PLYMOUTH COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS SOIL SURVEY UPDATE

Merrimac Soils: Very deep, somewhat excessively drained soil formed in glacial outwash. Merrimac soils are on broad areas of outwash plains and deltas; less extensive areas occur on glacial lake plains.

Link to Official Series Description
S08MA023003 (Forested) |  S08MA023002 (Cropped) | Merrimac Pedon Description 2325401 |Merrimac Pedon Description 2325402 | Merrimac Pedon Description 2325403 | Merrimac Pedon Description 2325404 | Merrimac Pedon Description 2325405 |Merrimac Pedon Description 2325307

Map Unit (s): 254A, 254B, 254C
Map Phases:

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  • 254A Merrimac sandy loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes.
    254B Merrimac sandy loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes.
    254C Merrimac sandy loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes.
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    • Taxonomic Classification: Sandy, mixed, mesic, Typic Dystrochrepts.
    Drainage Class: Somewhat excessively drained.
    Parent Material: Gravelly glacial fluvial deposits.
    Permeability: Moderately rapid or rapid in the solum and rapid or very rapid in the substratum.
    Available Water Holding Capacity: Low.
    Soil Reaction: Extremely acid to moderately acid throughout.
    Depth to Bedrock: Greater than 65 inches.
    Seasonal High Watertable: Depth: greater than 5 feet.
    Type: apparent.
    Months:
    Hydrologic Group: A.
    Hydric Soil: No.
    Flooding/Ponding Potential: Frequency and Type: None.
    Potential Inclusions: Barnstable, Windsor, Hinckley and Carver soils are similar inclusions. . Moderately well drained Sudbury and Deerfield soils are on lower elevations. Poorly drained Wareham and Pipestone soils are along drainageways.

    Soil Suitability:

    Agriculture: Map units 254A and 254B are prime farmland soil map units. 254C is an important farmland map unit. Irrigation is needed for optimal production.

    Woodland: Well suited for woodland.

    Development: Merrimac soils have few limitations for development. They are associated with aquifer recharge areas and measures should be taken to protect the aquifer.

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