SOIL SURVEY OF KIMBALL COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 27 



matter content decreases, but there is little difference in the texture 

 and structure of the material above the basal bed of gravel. The 

 soil apparently is less calcareous than the older soils of the county. 

 Some areas of fine sandv loam and silt loam are included with this 

 type, but the minor agricultural importance of the series in this area 

 does not warrant the making of fine textural distinctions. 



The Laurel very fine sandy loam is confined to the Lodgepole Val- 

 ley, where it occurs as narrow strips of first-bottom land representing 

 the most recent alluvial deposition. The flood plain is 2 to 6 feet 

 above the creek level, and the type is subject to occasional overflow. 

 The land is for the most part poorly drained, not only on account of 

 its low topographic position and the shallow depth to the water table, 

 but also on account of considerable seepage from adjacent, higher 

 lying irrigated land. 



This type is not cultivated, but it supports a good growth of wild 

 grasses which afford both hay and pasturage. 



BOUGH BROKEN LAND. 



Rough broken land includes the rocky bluffs and the more eroded 

 and gidlied land along the deeper draws. It is characterized by rock 

 outcrop, and much of it is nearly barren of soil. It has no value 

 for farming, but supports a sparse growth of grasses in the small 

 secluded patches of Sidney gravelly sandy loam and fine sandy loam, 

 and these afford some grazing. In a few places there is a scattered 

 growth of stunted pine common to the region. 



The principal areas of Rough broken land occur near the western 

 boundary of the county along the tributary draws on the south side 

 of Lodgepole Creek, along Rocky Hollow near the northern county 

 line, and along Sidney Draw in the extreme southeastern part of the 

 county. 



SUMMARY. 



Kimball County is in the extreme western part of Nebraska. It 

 comprises an area of 958 square miles, or 613,120 acres. 



The county lies within the great plains physiographic province of 

 the United States. Topographically it is a high, nearly level to mod- 

 erately rolling generally treeless plain. The only stream of any con- 

 siderable size is Lodgepole Creek, a tributary of South Platte River. 

 The general elevation of the plain is 4,800 to 5,300 feet above sea level. 



The county is thinly settled and contains no large towns or cities. 

 Transportation facilities are afforded by the Union Pacific Railroad, 

 which passes east and west through the central part of the county. 



The county has a semiarid climate. The mean annual rainfall 

 is about 16 inches, the precipitation occurring principally in the 



