Healthy Soils
Irrigation Ditch
All of the fields currently in hay are suitable for most forms of agriculture. The soil health of these areas is good compared with other farmland in the region. This is, in part, because the fields have been covered with vegetation for at least the past few decades. Without tillage, the soil accumulates organic matter and is better able to hold water and to protect the soil foodweb. From discussions with people at 4 Winds, there is no indication that pesticides or herbicides have been sprayed on site recently. If they want to have an organic certification for their produce, 4 Winds will need to confirm the lack of pollutants with further testing.
Drainage Flow
Freeman Creek
This seasonal water way, running along the base of the Hogback, is fed by the overflow from the irrigation ditches and is a tributary to Four Mile Creek. When the Buck Farm Ditch was planned in the late nineteenth century, the irrigation ditches on site were designed to send any overflow into Freeman Creek. Maintaining this feature will allow 4 Winds to prevent any fields from being overly inundated when the ditch is running.
Pond
a em Fre nC
Disturbed Soils
Recreation and Wildcrafting on the Hogback
ree
The soils around the driveway and barn have been highly disturbed by grading, vehicle traffic, and building construction. This area would need additional soil tests for heavy metals and contaminants before food production could take place here.
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Because of the steep slopes and danger of erosion, 4 Winds residents and visitors should minimize their travel up and down the Hogback until there is a well-designed trail network. Once trails are developed to minimize the disturbance caused by hikers, this area can serve as a great educational resource for people interested in seeing a different successional stage of the native plant community. Much of this area receives partial sun and contains many wild edibles and medicinals that can be cultivated and wildcrafted.
Existing Pond
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Natural Drainage Channel
reek
As additional water storage rights may be difficult to acquire, the existing pond is an important asset for holding a reserve supply of irrigation water and running a pump for drip irrigation. The pond is currently fed by the well though the contract can be amended with the Water Conservancy to feed it through the irrigation ditch.
A natural bowl formation concentrates a channel of water during large rain events. While this area is at risk of soil erosion, it is also a valuable point for collecting surface runoff from upslope.
The Buck Farm Ditch
An open irrigation ditch currently runs from the southwest corner of the property and splits off to feed the hayfields. A combination of two water rights, this ditch provides the property with 4cfs of water, which is an adequate amount for herb and vegetable production across all 60 acres of hayfields. 4 Winds does not anticipate cultivating this much acreage, so for the time being, they will have adequate irrigation access. Even with this in mind using plants that are adapted for drought conditions would make 4 Winds more resilient in the long run.
Microclimates
0
200’
400’ North
Though the majority of the terrace has a north-facing aspect, there are two small areas that face south. These may be interesting to explore for cultivating more sun-loving crops These south-facing slopes and the ridges on the property have drier soils than the valleys and the area around the irrigation ditches. Plant moisture preferences should be accounted for when planning reforestation or agriculture.
The Conway School • Spring 2015
Disturbed Soil
Joel Proctor 7906 CR 117 Glenwood Springs, CO 01234
Pinyon/Juniper Forest
Russell Wallack and Cary White
Bromegrass Hay Field
Brigette Schabdach and
Gambel’s Oak Forest
Master Plan and Feasibility Study 4 Winds at 4 Mile Crossing
4 Winds would like to use the property to grow food and herbs both commercially and for the residents. Across the hayfields, the conditions are favorable for cultivating a variety of crops. The forested areas may be explored for cultivating shadetolerant crops but special care should be taken not to interrupt the existing functions of these ecosystems for soil protection. The disturbed soils around the existing buildings need further testing to determine the safety of growing food in this area.
Agricultural Analysis
Healthy soils, full sun, and access to irrigation provide many options for siting agriculture in the hayfields.
Not for construction. These drawings are part of a student project and they are not based on a legal survey.
Agricultural Analysis
12/23