Soil Project: Two Southeast Michigan Soils

Ray PoweSWS 5716C

Area of Interest•Average annual temperature is 49 degrees Fahrenheit

•Area is around 900 feet above sea level

•There are 2-4 inches of precipitation on average each month

Soil Classification

• Web soil survey classified this land as Gilford sandy loam for soil 1 and Miami Loam for soil 2

Area of Interest• Sample locations about 600 feet from each other• Soil 2 area was four feet higher in surface elevation• Creek in the middle is about 300 feet from each sample area

Area of Interest for Soil 1

View towards the North View towards the West

Soil Classification

• Gilford sandy loams are present in low-lying areas

• Slope is 0 to 2 percent

• These soils have high water tables

• Runoff is very slow

Site Characteristics

• Position of Site: Stream Terrace• Parent Material: Fluvial • Soil Slope: Nearly Level• Surface Runoff: Slow• Erosion Potential: Low• Epipedon: Ochric

Soil 1 – Gilford Sandy Loam

•Ap – 0 to 11 cm, dark gray (10YR 3/1) sandy loam; weak, mostly fine, granular structure; very friable; abrupt boundary

• Bg1 – 11 to 75 cm, grayish brown (10YR 5/2) sandy loam; moderate subangular blocky structure; friable; gradual boundary

Soil 1 – Gilford Sandy Loam (contd.)

•Bg2 – 75 to 95 cm, dark grayish brown (10YR 4/2) sandy loam; moderate subangular blocky structure; friable; gradual boundary

•Bg3 – 95 – 115 cm, dark grayish-brown (10YR 4/2) light sandy loam; weak subangular blocky; friable; abrupt boundary• Cg – 115 – 150 cm, gray (5Y 5/1) sandy clay; very moist; very firm

Soil Interpretations

• Infiltration Rate: Moderate• Hydraulic Conductivity: High• Soil Interpretations:

• Dwellings with Basement: Severe• Septic Tank Absorption Field: Severe• Local Roads and Streets: Severe

Area of Interest for Soil 2

•View towards the west •View towards the east and soil 1

Soil Classification

•Miami Loams (MmB) are present in gently sloping to very steep soils

•High available water capacity

•Runoff is slow

•Slope is 2 to 6 percent

Site Characteristics

• Position of Site: Stream Terrace• Parent Material: Fluvial • Soil Slope: <6%• Surface Runoff: Slow• Erosion Potential: Low• Epipedon: Ochric

Soil 2 – Miami Loam

• Ap – 0 to 5 in., dark grayish brown (10YR 3/2) loam; moderate granular structure; friable; fine roots; clear boundary

• B1 – 5 to 9 in., dark brown (10YR 4/3) sandy loam; moderate subangular blocky structure; friable; clear boundary

• B2t – 9 to 22 in., yellowish brown (10YR 5/4) clay loam; moderate subangular blocky structure; firm; gradual boundary

•B3 – 22 to 40 in., brown (10YR 5/3) loam; moderate subangular blocky structure; friable; gradual boundary

0 inches

42 inches

Soil 2 – Miami Loam (contd.)

42 inches

90 inches

•C – 40 to 90 in., yellowish brown (10YR 5/4) loam; moderate subangular blocky structure; very firm;

Soil 2 – Miami Loam (contd.)

•Possible oxidized iron present at a little past 6 feet

Soil Interpretations

• Infiltration Rate: Low• Hydraulic Conductivity: Moderate• Soil Interpretations:

• Dwellings with Basement: Slight• Septic Tank Absorption Field: Moderate• Local Roads and Streets: Slight

Questions?