soil survey of ross county, ohio - usda · soil survey of ross county, ohio in cooperation with...

United StatesDepartment ofAgriculture

NaturalResourcesConservationService

Soil Survey ofRoss County,Ohio

In cooperation withOhio Department ofNatural Resources,Division of Soil and WaterConservation; OhioAgricultural Research andDevelopment Center; TheOhio State UniversityExtension; Ross Soil andWater ConservationDistrict; and Ross CountyCommissioners

General Soil Map

The general soil map, which is a color map, shows the survey area divided into groups of associated soils calledgeneral soil map units. This map is useful in planning the use and management of large areas.

To find information about your area of interest, locate that area on the map, identify the name of the map unit in thearea on the color-coded map legend, then refer to the section General Soil Map Units for a general description ofthe soils in your area.

Detailed Soil Maps

The detailed soil maps can be useful in planning the use andmanagement of small areas.

To find information about your areaof interest, locate that area on theIndex to Map Sheets. Note thenumber of the map sheet and turnto that sheet.

Locate your area of interest onthe map sheet. Note the map unitsymbols that are in that area. Turnto the Contents, which lists themap units by symbol and nameand shows the page where eachmap unit is described.

The Contents shows which tablehas data on a specific land use foreach detailed soil map unit. Alsosee the Contents for sections ofthis publication that may addressyour specific needs.

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How To Use This Soil Survey

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Additional information about the Nations natural resources is available on theNatural Resources Conservation Service homepage on the World Wide Web. Theaddress is http://www.nrcs.usda.gov.

This soil survey is a publication of the National Cooperative Soil Survey, a joint effortof the United States Department of Agriculture and other Federal agencies, Stateagencies including the Agricultural Experiment Stations, and local agencies. TheNatural Resources Conservation Service (formerly the Soil Conservation Service) hasleadership for the Federal part of the National Cooperative Soil Survey.

Major fieldwork for this soil survey was completed in 1992. Soil names anddescriptions were approved in 1997. Unless otherwise indicated, statements in thispublication refer to conditions in the survey area in 1992. This survey was madecooperatively by the Natural Resources Conservation Service; the Ohio Department ofNatural Resources, Division of Soil and Water Conservation; the Ohio AgriculturalResearch and Development Center; The Ohio State University Extension; the Ross Soiland Water Conservation District; and the Ross County Commissioners.

Soil maps in this survey may be copied without permission. Enlargement of thesemaps, however, could cause misunderstanding of the detail of mapping. If enlarged,maps do not show the small areas of contrasting soils that could have been shown at alarger scale.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all ofits programs on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability,political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or family status. (Not all prohibited basesapply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means forcommunication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) shouldcontact the USDAs TARGET Center at 202-720-2600 (voice or TDD).

To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights,Room 326W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC20250-9410, or call 202-720-5964 (voice or TDD). USDA is an equal opportunityprovider and employer.

Cover: The Scioto Valley is dominated by soils that formed in Wisconsinan outwash and till.Pictured are areas of Ockley, Eldean, and Mentor soils on forested slopes. Shelocta and Brownsvillesoils, which formed in colluvium, are on the steeper backslopes. Berk soils are on the ridgetops inthe background.

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Contents

How To Use This Soil Survey ................................. 3Foreword ............................................................... 11General Nature of the County ................................. 13

History ................................................................ 13Bedrock Geology ................................................ 14Glacial Geology .................................................. 15Physiography, Relief, and Drainage .................... 17Climate ............................................................... 17Farming .............................................................. 18

How This Survey Was Made ................................... 18Survey Procedures ............................................. 19

General Soil Map Units ........................................ 211. Cruze-Shelocta-Brownsville ....................... 212. Cruze-Rossmoyne-Shelocta ...................... 223. Cruze-Cana-Hickory .................................. 234. Miamian-Celina-Crosby .............................. 245. Crosby-Kokomo-Miamian ........................... 256. Miamian-Cana............................................ 267. Kendallville-Miamian-Eldean ...................... 278. Alexandria-Markland-Clifty ......................... 289. Gessie-Eldean-Ross .................................. 28

10. Haymond-Cidermill-Fitchville ..................... 2911. Tioga-Cidermill-Fitchville ............................ 3012. Patton ........................................................ 3013. Negley-Pike-Rainsboro .............................. 3114. Omulga-Wyatt-Tyler ................................... 32

Detailed Soil Map Units ........................................ 33AaAdrian muck ............................................... 34AcC2Alexandria silt loam, 6 to 12 percent

slopes, eroded ............................................. 35AcD2Alexandria silt loam, 12 to 20 percent

slopes, eroded ............................................. 36AcE2Alexandria silt loam, 20 to 35 percent

slopes, eroded ............................................. 37AeE2Alexandria-Fox complex, 20 to 35

percent slopes, eroded ................................ 38AvAAvonburg silt loam, 0 to 2 percent

slopes .......................................................... 40AvBAvonburg silt loam, 2 to 6 percent

slopes .......................................................... 41BeDBerks channery silt loam, 12 to 20

percent slopes ............................................. 42BeEBerks channery silt loam, 20 to 35

percent slopes ............................................. 43

BgCBerks-Tarhollow complex, 6 to 15percent slopes ............................................. 44

CaBCana silt loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes ....... 46CaC2Cana silt loam, 6 to 12 percent

slopes, eroded ............................................. 47CaD2Cana silt loam, 12 to 20 percent

slopes, eroded ............................................. 48CaE2Cana silt loam, 20 to 35 percent

slopes, eroded ............................................. 49CdCarlisle muck ............................................. 50CeDCasco-Rodman complex, 12 to 18

percent slopes ............................................. 51CgACelina silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes ...... 53CgBCelina silt loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes ...... 54CgB2Celina silt loam, 2 to 6 percent

slopes, eroded ............................................. 56ChAChavies silt loam, rarely flooded .............. 57CmACidermill silt loam, 0 to 2 percent

slopes .......................................................... 58CmBCidermill silt loam, 2 to 6 percent

slopes .......................................................... 58CpClifty silt loam, occasionally flooded ........... 59CrACoolville silt loam, 0 to 2 percent

slopes .......................................................... 60CrBCoolville silt loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes ... 61CrC2Coolville silt loam, 6 to 12 percent

slopes, eroded ............................................. 62CvACrosby silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes..... 63CvBCrosby silt loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes..... 64CwC2Cruze silt loam, 6 to 12 percent

slopes, eroded ............................................. 66CwDCruze silt loam, 12 to 20 percent

slopes .......................................................... 67CwECruze silt loam, 20 to 35 percent

slopes .......................................................... 68DAMDam ........................................................ 69EeAEldean loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes .......... 69EeBEldean loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes .......... 70EeC2Eldean loam, 6 to 12 percent slopes,

eroded ......................................................... 71EgAEldean gravelly loam, 0 to 2 percent

slopes .......................................................... 72EgBEldean gravelly loam, 2 to 6 percent

slopes .......................................................... 73

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EgC2Eldean gravelly loam, 6 to 12 percentslopes, eroded ............................................. 74

ErDErnest silt loam, 15 to 25 percentslopes .......................................................... 75

EuAEuclid silt loam, rarely flooded .................. 77FhAFitchville silt loam, 0 to 2 percent

slopes .......................................................... 78FhBFitchville silt loam, 2 to 6 percent

slopes .......................................................... 79FnBFox loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes................ 80FnC2Fox loam, 6 to 12 percent slopes,

eroded ......................................................... 81GeGessie silt loam, occasionally flooded ........ 82GfGessie silt loam, frequently flooded ............ 83GgC2Gilpin silt loam, 6 to 12 percent

slopes, eroded ............................................. 84GhCGilpin-Tilsit complex, 6 to 12 percent

slopes .......................................................... 85GnAGlenford silt loam, 0 to 2 percent

slopes .......................................................... 87GnBGlenford silt loam, 2 to 6 percent

slopes .......................................................... 88HaBHaubstadt silt loam, 2 to 6 percent

slopes .......................................................... 89HaC2Haubstadt silt loam, 6 to 12 percent

slopes, eroded ............................................. 90HdHaymond silt loam, occasionally

flooded ......................................................... 91HeAHenshaw silt loam, 0 to 4 percent

slopes .......................................................... 92HkD2Hickory silt loam, 12 to 20 percent

slopes, eroded ............................................. 93HkE2Hickory silt loam, 20 to 35 percent

slopes, eroded ............................................. 94HtHuntington silt loam, occasionally

flooded ......................................................... 95KaAKendallville silt loam, 0 to 2 percent

slopes .......................................................... 96KaBKendallville silt loam, 2 to 6 percent

slopes .......................................................... 97KeC2Kendallville-Eldean complex, 6 to 12

percent slopes, eroded ................................ 97KeD2Kendallville-Eldean complex, 12 to 20

percent slopes, eroded ................................ 99

KeE2Kendallville-Eldean complex, 20 to35 percent slopes, eroded ......................... 102

KnKinn silt loam, occasionally flooded .......... 103KoKokomo silt loam, overwash ..................... 105KpKokomo silty clay loam ............................. 106LfC2Latham silt loam, 6 to 12 percent

slopes, eroded ........................................... 107LfD2Latham silt loam, 12 to 20 percent

slopes, eroded ........................................... 108LfELatham silt loam, 20 to 35 percent

slopes ........................................................ 109LgDLatham-Wharton complex, 15 to 25

percent slopes ........................................... 110LrBLibre silt loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes ....... 113LrC2Libre silt loam, 6 to 12 percent

slopes, eroded ........................................... 114MaBMarkland silt loam, 2 to 6 percent

slopes ........................................................ 115MbC2Markland silty clay loam, 6 to 12

percent slopes, eroded .............................. 116MbD2Markland silty clay loam, 12 to 20

percent slopes, eroded .............................. 117MbE2Markland silty clay loam, 20 to 35

percent slopes, eroded .............................. 118McAMartinsville loam, rarely flooded ............ 119MdAMcGary silt loam, 0 to 2 percent

slopes ........................................................ 120MdBMcGary silt loam, 2 to 6 percent

slopes ........................................................ 121MeC2Mentor silt loam, 6 to 12 percent

slopes, eroded ........................................... 122MeD2Mentor silt loam, 12 to 20 percent

slopes, eroded ........................................... 123MfAMentor silt loam, rarely flooded ............... 124MgAMentor silt loam, gravelly substratum,

0 to 2 percent slopes.................................. 125MgBMentor silt loam, gravelly substratum,

2 to 6 percent slopes.................................. 126MhBMiamian silt loam, 2 to 6 percent

slopes ........................................................ 126MhB2Miamian silt loam, 2 to 6 percent

slopes, eroded ........................................... 128MhC2Miamian silt loam, 6 to 12 percent

slopes, eroded ........................................... 129

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MhD2Miamian silt loam, 12 to 20 percentslopes, eroded ........................................... 130

MhEMiamian silt loam, 20 to 35 percentslopes ........................................................ 131

MmC2Miamian silt loam, bedrocksubstratum, 6 to 12 percent slopes,eroded ....................................................... 132

MmD2Miamian silt loam, bedrocksubstratum, 12 to 20 percent slopes,eroded ....................................................... 133

MnBMiamian-Lewisburg complex, 2 to 6percent slopes ........................................... 135

MoBMilton silt loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes .... 137MoC2Milton silt loam, 6 to 12 percent

slopes, eroded ........................................... 138MoE2Milton silt loam, 20 to 35 percent

slopes, eroded ........................................... 139NeC2Negley loam, 6 to 12 percent slopes,

eroded ....................................................... 140NeD2Negley loam, 12 to 20 percent

slopes, eroded ........................................... 141NeE2Negley loam, 20 to 35 percent

slopes, eroded ........................................... 142NnANineveh silt loam, 0 to 2 percent

slopes ........................................................ 143NnBNineveh silt loam, 2 to 6 percent

slopes ........................................................ 144ObAOckley loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes ........ 145ObBOckley loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes ........ 146OmBOmulga silt loam, 2 to 6 percent

slopes ........................................................ 146OmC2Omulga silt loam, 6 to 12 percent

slopes, eroded ........................................... 148OrOrrville silt loam, frequently flooded .......... 149OwBOtwell silt loam, 2 to 6 percent

slopes ........................................................ 150PcPatton silty clay loam, sandy

substratum ................................................. 151PgPeoga silt loam ......................................... 152PkAPike silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes ....... 153PkBPike silt loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes ....... 154PnPits, gravel ................................................ 154PoPits, quarry ............................................... 154PpPope silt loam, frequently flooded ............. 155

PtBPrinceton sandy loam, 2 to 6 percentslopes ........................................................ 155

PtCPrinceton sandy loam, 6 to 12 percentslopes ........................................................ 156

PtDPrinceton sandy loam, 12 to 20percent slopes ........................................... 157

RbARainsboro silt loam, 0 to 2 percentslopes ........................................................ 158

RbBRainsboro silt loam, 2 to 6 percentslopes ........................................................ 159

RbC2Rainsboro silt loam, 6 to 12 percentslopes, eroded ........................................... 160

RcFRigley-Rock outcrop association, verysteep .......................................................... 161

RdD2Rodman gravelly loam, 12 to 20percent slopes, eroded .............................. 162

RdE2Rodman gravelly loam, 20 to 35percent slopes, eroded .............................. 163

RnRoss silt loam, occasionally flooded ......... 164RoRossburg silt loam, rarely flooded ............ 165RpARossmoyne silt loam, 0 to 2 percent

slopes ........................................................ 166RpBRossmoyne silt loam, 2 to 6 percent

slopes ........................................................ 167RpC2Rossmoyne silt loam, 6 to 12

percent slopes, eroded .............................. 168RsBRossmoyne-Cana complex, 2 to 6

percent slopes ........................................... 169RsC2Rossmoyne-Cana complex, 6 to 12

percent slopes, eroded .............................. 171SfDShelocta silt loam, 12 to 20 percent

slopes ........................................................ 174SgFShelocta-Brownsville association,

very steep .................................................. 175ShEShelocta-Cruze-Weikert association,

steep .......................................................... 177SkEShelocta-Rigley association, steep ......... 180SpSkidmore cobbly silt loam, occasionally

flooded ....................................................... 181StSloan silty clay loam, occasionally

flooded ....................................................... 182SuBSpargus channery silt loam, 2 to 6

percent slopes ........................................... 183SvStonelick loam, occasionally flooded ........ 184

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SwStonelick fine sandy loam, frequentlyflooded ....................................................... 185

TbATaggart silt loam, 0 to 2 percentslopes ........................................................ 186

ThC3Thrifton clay loam, 6 to 12 percentslopes, severely eroded ............................. 187

ThD3Thrifton clay loam, 12 to 20 percentslopes, severely eroded ............................. 188

ThE3Thrifton clay loam, 20 to 35 percentslopes, severely eroded ............................. 190

TnATilsit silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes ....... 191ToTioga fine sandy loam, frequently

flooded ....................................................... 192TyATyler silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes ....... 193UdUdorthents, loamy .................................... 194WWater ......................................................... 194WcAWarsaw loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes ...... 194WkWestland clay loam .................................. 195WtBWyatt silt loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes ..... 196WyC2Wyatt silty clay loam, 6 to 12

percent slopes, eroded .............................. 197WyD2Wyatt silty clay loam, 12 to 18

percent slopes, eroded .............................. 198Use and Management of the Soils .................... 201

Interpretive Ratings .......................................... 201Rating Class Terms ...................................... 201Numerical Ratings ........................................ 201

Crops and Pasture ........................................... 201Crops ............................................................... 202

Cropland Limitations and Hazards ............... 203Crop Yield Index ........................................... 204Land Capability Classification ...................... 205Prime Farmland ........................................... 205

Pasture and Hayland Interpretations ................ 206Landscape Plantings, Windbreaks, and

Environmental Plantings ............................ 208Forestland Productivity and Management ........ 209Recreation ........................................................ 212Wildlife Habitat ................................................. 214Hydric Soils ...................................................... 217Engineering ...................................................... 218

Building Site Development ........................... 219Sanitary Facilities ......................................... 220Agricultural Waste Management .................. 221

Construction Materials ................................. 223Water Management ...................................... 224

Soil Properties .................................................... 227Engineering Index Properties ........................... 227Physical Properties .......................................... 228Chemical Properties ......................................... 229Water Features ................................................. 230Soil Features .................................................... 231Physical and Chemical Analyses of Selected

Soils ........................................................... 231Classification of the Soils .................................. 233Soil Series and Their Morphology ......................... 233

Adrian Series ................................................... 233Alexandria Series ............................................. 234Avonburg Series ............................................... 235Berks Series ..................................................... 236Brownsville Series ............................................ 237Cana Series ..................................................... 237Carlisle Series .................................................. 239Casco Series .................................................... 239Celina Series .................................................... 240Chavies Series ................................................. 241Cidermill Series ................................................ 242Clifty Series ...................................................... 243Coolville Series ................................................ 243Crosby Series................................................... 244Cruze Series .................................................... 245Eldean Series ................................................... 246Ernest Series ................................................... 247Euclid Series .................................................... 249Fitchville Series ................................................ 249Fox Series ........................................................ 250Gessie Series ................................................... 251Gilpin Series ..................................................... 252Glenford Series ................................................ 252Haubstadt Series .............................................. 254Haymond Series ............................................... 255Henshaw Series ............................................... 255Hickory Series .................................................. 256Huntington Series ............................................. 257Kendallville Series ............................................ 258Kinn Series ....................................................... 259Kokomo Series ................................................. 260Latham Series .................................................. 261

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Lewisburg Series .............................................. 262Libre Series ...................................................... 263Markland Series ............................................... 263Martinsville Series ............................................ 264McGary Series ................................................. 269Mentor Series ................................................... 270Miamian Series ................................................ 271Milton Series .................................................... 272Negley Series ................................................... 272Nineveh Series ................................................. 273Ockley Series ................................................... 274Omulga Series ................................................. 275Orrville Series .................................................. 276Otwell Series .................................................... 277Patton Series .................................................... 278Peoga Series .................................................... 279Pike Series ....................................................... 280Pope Series ...................................................... 280Princeton Series ............................................... 281Rainsboro Series .............................................. 282Rigley Series .................................................... 283Rodman Series ................................................ 284Ross Series ...................................................... 285Rossburg Series ............................................... 286Rossmoyne Series ........................................... 286Shelocta Series ................................................ 288Skidmore Series ............................................... 289Sloan Series ..................................................... 289Spargus Series ................................................. 290Stonelick Series ............................................... 291Taggart Series .................................................. 291Tarhollow Series ............................................... 292Thrifton Series .................................................. 293Tilsit Series ...................................................... 294Tioga Series ..................................................... 295Tyler Series ...................................................... 296Warsaw Series ................................................. 297Weikert Series .................................................. 298Westland Series ............................................... 298Wharton Series ................................................ 299Wyatt Series ..................................................... 300

Formation of the Soils ........................................ 303

Factors of Soil Formation ................................. 303Processes of Soil Formation............................. 304

References .......................................................... 305Glossary .............................................................. 309Tables .................................................................. 321

Table 1.Temperature and Precipitation .......... 322Table 2.Freeze Dates in Spring and Fall ........ 323Table 3.Growing Season ............................... 323Table 4.Acreage and Proportionate Extent

of the Soils ................................................. 324Table 5.Cropland Limitations and Hazards .... 327Table 6.Crop Yield Index ............................... 335Table 7.Capability Classes and

Subclasses ................................................ 341Table 8.Prime Farmland ................................ 342Table 9.Pasture and Hayland Suitability

Groups and Yields per Acre of Hay andPasture ...................................................... 344

Table 10.Windbreaks and EnvironmentalPlantings .................................................... 352

Table 11.Forestland Productivity ................... 375Table 12.Forestland Management ................. 400Table 13.Forestland Harvesting Activities ..... 411Table 14.Forestland Regeneration

Activities .................................................... 425Table 15a.Recreation .................................... 436Table 15b.Recreation .................................... 453Table 16.Wildlife Habitat ................................ 467Table 17a.Building Site Development ............ 478Table 17b.Building Site Development ............ 493Table 18.Sanitary Facilities ........................... 512Table 19.Agricultural Waste Management ..... 539Table 20.Construction Materials .................... 568Table 21.Water Management ........................ 581Table 22.Engineering Index Properties ......... 605Table 23.Physical Properties of the Soils ...... 651Table 24.Chemical Properties of the

Soils ........................................................... 666Table 25.Water Features ............................... 681Table 26.Soil Features .................................. 700Table 27.Classification of the Soils ................ 710

Interpretive Groups ............................................ 713

Issued 2003

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This soil survey contains information that affects land use planning in this surveyarea. It contains predictions of soil behavior for selected land uses. The survey alsohighlights soil limitations, improvements needed to overcome the limitations, and theimpact of selected land uses on the environment.

This soil survey is designed for many different users. Farmers, foresters, andagronomists can use it to evaluate the potential of the soil and the management neededfor maximum food and fiber production. Planners, community officials, engineers,developers, builders, and home buyers can use the survey to plan land use, select sitesfor construction, and identify special practices needed to ensure proper performance.Conservationists, teachers, students, and specialists in recreation, wildlifemanagement, waste disposal, and pollution control can use the survey to help themunderstand, protect, and enhance the environment.

Various land use regulations of Federal, State, and local governments may imposespecial restrictions on land use or land treatment. The information in this report isintended to identify soil properties that are used in making various land use or landtreatment decisions. Statements made in this report are intended to help the land usersidentify and reduce the effects of soil limitations on various land uses. The landowner oruser is responsible for identifying and complying with existing laws and regulations.

Great differences in soil properties can occur within short distances. Some soils areseasonally wet or subject to flooding. Some are shallow to bedrock. Some are toounstable to be used as a foundation for buildings or roads. Clayey or wet soils arepoorly suited to use as septic tank absorption fields. A high water table makes a soilpoorly suited to basements or underground installations.

These and many other soil properties that affect land use are described in this soilsurvey. Broad areas of soils are shown on the general soil map. The location of eachsoil is shown on the detailed soil maps. Each soil in the survey area is described, andinformation on specific uses is given. Help in using this publication and additionalinformation are available at the local office of the Natural Resources ConservationService or The Ohio State University Extension.

Kevin BrownState ConservationistNatural Resources Conservation Service

Foreword

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ROSS COUNTY is in south-central Ohio (fig. 1). It isbordered by Pike County on the south, Highland andFayette Counties on the west, Pickaway County on thenorth, Hocking and Vinton Counties on the east, andJackson County on the southeast. The total land areaof the county is 443,488 acres, or about 687 squaremiles.

In 1990, the population of Ross County was 69,330;of this total, 21,923 people lived in Chillicothe, thecounty seat (U.S. Department of Commerce, 1990).Other incorporated communities are Adelphi,Bainbridge, Clarksburg, Frankfort, Kingston, andSouth Salem.

Ross County is served by one railroad and by U.S.Highways 23, 35, and 50. State Routes 28, 104, 138,159, 180, 207, and 772 also provide good access toparts of the county. A county airport is north ofChillicothe.

Ross County has a diverse economy based uponfarming and farm-related enterprises, manufacturing,and woodland products.

This soil survey updates the survey of Ross Countypublished in 1967 (Petro and others, 1967). It providesadditional information and has larger maps, whichshow the soils in greater detail.

General Nature of the CountyThis section provides general information about

Ross County. It describes history; bedrock geology;glacial geology; physiography, relief, and drainage;climate; and farming.

History

The survey area has been inhabited by varioustribes, but of particular interest are the MoundBuilders, who constructed hundreds of earthwork hillsthroughout this region of Ohio (fig. 2). The Adena andHopewell tribes occupied the region from 800 B.C.until 500 A.D. They disappeared for no apparentreason around 700 A.D. and were replaced by theCole Indians, a woodland tribe. The Cole Indians weresupplanted by the Fort Ancient people, who wereprobably the ancestors of the Shawnees. TheShawnees, a highly migratory tribe of fierce warriors,were driven out by the powerful Iroquois in the mid1600s. They returned to the region around 1740 andremained until the Treaty of Greenville (1795).

The city of Chillicothe was founded in 1796 byNathanial Massie, a Virginia military district surveyor.

Soil Survey of

Ross County, OhioBy Stephen J. Hamilton and Terrence E. Lucht, Ohio Department of Natural Resources,Division of Soil and Water Conservation, and Gordon M. Gilmore and Doug B. Dotson,Natural Resources Conservation Service

Fieldwork by Gordon M. Gilmore, Robert J. Parkinson, Emden L. Milliron, andDanny D. Lemaster, Natural Resources Conservation Service, and Terrence E. Luchtand Stephen J. Hamilton, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Soil andWater Conservation

United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service,in cooperation withthe Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Soil and Water Conservation;the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center; The Ohio State UniversityExtension; the Ross Soil and Water Conservation District; and the Ross CountyCommissioners

14 Soil Survey of

The name Chillicothe is derived from the ShawneeIndian word meaning principal town. In 1800, theUnited States Congress designated Chillicothe thecapital of the Eastern Section of the NorthwestTerritory. Chillicothe also served as the capital of Ohiountil 1816, except during an interval from late 1809 to1812, when the legislature met in Zanesville. In 1846,the capital was moved to Columbus.

Ross County, the sixth county formed from the oldNorthwest Territory, was created by a proclamation ofGovernor St. Clair on August 20, 1798. It is named forJames Ross, who achieved fame during theRevolutionary War. Originally, the county was muchlarger than it is now; only ten counties made up theentire State of Ohio in 1801. Settlement of the countybegan west of the Scioto River, in an area that waspart of the Virginia Military Lands and was surveyed bymetes and bounds. The area east of the Scioto River,which was part of the Congress Lands and wassurveyed by the rectangular system of land surveying,was settled somewhat later (Petro and others, 1967).

Since early in the 19th century, Chillicothe has beenthe major trading center for the area. Boats were builtto carry surplus crops from Ross County to NewOrleans via the Scioto, Ohio, and Mississippi Rivers.Construction of the Ohio and Erie Canal (1831) madeChillicothe a major canal port. The Marietta and

Cincinnati Railroad was constructed throughChillicothe in 1852. Products manufactured inChillicothe in the 19th century included paper,furniture, buggies, ratchet jacks, razor blades, knives,shears, and shoes. In 1890, Colonel Daniel Meadpurchased a paper-making plant; this enterprisebecame the nationally known Mead Corporation. Othermanufacturing in the Chillicothe area today includessemitrailer trucks, railroad cars, and industrialautomobile springs.

Bedrock Geology

Exposed bedrock in Ross County ranges fromSilurian to Pennsylvanian in age (fig. 3). The upperPaleozoic strata generally dip east-southeast atapproximately 30 feet per mile, forming part of the eastlimb of the Cincinnati Arch.

The oldest exposed bedrock is Silurian limestoneand dolomite in the Paint Creek and Buckskin Creekvalleys of western Ross County. Most of the countywest of the Scioto River valley is underlain byDevonian shales and Mississippian shales andsandstones. The Mississippian Berea sandstone capsthe outliers and uplands in the central and southernparts of western Ross County. East of the SciotoValley, the Mississippian bedrock is a series of shalesand thin sandstones that form the uplands. In smallareas of northeastern and southeastern Ross County,the Pennsylvanian Sharon conglomerate caps thehigher uplands.

Except for the south-central and southeasternparts, all of the county was covered by glaciers. In

Figure 1.Location of Ross County in Ohio.

Figure 2.These mounds were built by the Adena andHopewell people (800 B.C. to A.D. 500). The mounds are inan area of Eldean gravelly loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes.

Ross County, Ohio 15

glaciated areas the underlying bedrock has had littleinfluence on most soils (Quinn, 1974; Stout and Lamb,1938).

Glacial Geology

Several glaciations passed over parts of the countyduring the Pleistocene epoch. Generally, the icesheets advanced from the north. These glaciatedareas are covered by till of both the Wisconsinan and

the Illinoian ages, and in some places the glacialmaterial is as much as 100 feet thick.

The earlier glaciation, called the Illinoian, coveredall but the south-central and southeastern parts of thecounty. At its most southerly extension, this glacier hadsufficient thrust to override about half the area of thehigher Allegheny Plateau.

Everywhere, except in the tongue of the EarlyWisconsinan glacier in the Paint Valley, the outerboundary of Illinoian glaciation extends beyond the

Figure 3.Bedrock geology of Ross County, Ohio.

16 Soil Survey of

limit of the Wisconsinan ice sheet. Southward throughthe Illinoian glaciated area, there are penetrations ofboth Wisconsinan and Illinoian outwash. Thus, theIllinoian glaciated area is a comparatively narrow beltbetween the Late Wisconsinan glacial boundary to thenorth and the unglaciated part of the county to thesouth. The widest part of the belt is in the Scioto RiverValley (fig. 4).

Between the Illinoian and the Late Wisconsinanglaciations, the contact is exceptionally sharp,principally because the easily recognized escarpmentof the Allegheny Plateau coincides in so many placeswith the late Wisconsinan outer boundary.

The Illinoian till drift on the uplands is patchy indistribution, probably because of the rough surface onwhich it was deposited and because of the relativelyweak expression of the glacier near its lower margin.The till drift is thickest in the valleys, but it is sufficiently

thick on most of the ridgetops, especially the flat-topped ridgetops. It is missing or is extremely thin onmost of the steep side slopes of bedrock hills, and theglacier apparently bypassed a few of the highestpoints. In contrast, the broadly rolling area betweenIndian Creek and Paint Creek is covered more deeplywith till drift than any other part of the county.

Unweathered Illinoian till drift on uplands iscalcareous, except in local areas where it is thin overacid shale or sandstone. The till drift is generally loamand, compared with Illinoian till in the eastern andnortheastern parts of the county, is more clayey, isless sandy, and contains more free carbonates.

Glacial terraces of Illinoian age occur in many areasof Ross County. These terraces are underlain bycalcareous sand and gravel. They are dissectedremnants of material that once filled the valleys andwas much more extensive than it is now. This material

Figure 4.The general location and extent of glacial parent materials in Ross County, Ohio.


was deposited by streams flowing from the Illinoian icesheet. The most important area of glacial terraces is inthe old preglacial Teays Valley southeast of Chillicothe.

Glacial materials of Wisconsinan age cover thenorthern one-third to one-half of the county. All of theLate Wisconsinan till drift is calcareous, even that onthe Allegheny Plateau, except in small areas wherethe till drift is thin over bedrock. In the Paint Creekvalley is an area, thought to be of Early Wisconsinanage, in which the glacial till contains a significantamount of acid shale and sandstone.

In most places the Wisconsinan glaciationterminates as the outstanding Cuba end moraine.Except where the glacier overrode the AlleghenyPlateau, the moraine abuts the steep Illinoianglaciated hills along the plateau escarpment. Twoother moraines of Late Wisconsinan age occur in thecountythe Reesville and Bloomingburg moraines.

Gravelly and sandy outwash of Wisconsinan age ismost extensive in the valleys of the Scioto River andPaint Creek. Here, the outwash is in relatively thick,stratified deposits consisting of highly calcareousgravel and sand.

Lacustrine deposits of Wisconsinan age occur bothwithin the Wisconsinan glacial area and south of it.These deposits are mostly calcareous silt, but in someminor lenses they are sand and silty clay loam. Theyare in areas of old glacial lakes that formed during theLate Wisconsinan.

Covering many areas of the county is loess thatoriginated during the Wisconsinan glaciation or in thepostglacial period. This material is thickest in thehigher areas west of the Scioto River, particularly onbroad ridgetops. Little or no loess mantles the crestsof knolls and the steeper side slopes (Goldthwait andothers, 1961; Petro and others, 1967; Quinn, 1974;Stout and Lamb, 1938).

Physiography, Relief, and Drainage

Two distinct topographic provinces occur in RossCounty. The northern one-third of the county consistsof rolling plains and low hills of the glaciated portion ofthe Central Lowlands Province (Stout and Lamb, 1938;Stout and others, 1943; Thornbury, 1969). Streams inthe lowland area flow in broad shallow valleys. Thecentral and southern parts of Ross County rise 200 to300 feet above the lowlands and are included in theAppalachian Plateau Province (Stout and Lamb, 1938;Stout and others, 1943; Thornbury, 1969). This regionis hilly and characterized by streams that flow in deepnarrow valleys. The north-facing bedrock escarpmentthat separates these two physiographic provinces

trends from northeast to southwest across centralRoss County.

The county is drained by the southward-flowingScioto River and its tributaries (fig. 5). The principaltributaries draining western Ross County are DeerCreek, Paint Creek (and its tributary North Fork),Indian Creek, and Stoney Creek. Major streamsdraining the eastern part of Ross County areKinnikinnick Creek, Walnut Creek, and Salt Creek.

The maximum elevation in Ross County is 1,342feet on Horseback Knob, 1.8 miles northeast ofSummithill in Huntington Township. The lowestelevation, 559 feet, is along the Scioto River on theRoss County-Pike County boundary (Stout and Lamb,1938; Stout and others, 1943; Thornbury, 1969).

Prior to the glacial period, the survey area wasdrained by the Teays drainage system, whichconsisted of the principal Teays River and all thetributaries that fed it from Ohio, Kentucky, and WestVirginia (Goldthwait and others, 1961; Hansen, 1987;Quinn, 1974; Stout and Lamb, 1938; Stout and others,1943; Thornbury, 1969).

Climate

Table 1 gives data on temperature and precipitationfor the survey area as recorded at Waverly, Ohio, inthe period 1961 to 1990. Waverly is in Pike County butis the climate data station closest to Ross County.Table 2 shows probable dates of the first freeze in falland the last freeze in spring. Table 3 provides data onlength of the growing season.

In winter, the average temperature is 31.3 degreesF and the average daily minimum temperature is 20.9degrees. The lowest temperature on record, whichoccurred on January 19, 1994, is -31 degrees. Insummer, the average temperature is 72.3 degrees andthe average daily maximum temperature is 84.5degrees. The highest recorded temperature, whichoccurred on July 30, 1940, is 105 degrees.

Growing degree days are shown in table 1. Theyare equivalent to heat units. During the month,growing degree days accumulate by the amount thatthe average temperature each day exceeds a basetemperature (50 degrees F). The normal monthlyaccumulation is used to schedule single or successiveplantings of a crop between the last freeze in springand the first freeze in fall.

The average annual total precipitation is 38.78inches. Of this total, 18.5 inches, or about 48 percent,usually falls in May through September. The growingseason for most crops falls within this period. Theheaviest 1-day rainfall during the period of record was

18 Soil Survey of

7.16 inches on July 16, 1961. Thunderstorms occur onabout 41 days each year, and most occur betweenMay and August.

The average seasonal snowfall is 17 inches. Thegreatest snow depth at any one time during the periodof record was 19 inches. On the average, 13 days ofthe year have at least 1 inch of snow on the ground.The number of such days varies greatly from year toyear.

The average relative humidity in midafternoon isabout 59 percent. Humidity is higher at night, and theaverage at dawn is about 80 percent. The sun shines60 percent of the time possible in summer and 36percent in winter. The prevailing wind is from thesouthwest. Average windspeed is highest, 10 milesper hour, from December to April.

Farming

In 1992, about 57 percent of the land in RossCounty was used for farming (Carter and Evans, 1983;Ramey and others, 1993; USDA, 1984; USDA/SCS,1987). The number of farms in the county was 780(Carter and Evans, 1983; Ramey and others, 1993;USDA, 1984). The leading source of farm income iscash grain crops, including corn and soybeans (fig. 6).Other grain crops and livestock are also raised in thecounty (Boyne, 1979).

Most of the cropland is on the terraces along theScioto River and on the flood plains along Paint Creekin the western part of the county and on the till plainsin the northern part of the county.

The acreage of farmland in Ross County hasdecreased in recent years as more land is converted

to urban uses. The well developed road systemconnected to the nearby rapidly growing metropolitanarea has accelerated the conversion of farmland tourban land. Also, the readily available drinking waterand extensive areas of soils suitable for building siteshave contributed to the pressure for the conversion ofagricultural land to urban land. Thirty-eight percent ofRoss County is wooded (Dennis and Birch, 1981).This resource provides quality hardwood lumber,pulpwood, cordwood, and wildlife habitat.

Most of the productive land in Ross County is welldrained or moderately well drained. Drainage anderosion control are management concerns affectingfarming and in many areas used for other purposes.Flooding is a serious management concern in areason flood plains, and artificial drainage is needed inareas of wet soils.

How This Survey Was MadeThis survey was made to provide updated

information about the soils and miscellaneous areas inthe survey area. The information includes a descriptionof the soils and miscellaneous areas and their locationand a discussion of their suitability, limitations, andmanagement for specified uses. Soil scientistsobserved the steepness, length, and shape of theslopes; the general pattern of drainage; the kinds ofcrops and native plants; and the kinds of bedrock.They dug many holes to study the soil profile, which isthe sequence of natural layers, or horizons, in a soil.The profile extends from the surface down into theunconsolidated material in which the soil formed. Theunconsolidated material is devoid of roots and otherliving organisms and has not been changed by otherbiological activity.

The soils and miscellaneous areas in the surveyarea are in an orderly pattern that is related to thegeology, landforms, relief, climate, and naturalvegetation of the area. Each kind of soil andmiscellaneous area is associated with a particular kindof landform or with a segment of the landform. Byobserving the soils and miscellaneous areas in thesurvey area and relating their position to specificsegments of the landform, a soil scientist develops aconcept, or model, of how they were formed. Thus,during mapping, this model enables the soil scientistto predict with a considerable degree of accuracy thekind of soil or miscellaneous area at a specific locationon the landscape.

Commonly, individual soils on the landscape mergeinto one another as their characteristics graduallychange. To construct an accurate soil map, however,soil scientists must determine the boundaries between

Figure 5.Flooding in the Scioto River Valley in an area ofGessie soils.


the soils. They can observe only a limited number ofsoil profiles. Nevertheless, these observations,supplemented by an understanding of the soil-vegetation-landscape relationship, are sufficient toverify predictions of the kinds of soil in an area and todetermine the boundaries.

Soil scientists recorded the characteristics of thesoil profiles that they studied. They noted soil color,texture, size and shape of soil aggregates, kind andamount of rock fragments, distribution of plant roots,reaction, and other features that enable them toidentify soils. After describing the soils in the surveyarea and determining their properties, the soilscientists assigned the soils to taxonomic classes(units). Taxonomic classes are concepts. Eachtaxonomic class has a set of soil characteristics withprecisely defined limits. The classes are used as abasis for comparison to classify soils systematically.Soil taxonomy, the system of taxonomic classificationused in the United States, is based mainly on the kindand character of soil properties and the arrangementof horizons within the profile. After the soil scientistsclassified and named the soils in the survey area, theycompared the individual soils with similar soils in thesame taxonomic class in other areas so that theycould confirm data and assemble additional databased on experience and research.

While a soil survey is in progress, samples of someof the soils in the area generally are collected forlaboratory analyses and for engineering tests. Soilscientists interpret the data from these analyses and

tests as well as the field-observed characteristics andthe soil properties to determine the expected behaviorof the soils under different uses. Interpretations for allof the soils are field tested through observation of thesoils in different uses and under different levels ofmanagement. Some interpretations are modified to fitlocal conditions, and some new interpretations aredeveloped to meet local needs. Data are assembledfrom other sources, such as research information,production records, and field experience of specialists.For example, data on crop yields under defined levelsof management are assembled from farm records andfrom field or plot experiments on the same kinds ofsoil.

Predictions about soil behavior are based not onlyon soil properties but also on such variables asclimate and biological activity. Soil conditions arepredictable over long periods of time, but they are notpredictable from year to year. For example, soilscientists can predict with a fairly high degree ofaccuracy that a given soil will have a high water tablewithin certain depths in most years, but they cannotpredict that a high water table will always be at aspecific level in the soil on a specific date.

After soil scientists located and identified thesignificant natural bodies of soil in the survey area,they drew the boundaries of these bodies on aerialphotographs and identified each as a specific mapunit. Aerial photographs show trees, buildings, fields,roads, and rivers, all of which help in locatingboundaries accurately.

The descriptions, names, and delineations of thesoils in this survey area do not fully agree with thoseof the soils in adjacent survey areas. Differences arethe result of a better knowledge of soils, modificationsin series concepts, or variations in the intensity ofmapping or in the extent of the soils in the surveyareas.

Survey Procedures

This survey is an update of the soil survey of RossCounty published in 1967 (Petro and others, 1967). In1984, at the request of the Ross CountyCommissioners, an evaluation of the 1967 survey wasundertaken. Several areas were identified formodernization. Modernization activities includedupdating and expanding the interpretive tables,recorrelating the survey, updating soil classifications,and remapping approximately 115,000 acres.

The evaluation verified the accuracy of the majorityof the line work. Primarily, these lines were used as abasis in producing the new maps. Transects weremade to determine the validity of the map unit

Figure 6.The corn in the foreground is in an area of Miamiansilt loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes. The wheat in thebackground is in an area of Kendallville-Eldean complex,6 to 12 percent slopes, eroded. The forested hills in thedistance are in an area of Shelocta-Brownsvilleassociation, very steep.

20

composition before these lines were transferred to thenew photo base. In most cases no adjustments or onlyminor adjustments to soil lines were required.

The general procedures followed in making thissurvey are described in the National Soil SurveyHandbook (USDA/NRCS) and the Soil Survey Manual(Soil Survey Division Staff, 1993) of the NaturalResources Conservation Service.

Before actual fieldwork began, preliminaryboundaries of slopes and landforms were plottedstereoscopically in dissected woodland areas on aerialphotographs flown in 1983 at a scale of 1:40,000 andenlarged to a scale of 1:15,840. USGS topographicmaps at a scale of 1:24,000 were studied to relateland and image features.

Traverses were made on foot to examine the soils.In areas where the pattern of soils is very complex,such as areas of the Miamian-Celina-Crosby generalsoil map unit, spacing between traverses was as closeas 200 yards. In areas where the land use is mainlywoodland, such as areas of the Cruze-Shelocta-Brownsville general soil map unit, traverses wereabout one-half mile apart.

Traverses were made in different areas based onchanges in use and management of the land. Forexample, a hillside would be separated from a swaleand a gently sloping ridgetop from a very steepbackslope. In most areas, soil examinations along thetraverses were made 50 to 800 yards apart,depending on the landscape and soil patterns.Observations of such items as landforms, uprootedtrees, vegetation, roadbanks, and animal burrowswere made continuously without regard to spacing.Soil boundaries were determined on the basis of soilexaminations, observations, and photo interpretation.The soil material was examined with the aid of a handauger or spade to a depth of about 80 inches or tobedrock if the bedrock was at a depth of less than 80inches. The pedons described as typical wereobserved and studied in pits that were dug withshovels, mattocks, and digging bars to a depth of 80inches or more.

Soil mapping changes were recorded on the fieldsheets from the 1967 soil survey. The drainagewayswere mapped in the field and from the old field sheets.Cultural features were recorded from visualobservations and topographic maps.

At the beginning of the survey, sample areas wereselected to represent the major landscapes in thecounty. Detailed notes from these representativesample areas were used to complete map unitdescriptions.

Transects were made to determine the compositionof the general soil map units. Soil examinations weremade along the transects about 50 to 100 yards apart.The transects on side slopes were made fromfootslopes to ridgetops, and then a transect wastypically made along the ridgetops. These transectswere about one-half mile apart.

Samples for chemical analysis, physical analysis,and analyses of engineering properties were takenfrom representative sites of several of the soils in thesurvey area. The chemical and physical analyses weremade by the Soil Characterization Laboratory, Schoolof Natural Resources, The Ohio State University,Columbus, Ohio. The results of the analyses arestored in a computerized data file at the laboratory.The analyses for engineering properties were made bythe Ohio Department of Transportation, Division ofHighways, Bureau of Testing, Soils and FoundationSection, Columbus, Ohio. The laboratory procedurescan be obtained by request from these respectivelaboratories. The results of laboratory analyses can beobtained from the Soil Characterization Laboratory,School of Natural Resources, The Ohio StateUniversity, Columbus, Ohio; the Ohio Department ofNatural Resources, Division of Soil and WaterConservation, Columbus, Ohio; and the NaturalResources Conservation Service, State Office,Columbus, Ohio.

After field activities were completed, the soilinformation was transferred to a set of 1983photo-base maps in the form of half-tone filmpositives.

21

The general soil map in this publication showsbroad areas that have a distinctive pattern of soils,relief, and drainage. Each map unit on the general soilmap is a unique natural landscape. Typically, itconsists of one or more major soils or miscellaneousareas and some minor soils or miscellaneous areas. Itis named for the major soils or miscellaneous areas.The components of one map unit can occur in anotherbut in a different pattern.

The general soil map can be used to compare thesuitability of large areas for general land uses. Areasof suitable soils can be identified on the map. Likewise,areas where the soils are not suitable can beidentified.

Because of its small scale, the map is not suitablefor planning the management of a farm or field or forselecting a site for a road or building or other structure.The soils in any one map unit differ from place to placein slope, depth, drainage, and other characteristicsthat affect management.

1. Cruze-Shelocta-Brownsville

Setting

Landform: HillsPosition on the landform: Backslopes, shoulders, and

footslopesSlope range: 6 to 70 percent

Composition

Extent of the map unit in the county: 19 percentExtent of the soils in the map unit:Cruze soils55 percentShelocta soils15 percentBrownsville soils10 percentSoils of minor extent20 percent

Soil Properties and Qualities

Cruze

Depth class: DeepDrainage class: Moderately well drained

Position on the landform: Backslopes, shoulders, andfootslopes

Parent material: Colluvium and residuum derived fromshale

Texture of the surface layer: Silt loamSlope class: Strongly sloping to steepPermeability: SlowContent of organic matter: Moderately lowAvailable water capacity: ModerateShrink-swell potential: High

Shelocta

Depth class: DeepDrainage class: Well drainedPosition on the landform: Backslopes and footslopesParent material: Colluvium derived from siltstone,

shale, and sandstoneTexture of the surface layer: Silt loamSlope class: Strongly sloping to very steepPermeability: ModerateContent of organic matter: Moderately lowAvailable water capacity: ModerateShrink-swell potential: Low

Brownsville

Depth class: Deep and very deepDrainage class: Well drainedPosition on the landform: BackslopesParent material: Colluvium and residuum derived from

siltstone and very fine grained sandstoneTexture of the surface layer: Channery silt loamSlope class: Steep or very steepPermeability: Moderately rapidContent of organic matter: Moderately lowAvailable water capacity: LowShrink-swell potential: Low

Soils of Minor Extent

Berks Clifty Latham Skidmore

General Soil Map Units

22 Soil Survey of

Spargus Tarhollow Tilsit

Use and Management

Major uses: Mainly woodland and pasture; cropland onthe wider ridgetops

Management concerns: Erosion, slope, and slippageManagement measures: Using proper stocking rates,

constructing logging trails on the contour, keepingthe pasture in good condition by followingrecommended practices

2. Cruze-Rossmoyne-Shelocta

Setting

Landform: HillsPosition on the landform: Summits, backslopes,

shoulders, and footslopesSlope range: 0 to 35 percent

Composition

Extent of the map unit in the county: 18 percentExtent of the soils in the map unit (fig. 7):Cruze soils40 percent

Figure 7.Typical pattern of soils and parent material in the Cruze-Rossmoyne-Shelocta general soil map unit.


Rossmoyne soils15 percentShelocta soils15 percentSoils of minor extent30 percent


Cruze

Depth class: DeepDrainage class: Moderately well drainedPosition on the landform: Backslopes, shoulders, and

footslopesParent material: Colluvium and residuum derived from

shaleTexture of the surface layer: Silt loamSlope class: Strongly sloping to steepPermeability: SlowContent of organic matter: Moderately lowAvailable water capacity: ModerateShrink-swell potential: High

Rossmoyne

Depth class: Very deepDrainage class: Moderately well drainedPosition on the landform: Summits and shouldersParent material: Loess over Illinoian till materialTexture of the surface layer: Silt loamSlope class: Nearly level to strongly slopingPermeability: Moderate above the fragipan and

moderately slow in the fragipanContent of organic matter: Moderately lowAvailable water capacity: LowShrink-swell potential: Moderate

Shelocta

Depth class: DeepDrainage class: Well drainedPosition on the landform: Backslopes and footslopesParent material: Colluvium derived from siltstone,

sandstone, and shaleTexture of the surface layer: Silt loamSlope class: Moderately steep to very steepPermeability: ModerateContent of organic matter: Moderately lowAvailable water capacity: ModerateShrink-swell potential: Low


Avonburg Cana Coolville Clifty Negley Weikert

Use and Management

Major uses: Woodland and pastureManagement concerns: Erosion, slope, slippage, and

restricted permeabilityManagement measures: Using proper stocking rates,


3. Cruze-Cana-Hickory

Setting

Landform: HillsPosition on the landform: Summits, backslopes,

shoulders, and footslopesSlope range: 2 to 35 percent

Composition

Extent of the map unit in the county: 1 percentExtent of the soils in the map unit:Cruze soils35 percentCana soils15 percentHickory soils15 percentSoils of minor extent35 percent


Cruze

Depth class: DeepDrainage class: Moderately well drainedPosition on the landform: Backslopes, shoulders, and

footslopesParent material: Colluvium and residuum derived from

shaleTexture of the surface layer: Silt loamSlope class: Strongly sloping to steepPermeability: SlowContent of organic matter: Moderately lowAvailable water capacity: ModerateShrink-swell potential: High

Cana

Depth class: DeepDrainage class: Moderately well drainedPosition on the landform: Summits, backslopes,

footslopes, and shouldersParent material: Loess over Illinoian till material over

clayey residuumTexture of the surface layer: Silt loamSlope class: Gently sloping to steepPermeability: Moderate or moderately slow in the

24 Soil Survey of

upper part of the solum and slow in the lower partof the solum

Content of organic matter: Moderately low or moderateAvailable water capacity: ModerateShrink-swell potential: Moderate

Hickory

Depth class: Very deepDrainage class: Well drainedPosition on the landform: Backslopes and footslopesParent material: Illinoian tillTexture of the surface layer: Silt loamSlope class: Strongly sloping to steepPermeability: ModerateContent of organic matter: Moderately lowAvailable water capacity: HighShrink-swell potential: Moderate


Clifty Negley Shelocta Spargus

Use and Management

Major uses: Woodland and pastureManagement concerns: Erosion, slope, slippage, and

restricted permeabilityManagement measures: Using proper stocking rates,


4. Miamian-Celina-Crosby

Setting

Landform: Till plainsPosition on the landform: Slight rises, backslopes,

shoulders, footslopes, and flatsSlope range: 0 to 35 percent

Composition

Extent of the map unit in the county: 16 percentExtent of the soils in the map unit (fig. 8):Miamian soils50 percentCelina soils10 percentCrosby soils10 percentSoils of minor extent30 percent


Miamian

Depth class: Very deepDrainage class: Well drainedPosition on the landform: Slight rises, backslopes, and

shouldersParent material: Thin layer of loess over tillTexture of the surface layer: Silt loamSlope class: Gently sloping to steepPermeability: Moderately slowContent of organic matter: Moderate or moderately lowAvailable water capacity: LowShrink-swell potential: Moderate

Celina

Depth class: Very deepDrainage class: Moderately well drainedPosition on the landform: Flats and slight risesParent material: Thin layer of loess over tillTexture of the surface layer: Silt loamSlope class: Nearly level and gently slopingPermeability: Moderately slowContent of organic matter: Moderate or moderately lowAvailable water capacity: LowShrink-swell potential: Moderate

Crosby

Depth class: Very deepDrainage class: Somewhat poorly drainedPosition on the landform: Flats and slight risesParent material: TillTexture of the surface layer: Silt loamSlope class: Nearly level and gently slopingPermeability: SlowContent of organic matter: Moderately lowAvailable water capacity: LowShrink-swell potential: Moderate


Cana Gessie Kendallville Kinn Kokomo

Use and Management

Major uses: CroplandManagement concerns: Erosion, slope, seasonal

wetness, and restricted permeability


Management measures: Conservation tillage and cropresidue management, construction andmaintenance of grassed waterways, maintenanceand improvement of drainage systems

5. Crosby-Kokomo-Miamian

Setting

Landform: Till plainsPosition on the landform: Depressions, slight rises,

shoulders, and flatsSlope range: 0 to 12 percent

Composition

Extent of the map unit in the county: 10 percentExtent of the soils in the map unit (fig. 9):Crosby soils40 percentKokomo soils25 percent

Miamian soils15 percentSoils of minor extent20 percent


Crosby

Depth class: Very deepDrainage class: Somewhat poorly drainedPosition on the landform: Flats and slight risesParent material: TillTexture of the surface layer: Silt loamSlope class: Nearly level and gently slopingPermeability: SlowContent of organic matter: Moderately lowAvailable water capacity: LowShrink-swell potential: Moderate

Kokomo

Depth class: Very deep

Figure 8.Typical pattern of soils and parent material in the Miamian-Celina-Crosby general soil map unit.

26 Soil Survey of

Drainage class: Very poorly drainedPosition on the landform: Flats and depressionsParent material: TillTexture of the surface layer: Silt loam and silty clay

loamSlope class: Nearly levelPermeability: Moderately slowContent of organic matter: HighAvailable water capacity: HighShrink-swell potential: Moderate

Miamian




Celina Kinn Patton Westland

Use and Management

Major use: CroplandManagement concerns: Erosion, slope, seasonal

wetness, restricted permeability, and pondingManagement measures: Conservation tillage and

residue management, construction andmaintenance of grassed waterways, andmaintenance and improvement of drainage systems

6. Miamian-Cana

Setting

Landform: Till plainsPosition on the landform: Slight rises, backslopes,

shoulders, footslopes, and summitsSlope range: 2 to 35 percent

Figure 9.Typical pattern of soils and parent material in the Crosby-Kokomo-Miamian general soil map unit.


Composition

Extent of the map unit in the county: 4 percentExtent of the soils in the map unit:Miamian soils50 percentCana soils25 percentSoils of minor extent25 percent


Miamian


shouldersParent material: Thin layer of loess over tillTexture of the surface layer: Silt loamSlope class: Gently sloping to steepPermeability: Moderately slowContent of organic matter: Moderate and moderately

lowAvailable water capacity: LowShrink-swell potential: Moderate

Cana

Depth class: DeepDrainage class: Moderately well drainedPosition on the landform: Summits, backslopes,

footslopes, and shouldersParent material: Loess over Illinoian till material over

clayey residuumTexture of the surface layer: Silt loamSlope class: Gently sloping to steepPermeability: Moderate or moderately slow in the

upper part of the solum and slow in the lower partof the solum

Content of organic matter: Moderately low or moderateAvailable water capacity: ModerateShrink-swell potential: Moderate


Crosby Kokomo Shelocta Weikert

Use and Management


wetness, and restricted permeabilityManagement measures: Conservation tillage and

residue management, construction andmaintenance of grassed waterways, and

maintenance and improvement of drainagesystems

7. Kendallville-Miamian-Eldean

Setting

Landform: Till plains and terracesPosition on the landform: Slight rises, backslopes,

shoulders, treads, and risersSlope range: 0 to 35 percent

Composition

Extent of the map unit in the county: 4 percentExtent of the soils in the map unit:Kendallville soils35 percentMiamian soils30 percentEldean soils10 percentSoils of minor extent25 percent


Kendallville

Depth class: Very deepDrainage class: Well drainedPosition on the landform: Slight rises, backslopes,

footslopes, and shouldersParent material: Thin layer of loess over outwash

material over till materialTexture of the surface layer: Silt loamSlope class: Nearly level to steepPermeability: Moderate in the solum and moderately

slow in the substratumContent of organic matter: Moderate or moderately lowAvailable water capacity: ModerateShrink-swell potential: Moderate

Miamian



Eldean

Depth class: Very deep

28 Soil Survey of

Drainage class: Well drainedPosition on the landform: Treads and risersParent material: OutwashTexture of the surface layer: LoamSlope class: Nearly level to steepPermeability: Moderate in the solum and rapid in the

substratumContent of organic matter: Moderately lowAvailable water capacity: LowShrink-swell potential: Moderate


Crosby Kinn Rodman Westland

Use and Management

Major uses: Cropland and pastureManagement concerns: Erosion, slope, seepage, and

restricted permeabilityManagement measures: Conservation tillage and

residue management, construction andmaintenance of grassed waterways

8. Alexandria-Markland-Clifty

Setting

Landform: Till plains, terraces, and flood plainsPosition on the landform: Backslopes, footslopes,

shoulders, treads, and risersSlope range: 0 to 35 percent

Composition

Extent of the map unit in the county: 3 percentExtent of the soils in the map unit:Alexandria soils40 percentMarkland soils15 percentClifty soils10 percentSoils of minor extent35 percent


Alexandria

Depth class: Very deepDrainage class: Well drainedPosition on the landform: Backslopes, footslopes, and

shouldersParent material: TillTexture of the surface layer: Silt loamSlope class: Strongly sloping to steepPermeability: Moderately slowContent of organic matter: Moderately low

Available water capacity: ModerateShrink-swell potential: Moderate

Markland

Depth class: Very deepDrainage class: Moderately well drainedPosition on the landform: Backslopes, treads, and risersParent material: Thin layer of loess over stratified

lacustrine materialTexture of the surface layer: Silt loam and silty clay

loamSlope class: Gently sloping to steepPermeability: Moderately slowContent of organic matter: ModerateAvailable water capacity: HighShrink-swell potential: High

Clifty

Depth class: Very deepDrainage class: Well drainedPosition on the landform: Flood plainsParent material: Loamy alluviumTexture of the surface layer: Silt loamSlope class: Nearly levelPermeability: Moderately rapidContent of organic matter: ModerateAvailable water capacity: ModerateShrink-swell potential: Low


Cruze Fitchville Negley Shelocta Spargus

Use and Management

Major uses: Pasture and woodlandManagement concerns: Erosion, flooding, slope,

seasonal wetness, and restricted permeabilityManagement measures: Conservation tillage and

residue management, construction andmaintenance of grassed waterways and grade-changing structures, maintenance andimprovement of drainage systems

9. Gessie-Eldean-Ross

Setting

Landform: Flood plains and terracesPosition on the landform: Flood plains, treads, and

risersSlope range: 0 to 12 percent


Composition

Extent of the map unit in the county: 14 percentExtent of the soils in the map unit:Gessie soils30 percentEldean soils25 percentRoss soils15 percentSoils of minor extent30 percent


Gessie

Depth class: Very deepDrainage class: Well drainedPosition on the landform: Flood plainsParent material: AlluviumTexture of the surface layer: Silt loamSlope class: Nearly levelPermeability: ModerateContent of organic matter: Moderately lowAvailable water capacity: HighShrink-swell potential: Low

Eldean

Depth class: Very deepDrainage class: Well drainedPosition on the landform: Treads and risersParent material: OutwashTexture of the surface layer: Loam and gravelly loamSlope class: Nearly level to steepPermeability: Moderate in the solum and rapid in the

substratumContent of organic matter: Moderate or moderately lowAvailable water capacity: LowShrink-swell potential: Moderate

Ross

Depth class: Very deepDrainage class: Well drainedPosition on the landform: Flood plainsParent material: Loamy alluviumTexture of the surface layer: Silt loamSlope class: Nearly levelPermeability: ModerateContent of organic matter: HighAvailable water capacity: HighShrink-swell potential: Low


Mentor Ockley Rodman Shelocta Sloan

Use and Management

Major use: CroplandManagement concerns: Flooding, erosion, and

seepageManagement measures: Conservation tillage and

residue management, construction andmaintenance of grassed waterways

10. Haymond-Cidermill-Fitchville

Setting

Landform: Flood plains and terracesPosition on the landform: Nearly level flood plains and

nearly level and gently sloping treadsSlope range: 0 to 6 percent

Composition

Extent of the map unit in the county: 2 percentExtent of the soils in the map unit:Haymond soils40 percentCidermill soils35 percentFitchville soils15 percentSoils of minor extent10 percent


Haymond

Depth class: Very deepDrainage class: Well drainedPosition on the landform: Flood plainsParent material: Silty alluviumTexture of the surface layer: Silt loamSlope class: Nearly levelPermeability: ModerateContent of organic matter: Moderately lowAvailable water capacity: Very highShrink-swell potential: Low

Cidermill

Depth class: Very deepDrainage class: Well drainedPosition on the landform: TreadsParent material: Silty and loamy alluvium over outwash

materialTexture of the surface layer: Silt loamSlope class: Nearly level and gently slopingPermeability: Moderate in the solum and rapid in the

substratumContent of organic matter: Moderately lowAvailable water capacity: ModerateShrink-swell potential: Low

30 Soil Survey of

Fitchville

Depth class: Very deepDrainage class: Somewhat poorly drainedPosition on the landform: TreadsParent material: Silty glaciolacustrine depositsTexture of the surface layer: Silt loamSlope class: Nearly level and gently slopingPermeability: Moderately slowContent of organic matter: ModerateAvailable water capacity: HighShrink-swell potential: Moderate


Chavies Euclid Negley Ockley Tioga

Use and Management

Major use: CroplandManagement concerns: Flooding, erosion, seasonal

wetness, and restricted permeability.Management measures: Conservation tillage and

residue management, maintenance andimprovement of drainage systems

11. Tioga-Cidermill-Fitchville

Setting

Landform: Flood plains and terracesPosition on the landform: Nearly level flood plains and

nearly level and gently sloping treadsSlope range: 0 to 6 percent

Composition

Extent of the map unit in the county: 1 percentExtent of the soils in the map unit:Tioga soils35 percentCidermill soils20 percentFitchville soils15 percentSoils of minor extent30 percent


Tioga

Depth class: Very deepDrainage class: Well drainedPosition on the landform: Flood plainsParent material: Loamy alluviumTexture of the surface layer: Fine sandy loamSlope class: Nearly level

Permeability: Moderately rapidContent of organic matter: Moderately lowAvailable water capacity: ModerateShrink-swell potential: Low

Cidermill

Depth class: Very deepDrainage class: Well drainedPosition on the landform: TreadsParent material: Silty and loamy alluvium over outwash

materialTexture of the surface layer: Silt loamSlope class: Nearly level and gently slopingPermeability: Moderate in the solum and rapid in the

substratumContent of organic matter: Moderately lowAvailable water capacity: ModerateShrink-swell potential: Low

Fitchville

Depth class: Very deepDrainage class: Somewhat poorly drainedPosition on the landform: TreadsParent material: Silty glaciolacustrine depositsTexture of the surface layer: Silt loamSlope class: Nearly level and gently slopingPermeability: Moderately slowContent of organic matter: ModerateAvailable water capacity: HighShrink-swell potential: Moderate


Cana Clifty Haymond Negley

Use and Management

Major use: CroplandManagement concerns: Flooding, erosion, seasonal



12. Patton

Setting

Landform: Glacial lakes (relict)Position on the landform: Nearly level depressional

flatsSlope range: 0 to 2 percent


Composition

Extent of the map unit in the county: 1 percentExtent of the soils in the map unit:Patton soils80 percentSoils of minor extent20 percent


Patton

Depth class: Very deepDrainage class: Poorly drainedPosition on the landform: Depressional flatsParent material: Silty glaciolacustrine sedimentsTexture of the surface layer: Silty clay loamSlope class: Nearly levelPermeability: ModerateContent of organic matter: HighAvailable water capacity: HighShrink-swell potential: Moderate


Adrian Carlisle Kendallville Kinn

Use and Management

Major use: CroplandManagement concerns: Seasonal wetness, pondingManagement measures: Conservation tillage and


13. Negley-Pike-Rainsboro

Setting

Landform: Illinoian outwash mantled with loess on highterraces

Position on the landform: Treads, backslopes, andrisers

Slope range: 0 to 35 percent

Composition

Extent of the map unit in the county: 5 percentExtent of the soils in the map unit:Negley soils30 percentPike soils20 percentRainsboro soils15 percentSoils of minor extent35 percent


Negley

Depth class: Very deepDrainage class: Well drainedPosition on the landform: Risers and backslopesParent material: Illinoian outwashTexture of the surface layer: LoamSlope class: Strongly sloping to steepPermeability: Moderately rapidContent of organic matter: Moderately lowAvailable water capacity: ModerateShrink-swell potential: Low

Pike

Depth class: Very deepDrainage class: Well drainedPosition on the landform: TreadsParent material: Loess over Illinoian outwashTexture of the surface layer: Silt loamSlope class: Nearly level and gently slopingPermeability: ModerateContent of organic matter: LowAvailable water capacity: HighShrink-swell potential: Low

Rainsboro

Depth class: Very deepDrainage class: Moderately well drainedPosition on the landform: TreadsParent material: Loess over Illinoian outwash materialTexture of the surface layer: Silt loamSlope class: Nearly level to strongly slopingPermeability: Moderate above the fragipan and

moderately slow in the fragipanContent of organic matter: Moderate or moderately lowAvailable water capacity: LowShrink-swell potential: Moderate


Libre Peoga Taggart Tioga

Use and Management



residue management, construction andmaintenance of grassed waterways and grade-

32

changing structures, maintenance andimprovement of drainage systems

14. Omulga-Wyatt-Tyler

Setting

Landform: Valley fill in abandoned preglacial drainagesystems on the Allegheny Plateau

Position on the landform: Treads, backslopes, andrisers

Slope range: 0 to 35 percent

Composition

Extent of the map unit in the county: 2 percentExtent of the soils in the map unit:Omulga soils40 percentWyatt soils20 percentTyler soils15 percentSoils of minor extent25 percent


Omulga

Depth class: Very deepDrainage class: Moderately well drainedPosition on the landform: Treads and risersParent material: Loess, colluvium, or old alluvium

underlain by lacustrine sediments in most areasTexture of the surface layer: Silt loamSlope class: Gently sloping to strongly slopingPermeability: Moderate above the fragipan and slow in

the fragipanContent of organic matter: LowAvailable water capacity: LowShrink-swell potential: Moderate

Wyatt

Depth class: Very deepDrainage class: Moderately well drained

Position on the landform: Treads, risers, andbackslopes

Parent material: Loess over lacustrine sedimentsTexture of the surface layer: Silt loam or silty clay

loamSlope class: Gently sloping to steepPermeability: Slow or very slowContent of organic matter: Moderately low or lowAvailable water capacity: ModerateShrink-swell potential: High

Tyler

Depth class: Very deepDrainage class: Somewhat poorly drainedPosition on the landform: TreadsParent material: Silty alluvium and loess in valley fillsTexture of the surface layer: Silt loamSlope class: Nearly levelPermeability: Moderately slow above the fragipan and

slow or very slow in the fragipanContent of organic matter: ModerateAvailable water capacity: LowShrink-swell potential: Moderate


Clifty Negley Taggart Tioga

Use and Management

Major uses: Cropland and pastureManagement concerns: Erosion, slope, seasonal


residue management, construction andmaintenance of grassed waterways and grade-changing structures, maintenance andimprovement of drainage systems

33

The map units delineated on the detailed soil mapsin this survey represent the soils or miscellaneousareas in the survey area. The map unit descriptions inthis section, along with the maps, can be used todetermine the suitability and potential of a unit forspecific uses. They also can be used to plan themanagement needed for those uses.

A map unit delineation on a soil map represents anarea dominated by one or more major kinds of soil ormiscellaneous areas. A map unit is identified andnamed according to the taxonomic classification of thedominant soils. Within a taxonomic class there areprecisely defined limits for the properties of the soils.On the landscape, however, the soils are naturalphenomena, and they have the characteristicvariability of all natural phenomena. Thus, the range ofsome observed properties may extend beyond thelimits defined for a taxonomic class. Areas of soils of asingle taxonomic class rarely, if ever, can be mappedwithout including areas of other taxonomic classes.Consequently, every map unit is made up of the soilsor miscellaneous areas for which it is named andsome minor components that belong to taxonomicclasses other than those of the major soils.

Most minor soils have properties similar to those ofthe dominant soil or soils in the map unit, and thusthey do not affect use and management. These arecalled noncontrasting, or similar, components. Theymay or may not be mentioned in a particular map unitdescription. Other minor components, however, haveproperties and behavioral characteristics divergentenough to affect use or to require differentmanagement. These are called contrasting, ordissimilar, components. They generally are in smallareas and could not be mapped separately because ofthe scale used. Some small areas of stronglycontrasting soils or miscellaneous areas are identifiedby a special symbol on the maps. The contrastingcomponents are mentioned in the map unitdescriptions. A few areas of minor components maynot have been observed, and consequently they arenot mentioned in the descriptions, especially wherethe pattern was so complex that it was impractical tomake enough observations to identify all the soils andmiscellaneous areas on the landscape.

The presence of minor components in a map unit inno way diminishes the usefulness or accuracy of thedata. The objective of mapping is not to delineate puretaxonomic classes but rather to separate thelandscape into landforms or landform segments thathave similar use and management requirements. Thedelineation of such segments on the map providessufficient information for the development of resourceplans. If intensive use of small areas is planned,however, onsite investigation is needed to define andlocate the soils and miscellaneous areas.

An identifying symbol precedes the map

soil survey of ross county, ohio - usda · soil survey of ross county, ohio in cooperation with...

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