The following is a map unit description from the "Soil Survey of Barnstable County, Massachusetts (Fletcher, 1993)"

complex. This map unit consists of nearly level and gently sloping areas of a Merrimac soil; Udipsamments, which are areas that have been excavated or filled for construction projects; and Urban land. This unit makes up about 0.5 percent (1 194 acres) of the survey area. It is mapped only on the Otis Air Force and Camp Edwards military base complex in the northeastern section of the Enfield-Merrimac-Carver general soil map unit. Most areas are rectangular and range from 25 to 700 acres in size. They are about 30 percent Merrimac soil, 30 percent Udipsamments, 20 percent Urban land, and 20 percent included soils. The components of the unit occur as areas so intricately mixed or so small that separating them in mapping is not practical.

Typically, the surface layer of the Merrimac soil is dark yellowish brown, very friable sandy loam about 7 inches thick. The subsoil is sandy loam about 21 inches thick. The upper 4 inches is strong brown and very friable, the next 10 inches is yellowish brown and friable, and the lower 7 inches is brownish yellow and friable. The substratum to a depth of 65 inches or more is light yellowish brown, loose coarse sand.

Typically, Udipsamments have a surface layer of yellowish brown, friable loamy sand about 4 inches thick. Below this to a depth of 60 inches or more is light yellowish brown, loose coarse sand.

Urban land consists of developed areas that have been altered or obscured by urban works and structures.

Included in this unit in mapping are areas of Carver and Enfield soils and small areas where slopes are more than 8 percent. Included soils make up about 20 percent of this unit.

Permeability is moderately rapid in the subsoil of the Merrimac soil and rapid in the substratum. Available water capacity is low. Depth to the seasonal high water table is more than 6 feet.

The soil properties and characteristics of the Urban land and Udipsamments can vary within short distances.

This map unit generally occurs as open grassed areas and sites for buildings, roads, parking lots, or foundations of razed buildings. Some areas have reverted to woodland vegetation.

This map unit is unsuited to cultivated crops, hay, pasture, and woodland. The urban structures restrict any other uses.

The Merrimac soil is suitable as a site for buildings with or without basements. It readily absorbs but may not adequately filter the effluent in septic tank absorption fields. The poor filtering capacity may result in the pollution of ground water. The hazard of pollution increases with the density of housing. Precautionary measures may be necessary in some areas.

Onsite investigation is needed to determine the suitability of the Udipsamments and Urban land for specific uses and the limitations affecting those uses.