Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Major Land Resource Area 053A
Major Land Resource Area
Accessed: 05/03/2026
Previous
Sections
Next
Next steps
-
1
Select an ecological site
Select an ecological site using the list, keys, photos, briefcase, or quick search option located on this page. -
2
Explore the ecological site description
Next, learn more about the selected ecological site and its characteristic dynamics by browsing the ecological site description and exploring alternative state and transition model formats.
Ecological site list
Tools
Search
Filter by
interactive key
precipitation
frost free days
more..
clear all
Sort by
id
name
stage
Viewing 20 of 36
View all
Ecological site map
Basemap
Topo
Road
Aerial
Hybrid
Find me
Find point
Full screen
Zoom in to display soil survey map units for an area of interest, and zoom out to display MLRAs. Select a map unit polygon to view ecological sites correlated to that map unit. View a brief description of an ecological site by clicking on its name in the map popup. Soil survey correlations may not be accurate, and ecological site classification of a location should always be verified in the field. Each selection may require the transfer of several hundred KB of data.
Briefcase
Add ecological sites and Major Land Resource Areas to your briefcase by clicking on the briefcase (
) icon wherever it occurs. Drag and drop items to reorder. Cookies are used to store briefcase items between browsing sessions. Because of this, the number of items that can be added to your briefcase is limited, and briefcase items added on one device and browser cannot be accessed from another device or browser. Users who do not wish to place cookies on their devices should not use the briefcase tool. Briefcase cookies serve no other purpose than described here and are deleted whenever browsing history is cleared.
Ecological sites
Major Land Resource Areas
Ecological site photos
Tools
Filter by
interactive key
precipitation
frost free days
more..
clear all
Type
Image size
Done
Filters
Interactive key
Precipitation
Frost free days
Elevation
Slope
Landform
Parent material origin
Parent material kind
Soil texture
2005 era legacy ESDs with plant tables and reference worksheets
Provisional LRU ES level developed concept descriptions.
Site receives additional effective moisture
Site does not receive additional effective moisture
Site Receives additional moisture either from groundwater or from surface water
Site does not receive additional effective moisture
Soil saline (EC> 4 within surface 4”) and water table > 40”
Site not as above
Seasonal high water table≥ 40” from ground surface; salt tolerant plants dominate site; site regularly receives more than normal soil moisture because of run-in or stream overflow
R053AE072MT – Saline Overflow (Sov) (Legacy) RRU 53AE
R053AE072MT – Saline Overflow (Sov) (Legacy) RRU 53AE
Seasonal high water table < 40” from ground surface
R053AE070MT – Subirrigated (Sb) (Legacy) RRU 53AE
R053AE070MT – Subirrigated (Sb) (Legacy) RRU 53AE
Seasonal high water table ≥ 40” from ground surface; site regularly receives more than normal soil moisture because of run-in or stream overflow
R053AE067MT – Overflow (Ov) (Legacy) RRU 53AE
R053AE067MT – Overflow (Ov) (Legacy) RRU 53AE
Soil saline or saline-sodic within surface 20” or soils with natric or relic natric horizons
Site not as above
No columnar structure; site dominated by salt tolerant plants
R053AE071MT – Saline Upland (SU) (Legacy) RRU 53AE
R053AE071MT – Saline Upland (SU) (Legacy) RRU 53AE
Columnar structure present, abrupt root or water restrictive clay layer present within 8” of soil surface
R053AE074MT – Claypan (Cp) (Legacy) RRU 53AE
R053AE074MT – Claypan (Cp) (Legacy) RRU 53AE
Soils moderately deep, deep, or very deep (≥ 20” deep to bedrock, lithic, or paralithic root restrictive layer)
Soils shallow to very shallow (< 20” deep to bedrock, lithic, or paralithic root restrictive layer)
R053AE078MT – Shallow Clay (Swc) (Legacy) RRU 53AE
R053AE078MT – Shallow Clay (Swc) (Legacy) RRU 53AE
Slope < 15%
Slope ≥15%
Coarse sandy loam to fine sandy loam texture within surface mineral 4”
R053AE062MT – Sandy (Sy) (Legacy) RRU 53AE
R053AE062MT – Sandy (Sy) (Legacy) RRU 53AE
Site not as above
Clay content is > 32% in surface mineral 4” of mineral soil (ribbon > 2” long)
Clay content is < 32% in surface mineral 4”
R053AE060MT – Loamy (Lo) (Legacy) RRU 53AE
R053AE060MT – Loamy (Lo) (Legacy) RRU 53AE
Soil 32% to 45% clay within surface mineral 4”
R053AE061MT – Clayey (Cy) (Legacy) RRU 53AE
R053AE061MT – Clayey (Cy) (Legacy) RRU 53AE
Soil > 45% clay within surface mineral 2”
R053AE073MT – Dense Clay (DC) (Legacy) RRU 53AE
R053AE073MT – Dense Clay (DC) (Legacy) RRU 53AE
Clay content is > 32% (ribbon > 2” long) in surface mineral 4”
R053AE065MT – Clayey Steep (Cystp) (Legacy) RRU 53AE
R053AE065MT – Clayey Steep (Cystp) (Legacy) RRU 53AE
Clay content is < 32% (ribbon < 2” long) in surface mineral 4”
R053AE058MT – Loamy Steep (Lostp) (Legacy) RRU 53AE
R053AE058MT – Loamy Steep (Lostp) (Legacy) RRU 53AE
Site is a closed depression with run in
Site is on drainageways, floodplains, swales, or coulees
Site receives water from groundwater discharge - typically Saline (EC ≥ 4 ) and/or Sodic (SAR ≥ 13) - Discharge Closed Depression (CdD)
FX053A99X705 – Discharge Closed Depression (CdD)
FX053A99X705 – Discharge Closed Depression (CdD)
Site does not receive water from groundwater discharge - typically Nonsaline and Nonsodic (EC < 4 and SAR < 13) - Recharge Closed Depression (CdR)
FX053A99X071 – Recharge Closed Depression (CdR)
FX053A99X071 – Recharge Closed Depression (CdR)
Receives additional moisture from groundwater. Water table ≤ 40 inches (100cm)
Receives additional moisture from surface water. Water table absent or, if present, > 40 inches (100 cm)
Seasonal high water table < 24" (60 cm)
FX053A99X084 – Slough (Sl)
FX053A99X084 – Slough (Sl)
Seasonal high water table 24" to 40" (60-102 cm)
Soil neither saline nor sodic [EC < 4 and SAR < 13 within surface 4" (10 cm)]
FX053A99X150 – Subirrigated (Sb)
FX053A99X150 – Subirrigated (Sb)
Soil Saline (EC ≥ 4 ) and/or Sodic (SAR ≥ 13) within surface 4" (10 cm)
FX053A99X713 – Saline Lowland (SLL)
FX053A99X713 – Saline Lowland (SLL)
Soil Saline (EC ≥ 4 ) and/or Sodic (SAR ≥ 13) within surface 4" (10 cm)
FX053A99X713 – Saline Lowland (SLL)
FX053A99X713 – Saline Lowland (SLL)
Soil neither saline nor sodic [EC < 4 and SAR < 13 within surface 4" (10 cm)]
Site is located outside of the floodplain
Site is located inside the floodplain
Herbaceous species and/or sagebrush dominate site; Typically broad, U-shaped swales and coulees
FX053A99X062 – Swale (Se)
FX053A99X062 – Swale (Se)
Woody species (chokecherry, serviceberry, green ash) dominate site; Typically steep, V-shaped swales & coulees
FX053A99X756 – Woody Draw (WD)
FX053A99X756 – Woody Draw (WD)
Site Dominated by woody vegetation
FX053A99X061 – Riparian Woodland (RW)
FX053A99X061 – Riparian Woodland (RW)
Site dominated by herbaceous vegetation
FX053A99X060 – Overflow (Ov)
FX053A99X060 – Overflow (Ov)
Soils with an abrupt root or water restrictive clay layer (evidenced by columnar structure), present within 10” (25 cm) of soil surface
Soils without a restrictive clay layer (evidenced by columnar structure) within 10" (25 cm) of the soil surface
0"- 4” (0-10 cm) of surface over clay layer (evidenced by columnar structure)
Greater than 4" (10 cm) to 10" (25cm) of surface over clay layer (evidenced by columnar structure)
FX053A99X006 – Claypan (Cp)
FX053A99X006 – Claypan (Cp)
1" (2.5 cm) or less of surface over clay layer (evidenced by columnar structure)
FX053A99X145 – Panspot (Pn)
FX053A99X145 – Panspot (Pn)
Greater than 1" (2.5 cm) to 4" (10cm) of surface over clay layer (evidenced by columnar structure)
FX053A99X165 – Thin Claypan (TCp)
FX053A99X165 – Thin Claypan (TCp)
Soil saline (EC ≥ 4 ) and/or sodic (SAR ≥ 13) within surface 20” (50 cm)
FX053A99X093 – Saline Upland (SU)
FX053A99X093 – Saline Upland (SU)
Soil neither saline nor sodic [EC < 4 and SAR < 13 within surface 20" (50 cm)]
Soils moderately deep or shallower [< 40” (100 cm) deep] to lithic, paralithic, or petrocalcic root restrictive layer
Soils deep to very deep [ ≥ 40” (100 cm) deep] to lithic, paralithic, or petrocalcic root restrictive layer
Soils with a restrictive lime cemented layer within 40" (100 cm) of the soil surface - Future Site Concept Petrocalcic - use 9b Thin Breaks
Soils without a restrictive lime cemented layer within 40" (100 cm) of the soil surface
Clay content is > 35% in surface mineral 4” (10 cm) [ribbon > 2” long]
Clay content ≤ 35% in surface mineral 4" (10 cm) [ribbon < 2” long]
Soils shallow or very shallow [< 20” (50 cm) deep] to bedrock, lithic, or paralithic root restrictive layer]
FX053A99X131 – Shallow Clay (SwC)
FX053A99X131 – Shallow Clay (SwC)
Soils moderately deep [≥ 20" (50cm) to < 40" (100cm) deep] to bedrock, lithic, or paralithic root restrictive layer] go to 15a. Clay
Soils containing BOTH a mollic epipedon and an argillic horizon - go to 16
Soils lacking either a mollic epipedon, an argillic horizon, or both
FX053A99X160 – Thin Breaks (TB)
FX053A99X160 – Thin Breaks (TB)
16a. Strongly or violently effervescent in surface mineral 5” (12 cm), lime conc. increasing with depth.
Not strongly or violently effervescent within surface mineral 5" (12 cm)
Slope < 15%
FX053A99X030 – Limy (Ly)
FX053A99X030 – Limy (Ly)
Slope ≥ 15%
FX053A99X029 – Limy Steep (LyStp)
FX053A99X029 – Limy Steep (LyStp)
Slope < 15%
FX053A99X032 – Loamy (Lo)
FX053A99X032 – Loamy (Lo)
Slope ≥ 15%
FX053A99X040 – Loamy Steep (LoStp)
FX053A99X040 – Loamy Steep (LoStp)
Soil skeletal within 20" (50 cm) of the surface [ ≥ 35% rock fragments within 20" of the surface]
Soil not skeletal within 20" (50 cm) of the surface [ < 35% rock fragments in the surface 20”]
Soil predominantly sandy-skeletal in the surface 20 inches (50cm)
FX053A99X021 – Sandy Gravel (SyGr)
FX053A99X021 – Sandy Gravel (SyGr)
Soil predominantly loamy-skeletal in the surface 20 inches (50cm)
FX053A99X022 – Loamy Gravel (LoGr)
FX053A99X022 – Loamy Gravel (LoGr)
Sandy textural family in surface mineral 4” (10 cm)
Coarse loamy or finer textural family in surface mineral 4" (10 cm)
Soils occur on dunes or dune fields, typically sand or loamy sand
FX053A99X700 – Choppy Sandhills (CS)
FX053A99X700 – Choppy Sandhills (CS)
Soils not as above - Future Site Concept Sands (Sa)* - use Sandy
Coarse loamy or coarse silty textural family in surface mineral 4” (10 cm)
FX053A99X110 – Sandy (Sy)
FX053A99X110 – Sandy (Sy)
Fine loamy, fine silty or finer textural family in surface mineral 4" (10 cm)
Clay content is > 35% in surface mineral 4” (10 cm) [ribbon > 2” long]
FX053A99X701 – Clay (Cl)
FX053A99X701 – Clay (Cl)
Clay content ≤ 35% in surface mineral 4" (10 cm) [ribbon < 2” long]
Strongly or violently effervescent in surface mineral 5” (12 cm), lime conc. increasing with depth.
Not strongly or violently effervescent within surface mineral 5" (12 cm)
Slope < 15%
FX053A99X030 – Limy (Ly)
FX053A99X030 – Limy (Ly)
Slope ≥ 15%
FX053A99X029 – Limy Steep (LyStp)
FX053A99X029 – Limy Steep (LyStp)
Slope < 15%
FX053A99X032 – Loamy (Lo)
FX053A99X032 – Loamy (Lo)
Slope ≥ 15%
FX053A99X040 – Loamy Steep (LoStp)
FX053A99X040 – Loamy Steep (LoStp)
Long term average mean annual precipitation
- No filter
- 30 – 35cm (12 – 14in)
—
cm
Long term average frost free days
- No filter
- 110 – 130days
—
days
- No filter
- 400 – 600m (1300 – 2000ft)
- 600 – 800m (2000 – 2600ft)
- 800 – 1000m (2600 – 3300ft)
- 1000 – 1200m (3300 – 3900ft)
- 1200 – 1400m (3900 – 4600ft)
- 1400 – 1600m (4600 – 5200ft)
—
m
- No filter
- 0 – 3%
- 3 – 5%
- 5 – 10%
- 10 – 15%
- 15 – 20%
- 20 – 25%
- 25 – 30%
- 30 – 35%
- 35 – 40%
- 40 – 45%
- 45 – 50%
- 50 – 60%
—
%
- No filter
- Alluvial fan
- Bluff
- Depression
- Disintegration moraine
- Drainageway
- Draw
- Dune
- Escarpment
- Esker
- Fan
- Fan apron
- Flat
- Flood plain
- Flood-plain step
- Ground moraine
- Hill
- Hillslope
- Interdune
- Kame
- Moraine
- Outwash fan
- Oxbow
- Paleoterrace
- Plain
- Ridge
- Stream terrace
- Swale
- Terrace
- Till plain
- No filter
- Igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary
- Shale, unspecified
- No filter
- Alluvium
- Eolian sands
- Glaciofluvial deposits
- Residuum
- Till, unspecified
Soil surface texture
- No filter
- Clay
- Clay loam
- Coarse sandy loam
- Fine sandy loam
- Loam
- Loamy sand
- Sand
- Silty clay
- Silty clay loam
- Silt loam
- Sandy loam
Print Options
Sections
Font
A
A
A
A
Other
Print
Ecological site keys
MLRA 53 Key Determination
I.
2005 era legacy ESDs with plant tables and reference worksheets
II.
Provisional LRU ES level developed concept descriptions.
MLRA 53X Legacy Site Description Key
I.
Site receives additional effective moisture
A.
Soil saline (EC> 4 within surface 4”) and water table > 40”
1
Seasonal high water table≥ 40” from ground surface; salt tolerant plants dominate site; site regularly receives more than normal soil moisture because of run-in or stream overflow
... R053AE072MT – Saline Overflow (Sov) (Legacy) RRU 53AE
B.
Site not as above
2
Seasonal high water table < 40” from ground surface
... R053AE070MT – Subirrigated (Sb) (Legacy) RRU 53AE
1
Seasonal high water table ≥ 40” from ground surface; site regularly receives more than normal soil moisture because of run-in or stream overflow
... R053AE067MT – Overflow (Ov) (Legacy) RRU 53AE
II.
Site does not receive additional effective moisture
A.
Soil saline or saline-sodic within surface 20” or soils with natric or relic natric horizons
1
No columnar structure; site dominated by salt tolerant plants
... R053AE071MT – Saline Upland (SU) (Legacy) RRU 53AE
2
Columnar structure present, abrupt root or water restrictive clay layer present within 8” of soil surface
... R053AE074MT – Claypan (Cp) (Legacy) RRU 53AE
B.
Site not as above
2
Soils moderately deep, deep, or very deep (≥ 20” deep to bedrock, lithic, or paralithic root restrictive layer)
i.
Slope < 15%
a.
Coarse sandy loam to fine sandy loam texture within surface mineral 4”
... R053AE062MT – Sandy (Sy) (Legacy) RRU 53AE
b.
Site not as above
1)
Clay content is > 32% in surface mineral 4” of mineral soil (ribbon > 2” long)
ii.
Slope ≥15%
a.
Clay content is > 32% (ribbon > 2” long) in surface mineral 4”
... R053AE065MT – Clayey Steep (Cystp) (Legacy) RRU 53AE
b.
Clay content is < 32% (ribbon < 2” long) in surface mineral 4”
... R053AE058MT – Loamy Steep (Lostp) (Legacy) RRU 53AE
1
Soils shallow to very shallow (< 20” deep to bedrock, lithic, or paralithic root restrictive layer)
... R053AE078MT – Shallow Clay (Swc) (Legacy) RRU 53AE
Provisional LRU level ESD Key
A.
Site Receives additional moisture either from groundwater or from surface water
1a.
Site is a closed depression with run in
2a.
Site receives water from groundwater discharge - typically Saline (EC ≥ 4 ) and/or Sodic (SAR ≥ 13) - Discharge Closed Depression (CdD)
... FX053A99X705 – Discharge Closed Depression (CdD)
2b.
Site does not receive water from groundwater discharge - typically Nonsaline and Nonsodic (EC < 4 and SAR < 13) - Recharge Closed Depression (CdR)
... FX053A99X071 – Recharge Closed Depression (CdR)
1b.
Site is on drainageways, floodplains, swales, or coulees
3a.
Receives additional moisture from groundwater. Water table ≤ 40 inches (100cm)
4b.
Seasonal high water table 24" to 40" (60-102 cm)
5a.
Soil neither saline nor sodic [EC < 4 and SAR < 13 within surface 4" (10 cm)]
... FX053A99X150 – Subirrigated (Sb)
5b.
Soil Saline (EC ≥ 4 ) and/or Sodic (SAR ≥ 13) within surface 4" (10 cm)
... FX053A99X713 – Saline Lowland (SLL)
3b.
Receives additional moisture from surface water. Water table absent or, if present, > 40 inches (100 cm)
6a.
Soil Saline (EC ≥ 4 ) and/or Sodic (SAR ≥ 13) within surface 4" (10 cm)
... FX053A99X713 – Saline Lowland (SLL)
6b.
Soil neither saline nor sodic [EC < 4 and SAR < 13 within surface 4" (10 cm)]
7a.
Site is located outside of the floodplain
8a.
Herbaceous species and/or sagebrush dominate site; Typically broad, U-shaped swales and coulees
... FX053A99X062 – Swale (Se)
8b.
Woody species (chokecherry, serviceberry, green ash) dominate site; Typically steep, V-shaped swales & coulees
... FX053A99X756 – Woody Draw (WD)
7b.
Site is located inside the floodplain
B.
Site does not receive additional effective moisture
1a.
Soils with an abrupt root or water restrictive clay layer (evidenced by columnar structure), present within 10” (25 cm) of soil surface
2a.
0"- 4” (0-10 cm) of surface over clay layer (evidenced by columnar structure)
3a.
1" (2.5 cm) or less of surface over clay layer (evidenced by columnar structure)
... FX053A99X145 – Panspot (Pn)
3b.
Greater than 1" (2.5 cm) to 4" (10cm) of surface over clay layer (evidenced by columnar structure)
... FX053A99X165 – Thin Claypan (TCp)
2b.
Greater than 4" (10 cm) to 10" (25cm) of surface over clay layer (evidenced by columnar structure)
... FX053A99X006 – Claypan (Cp)
1b.
Soils without a restrictive clay layer (evidenced by columnar structure) within 10" (25 cm) of the soil surface
4a.
Soil saline (EC ≥ 4 ) and/or sodic (SAR ≥ 13) within surface 20” (50 cm)
... FX053A99X093 – Saline Upland (SU)
4b.
Soil neither saline nor sodic [EC < 4 and SAR < 13 within surface 20" (50 cm)]
5a.
Soils moderately deep or shallower [< 40” (100 cm) deep] to lithic, paralithic, or petrocalcic root restrictive layer
6a.
Soils with a restrictive lime cemented layer within 40" (100 cm) of the soil surface - Future Site Concept Petrocalcic - use 9b Thin Breaks
6b.
Soils without a restrictive lime cemented layer within 40" (100 cm) of the soil surface
7a.
Clay content is > 35% in surface mineral 4” (10 cm) [ribbon > 2” long]
8a.
Soils shallow or very shallow [< 20” (50 cm) deep] to bedrock, lithic, or paralithic root restrictive layer]
... FX053A99X131 – Shallow Clay (SwC)
8b.
Soils moderately deep [≥ 20" (50cm) to < 40" (100cm) deep] to bedrock, lithic, or paralithic root restrictive layer] go to 15a. Clay
7b.
Clay content ≤ 35% in surface mineral 4" (10 cm) [ribbon < 2” long]
9a.
Soils containing BOTH a mollic epipedon and an argillic horizon - go to 16
16aa.
16a. Strongly or violently effervescent in surface mineral 5” (12 cm), lime conc. increasing with depth.
16bb.
Not strongly or violently effervescent within surface mineral 5" (12 cm)
9b.
Soils lacking either a mollic epipedon, an argillic horizon, or both
... FX053A99X160 – Thin Breaks (TB)
5b.
Soils deep to very deep [ ≥ 40” (100 cm) deep] to lithic, paralithic, or petrocalcic root restrictive layer
10a.
Soil skeletal within 20" (50 cm) of the surface [ ≥ 35% rock fragments within 20" of the surface]
11a.
Soil predominantly sandy-skeletal in the surface 20 inches (50cm)
... FX053A99X021 – Sandy Gravel (SyGr)
11b.
Soil predominantly loamy-skeletal in the surface 20 inches (50cm)
... FX053A99X022 – Loamy Gravel (LoGr)
10b.
Soil not skeletal within 20" (50 cm) of the surface [ < 35% rock fragments in the surface 20”]
12a.
Sandy textural family in surface mineral 4” (10 cm)
13a.
Soils occur on dunes or dune fields, typically sand or loamy sand
... FX053A99X700 – Choppy Sandhills (CS)
13b.
Soils not as above - Future Site Concept Sands (Sa)* - use Sandy
12b.
Coarse loamy or finer textural family in surface mineral 4" (10 cm)
14a.
Coarse loamy or coarse silty textural family in surface mineral 4” (10 cm)
... FX053A99X110 – Sandy (Sy)
14b.
Fine loamy, fine silty or finer textural family in surface mineral 4" (10 cm)
15a.
Clay content is > 35% in surface mineral 4” (10 cm) [ribbon > 2” long]
... FX053A99X701 – Clay (Cl)
15b.
Clay content ≤ 35% in surface mineral 4" (10 cm) [ribbon < 2” long]
16a.
Strongly or violently effervescent in surface mineral 5” (12 cm), lime conc. increasing with depth.
16b.
Not strongly or violently effervescent within surface mineral 5" (12 cm)
The Ecosystem Dynamics Interpretive Tool is an information system framework developed by the USDA-ARS Jornada Experimental Range, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, and New Mexico State University.
Accessibility statement