Soil Map Unit Description from the Soil Survey of Rhode Island

Ru—Rumney fine sandy loam.

This nearly level, poorly drained soil is on flood plains. Slopes range from0 to 3 percent but are dominantly less than 2 percent. Areas are long and narrow and range mostly from 5 to 30 acres.

Typically the surface layer is very dark grayish brown fine sandy loam about 5 inches thick. The subsoil is dark grayish brown, mottled fine sandy loam 17 inches thick. The substratum is gray and dark grayish brown sand to a depth of 60 inches or more.

Included with this soil in mapping are small areas of moderately well drained Podunk soils and very poorly drained Adrian soils. Also included are small areas of soils with a surface layer and subsoil of silt loam. Included areas make up about 15 percent of this map unit.

The permeability of this soil is moderately rapid in the surface layer and subsoil and rapid or very rapid in the substratum. Available water capacity is moderate, and runoff is slow. The soil has a seasonal high water table at a depth of about 6 inches from late fall through spring and is subject to frequent flooding. The soil is very strongly acid through slightly acid.

Most areas of this soil are in woodland or are used for pasture or hay.

The high water table and flooding make this soil un suitable for community development. Slopes of excavated areas are commonly unstable.

This soil is poorly suited to trees. The major limitations for woodland are wetness and flooding. Tree windthrow is common.

The soil is suited to cultivated crops but is limited by wetness and flooding. The soil dries out and warms slowly in the spring, limiting early planting and machinery operation, and artificial drainage is needed. Flooding during the growing season damages some crops. The use of cover crops and the return of crop residue to the soil help to maintain tilth and organic matter content.

This soil is suitable for most types of wildlife habitat. Capability subclass IIIw; woodland group 4w.

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