Soil Survey of
Nantucket County Massachusetts
The following map unit description is from the
published "Soil Survey of Nantucket County, Massachusetts"
KaA-Katama sandy loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes. This nearly level, well drained soil is in smooth areas that are irregular in shape and range from 20 to 200 acres.
Typically, the surface layer is black and reddish brown sandy loam 16 inches thick (fig. 7). The subsoil is about 18 inches thick. The upper 4 inches of the subsoil is dark yellowish brown, friable gravelly sandy loam; the lower 14 inches is olive brown, loose sand. The substratum is light yellowish brown sand to a depth of 60 inches or more.
Included with this soil in mapping are small areas of Riverhead and Evesboro soils and Udipsamments, rolling. Also included are areas of wind-deposited sand from nearby sand dunes. Included soils make up about 15 percent of this unit.
The permeability of this soil is moderately rapid in the surface layer and subsoil and moderately rapid or rapid in the substratum. Available water capacity is moderate.
Most areas of this soil are in idle farmland or grassland. The soil is well suited to openland wildlife habitat and most other nonfarm uses.
This soil is suitable for crops, hay, and pasture, but drought in summer limits the soil for these uses. Irrigation helps overcome the drought limitation.
This Katama soil has essentially no limitations as a site for buildings or for local roads and streets; however, the sides of excavations in this soil are unstable and steep excavations commonly collapse. The soil has few limitations for septic tank absorption fields, but seepage of the effluent through the substratum causes a hazard of ground-water contamination.
Capability subclass IIs.
KaB-Katama sandy loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes. This gently sloping, well drained soil is on the sides of old drainageways. Slopes are smooth or undulating and mainly are 10 to 100 feet long.
Typically, the surface layer is black and dark reddish brown sandy loam 10 inches thick. The subsoil is 18 inches thick. The upper 4 inches of the subsoil is dark yellowish brown, friable gravelly sandy loam; the lower 14 inches is olive brown, loose sand. The substratum is light yellowish brown sand to a depth of 60 inches or more.
Included with this soil in Mapping are small areas of Riverhead and Evesboro soils and Udipsamments, rolling. Also included are areas of wind-deposited sand from nearby sand dunes. Included soils make up about 15 percent of this unit.
The permeability of this soil is moderately rapid in the surface layer and subsoil and moderately rapid or rapid in the substratum. Available water capacity is moderate.
Most areas of this soil are in idle farmland or grassland. The soil is well suited to openland wildlife habitat and most other nonfarm uses.
This soil is suitable for crops, hay, and pasture. Drought in summer is the main limitation for these uses, and erosion is a hazard. Irrigation helps overcome the drought limitation. Maintaining a plant cover and using crop residue and contour farming help to reduce erosion.
This Katama soil has essentially no limitations as a site for buildings or for local roads and streets; however, the sides of excavations in this soil are unstable and steep excavations commonly collapse. The soil has few limitations for septic tank absorption fields, but seepage of the effluent through the substratum causes a hazard of ground-water contamination.
Capability subclass IIs.