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Soils
Soils in Red Butte Canyon are derived from the weathering and erosion of the underlying bedrock. The distribution of the soils in the canyon is shown in Figure 5. The relationship of the soils to the bedrock is apparent by comparing Figure 5 with Figure 3, a geologic map of the canyon. The soils map (Fig. 5) was adapted from Woodward et al. (1974). Soils in Red Butte Canyon have been characterized as dominantly strongly sloping to very steep and well drained. According to Bond (1979), most soils are neutral to slightly basic, vary in color from brick red to dark brown, with textures generally ranging from sandy to loamy clays. Depth of the soil is irregular, with depth to bedrock varying from nearly 2.4 m (94 in) at the canyon floor near the mouth to as little as 60 cm (24 in) or less on the slopes. Soil types include loams, silt loams, and dry loams. There is little profile development, but a pronounced litter layer and appreciable incorporated humus exist in places. Generally the soils are approximately 1 m (39 in) deep, especially those adjacent to streams. However, the steep, rocky upper slopes have shallow and cobblly soils. Table 2 includes a description of each of the soils shown in Figure 5. The descriptions were adapted from Woodward et al. (1974).
 Fig. 5. Soils map of Red Butte Canyon. See Table 2 for a description of abbreviations. Adapted from Woodward et al. (1974). |
AGG Agassiz association, very steep. 40-70 percent slopes; moderately permeable, well drained. Agassiz - 35 percent, very cobbly silt loam on ridges and convex areas of upper slopes. Picayune - 55 percent, noncalcareous variant, gravelly loam in concave areas and in draws. Other soils - 10 percent.
BCG Brad very rocky loamy sand, 40 to 80 percent slopes. Very permeable, extremely well drained. Very rocky, cobbly, loamy sand; dark reddish-brown; shallow.
BEG Bradshaw-Agassiz association, steep. 40-70 percent slopes; moderately permeable, well drained. Bradshaw - 55 percent, very cobbly silt-loam in slightly concave areas. Agassiz - 35 percent, very cobbly silt-loam in convex areas and ridgetops where soil is shallow. Other soils - 10 percent.
DGG Deer Creek-Picayune association, steep. 30-60 percent slopes; moderately permeable, well drained. Deer Creek - 55 percent; loam; very dark brown; deep on very steep, north- and northeast-facing mountain slopes. Picayune - 35 percent; gravelly clay loam; very dark brown, deep, calcerous on west-facing slopes. Other soils - 10 percent.
EMG Emigration very cobbly loam, 40 to 70 percent slopes. Moderately permeable, well drained. Cobbly loam; facing south; dark, grayish brown, shallow; patches of bedrock.
HGG Harkers-Wallsburg association, steep. Moderately permeable, well drained. Harkers - 55 percent, loam, 6-40 percent slopes, very dark brown, deep in drainageways and concave areas of slope faces. Wallsburg - 35 percent, very cobbly loam, 30-70 percent slopes, on bridges and convex areas of slopes where bedrock is near the surface, very dark grayish brown, shallow. Other soils - 10 percent.
HHF Harkers soils, 6 to 40 percent slopes. Moderately permeable, well drained. Loam and cobbly loam, on sloping old alluvial fans and steep mountain slopes.
LSG Lucky Star gravelly loam, 40 to 60 percent slopes. Moderately permeable, well drained. Very dark grayish brown, deep on northerly slopes.
Mu Mixed alluvial land. Poorly drained, highly stratified mixed alluvium on undulating, gently sloping, and nearly level flood plains.