The Soil Survey: A Big Undertaking!

For the last four and a half years, a Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) soil mapping crew has been working in Uinta County to complete a soil survey of the entire county.  To date, close to 690,000 acres have been mapped.  Working towards a completed soil survey in Uinta County has been a cooperative effort between the Uinta County Conservation District, the Uinta County Commission and NRCS.
 

When Will It Be Completed?
The Uinta County soil survey is expected to be completed and available by 2010.
 

Funding:
The checker board land pattern in Uinta County has made soil mapping difficult because of the alternate sections of private and public lands.  With funding from UCCD, the Uinta County Commission, and NRCS, mapping could only be completed on private lands.  However, alternative funding was secured to complete mapping on BLM grounds in Uinta County in 2006 and an effort is being made to secure more funding in 2007.
 

What's It For?
There has been a push to accelerate soil mapping in Wyoming over the last several years.  A soil survey can provide valuable information to those who work with the land.  It includes descriptions of each type of soil in the county as well as interpretations of the soils characteristics and potential for community planning, agricultural land management, engineering and wildlife management.
In the mean time, you can test your own soil by sending samples into the University of Wyoming, or using a soil test kit.  The Uinta County Conservation District has the forms needed for sending in your soil samples to UW as well as a couple of soil test kits you may borrow. 
Please contact us for more information.