PLYMOUTH COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS SOIL SURVEY UPDATE

Gloucester Soils: Very deep, nearly level, somewhat excessively drained soil formed in areas of sandy glacial till or bouldery outwash. Gloucester soils are on ground moraines, ice-contact deposits and moraines.

Gloucester ProfileGloucester Soil Profile

Link to Official Series Description

Gloucester Profile Description 2344001

Map Unit (s): 440B,C,E, 443B,C,E.
Map Phases:

  • 440B Gloucester sandy loam, 3 to 8 % slopes.
    440C Gloucester sandy loam, 8 to 15 % slopes.
    440E Gloucester sandy loam, 15 to 35 % slopes.
    443B Gloucester sandy loam, 3 to 8 % slopes, extremely bouldery.
    443C Gloucester sandy loam, 8 to 15 % slopes, extremely bouldery.
    443E Gloucester sandy loam, 15 to 35 % slopes, extremely bouldery.
  • Taxonomic Classification: Sandy-skeletal, mixed, mesic, Typic Dystrochrepts
    Drainage Class: Excessively drained.
    Parent Material: Mixed, loose sandy till (ablation) and ice contact outwash.
    Permeability: Rapid throughout.
    Available Water Holding Capacity: Low.
    Soil Reaction: Extremely through moderately acid in the surface horizon, and very stongly though moderately acid in the lower horizons.
    Depth to Bedrock: Greater than 65 inches.
    Seasonal High Watertable: Greater than 6 feet.
    Hydrologic Group: A.
    Hydric Soil: No.
    Flooding/Ponding Potential: Frequency and Type: None. Duration and Months: None
    Potential Inclusions: Plymouth and Hinckley soils are similar inclusions. Well drained Canton and Barnstable soils are on concave and level slopes. Moderately well drained Newfields and Scituate soils are near drainageways, adjacent to wet areas.

    Soil Suitability:

    Agriculture: Poorly suited for most agricultural uses due to droughtyness and low fertility, irrigation is needed for optimal yields.

    Woodland: Poorly suited to woodland productivity due to droughtyness.

    Development: Well suited for development, major limitations related large stones and boulders which may hinder small excavation equipment.

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