4.2.4 Soils

SOILS

Soils on Fort Carson differ in accordance with the variations in physiography and elevation.  The foothills contain shallow to moderately deep, poorly developed soils that consist of gravelly sandy loam and coarse sandy loam textures combined with areas of exposed bedrock.  The plains primarily contain deep, well-developed soils that consist of sandy loam, loamy sands, or clay loam textures.  Soils associated with the plains are typically found on terraces, hills, low dune-like ridges, escarpments, side slopes, uplands, and alluvial fans that spread from the base of mesas.  Terraces and floodplain areas comprise shallow to moderately deep soils of sandy clay loam, sandy loam, or silt loam textures.  The soils are located on ridges, terrace side slopes, escarpments, and gently undulating mesas, and are associated with major stream corridors (URS 2005).

Clay soils typically found throughout Fort Carson are frequently moisture sensitive (expansive).  All foundation designs must be based on a site specific geo-technical investigation and analysis performed by a registered professional geo-technical engineer experienced in designs related to moisture sensitive soils.

Regional Setting