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Soil Survey of Bristol County, Massachusetts SOUTHERN PART The following Map Unit Description is from the 1981 Soil Survey of Bristol County, Southern Part. Please note: map unit symbols are DIFFERENT for Bristol South and Bristol North reports, do NOT use these descriptions for Bristol North. NgA-Ninigret fine sandy loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes. This soil is nearly level, deep, and moderately well drained. It is near or adjacent to streams and rivers. Areas of this soil are irregular in shape and range from 5 to 25 acres. Most are about 10 acres. Typically, the surface layer is dark yellowish brown fine sandy loam about 9 inches thick. The subsoil is fine sandy loam 17 inches thick and is mottled in the lower part. The substratum is grayish brown, mottled sand to a depth of 60 inches or more. Included with this soil in mapping are areas of Agawam soils on knolls and Deerfield and Walpole soils in depressions. Also included are areas that have a substratum of silt loam or very fine sandy loam. Included areas make up about 20 percent of the unit. The permeability of this Ninigret soil is moderately rapid in the subsoil and rapid in the substratum. Available water capacity is moderate. The surface layer is very friable and easily tilled. This soil has a seasonal high water table in winter and spring. Most areas of this soil are farmed. A few areas are in woodland, and the soil is well suited to trees. Some areas are used for homesites and other types of community development. This soil is suited to row crops. The seasonal high water table is the main limitation for crops. The main management practices include using drainage and cover crops and incorporating crop residue and manure into the surface layer to maintain the organic matter content. The soil is suited to hay or pasture. The main management concerns are the prevention of overgrazing, which causes surface compaction and reduces the hardiness and density of plants. The use of proper stocking rates, rotational grazing, and restricted grazing during wet periods help to maintain plant hardiness and density. The seasonal high water table and rapid permeability in the substratum are the main limitations of the soil for community development. The water table especially limits the soil as a building site and, along with the rapid permeability, is a limitation for septic tank absorption fields and sanitary landfills. The permeability causes a hazard of ground-water pollution in areas used for septic tanks or landfills. Capability subclass: IIw. Ninigret Official Series Description |
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