Major Land Resource Area 060A
Pierre Shale Plains
Accessed: 10/07/2024
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Ecological site list
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Key Characteristics
- RUN-IN LANDSCAPE POSITIONS (Bottomlands, Drainageways, etc., not depressions,Toe slope)
- Observe the soil to a depth of 60 inches. Is there evidence of a permanent water table within 1-2 feet of the surface and the site is dominated by hydrophytes?* * Permanent water table is a water table that persists longer than the wettest part of the growing season typically until the month of August.
- Yes.
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i
Key Characteristics
- RUN-IN LANDSCAPE POSITIONS (Bottomlands, Drainageways, etc., not depressions,Toe slope)
- Observe the soil to a depth of 60 inches. Is there evidence of a permanent water table within 1-2 feet of the surface and the site is dominated by hydrophytes?* * Permanent water table is a water table that persists longer than the wettest part of the growing season typically until the month of August.
- No. Is there evidence of a permanent water table within 2 to 5 feet of the surface?* * Permanent water table is a water table that persists longer than the wettest part of the growing season typically until the month of August.
- Yes. Does the soil have visible salt crystals within 6 inches?
- No.
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i
Key Characteristics
- RUN-IN LANDSCAPE POSITIONS (Bottomlands, Drainageways, etc., not depressions,Toe slope)
- Observe the soil to a depth of 60 inches. Is there evidence of a permanent water table within 1-2 feet of the surface and the site is dominated by hydrophytes?* * Permanent water table is a water table that persists longer than the wettest part of the growing season typically until the month of August.
- No. Is there evidence of a permanent water table within 2 to 5 feet of the surface?* * Permanent water table is a water table that persists longer than the wettest part of the growing season typically until the month of August.
- Does water flow into and over/through the site?
- Yes. Are there visible salts within 16 inches of the surface and permanently moistsoil at 4 to 5 feet?
- Yes.
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i
Key Characteristics
- NORMAL LANDSCAPE POSITIONS in Both Precipitation Zones (Upland, slopes normally linear, 1-6 percent except sandy/sands sites can have complex slopes, Back slope, Summit, Foot slope)
- Dig hole to 20 inches. Are there visible salts within 16 inches of the surface?
- No. Is the soil clayey and formed in acid or non-calcareous shale?
- No. What is the surface and subsoil texture?
- Clay, Silty Clay (40 to 55% clay)orLoamy Surface (1.75 –3.0” ribbon) with Clayey Subsoil?
- No. Clay or Silty Clay (> 55% clay). ( > 3.0” ribbon)? Bare ground will be common.
- No. Loam, Silt loam, Silty, Clay loam, Clay Loam, Sandy clay loam, Very fine sandy loam (0.5–1.75” ribbon)?
- No. Sandy loam, Fine sandy loam, Loamy very fine sand (0.25-0.5” ribbon)?
- No. Sand, Loamy sand, Loamy fine sand (no ribbon)?
- Yes.
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i
Key Characteristics
- NORMAL LANDSCAPE POSITIONS in Both Precipitation Zones (Upland, slopes normally linear, 1-6 percent except sandy/sands sites can have complex slopes, Back slope, Summit, Foot slope)
- Dig hole to 20 inches. Are there visible salts within 16 inches of the surface?
- No. Is the soil clayey and formed in acid or non-calcareous shale?
- No. What is the surface and subsoil texture?
- Clay, Silty Clay (40 to 55% clay)orLoamy Surface (1.75 –3.0” ribbon) with Clayey Subsoil?
- No. Clay or Silty Clay (> 55% clay). ( > 3.0” ribbon)? Bare ground will be common.
- No. Loam, Silt loam, Silty, Clay loam, Clay Loam, Sandy clay loam, Very fine sandy loam (0.5–1.75” ribbon)?
- No. Sandy loam, Fine sandy loam, Loamy very fine sand (0.25-0.5” ribbon)?
- Yes. Is the site a low stream terrace?
- No.
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i
Key Characteristics
- NORMAL LANDSCAPE POSITIONS in Both Precipitation Zones (Upland, slopes normally linear, 1-6 percent except sandy/sands sites can have complex slopes, Back slope, Summit, Foot slope)
- Dig hole to 20 inches. Are there visible salts within 16 inches of the surface?
- No. Is the soil clayey and formed in acid or non-calcareous shale?
- No. What is the surface and subsoil texture?
- Clay, Silty Clay (40 to 55% clay)orLoamy Surface (1.75 –3.0” ribbon) with Clayey Subsoil?
- No. Clay or Silty Clay (> 55% clay). ( > 3.0” ribbon)? Bare ground will be common.
- No. Loam, Silt loam, Silty, Clay loam, Clay Loam, Sandy clay loam, Very fine sandy loam (0.5–1.75” ribbon)?
- Yes. Is the site an old stream terrace?
- No. Determine Precipitation Zone.
- 13-16".
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i
Key Characteristics
- NORMAL LANDSCAPE POSITIONS in Both Precipitation Zones (Upland, slopes normally linear, 1-6 percent except sandy/sands sites can have complex slopes, Back slope, Summit, Foot slope)
- Dig hole to 20 inches. Are there visible salts within 16 inches of the surface?
- No. Is the soil clayey and formed in acid or non-calcareous shale?
- No. What is the surface and subsoil texture?
- Clay, Silty Clay (40 to 55% clay)orLoamy Surface (1.75 –3.0” ribbon) with Clayey Subsoil?
- Yes. Determine Precipitation Zone.
- 13-16".
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i
Key Characteristics
- RUN-OFF LANDSCAPE POSITIONS (Upland, normally convex short slopes > 6 percent, Shoulder)
- Is the site on a steep slope, escarpment, river break or slump area (15-60% slope), with exposed bedrock at or near the surface, and soils generally calcareous and of various depths? Deciduous trees and shrub are almost always present on this site.
- No. Dig hole to a depth of 20 inches minimum.Is there root restrictive layer within 10 inches of the soil surface?
- No. Is there a root restricting layer within 10-20 inches of the surface?
- No. Is the soil > 20 inches in depth with a thin surface layer (< 3” ) and effervesce at or near the surface (within 6” )?
- Yes.
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Key Characteristics
- OTHER LANDSCAPE POSITIONS (Basin, Depression, Normal, Run-off and/or Run-in, All Hillslope Positions except Shoulder)
- Dig a hole to 20 inches. Does the soil have a claypan within 16 inches?
- Yes. Is it in a closed depression?
- No. Is the claypan within 4 inches of the surface?
- No.
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i
Key Characteristics
- OTHER LANDSCAPE POSITIONS (Basin, Depression, Normal, Run-off and/or Run-in, All Hillslope Positions except Shoulder)
- Dig a hole to 20 inches. Does the soil have a claypan within 16 inches?
- Yes. Is it in a closed depression?
- No. Is the claypan within 4 inches of the surface?
- Yes.
-
i
Key Characteristics
- RUN-OFF LANDSCAPE POSITIONS (Upland, normally convex short slopes > 6 percent, Shoulder)
- Is the site on a steep slope, escarpment, river break or slump area (15-60% slope), with exposed bedrock at or near the surface, and soils generally calcareous and of various depths? Deciduous trees and shrub are almost always present on this site.
- No. Dig hole to a depth of 20 inches minimum.Is there root restrictive layer within 10 inches of the soil surface?
- Yes.
-
i
Key Characteristics
- RUN-OFF LANDSCAPE POSITIONS (Upland, normally convex short slopes > 6 percent, Shoulder)
- Is the site on a steep slope, escarpment, river break or slump area (15-60% slope), with exposed bedrock at or near the surface, and soils generally calcareous and of various depths? Deciduous trees and shrub are almost always present on this site.
- No. Dig hole to a depth of 20 inches minimum.Is there root restrictive layer within 10 inches of the soil surface?
- No. Is there a root restricting layer within 10-20 inches of the surface?
- Yes. Is the soil derived from shale with numerous (up to 50%) weathered shale chips throughout the soil profile and the soil is acid (non-calcareous)?
- No. Is the soil derived from shale with weathered shale chips below 4” in the soil profile and the soil iscalcareous? Clayey surface texture (2-3” ribbon)?
- Yes.
-
i
Key Characteristics
- NORMAL LANDSCAPE POSITIONS in Both Precipitation Zones (Upland, slopes normally linear, 1-6 percent except sandy/sands sites can have complex slopes, Back slope, Summit, Foot slope)
- Dig hole to 20 inches. Are there visible salts within 16 inches of the surface?
- No. Is the soil clayey and formed in acid or non-calcareous shale?
- No. What is the surface and subsoil texture?
- Clay, Silty Clay (40 to 55% clay)orLoamy Surface (1.75 –3.0” ribbon) with Clayey Subsoil?
- No. Clay or Silty Clay (> 55% clay). ( > 3.0” ribbon)? Bare ground will be common.
- Yes.
-
i
Key Characteristics
- OTHER LANDSCAPE POSITIONS (Basin, Depression, Normal, Run-off and/or Run-in, All Hillslope Positions except Shoulder)
- Dig a hole to 20 inches. Does the soil have a claypan within 16 inches?
- Yes. Is it in a closed depression?
- Yes.
- OTHER LANDSCAPE POSITIONS (Basin, Depression, Normal, Run-off and/or Run-in, All Hillslope Positions except Shoulder)
- Dig a hole to 20 inches. Does the soil have a claypan within 16 inches?
- No. Is the area in a basin or closed depression with no outlet?
- Yes. Does the site pond water briefly after snowmelt or heavy rain or during abnormally wet years?
- Yes.
-
i
Key Characteristics
- RUN-IN LANDSCAPE POSITIONS (Bottomlands, Drainageways, etc., not depressions,Toe slope)
- Observe the soil to a depth of 60 inches. Is there evidence of a permanent water table within 1-2 feet of the surface and the site is dominated by hydrophytes?* * Permanent water table is a water table that persists longer than the wettest part of the growing season typically until the month of August.
- No. Is there evidence of a permanent water table within 2 to 5 feet of the surface?* * Permanent water table is a water table that persists longer than the wettest part of the growing season typically until the month of August.
- Does water flow into and over/through the site?
- Yes. Are there visible salts within 16 inches of the surface and permanently moistsoil at 4 to 5 feet?
- No. Does the site occasionally flood and have a clayey or silty clay surface texture?
- No.
-
i
Key Characteristics
- RUN-IN LANDSCAPE POSITIONS (Bottomlands, Drainageways, etc., not depressions,Toe slope)
- Observe the soil to a depth of 60 inches. Is there evidence of a permanent water table within 1-2 feet of the surface and the site is dominated by hydrophytes?* * Permanent water table is a water table that persists longer than the wettest part of the growing season typically until the month of August.
- No. Is there evidence of a permanent water table within 2 to 5 feet of the surface?* * Permanent water table is a water table that persists longer than the wettest part of the growing season typically until the month of August.
- Does water flow into and over/through the site?
- Yes. Are there visible salts within 16 inches of the surface and permanently moistsoil at 4 to 5 feet?
- No. Does the site occasionally flood and have a clayey or silty clay surface texture?
- Yes.
-
i
Key Characteristics
- NORMAL LANDSCAPE POSITIONS in Both Precipitation Zones (Upland, slopes normally linear, 1-6 percent except sandy/sands sites can have complex slopes, Back slope, Summit, Foot slope)
- Dig hole to 20 inches. Are there visible salts within 16 inches of the surface?
- No. Is the soil clayey and formed in acid or non-calcareous shale?
- No. What is the surface and subsoil texture?
- Clay, Silty Clay (40 to 55% clay)orLoamy Surface (1.75 –3.0” ribbon) with Clayey Subsoil?
- No. Clay or Silty Clay (> 55% clay). ( > 3.0” ribbon)? Bare ground will be common.
- No. Loam, Silt loam, Silty, Clay loam, Clay Loam, Sandy clay loam, Very fine sandy loam (0.5–1.75” ribbon)?
- Yes. Is the site an old stream terrace?
- Yes.
-
i
Key Characteristics
- RUN-OFF LANDSCAPE POSITIONS (Upland, normally convex short slopes > 6 percent, Shoulder)
- Is the site on a steep slope, escarpment, river break or slump area (15-60% slope), with exposed bedrock at or near the surface, and soils generally calcareous and of various depths? Deciduous trees and shrub are almost always present on this site.
- No. Dig hole to a depth of 20 inches minimum.Is there root restrictive layer within 10 inches of the soil surface?
- No. Is there a root restricting layer within 10-20 inches of the surface?
- Yes. Is the soil derived from shale with numerous (up to 50%) weathered shale chips throughout the soil profile and the soil is acid (non-calcareous)?
- No. Is the soil derived from shale with weathered shale chips below 4” in the soil profile and the soil iscalcareous? Clayey surface texture (2-3” ribbon)?
- No. Is the soil derived from shale? Very clayey surface texture (soil > 55% clay)(>3.0” ribbon)
- No. Is the soil surface 10 to 20 inches with a Clay loam, Silty clay loam, Sandy clay loam or Silty texture (1-1.5” ribbon)?
- Yes.
-
i
Key Characteristics
- RUN-OFF LANDSCAPE POSITIONS (Upland, normally convex short slopes > 6 percent, Shoulder)
- Is the site on a steep slope, escarpment, river break or slump area (15-60% slope), with exposed bedrock at or near the surface, and soils generally calcareous and of various depths? Deciduous trees and shrub are almost always present on this site.
- No. Dig hole to a depth of 20 inches minimum.Is there root restrictive layer within 10 inches of the soil surface?
- No. Is there a root restricting layer within 10-20 inches of the surface?
- Yes. Is the soil derived from shale with numerous (up to 50%) weathered shale chips throughout the soil profile and the soil is acid (non-calcareous)?
- No. Is the soil derived from shale with weathered shale chips below 4” in the soil profile and the soil iscalcareous? Clayey surface texture (2-3” ribbon)?
- No. Is the soil derived from shale? Very clayey surface texture (soil > 55% clay)(>3.0” ribbon)
- Yes.
-
i
Key Characteristics
- NORMAL LANDSCAPE POSITIONS in Both Precipitation Zones (Upland, slopes normally linear, 1-6 percent except sandy/sands sites can have complex slopes, Back slope, Summit, Foot slope)
- Dig hole to 20 inches. Are there visible salts within 16 inches of the surface?
- Yes. Is there a claypan within 16 inches of the surface?
- No.
-
i
Key Characteristics
- NORMAL LANDSCAPE POSITIONS in Both Precipitation Zones (Upland, slopes normally linear, 1-6 percent except sandy/sands sites can have complex slopes, Back slope, Summit, Foot slope)
- Dig hole to 20 inches. Are there visible salts within 16 inches of the surface?
- No. Is the soil clayey and formed in acid or non-calcareous shale?
- Yes. Does the soil contain many fragments of shale (>50%) and the plant the community resemble a sandy site?
- Yes.
-
i
Key Characteristics
- RUN-IN LANDSCAPE POSITIONS (Bottomlands, Drainageways, etc., not depressions,Toe slope)
- Observe the soil to a depth of 60 inches. Is there evidence of a permanent water table within 1-2 feet of the surface and the site is dominated by hydrophytes?* * Permanent water table is a water table that persists longer than the wettest part of the growing season typically until the month of August.
- No. Is there evidence of a permanent water table within 2 to 5 feet of the surface?* * Permanent water table is a water table that persists longer than the wettest part of the growing season typically until the month of August.
- Yes. Does the soil have visible salt crystals within 6 inches?
- Yes.
-
i
Key Characteristics
- NORMAL LANDSCAPE POSITIONS in Both Precipitation Zones (Upland, slopes normally linear, 1-6 percent except sandy/sands sites can have complex slopes, Back slope, Summit, Foot slope)
- Dig hole to 20 inches. Are there visible salts within 16 inches of the surface?
- No. Is the soil clayey and formed in acid or non-calcareous shale?
- No. What is the surface and subsoil texture?
- Clay, Silty Clay (40 to 55% clay)orLoamy Surface (1.75 –3.0” ribbon) with Clayey Subsoil?
- Yes. Determine Precipitation Zone.
- 16-18".
-
i
Key Characteristics
- NORMAL LANDSCAPE POSITIONS in Both Precipitation Zones (Upland, slopes normally linear, 1-6 percent except sandy/sands sites can have complex slopes, Back slope, Summit, Foot slope)
- Dig hole to 20 inches. Are there visible salts within 16 inches of the surface?
- No. Is the soil clayey and formed in acid or non-calcareous shale?
- No. What is the surface and subsoil texture?
- Clay, Silty Clay (40 to 55% clay)orLoamy Surface (1.75 –3.0” ribbon) with Clayey Subsoil?
- No. Clay or Silty Clay (> 55% clay). ( > 3.0” ribbon)? Bare ground will be common.
- No. Loam, Silt loam, Silty, Clay loam, Clay Loam, Sandy clay loam, Very fine sandy loam (0.5–1.75” ribbon)?
- Yes. Is the site an old stream terrace?
- No. Determine Precipitation Zone.
- 16-18".
-
i
Key Characteristics
- NORMAL LANDSCAPE POSITIONS in Both Precipitation Zones (Upland, slopes normally linear, 1-6 percent except sandy/sands sites can have complex slopes, Back slope, Summit, Foot slope)
- Dig hole to 20 inches. Are there visible salts within 16 inches of the surface?
- No. Is the soil clayey and formed in acid or non-calcareous shale?
- No. What is the surface and subsoil texture?
- Clay, Silty Clay (40 to 55% clay)orLoamy Surface (1.75 –3.0” ribbon) with Clayey Subsoil?
- No. Clay or Silty Clay (> 55% clay). ( > 3.0” ribbon)? Bare ground will be common.
- No. Loam, Silt loam, Silty, Clay loam, Clay Loam, Sandy clay loam, Very fine sandy loam (0.5–1.75” ribbon)?
- No. Sandy loam, Fine sandy loam, Loamy very fine sand (0.25-0.5” ribbon)?
- Yes. Is the site a low stream terrace?
- Yes.
-
i
Key Characteristics
- RUN-OFF LANDSCAPE POSITIONS (Upland, normally convex short slopes > 6 percent, Shoulder)
- Is the site on a steep slope, escarpment, river break or slump area (15-60% slope), with exposed bedrock at or near the surface, and soils generally calcareous and of various depths? Deciduous trees and shrub are almost always present on this site.
- No. Dig hole to a depth of 20 inches minimum.Is there root restrictive layer within 10 inches of the soil surface?
- No. Is there a root restricting layer within 10-20 inches of the surface?
- Yes. Is the soil derived from shale with numerous (up to 50%) weathered shale chips throughout the soil profile and the soil is acid (non-calcareous)?
- Yes.
-
i
Key Characteristics
- RUN-OFF LANDSCAPE POSITIONS (Upland, normally convex short slopes > 6 percent, Shoulder)
- Is the site on a steep slope, escarpment, river break or slump area (15-60% slope), with exposed bedrock at or near the surface, and soils generally calcareous and of various depths? Deciduous trees and shrub are almost always present on this site.
- No. Dig hole to a depth of 20 inches minimum.Is there root restrictive layer within 10 inches of the soil surface?
- No. Is there a root restricting layer within 10-20 inches of the surface?
- Yes. Is the soil derived from shale with numerous (up to 50%) weathered shale chips throughout the soil profile and the soil is acid (non-calcareous)?
- No. Is the soil derived from shale with weathered shale chips below 4” in the soil profile and the soil iscalcareous? Clayey surface texture (2-3” ribbon)?
- No. Is the soil derived from shale? Very clayey surface texture (soil > 55% clay)(>3.0” ribbon)
- No. Is the soil surface 10 to 20 inches with a Clay loam, Silty clay loam, Sandy clay loam or Silty texture (1-1.5” ribbon)?
- No. A Sandy loam or Loamy sand texture (0.25-0.5” ribbon)?
- Yes.
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