Reconnaissance Soil Survey of the Oyen Map Sheet-72M
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Reconnaissance Soi1 Survey of the Oyen Map Sheet-EM Report No. S-76-36 of the Alberta Institute of Pedology A.A. Kjearsgaard Land Resource Research Centre Edmonton, Alberta Principal fïeld mapping by A.A. Kjearsgaard, W.W. Pettapiece, G.M. Greenlee, R.A. Wells, T.W. Peters, J.A. Carson, B. Walker, and S. Kocaoglu Land Resource Research Centre Contribution No. 85-56 Research Branch Agriculture Canada 1988 Copies ofthis publication are available from r\griculture Canada-Soil Survey 653 Terrace Plaa TOMW 4445 Calgary Trail South Edmonton. Alberta T6H 5K7 or from Faculty of Extension Cni~ersit~ofAlberta 238 Corbett Hall 1 12 Street 8c 82 Avenue Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2G4 Produced by Kesexch Progt-am Service 0 Minister of Supply and Services Canada 1988 Cat. No.: ,45742TE ISBN: U-662-15784-2 Caver Photo: Dark brown (Chernozem) 7 : PREFACE Almost a11 of Alberta has been covered by a soi1 survey, the majority of which are at the reconnaissance scale. Through these soi1 surveys, an inventory of Alberta’s soi1 resources is obtained, and thereby provides soi1 information basic to a11 activities related to this resource. The bounds for the area covered by this report follows the format established by the National Topographie Series. This same area was covered by a11 or parts of three sepa- rate soi1 survey reports, the Sounding Creek Sheet (34) in 1927, the Rainy Hills Sheet (35) in 1937, and the Sullivan Lake Sheet (36) in 1938, a11 of which are out of print. This, coupled with advances in soi1 survey techniques, and a better understanding of soi1 genesis through accumulated research in soi1 science, has necessitated a re-survey of the area. This report of the Oyen Map Sheet is the fïrst of several areas to be covered by a re-survey program currently underway in Alberta. The original report for this survey, published in 1976, was intended only as a pre- liminary report to meet user needs for soils information in that area, with the intention of a later update. Since the limited number of reports which were printed has been de- pleted, it was decided to revise and update the preliminary report rather than publish a reprint. This updated report includes more information in Part 1, only minor changes in Part 2, but includes major revisions and updating in Part 3 - the land use and interpre- tations section. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The soi1 survey of the Oyen Map Sheet was conducted by the Research Branch, Ag- riculture Canada, in cooperation with the Alberta Research Council and the Soils De- partment, University of Alberta. Appreciation is given to the following who assisted in various capacities in the suc- cessful completion ofthis project. Dr. W.W. Pettapiece for his assistance and suggestions in preparing the report and for his critical review of the report. Dr. J.A. Shields and Mr. J. Day, Land Resource Research Institute, Ottawa, for re- viewing the report. J. Tajek who prepared the section dealing with Water Holding Capacity and Aridity Index. Messrs. G. Benke, A. Brunelle, P.C. Crown, J.C. Hermans, G. Holroyd, J.A. McKeague, R.A. Milne and J.H. Yuksel who contributed to the fieldmapping. Messrs. R. Arguelles, G.S. Cormin, L. Majeau, D. Milner, K. Mulak, W.L. Owen, MS. Paumier, A. Quadri, F.G. Radford, D. Spurr, J.H. Temple and R. Wilkie who assis- tedin the tïeld work. Messrs. J. Beres, W.C. McKean and A. Schwarzer who conducted the analytical analysis. Mrs. Pal Foster and Mrs. C. Lirette who typed the report in preparation for publica- tion. Messrs. B. Cunningham and Z. Widtman who assisted in drafting and map prepara- tion. The University of Alberta for providing laboratory and office space. The Cartographie Section, Land Resource Research Centre, Ottawa for preparing and printing the soi1 maps. 111 SUMMARY The Oyen Map Sheet lies in southeastern Alberta where it covers in excess of 1.5 million ha. It lies within the Eastern Alberta Plains Physiographic Regian, and has the undulating to rolling surface features associated with till and softrock deposits. An im- mature drainage system is superimposed on bedrock formations of Upper Cretaceous age. A Continental climate prevails with warm summers and cold Winters. The low an- nual precipitation, ranging from 300 to 360 mm is responsible for most of the area being a grass covered open prairie, which gradually yields to an increasing number of tree bluffs towards the more northerly portions, where the higher rainfall occurs. Both brown and dark brown soils occur in the Oyen Map Sheet. They are almost equally represented within the Solonetzic Order and the Chernozemic Order. The Cher- nozemic soils occur mainly in the east half of the area, while the Solonetzic soils are primarily confined to the west half. In terms of occurrence, Regosolic and Gleysolic soils are relatively insignificant. Due to the combined effect of low rainfall, poor soils, and rough topography, most of this area is unsuitable or marginal for cultivated dryland agriculture. Similarly, be- cause of poor soils and rough topography, irrigated agriculture does not hold much prom- ise for the area. Despite relatively low carrying capacities, it would appear that the area is most suitable for grazing purposes, even though water supply is limited. The potential for recreational activities is generally limited to waterfowl hunting, which is excellent. iv TABLE OF CONTENTS . PREFACE . .......... 111. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS . ,,...,,...............................................................,................... 111 SUMMARY . iv PART 1 PHYSICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL FEATURES . 2 1.1 Location and Extent . _. 2 1.2 History and Development ____..............._.................... ,,,,,............................... 2 1.3 Physiography and Relief ........................................................................................ 2 1.4 Drainage ................................................................................................................. 4 1.5 Bedrock Geology ..................................................................................................... 4 1.6 Surface Materials ................................................................................................... 5 1.6.1 Softrock ................................................................................................................... 6 1.6.2 Till ........................................................................................................................... 6 1.6.3 Lacustrine ............................................................................................................... 7 1.6.4 Fluvial-Lacustrine ................................................................................................. 8 1.6.5 Fluvial .................................................................................................................... 9 1.6.6 Eolian ...................................................................................................................... 9 1.7 Climate .................................................................................................................... 9 1.8 Vegetation ............................................................................................................... 10 PART 2 THE SOILS .............................................................................................................. 12 2.1 Soi1 Formation ........................................................................................................ 12 2.2 Soi1 Classification ................................................................................................... 12 2.3 Mapping Procedures ............................................................................................... 13 2.4 General Soils Distribution ..................................................................................... 13 2.5 Chemical and Physical Analyses .......................................................................... 13 2.6 Description of the Soils .......................................................................................... 16 2.6.1 Soils of the Chernozemic Order ............................................................................ 16 2.6.2 Soils of the Solonetzic Order ................................................................................. 23 2.6.3 Soils of the Regosolic Order .................................................................................. 29 2.6.4 Soils of the Gleysolic Order ................................................................................... 30 PART 3 LAND USE, MANAGEMENT AND INTERPRETATIONS ............................. 32 3.1 Present Land Use ................................................................................................... 32 3.2 Special Soi1 Management Practices ...................................................................... 33 3.2.1 Deep Plowing and Subsoiling ............................................................................... 33 3.2.2 Liming of Acid Soils .............................................................................................. 35 3.3 Water Holding Capacity and Aridity Index ......................................................... 35 3.3.1 Available Water Capacity ..................................................................................... 35 3.3.2 Aridity Index .......................................................................................................... 36 3.4 Capability for Dryland Agriculture .....................................................................