Soil Survey of Bristol County, Massachusetts

SOUTHERN PART

MeA-Merrimac fine sandy loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes.

This soil is nearly level, deep, and somewhat excessively drained. It is adjacent to or near large streams and rivers. Areas of this soil are irregularly shaped and range from about 4 to 75 acres. Most are about 15 acres.

Typically, the surface layer is dark brown fine sandy loam about 11 inches thick. The subsoil is 12 inches thick. The upper 8 inches of the subsoil is yellowish brown gravelly sandy loam and gravelly coarse sandy loam, and the lower 4 inches is yellowish brown gravelly loamy coarse sand. The substratum is pale brown gravelly coarse sand to a depth of 60 inches or more.

Included with this soil in mapping are small areas of Agawam, Hinckley, and Sudbury soils. Also included are small areas with slopes of 3 to 8 percent and areas with surface stones that are over 100 feet apart. Included areas make up about 20 percent of the unit.

The permeability of this Merrimac soil is moderately rapid in the surface layer and upper part of the subsoil, moderately rapid or rapid in the lower part of the subsoil, and rapid in the substratum. Available water capacity is moderate. The surface layer of this soil is very friable and easily tilled. Root growth is restricted to a depth of about 23 inches by loose sand and gravel. The soil is droughty in late summer.

Many areas of this soil are farmed. Some areas are in woodland, and some are used for homesites and other types of community development.

This soil is suited to row crops, but droughtiness makes irrigation necessary. Incorporating crop residue and manure into the soil helps to maintain or increase the organic matter content of the surface layer.

This soil is well suited to hay and pasture, especially to plants that tolerate drought in late summer. The main management concern is the prevention of overgrazing, which causes surface compaction and reduces the density and hardiness of plants. Use of proper stocking rates and restricted grazing during wet periods help to maintain plant densities and reduce surface compaction.

The soil is suited to trees, but droughtiness causes a high rate of seedling mortality. Reducing plant competition and planting drought-resistant species help to reduce seedling mortality.

The rapid permeability in the substratum is the main limitation of this soil for community development,

especially as a site for septic tank absorption fields and sanitary landfills. The permeability causes a hazard of ground-water pollution in areas used for landfills or septic tanks.

Capability subclass: IIs.

MeB-Merrimac fine sandy loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes.

This soil is gently sloping, deep, and somewhat excessively drained. It is adjacent to or near large streams and rivers. Areas of this soil are irregularly shaped and range from about 4 to 75 acres. Most are about 15 acres.

Typically, the surface layer is dark brown fine sandy loam about 11 inches thick. The subsoil is about 12 inches thick. The upper 8 inches of the subsoil is yellowish brown gravelly sandy loam and gravelly coarse sandy loam, and the lower 4 inches is yellowish brown gravelly loamy coarse sand. The substratum is pale brown, gravelly coarse sand to a depth of 60 inches or more.

Included with this soil in mapping are small areas of Agawam, Hinckley, and Sudbury soils. Also included are small areas with slopes of 0 to 3 percent and areas with surface stones that are over 100 feet apart. Included areas make up about 20 percent of the unit.

The permeability of this Merrimac soil is moderately rapid in the surface layer and upper part of the subsoil, moderately rapid or rapid in the lower part of the subsoil, and rapid in the substratum. Available water capacity is moderate. The surface layer of this soil is very friable and easily tilled. Root growth is restricted to a depth of about 23 inches by the loose sand and gravel. The soil is droughty in late summer.

Many areas of this soil are farmed. Some areas are in woodland, and some are used for homesites and other types of community development.

This soil is suited to row crops. Droughtiness and an erosion hazard are the main limitations. Incorporating crop residue and manure into the surface layer helps to maintain or increase the organic matter content. The use of winter cover crops reduces surface runoff and helps reduce erosion.

The soil is suited to hay and pasture, especially to drought-resistant plants. The main management concern is the prevention of overgrazing, which causes surface compaction and reduces the density and hardiness of plants. Using proper stocking rates and restricted grazing during wet periods help to maintain plant densities and reduce surface compaction.

This soil is suited to trees, but droughtiness causes a high rate of seedling mortality. Reducing plant competition and planting drought-resistant tree species help to reduce seedling mortality.

The rapid permeability in the substratum is the main limitation of this soil for community development, especially as a site for septic tank absorption fields and sanitary landfills. The permeability causes a hazard of ground-water pollution in areas used for septic tanks and landfills.

Capability subclass: IIs.

More Information on Merrimac Soils | Merrimac Official Series Description

Back to Bristol County Soil Survey

Back to NeSOIL.com