18245 15.2 used may be restricted. Fine Texture and Wetness 6431 5.3 Fine Texture and Topography 6160 5.1 M = Medium texture - soil landscapes with medium to moderately Medium Texture 44067 36.6 fine textures (loams to clay loams), and good water and nutrient Coarse Texture 14437 12.0 retention properties. Good management and cropping practices are Coarse Texture and Wetness 2101 1.7 required to minimize leaching and the risk of erosion. Coarse Texture and Topography 624 0.5 Topography 11632 9.7 C = Coarse texture - soil landscapes with coarse to very coarse Bedrock 0 0.0 textured soils (loamy sands, sands and gravels), have a high Wetness 7779 6.5 permeability throughout the profile, and require special management Organic 8409 7.0 practices related to application of agricultural chemicals, animal Marsh 0 0.0 wastes, and municipal effluent to protect and sustain the long term Unclassified 0 0.0 quality of the soil and water resources. The risk of soil erosion can be Water 510 0.4 minimized through the use of shelterbelts and maintenance of crop Total 120397 100.0 residues. 1 Based on the dominant soil series and slope gradient within each polygon. T = Topography - soil landscapes with slopes greater than 5 % are steep enough to require special management practices to minimize the risk of erosion. Page 16 Information Bulletin 99-45 Rural Municipality of Minitonas Management Considerations Map Rural Municipality of Minitonas Information Bulletin 99-45 Page 17

Agricultural Capability Map. Table 5. Agricultural Capability1(cont.)

This evaluation utilizes the 7 class Canada Land Inventory system Class Area Percent (CLI, 1965). Classes 1 to 3 represent the prime agricultural land, Subclass (ha) of RM class 4 land is marginal for sustained cultivation, class 5 land is capable of perennial forages and improvement is feasible, class 6 3 40733 33.8 land is capable of producing native forages and pasture but 3I 8744 7.3 improvement is not feasible, and class 7 land is considered 3M 9265 7.7 unsuitable for dryland agriculture. Subclass modifers include 3ME 1277 1.1 structure and/or permeability (D), erosion (E), inundation (I), 3MT 13 0.0 moisture limitation (M), salinity (N), stoniness (P), consolidated 3P 97 0.1 3T 7004 5.8 bedrock (R), topography (T), excess water (W) and cumulative 3TP 4443 3.7 minor adverse characteristics (X). 3W 5341 4.4 3X 4549 3.8 This generalized interpretive map is based on the dominant soil series and phases for each soil polygon. The CLI subclass 4 8488 7.0 limitations cannot be portrayed at this generalized map scale. 4D 687 0.6 4DP 120 0.1 4M 1533 1.3 1 Table 5. Agricultural Capability 4T 5006 4.2 4W 1142 0.9 Class Area Percent Subclass (ha) of RM 5 9092 7.5 5M 2120 1.8 1 524 0.4 5T 59 0.0 5W 4469 3.7 2 48580 40.3 5WI 2445 2.0 2D 1151 1.0 2I 101 0.1 6 4270 3.5 2M 6280 5.2 6T 1338 1.1 2MP 421 0.3 6W 2932 2.4 2MT 1547 1.3 2P 99 0.1 Water 512 0.4 2T 2050 1.7 2TD 888 0.7 Organic 8398 7.0 2TM 775 0.6 2TP 75 0.1 Total 120597 100.0 2TW 2630 2.2 2W 30827 25.6 1 Based on the dominant soil series and slope gradient within each polygon. 2WP 1671 1.4 2X 67 0.1 Page 18 Information Bulletin 99-45 Rural Municipality of Minitonas Agriculture Capability Map Rural Municipality of Minitonas Information Bulletin 99-45 Page 19

Irrigation Suitability Map. Table 6. Irrigation Suitability1

Irrigation ratings are based on an assessment of the most limiting Class Area Percent combination of soil and landscape conditions. Soils in the same (ha) of RM class have a similar relative suitability or degree of limitation for irrigation use, although the specific limiting factors may differ. Excellent 283 0.2 These limiting factors are described by subclass symbols at detailed map scales. The irrigation rating system does not consider water Good 19486 16.2 availability, method of application, water quality, or economics of irrigated land use. Fair 47278 39.3

Irrigation suitability is a four class rating system. Areas with no or Poor 44431 36.9 slight soil and/or landscape limitations are rated Excellent to Good and can be considered irrigable. Areas with moderate soil and/or Organic 8409 7.0 landscape limitations are rated as Fair and considered marginal for irrigation providing adequate management exists so that the soil and Unclassified 0 0.0 adjacent areas are not adversely affected by water application. Soil and landscape areas rated as Poor have severe limitations for Water 510 0.4 irrigation. Total 120397 100.0 This generalized interpretive map is based on the dominant soil series for each soil polygon, in combination with the dominant slope 1 Based on the dominant soil series and slope gradient within each polygon. class. The nature of the subclass limitations and the classification of subdominant components is not shown at this generalized map scale. Page 20 Information Bulletin 99-45 Rural Municipality of Minitonas Irrigation Suitability Map Rural Municipality of Minitonas Information Bulletin 99-45 Page 21

Potential Environmental Impact Under Irrigation Map. Table 7. Potential Environmental Impact Under Irrigation1

A major environmental concern for land under irrigated crop Class Area Percent production is the possibility that surface and/or ground water may (ha) of RM be impacted. The potential environmental impact assessment provides a relative rating of land into 4 classes (minimal, low, Minimal 37301 31.0 moderate and high) based on an evaluation of specific soil factors and landscape conditions that determine the impact potential. Low 28765 23.9

Soil factors considered are those properties that determine water Moderate 25390 21.1 retention and movement through the soil; topographic features are those that affect runoff and redistribution of moisture in the High 20021 16.6 landscape. Several factors are specifically considered: soil texture, hydraulic conductivity, salinity, geological uniformity, depth to Organic 8409 7.0 water table and topography. The risk of altering surface and subsurface soil drainage regimes, soil salinity, potential for runoff, Unclassified 0 0.0 erosion and flooding is determined by specific criteria for each property. Water 510 0.4

Use of this rating is intended to serve as a warning of potential Total 120397 100.0 environmental concern. It may be possible to design and/or give special consideration to soil-water-crop management practices that 1 Based on the dominant soil series and slope gradient within each polygon. will mitigate any adverse impact.

This generalized interpretive map is based on the dominant soil series and slope class for each soil polygon. The nature of the subclass limitations, and the classification of subdominant components is not shown at this generalized map scale. Page 22 Information Bulletin 99-45 Rural Municipality of Minitonas Potential Environmental Impact Under Irrigation Rural Municipality of Minitonas Information Bulletin 99-45 Page 23

Water Erosion Risk Map. Table 8. Water Erosion Risk1

The risk of water erosion was estimated using the universal soil loss Class Area Percent equation (USLE) developed by Wischmeier and Smith (1965). The (ha) of RM USLE predicted soil loss (tons/hectare/year) is calculated for each soil component in each soil map polygon. Erosion risk classes are Negligible 35536 29.5 assigned based on the weighted average soil loss for each map polygon. Water erosion risk factors include mean annual rainfall, Low 17954 14.9 average and maximum rainfall intensity, slope length, slope gradient, vegetation cover, management practices, and soil Moderate 20291 16.9 erodibility. The map shows 5 classes of soil erosion risk based on bare unprotected soil: High 19070 15.8

negligible Severe 27035 22.5 low moderate Unclassified 0 0.0 high severe Water 510 0.4

Cropping and residue management practices will significantly Total 120397 100.0 reduce this risk depending on crop rotation program, soil type, and landscape features. 1 Based on the weighted average USLE predicted soil loss within each polygon, assuming a bare unprotected soil. Page 24 Information Bulletin 99-45 Rural Municipality of Minitonas Water Erosion Risk Map Rural Municipality of Minitonas Information Bulletin 99-45 Page 25

Land Use Map. Table 9. Land Use1

The land use classification of the RM has been interpreted from Class Area Percent LANDSAT satellite imagery, using supervised computer (ha) of RM classification techniques. Many individual spectral signatures were classified and grouped into the seven general land use classes shown Annual Crop Land 59839 49.4 here. Although land use changes over time, and some land use practices on individual parcels may occasionally result in similar Forage 3623 3.0 spectral signatures, this map provides a general representation of the current land use in the RM. Grasslands 15293 12.6

Trees 36344 30.0 The following is a brief description of the land use classes: Wetlands 2883 2.4 Annual Crop Land - land that is normally cultivated on an annual basis. Water 484 0.4

Forage - perennial forages, generally alfalfa or clover with blends Urban and transportation 2629 2.2 of tame grasses. Undifferentiated 0 0.0 Grasslands - areas of native or tame grasses, may contain scattered stands of shrubs. Total 121,095 100.0

Trees - lands that are primarily in tree cover. 1 Land use information (1994) and map supplied by Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration. Areas may vary from previous maps due to Wetlands - areas that are wet, often with sedges, cattails, and differences in analytical procedures. rushes.

Water - open water - lakes, rivers streams, ponds, and lagoons.

Urban and Transportation - towns, roads, railways, quarries. Page 26 Information Bulletin 99-45 Rural Municipality of Minitonas Rural Municipality of Minitonas Information Bulletin 99-45 Page 27

REFERENCES

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