Soil Data Explorer - SIERRA

Official Series Description

Lab Data Summary

Aggregate lab data for the SIERRA soil series. This aggregation is based on all pedons with a current taxon name of SIERRA, and applied along 1-cm thick depth slices. Solid lines are the slice-wise median, bounded on either side by the interval defined by the slice-wise 5th and 95th percentiles. The median is the value that splits the data in half. Five percent of the data are less than the 5th percentile, and five percent of the data are greater than the 95th percentile. Values along the right hand side y-axis describe the proportion of pedon data that contribute to aggregate values at this depth. For example, a value of "90%" at 25cm means that 90% of the pedons correlated to SIERRA were used in the calculation. Source: KSSL snapshot (updated 2020-03-13). Methods used to assemble the KSSL snapshot used by SoilWeb / SDE

Pedons used in the lab summary:

MLRA	Lab ID	Pedon ID	Taxonname	CI	NSSL / NASIS Reports	Link To SoilWeb GMap
18	UCD6658013	66-CA-58-013	SIERRA	3	Primary | Supplementary | Taxonomy | Pedon | Water Retention | Correlation | Andic Soil Properties	39.2930984,-121.3686981
18	UCD6704008	67-CA-04-008x	SIERRA	3	Primary | Supplementary | Taxonomy | Pedon | Water Retention | Correlation | Andic Soil Properties	39.401165,-121.3965378
18	UCD6758114	67-CA-58-114x	SIERRA	3	Primary | Supplementary | Taxonomy | Pedon | Water Retention | Correlation | Andic Soil Properties	39.3407784,-121.2022934
18	UCD7755039	77-CA-55-039x	Sierra	4	Primary | Supplementary | Taxonomy | Pedon | Water Retention | Correlation | Andic Soil Properties	37.9308985,-120.337512
18	40A2908	S1959CA005015	SIERRA	5	Primary | Supplementary | Taxonomy | Pedon | Water Retention | Correlation | Andic Soil Properties	38.5313873,-120.8005524
18	40A2909	S1959CA005016	SIERRA	5	Primary | Supplementary | Taxonomy | Pedon | Water Retention | Correlation | Andic Soil Properties	38.5127792,-120.7977753
22A	UCD7305066	73-CA-05-066x	Sierra	3	Primary | Supplementary | Taxonomy | Pedon | Water Retention | Correlation | Andic Soil Properties	38.2871117,-120.6235365
22A	91P0719	90CA109101	Sierra	6	Primary | Supplementary | Taxonomy | Pedon | Water Retention | Correlation | Andic Soil Properties	37.8227768,-120.0183334

Water Balance

Monthly water balance estimated using a leaky-bucket style model for the SIERRA soil series. Monthly precipitation (PPT) and potential evapotranspiration (PET) have been estimated from the 50th percentile of gridded values (PRISM 1981-2010) overlapping with the extent of SSURGO map units containing each series as a major component. Monthly PET values were estimated using the method of Thornthwaite (1948). These (and other) climatic parameters are calculated with each SSURGO refresh and provided by the fetchOSD function of the soilDB package. Representative water storage values (“AWC” in the figures) were derived from SSURGO by taking the 50th percentile of profile-total water storage (sum[awc_r * horizon thickness]) for each soil series. Note that this representation of “water storage” is based on the average ability of most plants to extract soil water between 15 bar (“permanent wilting point”) and 1/3 bar (“field capacity”) matric potential. Soil moisture state can be roughly interpreted as “dry” when storage is depleted, “moist” when storage is between 0mm and AWC, and “wet” when there is a surplus. Clearly there are a lot of assumptions baked into this kind of monthly water balance. This is still a work in progress.

Sibling Summary

Siblings are those soil series that occur together in map units, in this case with the SIERRA series. Sketches are arranged according to their subgroup-level taxonomic structure. Source: SSURGO snapshot (updated 2024-02-21), parsed OSD records (updated 2023-10-02) and snapshot of SC database (updated 2023-10-02).

Select annual climate data summaries for the SIERRA series and siblings. Series are sorted according to hierarchical clustering of median values. Source: SSURGO map unit geometry and 1981-2010, 800m PRISM data (updated 2023-10-09).

Geomorphic description summaries for the SIERRA series and siblings. Series are sorted according to hierarchical clustering of proportions and relative hydrologic position within an idealized landform (e.g. top to bottom). Most soil series (SSURGO components) are associated with a hillslope position and one or more landform-specific positions: hills, mountain slopes, terraces, and/or flats. Proportions can be interpreted as an aggregate representation of geomorphic membership. The values printed to the left (number of component records) and right (Shannon entropy) of stacked bars can be used to judge the reliability of trends. Small Shannon entropy values suggest relatively consistent geomorphic association, while larger values suggest lack thereof. Source: SSURGO component records (updated 2023-10-04).

There are insufficient data to create the 3D flats position figure.

Competing Series

Soil series competing with SIERRA share the same family level classification in Soil Taxonomy. Source: parsed OSD records (updated 2023-10-02) and snapshot of the SC database (updated 2023-10-02).

Select annual climate data summaries for the SIERRA series and competing. Series are sorted according to hierarchical clustering of median values. Source: SSURGO map unit geometry and 1981-2010, 800m PRISM data (updated 2023-10-09).

Geomorphic description summaries for the SIERRA series and competing. Series are sorted according to hierarchical clustering of proportions and relative hydrologic position within an idealized landform (e.g. top to bottom). Proportions can be interpreted as an aggregate representation of geomorphic membership. Most soil series (SSURGO components) are associated with a hillslope position and one or more landform-specific positions: hills, mountain slopes, terraces, and/or flats. The values printed to the left (number of component records) and right (Shannon entropy) of stacked bars can be used to judge the reliability of trends. Shannon entropy values close to 0 represent soil series with relatively consistent geomorphic association, while values close to 1 suggest lack thereof. Source: SSURGO component records (updated 2023-10-04).

There are insufficient data to create the 3D mountains figure.

There are insufficient data to create the 3D flats position figure.

Soil series sharing subgroup-level classification with SIERRA, arranged according to family differentiae. Hovering over a series name will print full classification and a small sketch from the OSD. Source: snapshot of SC database (updated 2023-10-02).

Block Diagrams

No block diagrams are available.

Map Units

Map units containing SIERRA as a major component. Limited to 250 records.

Map Unit Name	Symbol	Map Unit Area (ac)	Map Unit Key	National Map Unit Symbol	Soil Survey Area	Publication Date	Map Scale
Sierra sandy loam, 9 to 15 percent slopes, LRU 15XF	SmC	2829	460128	2z5kx	ca607	1967	1:20000
Sierra sandy loam, 15 to 30 percent slopes, LRU 15XF	SmD	931	460129	2z5l7	ca607	1967	1:20000
Sierra sandy loam, 30 to 50 percent slopes	SmE	690	460131	hfsy	ca607	1967	1:20000
Sierra sandy loam, 2 to 9 percent slopes, LRU 15XF	SmB	270	460127	2z5l2	ca607	1967	1:20000
Sierra sandy loam, 15 to 30 percent slopes, severely eroded	SmD3	166	460130	hfsx	ca607	1967	1:20000
Sierra-Rock outcrop complex, 30 to 50 percent slopes	SkE	3676	460248	hfxq	ca619	1970	1:24000
Sierra sandy loam, deep, 9 to 15 percent slopes, LRU 18XI	SfC	2493	460245	2z5kw	ca619	1970	1:24000
Sierra-Rock outcrop complex, 15 to 30 percent slopes	SkD	2256	460247	hfxp	ca619	1970	1:24000
Sierra sandy loam, deep, 2 to 9 percent slopes, LRU 18XI	SfB	2048	460244	2z5l1	ca619	1970	1:24000
Sierra sandy loam, deep, 15 to 30 percent slopes, LRU 18XI	SfD	917	460246	2z5l6	ca619	1970	1:24000
Sierra sandy loam, deep, 15 to 30 percent slopes, LRU 18XI	185	2000	460349	2z5l6	ca620	1975	1:24000
Sierra sandy loam, deep, 2 to 9 percent slopes, LRU 18XI	183	1650	460347	2z5l1	ca620	1975	1:24000
Sierra sandy loam, deep, 9 to 15 percent slopes, LRU 18XI	184	1500	460348	2z5kw	ca620	1975	1:24000
Sierra very rocky sandy loam, 30 to 50 percent slopes	ShE	833	462287	hj1h	ca624	1968	1:20000
Sierra sandy loam, 9 to 15 percent slopes, eroded	SfC2	675	462283	hj1c	ca624	1968	1:20000
Sierra very rocky sandy loam, 15 to 30 percent slopes	ShD	473	462286	hj1g	ca624	1968	1:20000
Sierra sandy loam, 15 to 30 percent slopes, eroded	SfD2	356	462284	hj1d	ca624	1968	1:20000
Sierra rocky sandy loam, 5 to 15 percent slopes	SgC	343	462285	hj1f	ca624	1968	1:20000
Sierra very rocky coarse sandy loam, 16 to 31 percent slopes	SkD	1557	462458	hj70	ca628	1963	1:20000
Sierra coarse sandy loam, 3 to 9 percent slopes, eroded	SgB2	917	462446	hj6m	ca628	1963	1:20000
Sierra sandy loam, 9 to 15 percent slopes, LRU 18XI	SgC	837	462447	2z5kv	ca628	1963	1:20000
Sierra coarse sandy loam, 9 to 16 percent slopes, eroded	SgC2	731	462448	hj6p	ca628	1963	1:20000
Sierra very rocky coarse sandy loam, moderately deep, 9 to 31 percent slopes	SmD	606	462460	hj72	ca628	1963	1:20000
Sierra very rocky coarse sandy loam, moderately deep, 31 to 51 percent slopes	SmE	564	462461	hj73	ca628	1963	1:20000
Sierra sandy loam, 15 to 30 percent slopes, LRU 18XI	SgD	535	462449	2z5l4	ca628	1963	1:20000
Sierra sandy loam, 2 to 9 percent slopes, LRU 18XI	SgB	509	462445	2z5l0	ca628	1963	1:20000
Sierra very rocky coarse sandy loam, 51 to 71 percent slopes	SkF	489	462459	hj71	ca628	1963	1:20000
Sierra coarse sandy loam, moderately deep, 16 to 31 percent slopes, eroded	ShD2	384	462456	hj6y	ca628	1963	1:20000
Sierra coarse sandy loam, moderately deep, 9 to 16 percent slopes	ShC	376	462453	hj6v	ca628	1963	1:20000
Sierra coarse sandy loam, moderately deep, 9 to 16 percent slopes, eroded	ShC2	374	462454	hj6w	ca628	1963	1:20000
Sierra coarse sandy loam, 16 to 31 percent slopes, eroded	SgD2	358	462450	hj6r	ca628	1963	1:20000
Sierra coarse sandy loam, moderately deep, 3 to 9 percent slopes	ShB	352	462451	hj6s	ca628	1963	1:20000
Sierra coarse sandy loam, moderately deep, 16 to 31 percent slopes	ShD	233	462455	hj6x	ca628	1963	1:20000
Sierra sandy clay loam, 9 to 31 percent slopes, severely eroded	SlD3	148	462457	hj6z	ca628	1963	1:20000
Sierra coarse sandy loam, moderately deep, 3 to 9 percent slopes , eroded	ShB2	85	462452	hj6t	ca628	1963	1:20000
Sierra-Orose complex, 8 to 30 percent slopes	6074	10276	2399769	2lk4x	ca630	2018	1:24000
Sierra-Flanly complex, 30 to 60 percent slopes	6075	6017	2399770	2lk4y	ca630	2018	1:24000
Sierra-Verjeles-Aquic Haploxeralfs complex, 0 to 8 percent slopes	6070	3877	2399766	2lk4t	ca630	2018	1:24000
Sierra-Flanly complex, 15 to 65 percent slopes	6078	3848	2924701	2x4c6	ca630	2018	1:24000
Sierra-Flanly complex, 3 to 15 percent slopes	6071	2620	2441253	2myb3	ca630	2018	1:24000
Urban land-Sierra-Flanly complex, 3 to 25 percent slopes	9011	1581	2403721	2lp8d	ca630	2018	1:24000
Sierra-Flanly complex, 3 to 15 percent slopes	6071	266	2925012	2myb3	ca649	1967	1:24000
Sierra-Orose complex, 8 to 30 percent slopes	6074	159	2924987	2lk4x	ca649	1967	1:24000
Sierra-Flanly complex, 30 to 60 percent slopes	6075	66	2924988	2lk4y	ca649	1967	1:24000
Sierra sandy loam, 30 to 45 percent slopes	SnE	2517	464458	hl9j	ca654	1966	1:24000
Sierra very rocky sandy loam, 45 to 70 percent slopes	SoF	2481	464462	hl9n	ca654	1966	1:24000
Sierra very rocky sandy loam, 30 to 45 percent slopes	SoE	2048	464461	hl9m	ca654	1966	1:24000
Sierra very rocky sandy loam, 3 to 30 percent slopes	SoD	1332	464460	hl9l	ca654	1966	1:24000
Auberry-sierra coarse sandy loams, 30 to 45 percent slopes	AxE	1324	464208	hl1g	ca654	1966	1:24000
Auberry-sierra coarse sandy loams, 15 to 30 percent slopes	AxD	1123	464207	hl1f	ca654	1966	1:24000
Sierra sandy loam, 45 to 70 percent slopes	SnF	972	464459	hl9k	ca654	1966	1:24000
Sierra sandy loam, 15 to 30 percent slopes, LRU 18XC	SnD	777	464457	2z5l5	ca654	1966	1:24000
Sierra sandy loam, 9 to 15 percent slopes, LRU 18XC	SnC	717	464456	2z5ky	ca654	1966	1:24000
Ahwahnee-Sierra coarse sandy loams, 15 to 30 percent slopes	AhD	585	464182	hl0m	ca654	1966	1:24000
Auberry-sierra coarse sandy loams, 45 to 70 percent slopes	AxF	463	464209	hl1h	ca654	1966	1:24000
Auberry-sierra very rocky coarse sandy loams, 45 to 70 percent slopes	AyF	445	464210	hl1j	ca654	1966	1:24000
Sierra-Tollhouse-Rock land complex, 45 to 70 percent slopes	StF	293	464463	hl9p	ca654	1966	1:24000
Ahwahnee-Sierra coarse sandy loams, 30 to 45 percent slopes	AhE	288	464183	hl0n	ca654	1966	1:24000
Sierra sandy loam, 30 to 45 percent slopes	SnEef	328	2370793	2kl06	ca760	1981	1:24000
Sierra very rocky sandy loam, 45 to 70 percent slopes	SoFef	154	2370796	2kl09	ca760	1981	1:24000
Auberry-sierra coarse sandy loams, 30 to 45 percent slopes	AxEef	78	2370780	2kkzs	ca760	1981	1:24000
Sierra sandy loam, 45 to 70 percent slopes	SnFef	76	2370794	2kl07	ca760	1981	1:24000
Sierra sandy loam, 15 to 30 percent slopes, LRU 18XC	SnDef	62	2370792	2z5l5	ca760	1981	1:24000
Ahwahnee-Sierra coarse sandy loams, 30 to 45 percent slopes	AhEef	34	2370773	2kkzk	ca760	1981	1:24000
Sierra very rocky sandy loam, 3 to 30 percent slopes	SoDef	21	2370795	2kl08	ca760	1981	1:24000
Sierra sandy loam, 9 to 15 percent slopes, LRU 18XC	SnCef	14	2370791	2z5ky	ca760	1981	1:24000
Auberry-sierra very rocky coarse sandy loams, 45 to 70 percent slopes	AyFef	11	2370781	2kkzt	ca760	1981	1:24000

Map of Series Extent

Approximate geographic distribution of the SIERRA soil series. To learn more about how this distribution was mapped, or to compare this soil series extent to others, use the Series Extent Explorer (SEE) application. Source: generalization of SSURGO geometry (updated 2023-10-04).