The following is a map unit description from the "Soil Survey of Barnstable County, Massachusetts (Fletcher, 1993)"
CdD-Carver coarse sand, 15 to 35 percent slopes. This very deep, moderately steep and steep, excessively drained soil is on hills and ridges in areas of ice-contact deposits and on the side slopes of swales on outwash plains. It makes up approximately 7.5 percent (1 9,251 acres) of the survey area. It is mapped throughout the county. Areas are irregular in shape and range from 5 to 500 acres in size.
Typically, the surface is covered with an organic layer. This layer is about 1 inch of loose, undecomposed pine needles, leaves, and twigs and 2 inches of matted, partly decomposed and well decomposed organic material. The surface layer is brown, loose coarse sand about 7 inches thick. The subsoil is coarse sand about 33 inches thick. The upper 10 inches is strong brown and very friable, the next 9 inches is yellowish brown and very friable, and the lower 14 inches is brownish yellow and loose. The substratum to a depth of 65 inches or more is light yellowish brown, loose coarse sand.
Included with this soil in mapping are small areas of Eastchop, Freetown, Hinckley, Plymouth, and Swansea soils and areas where slopes are less than 15 percent. Also included are areas where isolated stones and boulders are on the surface. Included soils make up about 35 percent of this unit.
Permeability is very rapid in the subsoil and substratum of the Carver soil. Available water capacity is very low. Depth to the seasonal high water table is more than 6 feet.
Most areas are used as woodland. This soil is generally unsuited to cultivated crops, hay, and pasture because of the very low available water capacity, the slope, and a severe hazard of erosion.
This soil is poorly suited to woodland. The droughtiness and the slope are limitations affecting woodland management. Operating equipment may be hazardous on the steeper slopes. Removal or control of competing vegetation helps to obtain the best growth of newly established seedlings. The most common trees are pitch pine, white oak, scarlet oak, and black oak.
The slope is the main limitation if this soil is used as a site for buildings. Extensive land shaping is generally needed. Buildings and lots should be designed so that they conform to the natural slope of the land. Erosion is a severe hazard during and after construction. Planting well suited grasses as soon as possible after the surface is disturbed minimizes the erosion hazard.
This soil is poorly suited to septic tank absorption fields because of the slope and the very rapid permeability in the substratum. The soil may not adequately filter the effluent. The poor filtering capacity may result in the pollution of ground water. The hazard of pollution increases with the density of housing. Installing the distribution lines on the contour or in areas that were graded during construction of the dwelling helps to overcome the slope. Precautionary measures may be necessary in some areas.
