Soil Survey of Bristol County, Massachusetts
NORTHERN PART
The following Map Unit Description is from the 1981 Soil Survey of Bristol County, NORTHERN Part. Please note: map unit symbols are DIFFERENT for Bristol North and Bristol South reports, do NOT use these descriptions for Bristol South.
Pg-Pits, gravel. Pits, gravel, are mostly excavations in gravelly and sandy glacial outwash, but some excavations are in loose, sandy glacial till. They are commonly irregular in shape, depending on the nature of the deposits and ownership boundaries. The pits range from 2 to 100 acres or more in size.
The pits were created when gravel was removed for construction purposes. They are 3 to 50 feet deep. The sides are generally steep and the floor is commonly nearly level. Piles of stones and boulders are generally scattered over the pit floor .
Included in mapping are small pools of water in some of the pits, and pits from which the loamy material was removed. Permeability varies but generally ranges from moderately rapid to very rapid. The pits are drouthy because of the low available water capacity. They are commonly devoid of vegetation, but some older pits support scattered bushes, grass, and annual forbs.
The potential ranges from good to poor for urban and recreational use. Onsite investigation needs to be made and each site considered individually. The potential is poor for farming, sanitary waste disposal facilities, and woodland. It is generally poor for wildlife habitat, but some birds prefer nesting in these areas.
Pits, gravel, are poorly suited to farming and woodland. The available water is very low.
The pits have limitations for most urban and recreational use. Possible pollution of ground water is a limitation for sanitary waste disposal. Capability subclass not assigned.
