Intensive infiltrometer studies on a plowed big sagebrush site

Intensive infiltrometer studies were made over a 4-year period on a plowed big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata) site in southern Idaho. Results of the study indicate there was a natural decay in absorptive capabilities of surface soils due to the plowing treatment. The apparent result of grazing was not to reduce the minimal infiltration capacities measured on the respective site, but rather to eliminate seasonal trends so that infiltration rates were at the low end of the scale throughout the year. Grazing did not increase sediment production potentials beyond the increases expected as a result of mechanical disturbance associated with plowing. Attempts at predicting infiltration rates and potential sediment production indicated that easily measured soil cover characteristics do not adequately reflect the potential (actual) hydrologic performance of a big sagebrush site which has been grossly modified by activity such as plowing or grazing.