The following map unit description is from the published "Soil Survey of Dukes County, Massachusetts"
Soil Survey of
Dukes County Massachusetts
The following map unit description is from the published "Soil
Survey of Dukes County, Massachusetts"
PyA-Pompton sandy loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes. This soil is very deep, nearly level, and somewhat poorly drained. It is in closed depressions, at the base of swales, in low areas which border ponds and swamps, and in drainageways. The areas of this soil are throughout the survey area, are irregular in shape, and range from 4 to 50 acres. They make up less than 1 percent of the survey area.
Typically, the surface layer is very dark grayish brown sandy loam about 10 inches thick. The subsoil is mottled, olive brown and light olive brown sandy loam 22 inches thick. The substratum is light brownish gray and light brown, mottled loamy sand to a depth of 60 inches or more.
Included with ihissoil in mapping are small areas of Berryland, Klej, and Tisbury soils. Included areas make up about 25 percent of this unit.
The permeability of this Pompton soil is moderate or moderately rapid in the subsoil and rapid or very rapid in the substratum. Available water capacity is moderate. This soil has a seasonal high water table at a depth of 1 foot to 2 feet in late fall, in winter, and in spring.
Most areas of this soil are in woodland. Some areas have a shrubby vegetation.
This soil is suited to cultivated crops, hay, and pasture. The seasonal high water table is the main limitation for those uses, and drainage is a major management need. Surface drainage, open ditches, or tile drains or a combination of the three will help to remove excess water from the soil. The use of proper stocking rates, deferred grazing and rotational grazing, and restricted grazing when the soil is wet help to maintain desirable pasture plant species.
This soil is poorly suited to woodland productivity because of the seasonal high water table and a high rate of seedling mortality. Low strength of the soil limits the use of equipment to periods when the soil is dry or frozen. The common trees on this soil are red maple, tupelo, and white oak.
The seasonal high water table limits the use of this soil as a site for dwellings or septic tank absorption fields.
This soil is in capability subclass IIw.
Back to Dukes County Soil Survey
