M333De Clearwater Mountains and Breaks

Landscape Characteristics:

Low relief mountains and stream breaklands that formed in highly weathered Idaho Batholith granitics. Volcanic ash deposits are common and influence many soils. Elevations range from 2000 to 6500 feet. Drainage density is high.

Climate:

Mean annual precipitation ranges from 35 to 80 inches, about 40 to 50 percent falling as snow. Rain on snow events are common below 4500 feet. The soil temperature and moisture regimes are Frigid and Udic. Some cryic temperatures occur at the higher elevations. This subsection is influenced by a maritime climate.

Potential Vegetation:

Cedar-hemlock-pine forest with Western spruce-fir forest at higher elevations.

Relationships of Dominant Map Unit Components:

Landform Geology Soil Taxa
Mountainsides Granite Fulvicryands/Haplocryands/Udivitrands
Stream breaks Granite Dystrochrepts/Udivitrands
High elevation ridges Granite Haplocryands/Cryochrepts

Disturbance and Land Use:

The primary natural disturbances are fire, insects, disease, windthrow, and mass wasting. Land use is predominantly timber harvest and related activities.