HomeMy WebLinkAboutAppendix B - Physical Soil Properties (13067)Physical Soil Properties
This table shows estimates of some physical characteristics and features that affect
soil behavior. These estimates are given for the layers of each soil in the survey
area. The estimates are based on field observations and on test data for these and
similar soils.
Depth to the upper and lower boundaries of each layer is indicated.
Particle size is the effective diameter of a soil particle as measured by
sedimentation, sieving, or micrometric methods. Particle sizes are expressed as
classes with specific effective diameter class limits. The broad classes are sand,
silt, and clay, ranging from the larger to the smaller.
Sand as a soil separate consists of mineral soil particles that are 0.05 millimeter to
2 millimeters in diameter. In this table, the estimated sand content of each soil layer
is given as a percentage, by weight, of the soil material that is less than 2 millimeters
in diameter.
Silt as a soil separate consists of mineral soil particles that are 0.002 to 0.05
millimeter in diameter. In this table, the estimated silt content of each soil layer is
given as a percentage, by weight, of the soil material that is less than 2 millimeters
in diameter.
Clay as a soil separate consists of mineral soil particles that are less than 0.002
millimeter in diameter. In this table, the estimated clay content of each soil layer is
given as a percentage, by weight, of the soil material that is less than 2 millimeters
in diameter.
The content of sand, silt, and clay affects the physical behavior of a soil. Particle
size is important for engineering and agronomic interpretations, for determination
of soil hydrologic qualities, and for soil classification.
The amount and kind of clay affect the fertility and physical condition of the soil and
the ability of the soil to adsorb cations and to retain moisture. They influence shrink-
swell potential, saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ksat), plasticity, the ease of soil
dispersion, and other soil properties. The amount and kind of clay in a soil also
affect tillage and earthmoving operations.
Moist bulk density is the weight of soil (ovendry) per unit volume. Volume is
measured when the soil is at field moisture capacity, that is, the moisture content
at 1/3- or 1/10-bar (33kPa or 10kPa) moisture tension. Weight is determined after
the soil is dried at 105 degrees C. In the table, the estimated moist bulk density of
each soil horizon is expressed in grams per cubic centimeter of soil material that is
less than 2 millimeters in diameter. Bulk density data are used to compute linear
extensibility, shrink-swell potential, available water capacity, total pore space, and
other soil properties. The moist bulk density of a soil indicates the pore space
available for water and roots. Depending on soil texture, a bulk density of more than
1.4 can restrict water storage and root penetration. Moist bulk density is influenced
by texture, kind of clay, content of organic matter, and soil structure.
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Saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ksat) refers to the ease with which pores in a
saturated soil transmit water. The estimates in the table are expressed in terms of
micrometers per second. They are based on soil characteristics observed in the
field, particularly structure, porosity, and texture. Saturated hydraulic conductivity
(Ksat) is considered in the design of soil drainage systems and septic tank
absorption fields.
Available water capacity refers to the quantity of water that the soil is capable of
storing for use by plants. The capacity for water storage is given in inches of water
per inch of soil for each soil layer. The capacity varies, depending on soil properties
that affect retention of water. The most important properties are the content of
organic matter, soil texture, bulk density, and soil structure. Available water capacity
is an important factor in the choice of plants or crops to be grown and in the design
and management of irrigation systems. Available water capacity is not an estimate
of the quantity of water actually available to plants at any given time.
Linear extensibility refers to the change in length of an unconfined clod as moisture
content is decreased from a moist to a dry state. It is an expression of the volume
change between the water content of the clod at 1/3- or 1/10-bar tension (33kPa or
10kPa tension) and oven dryness. The volume change is reported in the table as
percent change for the whole soil. The amount and type of clay minerals in the soil
influence volume change.
Linear extensibility is used to determine the shrink-swell potential of soils. The
shrink-swell potential is low if the soil has a linear extensibility of less than 3 percent;
moderate if 3 to 6 percent; high if 6 to 9 percent; and very high if more than 9 percent.
If the linear extensibility is more than 3, shrinking and swelling can cause damage
to buildings, roads, and other structures and to plant roots. Special design
commonly is needed.
Organic matter is the plant and animal residue in the soil at various stages of
decomposition. In this table, the estimated content of organic matter is expressed
as a percentage, by weight, of the soil material that is less than 2 millimeters in
diameter. The content of organic matter in a soil can be maintained by returning
crop residue to the soil.
Organic matter has a positive effect on available water capacity, water infiltration,
soil organism activity, and tilth. It is a source of nitrogen and other nutrients for crops
and soil organisms.
Erosion factors are shown in the table as the K factor (Kw and Kf) and the T factor.
Erosion factor K indicates the susceptibility of a soil to sheet and rill erosion by
water. Factor K is one of six factors used in the Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE)
and the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) to predict the average
annual rate of soil loss by sheet and rill erosion in tons per acre per year. The
estimates are based primarily on percentage of silt, sand, and organic matter and
on soil structure and Ksat. Values of K range from 0.02 to 0.69. Other factors being
equal, the higher the value, the more susceptible the soil is to sheet and rill erosion
by water.
Erosion factor Kw indicates the erodibility of the whole soil. The estimates are
modified by the presence of rock fragments.
Erosion factor Kf indicates the erodibility of the fine-earth fraction, or the material
less than 2 millimeters in size.
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Erosion factor T is an estimate of the maximum average annual rate of soil erosion
by wind and/or water that can occur without affecting crop productivity over a
sustained period. The rate is in tons per acre per year.
Wind erodibility groups are made up of soils that have similar properties affecting
their susceptibility to wind erosion in cultivated areas. The soils assigned to group
1 are the most susceptible to wind erosion, and those assigned to group 8 are the
least susceptible. The groups are described in the "National Soil Survey
Handbook."
Wind erodibility index is a numerical value indicating the susceptibility of soil to wind
erosion, or the tons per acre per year that can be expected to be lost to wind erosion.
There is a close correlation between wind erosion and the texture of the surface
layer, the size and durability of surface clods, rock fragments, organic matter, and
a calcareous reaction. Soil moisture and frozen soil layers also influence wind
erosion.
Reference:
United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service.
National soil survey handbook, title 430-VI. (http://soils.usda.gov)
Physical Soil Properties---Gallatin County Area, Montana
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Report—Physical Soil Properties
Physical Soil Properties–Gallatin County Area, Montana
Map symbol
and soil name
Depth Sand Silt Clay Moist
bulk
density
Saturated
hydraulic
conductivity
Available
water
capacity
Linear
extensibility
Organic
matter
Erosion
factors
Wind
erodibility
group
Wind
erodibility
indexKwKfT
In Pct Pct Pct g/cc micro m/sec In/In Pct Pct
50B—Blackdog
silt loam, 0 to
4 percent
slopes
Blackdog 0-10 - 9--67-20-24- 27 1.10-1.30 4.00-14.00 0.18-0.20 0.0-2.9 2.0-4.0 .37 .37 5 6 48
10-19 - 7--62-27-31- 35 1.20-1.40 1.40-4.00 0.16-0.20 3.0-5.9 1.0-3.0 .37 .37
19-60 -11--69-15-20- 25 1.20-1.40 4.00-14.00 0.16-0.20 0.0-2.9 0.5-1.0 .49 .49
53B—
Amsterdam
silt loam, 0 to
4 percent
slopes
Amsterdam 0-8 - 7--70-20-24- 27 1.10-1.30 4.00-14.00 0.18-0.20 0.0-2.9 2.0-4.0 .37 .37 5 6 48
8-15 - 7--69-18-24- 30 1.20-1.40 1.40-4.00 0.17-0.20 0.0-2.9 1.0-2.0 .49 .49
15-42 - 7--70-18-23- 27 1.25-1.45 4.00-14.00 0.16-0.20 0.0-2.9 0.5-1.0 .49 .49
42-60 -62--23-10-15- 20 1.25-1.50 4.00-14.00 0.17-0.19 0.0-2.9 0.0-0.5 .49 .49
64B—Straw
loam, 0 to 4
percent
slopes
Straw 0-18 -39--37-20-24- 27 1.10-1.25 4.00-14.00 0.16-0.20 0.0-2.9 3.0-5.0 .28 .28 5 6 48
18-60 -38--36-20-26- 35 1.20-1.40 4.00-14.00 0.16-0.19 3.0-5.9 1.0-3.0 .28 .28
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Physical Soil Properties–Gallatin County Area, Montana
Map symbol
and soil name
Depth Sand Silt Clay Moist
bulk
density
Saturated
hydraulic
conductivity
Available
water
capacity
Linear
extensibility
Organic
matter
Erosion
factors
Wind
erodibility
group
Wind
erodibility
indexKwKfT
In Pct Pct Pct g/cc micro m/sec In/In Pct Pct
448A—Hyalite-
Beaverton
complex,
moderately
wet, 0 to 2
percent
slopes
Hyalite 0-5 -40--38-18-23- 27 1.10-1.20 4.00-14.00 0.18-0.19 0.0-2.9 2.0-4.0 .32 .32 3 6 48
5-9 -34--37-25-30- 35 1.30-1.40 1.40-4.00 0.16-0.19 3.0-5.9 1.0-3.0 .32 .32
9-17 -17--53-25-30- 35 1.30-1.40 1.40-4.00 0.12-0.17 3.0-5.9 1.0-3.0 .37 .37
17-26 -61--19-15-20- 25 1.50-1.60 1.40-4.00 0.03-0.08 0.0-2.9 0.5-1.0 .10 .28
26-60 -79--17-0- 5- 10 1.60-1.70 42.00-141.00 0.02-0.04 0.0-2.9 0.0-0.5 .05 .24
Beaverton 0-5 -39--37-20-24- 27 1.20-1.40 4.00-14.00 0.14-0.16 0.0-2.9 1.0-3.0 .15 .24 3 7 38
5-21 -34--37-25-30- 35 1.40-1.60 4.00-14.00 0.08-0.10 0.0-2.9 0.5-1.0 .10 .32
21-25 -67--19-10-14- 18 1.55-1.75 42.00-141.00 0.03-0.04 0.0-2.9 0.0-0.5 .05 .17
25-60 -84--11-0- 5- 10 1.55-1.75 42.00-141.00 0.03-0.04 0.0-2.9 0.0-0.5 .02 .05
451C—Quagle-
Brodyk silt
loams, 4 to 8
percent
slopes
Quagle 0-6 -11--67-18-22- 25 1.10-1.30 4.00-14.00 0.18-0.20 0.0-2.9 1.0-3.0 .37 .37 5 4L 86
6-9 -11--67-18-22- 25 1.15-1.35 4.00-14.00 0.16-0.19 0.0-2.9 1.0-2.0 .49 .49
9-60 -14--72-10-14- 18 1.20-1.40 4.00-14.00 0.16-0.19 0.0-2.9 0.0-1.0 .55 .55
Brodyk 0-6 -11--69-18-20- 22 1.10-1.30 4.00-14.00 0.17-0.19 0.0-2.9 1.0-3.0 .43 .43 5 4L 86
6-30 -14--72-10-14- 18 1.15-1.35 4.00-14.00 0.17-0.19 0.0-2.9 0.5-2.0 .55 .55
30-60 -14--72-10-14- 18 1.20-1.40 4.00-14.00 0.15-0.18 0.0-2.9 0.0-0.5 .55 .55
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Physical Soil Properties–Gallatin County Area, Montana
Map symbol
and soil name
Depth Sand Silt Clay Moist
bulk
density
Saturated
hydraulic
conductivity
Available
water
capacity
Linear
extensibility
Organic
matter
Erosion
factors
Wind
erodibility
group
Wind
erodibility
indexKwKfT
In Pct Pct Pct g/cc micro m/sec In/In Pct Pct
453B—
Amsterdam-
Quagle silt
loams, 0 to 4
percent
slopes
Amsterdam 0-8 - 7--70-20-24- 27 1.10-1.30 4.00-14.00 0.18-0.20 0.0-2.9 2.0-4.0 .37 .37 5 6 48
8-15 - 7--69-18-24- 30 1.20-1.40 1.40-4.00 0.17-0.20 0.0-2.9 1.0-2.0 .49 .49
15-42 - 7--70-18-23- 27 1.25-1.45 4.00-14.00 0.16-0.20 0.0-2.9 0.5-1.0 .49 .49
42-60 -62--23-10-15- 20 1.25-1.50 4.00-14.00 0.17-0.19 0.0-2.9 0.0-0.5 .49 .49
Quagle 0-6 -11--67-18-22- 25 1.10-1.30 4.00-14.00 0.18-0.20 0.0-2.9 1.0-3.0 .37 .37 5 4L 86
6-9 -11--67-18-22- 25 1.15-1.35 4.00-14.00 0.16-0.19 0.0-2.9 1.0-2.0 .49 .49
9-60 -14--72-10-14- 18 1.20-1.40 4.00-14.00 0.16-0.19 0.0-2.9 0.0-1.0 .55 .55
453C—
Amsterdam-
Quagle silt
loams, 4 to 8
percent
slopes
Amsterdam 0-8 - 7--70-20-24- 27 1.10-1.30 4.00-14.00 0.18-0.20 0.0-2.9 2.0-4.0 .37 .37 5 6 48
8-15 - 7--69-18-24- 30 1.20-1.40 1.40-4.00 0.17-0.20 0.0-2.9 1.0-2.0 .49 .49
15-42 - 7--70-18-23- 27 1.25-1.45 4.00-14.00 0.16-0.20 0.0-2.9 0.5-1.0 .49 .49
42-60 -62--23-10-15- 20 1.25-1.50 4.00-14.00 0.17-0.19 0.0-2.9 0.0-0.5 .49 .49
Quagle 0-6 -11--67-18-22- 25 1.10-1.30 4.00-14.00 0.18-0.20 0.0-2.9 1.0-3.0 .37 .37 5 4L 86
6-9 -11--67-18-22- 25 1.15-1.35 4.00-14.00 0.16-0.19 0.0-2.9 1.0-2.0 .49 .49
9-60 -14--72-10-14- 18 1.20-1.40 4.00-14.00 0.16-0.19 0.0-2.9 0.0-1.0 .55 .55
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Physical Soil Properties–Gallatin County Area, Montana
Map symbol
and soil name
Depth Sand Silt Clay Moist
bulk
density
Saturated
hydraulic
conductivity
Available
water
capacity
Linear
extensibility
Organic
matter
Erosion
factors
Wind
erodibility
group
Wind
erodibility
indexKwKfT
In Pct Pct Pct g/cc micro m/sec In/In Pct Pct
457A—Turner
loam,
moderately
wet, 0 to 2
percent
slopes
Turner 0-6 -42--37-15-21- 27 1.10-1.30 4.00-14.00 0.15-0.19 0.0-2.9 2.0-4.0 .24 .24 3 6 48
6-12 -34--37-25-30- 35 1.30-1.50 4.00-14.00 0.12-0.18 3.0-5.9 0.5-2.0 .28 .28
12-26 -34--38-18-28- 35 1.35-1.50 4.00-14.00 0.12-0.18 3.0-5.9 0.0-0.5 .32 .32
26-60 -81--17-0- 3- 5 1.35-1.50 42.00-141.00 0.01-0.06 0.0-2.9 0.0-0.5 .05 .15
509B—Enbar
loam, 0 to 4
percent
slopes
Enbar 0-22 -40--38-18-23- 27 1.15-1.35 4.00-14.00 0.16-0.20 0.0-2.9 3.0-5.0 .28 .28 4 6 48
22-49 -66--15-18-19- 27 1.35-1.55 4.00-14.00 0.14-0.18 0.0-2.9 0.5-1.0 .20 .20
49-60 -84-- 4-5-12- 18 1.50-1.70 14.00-42.00 0.04-0.05 0.0-2.9 0.0 .02 .02
510B—
Meadowcree
k loam, 0 to 4
percent
slopes
Meadowcreek 0-11 -41--37-18-22- 25 1.20-1.40 4.00-14.00 0.18-0.20 0.0-2.9 2.0-5.0 .24 .24 3 6 48
11-25 -20--54-18-26- 27 1.20-1.40 4.00-14.00 0.13-0.15 0.0-2.9 1.0-3.0 .37 .37
25-60 -96-- 2-0- 3- 5 1.20-1.50 141.00 0.02-0.03 0.0-2.9 0.0-0.5 .02 .02
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Physical Soil Properties–Gallatin County Area, Montana
Map symbol
and soil name
Depth Sand Silt Clay Moist
bulk
density
Saturated
hydraulic
conductivity
Available
water
capacity
Linear
extensibility
Organic
matter
Erosion
factors
Wind
erodibility
group
Wind
erodibility
indexKwKfT
In Pct Pct Pct g/cc micro m/sec In/In Pct Pct
511A—Fairway
silt loam, 0 to
2 percent
slopes
Fairway 0-15 -26--53-15-21- 27 1.20-1.40 4.00-14.00 0.18-0.22 0.0-2.9 2.0-5.0 .24 .24 4 4L 86
15-46 -21--55-18-24- 30 1.20-1.40 4.00-14.00 0.16-0.20 0.0-2.9 1.0-2.0 .43 .43
46-60 -94-- 1-0- 5- 10 1.20-1.50 42.00-141.00 0.03-0.04 0.0-2.9 0.5-1.0 .02 .02
537A—
Lamoose silt
loam, 0 to 2
percent
slopes
Lamoose 0-9 -22--55-18-23- 27 1.10-1.20 4.00-14.00 0.17-0.21 0.0-2.9 4.0-6.0 .28 .28 3 6 48
9-27 -22--55-18-23- 27 1.15-1.30 4.00-14.00 0.15-0.18 0.0-2.9 2.0-4.0 .20 .37
27-60 -79--17-0- 5- 10 1.60-1.75 42.00-141.00 0.02-0.03 0.0-2.9 0.0-0.5 .05 .15
542A—
Blossberg
loam, 0 to 2
percent
slopes
Blossberg 0-15 -39--37-20-24- 27 1.17-1.27 4.00-14.00 0.17-0.20 0.0-2.9 4.0-6.0 .20 .20 3 6 48
15-24 -55--17-20-28- 35 1.11-1.31 1.40-14.00 0.15-0.18 3.0-5.9 2.0-4.0 .17 .17
24-60 -84--11-0- 5- 10 1.50-1.70 42.00-141.00 0.02-0.03 0.0-2.9 0.0-0.5 .02 .05
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Physical Soil Properties–Gallatin County Area, Montana
Map symbol
and soil name
Depth Sand Silt Clay Moist
bulk
density
Saturated
hydraulic
conductivity
Available
water
capacity
Linear
extensibility
Organic
matter
Erosion
factors
Wind
erodibility
group
Wind
erodibility
indexKwKfT
In Pct Pct Pct g/cc micro m/sec In/In Pct Pct
556A—
Threeriv-
Bonebasin
loams, 0 to 2
percent
slopes
Bonebasin 0-4 -42--37-15-21- 27 0.10-0.30 4.00-42.00 0.30-0.60 —30.0-55.0 3 2 134
4-15 -42--37-15-21- 27 1.10-1.30 4.00-14.00 0.18-0.22 0.0-2.9 4.0-8.0 .28 .28
15-25 -18--55-18-27- 35 1.25-1.45 4.00-14.00 0.17-0.20 3.0-5.9 2.0-4.0 .37 .37
25-60 -91-- 4-0- 5- 10 1.50-1.70 42.00-141.00 0.04-0.06 0.0-2.9 1.0-2.0 .02 .02
Threeriv 0-4 -40--38-18-23- 27 0.10-0.30 4.00-42.00 0.30-0.60 —55.0-90.0 3 4L 86
4-9 -40--38-18-23- 27 1.15-1.35 4.00-14.00 0.15-0.18 0.0-2.9 2.0-4.0 .32 .32
9-29 -60--14-18-27- 35 1.25-1.45 1.40-4.00 0.14-0.18 0.0-2.9 1.0-3.0 .20 .20
29-60 -79--17-0- 5- 10 1.50-1.70 42.00-141.00 0.02-0.05 0.0-2.9 0.0-1.0 .02 .15
748A—Hyalite-
Beaverton
complex, 0 to
4 percent
slopes
Hyalite 0-5 -40--38-18-23- 27 1.10-1.20 4.00-14.00 0.18-0.19 0.0-2.9 2.0-4.0 .32 .32 3 6 48
5-9 -34--37-25-30- 35 1.30-1.40 1.40-4.00 0.16-0.19 3.0-5.9 1.0-3.0 .32 .32
9-17 -17--53-25-30- 35 1.30-1.40 1.40-4.00 0.12-0.17 3.0-5.9 1.0-3.0 .37 .37
17-26 -61--19-15-20- 25 1.50-1.60 1.40-4.00 0.03-0.08 0.0-2.9 0.5-1.0 .10 .28
26-60 -79--17-0- 5- 10 1.60-1.70 42.00-141.00 0.02-0.04 0.0-2.9 0.0-0.5 .05 .24
Beaverton 0-5 -39--37-20-24- 27 1.20-1.40 4.00-14.00 0.14-0.16 0.0-2.9 1.0-3.0 .15 .24 3 7 38
5-21 -34--37-25-30- 35 1.40-1.60 4.00-14.00 0.08-0.10 0.0-2.9 0.5-1.0 .10 .32
21-25 -67--19-10-14- 18 1.55-1.75 42.00-141.00 0.03-0.04 0.0-2.9 0.0-0.5 .05 .17
25-60 -84--11-0- 5- 10 1.55-1.75 42.00-141.00 0.03-0.04 0.0-2.9 0.0-0.5 .02 .05
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Data Source Information
Soil Survey Area: Gallatin County Area, Montana
Survey Area Data: Version 17, Dec 10, 2013
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