PLYMOUTH COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS SOIL SURVEY UPDATE
Winooski Soils: Very deep, nearly level, moderately well drained soils formed in silty alluvium. Winooski soils are on modern day floodplains.
Link to Official Series Description
98A - Winooski very fine sandy loam.
This very deep, nearly level, moderately well drained soil formed in silty alluvial deposits. Winooski soils are on floodplains of major rivers and streams in the County.
Winooski soils typically have a very dark grayish brown very fine sandy loam surface layer 8 inches thick. The underlying layer from 8 to 60 inches is very fine sandy loam. It is dark grayish-brown in the upper 10 inches and mottled olive or olive gray in the lower part.
Included with this soil in mapping are areas of Limerick and Saco soils on lower elevations. Eldridge and Scio soils are on adjacent uplands. Also included are areas with coarser textured horizons.
Soil properties:
Permeability: moderate to moderately rapid throughout.
Available water capacity: high.
Soil reaction: very strongly acid to neutral throughout.
Depth to bedrock: more than 60 inches.
Seasonal high water table: Depth: 1.5 to 3 feet below the surface.
Type & Months: apparent, Nov. to May.
Hydrologic group: B.
Hydric soil: no.
Capability subclass: IIw
Flooding/Ponding Potential: Frequency & Type: Common, flooding.
Duration & Months: Brief, Feb. to Apr.
Most areas of this soil are in woodland. Some areas are used for agricultural production.
Suitability:
Crops:
Winooski soils are well suited to cultivated crops and suited to pasture.
Drainage is needed for maximum crop yields and the most efficient use of
machinery. The main objective for pasture management should be the prevention of
overgrazing, which reduces the hardiness and density of forage plants and
exposes the soil to erosion.
Woodland:
This soil is suited to woodland productivity. Thinning crowded stands to
accepted stocking levels will provide for more vigorous growth. Diseased, poorly
formed and otherwise undesirable trees should receive priority for removal in
thinning operations. Shelterwood cutting, seed tree cutting and clearcutting may
be used to establish natural regeneration or to provide suitable planting sites.
Removal or control of competing vegetation may be necessary for optimum growth
of newly established seedlings. Periods of brief flooding may restrict the use
of machinery in applying these management practices.
Development:
Winnoski soils are on floodplains and development activities within these
resource areas are protected by State and Federal regulations. This soil is very
poorly suited for building sites and has very low potential for septic tank
absorption fields because of the flooding hazard. Soils that are better suited
are generally nearby. Constructing roads on raised, coarse-textured base
material and providing adequate side ditches and culverts will help protect from
damage caused by flooding.
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