Contents

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Issued October 1968

I SOIL SURVEY OF MUSKEGON COUNTY, MICHIGAN BY KARL E. PREGITZER, SOIL CONSERVATION SERVICE

FIELDWORK BY H. BUCKLEY, D. HERST, R. D. HALL, L. R. JONES, T. J. LONGWELL, W. MYER, K. E. PREGITZER, AND E. C. SEASE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE IN COOPERATION WITH MICHIGAN AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION

USKEGON COUNTY is in the western part of the extend inla.nd from the lake. The association covers 38 per- Lower Peninsula of Michigan, along the shore of cent of the county. EM:Lake Michigan (fig. 1).It has a land area of 322,560 acres, The Rubicon soils make up 65 percent of this associa- or 504 square miles. Muskegon, the county seat and largest tion; the Croswell soils, 20 percent; and the Deer Park city? is in the southwestern part of the county. soils, 5 percent. The remaining 10 percent consists mostly Agriculture is the principal enterprise in Muskegon of Au Gres and Roscommon soils and organic soils. County, and corn, small grains, hay, and fruit are the The Rubicon soils occupy the nearly level to rolling up- principal crops. Dairy cows and other livestock are kept lands. Croswell soils are in nearly level to gently sloping on most farms. Large areas of the county are wooded. areas in which the water table is near the surface during Recreation is important in the county, especially in areas wet periods. Deer Park soils occupy the sand dunes along adjacent to Lake Michigan. Lake Michigan. The Au Gres soils are somewhat poorly drained and sandy, and the Roscommon soils are poorly drained and sandy. General Soil Map The general soil map at the back of this survey shows, in color, the soil associations in Muskegon ,County. A soil association is a landscape that has a distinctive propor- tional pattern of soils. It normally consists of one or more major soils and at least one minor soil, and it is named for the major soils. The soils in one association may occur in another, but in a different pattern or proportion. A map showing soil associations is useful to people who want a general idea of the soils in a county, who want to compare different parts of a county, or who want to know the location of large tracts that are suitable for a certain kind of farming or other land use. Such a map is not suita- ble for planning the management of a farm or field, be- cause the soils in any one aeociation ordinarily differ in slope, depth, stoniness, drainage, and other characteristics that affect management. The eight soil associations in Muskegon County are de- scribed ,briefly in this section. More information about the individual soils in each soil association can be obtained from the detailed soil map at’the back of this survey and from the section “Descriptions of the Soils.” 1. Rubicon-Croswell-Deer Park Association Nearly level to steep, weZZ drained and moderately weZZ drained, sdys&Zs on outwadi plaiq, 7jeach ridges, and dums This aissooiation consists of steep sand dunes along Lake Michigan and of rolling hills and nearly level plains that HENRYDIEBKING, Soil Conservation Service, helped prepare this section. Figure 1.-Location of Muskegon County in Michigan. 2 SOIL SURVEY The most droughty and sandy soils in the county are in orchards did not last long, because they could not with- this association. In these soils sand extends to a depth of stand the frost, drought, erosion, and low fertility. Some 4 feet or more. Available moisture capacity and natural of the worst wind-eroded areas in the county were these fertility are low, and soil blowing is likely in cultivated old vineyards and orchards and tracts of Rubicon soils. areas. In many areas where soil blowing has been severe, Blowouts, 5 to 10 feet deep, appeared on many of the dry practices are needed for stabilizing the soil. sand ridges. In Sullivan Township, a blowout area of 2,000 The soils of this association origmally supported a dense acres was widely known as Sullivan Sahara. pine forest that was almost completely harvested by 1900. People are moving back into the abandoned areas, Except for the dunes along Lake Michigan, much of the are building new homes on the better drained sites, and area was cleared for farming. Because soil blowing was are farming part time on a small scale. Under irrigation, severe and productivity was low, the soils were soon,aban- small fruits, vegetables, ornamental plants, and other spe- doned. The cutover woodland was repeatedly swept by fire. cialized crops are grown. These crops are planted mainly Areas that were not planted were taken over by scrubby in the wetter areas of Au Gres and Roscommon soils. black and white oaks. Because fire control has been im- Shallow wells and ponds of the pit type supply a limited proved, these areas now have a dense understory of amount 'of irrigation water. Wildlife is benefited by the in- naturally reproduced white pine. Releasing this white pine termixing of small part-time farms, idle fields, and wooded by thinning is a much needed management practice. areas. The soils in this associdtion are suited as Tvocdland This soil association is one of the best in the county for and for community developments, limited farming, and recreational and community developmmt. In it are the recreation. city of Muskegon and its subdivisions. Sites for houses and other buildings are generally good. The soils provide good 3. foundations for buildings, highways, and other structures. Au Gres-Roscommon-Granby Association Tourists and residents, especially in the dune area, enjoy Nearly level and slightly depressional, poorly drained, many miles of scenery. Foot and horse trails extend sandy soils on outwash plains, uplands, and lake pluim through this association, and there are many camps and This association consists of nearly Ievel and depressional parks. Private and public 'holdings are rapidly being c,on- areas on outwqh and lake plains and on low benches in verted to wildlife and recreational areas. Scout camps, old river channels and lakes. It consists mainly of wet public parks, and other recreational facilities are numerous sands, whereas association 1 consists of dry sands and as- and .cover approximately 50,000 acres. sociation 2 consists of both wet and dry sands. A few areas of well-drained sands occur in association 3, and some of 2. Rubicsn-Au Gres-Roscommon Association the more poorly drained areas have a cemented layer in the subsoil. The association cove? 16 percent of the county. G ntly sloping, well-draiwd and poorly drained, sandy The Au Gres soils,make up 35 percent of this associa- soils 0% ozctwmh plains aTlid uphnds tion; the Roscommon soils, 30 percent ; and the Granby This association consists of sloping, dry sands intermin- soils, 25 percent. The, remaining 10 percent consists mainly gled with dark-colored wet sands that lie at the base of of the Saugatuck, Deford, and Tawas soils. slopes and in depressions. The association is less sloping The soils in this association have a high water table. In than association 1. It occupies 1'7 percent of the county. the Roscommon and Granby soils, the water table remains The Rubicon soils make up 35 percent of this association ; near the surface during much of the year, and in the Au the Au Gres soirs, 25 percent; and the Roscommon soils, Gres soils it is near the surfactj during wet periods. Granby 25 percent. The remaining 15 percent consists of Granby, soils have a thicker surface layer and are less acid than Saugatuck, and Tawas soils. Roscommon soils. The well-drained Rubicon soils occupy the sloping areas. The soils in this association are low in natural fertility The somewhat poorly drained Au Gres soils are generally and commonly are poor for farming. Farming is generally less sloping than the Rubicon soils and,are lighter colored limited to blueberries and other special crops and to truck than the Roscommon soils. The Roscommon soils are in crops grown under irrigation. General farm crops grow depressions and are poorly drained. Also in this associa- poorly because bhe soils axe cold and yet, and in low areas tion are dark-colored, wet fine sands that contain thin crops are susceptible to damage by early frost. Drainagc lenses of clay. Although the soils are poor for farming,. more farms is difficult because adequate outlets are lacking. Trees art are located in this association than in association 1. The abundant in this association, but they generally grov farms are generally in the wetter areas of dark-colored slowly and are of low quality. Reforestation is limited soils. The farms generally range from 20 to 160 acres. mainly to 'Christmas tree plantations on the better drainec The soils in this association, like those in association 1, AU Gres soils. were cleared of trees and, farmed, w-ere severely damaged Some houses are being built in this association, but thc by soil blowing, and were abandoned. Because they con- soils generally have severe limitations as homesites. Th! tained more moisture than the soils in association 1, they high water table restricts the proper functioning of sew were not abandoned so soon. After the logging period, age disposal systems. Sewage effluent sometimes pollute! nearly all farms in association 2 consisted of a comrbina,tion shallow wells because it is not adequately filtered by thest of Rubicon, Au Gres, and Roscommon soils. The dry, porous soils. This association is probably best adapted tc sloping Rubicon soils were planted largely to grape vine- open areas for recreation, such as hunting and naturc yards and orchards, and the wetter Au Gres and Roscom- study. Wildlife is abundant because native plants furnisl mon soils were used for general crops. The vineyards and an ample supply of food and cover. MUSKEGON COUNTY, MICHIGAN 3 4. Nester-Ubly-Sims Association The Beldinig soils make up 25 percent of this associa- tion ; Allendale soils, 25 percent ; Rubicon soils that have Gently sloping to hilly, well drained, moderately well a loamy substratum, 15 percent; and Montcalm soils, 15 druined;and poorly drained, loamy soils on lake plains and percent. Most of the remaining 20 percent consists of Nes- uplands ter, Au Gres, and Tonkey soils. This association is in the southeastern and northwestern The Belding soils are somewhat poorly drained, are parts of the county. In most places it is gently sloping to nearly level to gently sloping, and underlain by clay loam rolling, but some of the steepest slopes and t,he highest glacial till at a depth of about 30 inches. The Allendale elevations in t.he county occur in this association. The soils are similar to the Belding soils but are sandier in soils are her text,ured and more fertile than those of the upper part and are underlain by lake-laid clays at a associations 1, 2, and 3. This association cos'ers 8 percent depth of 18 to 42 inches. The Rubicon soils that have a of the county. loamy substratum are well drained, are sandy to a depth The Nester soils make up 45 percent of this association ; ranging from 42 to 66 inches, and have clay loam to clay the Ubly soils, 20 percent; and the Sims soils, 20 percent. material belou- that depth. The well-drained Montcalm Most of the remaining 15 percent consists of Kawkawlin soils are sandy to a depth of 5 feet or more. The Nester and Belding soils. soils have finer textured m.ateria1 within a depth of 18 The well drained and moderately well drained Nester inches, and the somewhat poorly drained Au Gres soils are and Ubly soils occupy the steepest areas, and the poorly sandy to a depth of 5 feet or more. drained, fertile Sims soils occupy the lower slopes and Farms in this association are mainly of the generd type. basins between the slopes. The Ubly soils are coarser tex- Corn, small grains, and hay are the main crops, but beans, tured in the upper part of the profile than the Nester soils. cucumbers, and other crops are also grown. Natura.1 fertil- The somewhat poorly drained Kawkawlin and Relding ity is medium. The wet soils need artificial drainage, and soils lie along the lower mirgins of the slopes. the well-drained areas need moisture during prolonged dry The soils of this association are well suited to general periods. To improve drainage, supply,water for irrigation farming. Most of the livestock are on dairy farms, but and livest-ock, ,and control erosion, fa-rmers use tile and t'here are also poultry farms and beef-cattle farms. Corn, open ditches, pit-type ponds, and field stripcropping. small.grains, and hay are the main cultivated crops. Much " Much of the association is in mixed hardwoods. The of the association, especiallysthat at. the higher sites, is in wetter sites support mostly red maple, poplar, and elm. orchards, for here air drainage is good. Apples and The well-drained Rubicon and Montcalm soils produce cherries are the main orchard crops, but peaches, pears, red oak, white oak, hassu-ood, hickoFy, and largetooth and plums also are grown. aspen. Careful management of woodland is needed in this Because water erosion is a. serious hazard in the rolling association. areas, it is essential that aj suitable cropping system is sdect,ed and that practices for conserving soil and water 6. Montcalm-Nester-Belding-Kawkawlin are used. Among these pract.?ces are contour farming and Association stripcropping. Where contout farming is not practical, these soils are farmed across the slope and a good crop- Gently sloping to rolling, somewhat poorly drained and ping system is used. well-draified, sandy and loamy soils on 7uke plains, out- Practically all orchards have a permanent cover of a wash plains, and glaciated upknds sod crop. Chewing fescue is commonly used. In some This association is dade up of sloping to rolling uplands orchards, the trees are planted on the contour. Other in the southecastern, northeastern, and nomrthwestern parts orchards are terraced or are designed and managed in of tjhe county. It covers about 9 percent of the county. other ways for controlling erosion. Montcalm soils make up about 25 percent of this associa- The ,soils in this association produce high-quality hard- tion; Nester soils, 20 percent; Belding soils, 20 percent; woods. Nearly every farm has a small woodlot 5 to 20 and Kawkawlin soils, 10 percent. The remaining 25 percent acres .in size. Wildlife that 'inhabit open farmland is consists mostly of Rubicon soils that have a loamy sub- abundant in this association. ?Ibis association has many stratum, and of Sims and Menominee soils. miles of scenery ,and attracts pany visitors. The texture of the surface layer of the soils in this association ranges from moderately heavy clay loam to 5. Belding-Allendale-RubiconLoamy light loamy sand within short distances. In depressions Substratum-Montcalan Association and other low positions are the somewhat poorly drained Belding and Kawkawlin soils and the poorly drained Sims Nearly 1eveZ.and gently sloping, poorly drmined and well- soils. Iiubicoii soils that have a loamy substratum are in drained. loamy a,nd sandy soib on 7nke plains well-drained sandy areas and are underlain by clay loam This association lies between the fertile clay uplands at a depth of 42 to 66 inches. Montcalm soils are deep and and the sandy lake plain. It is generally nearly level to occur in the sandy uplands. The Nester soils are moderately gently sloping, but it is broken in places by short steep fine textured. slopes that adjoin depressions and old glacial drainage- The soils of this association are used mainly for general mays. This association occurs in a small area in the north- farming. A few sites are suitable for fruit orchards. The western corner of the county, and in 'a much larger area main crops are corn, small grains, and pickling cucumbers. in the southeastern part. It covers about 4 percent of the Dairy herds of 25 to 100 cows graze throughout this county. association. 4 SOIL SURVEY

The soils of this association are susceptible to erosion. Soil blowing is the major concern in organic areas. Practices used to control erosion are stripcropping, contour Common practices used against soil blowing are establish- farming, use of field strips, and use of sodded waterways. ing windbreaks, planting cover crops, using minimum In the Montague-Whitehall area, near Lake Michigan, tillage, and controlling the water table. Most inland farms farmland is rapidly being converted to golf links, riding that specialize in onions mainly use windbreaks of willows trails, and camping areas. Also, communities are being and narrow bands of rye for controlling erosion. Fewer developed. The larger farms are being subdivided into windbreaks are used in muck areas along Lake Michigan. farms 5 to 25 acres in size. Generally, these small farms There, erosion is co'ntrolled by' maintaining a high water are operated by part-time farmers who are employed in table and planting strips of rye. the greater Muskegon area. Adequate drainage is required for nearly all crop, Most farms in this association have woodlots 10 to 20 though drains are difficult to maintain. Because of their acres in size in which good-quality mixed hardwoods grow. location and moisture content, these soils are subject to Also, food and cover for wildlife are abundant, and wild- damage by frost. The available moisture capacity is high, life is plentiful. but naturally fertility is low. ,Complete and expensive fer- tilizer programs are needed for speciaky crop. Drained 7. Carlisle-Tawas Association organic soils are likely to erode, subside, and decompose. Unless careful management is followed, the organic de- Nearly level and depressional, poorly drained peat8 and posit soon may be depleted and the underlying material m/lCCk:S e.xposed. This association consists of depressional areas along the major streams, old drainageways, and small embayments 8. Selkirk-Kent-Kawkawlin Association of Lake Michigan. The soils were derived mainly from plant remains, but some mineral soils occur. The associa- Near&y level and gently slopimg, powly drained, moder- tion covers about 6 percent of the county. ately well:drained, and weZ1 drained, louq Soil8 on lake Carlisle soils make up about 35 percent of the associa- plaim tion, and Tawas soils make up 25 percent. The remaining This association is on a nearly level to gently sloping 40 percent consists mostly of Saranac and Sloan soils. area of the lake plain in the extreme northeastern part of The organic material is more than 42 inches thick in the the county. Slopes are generally long and gradual, but Carlisle soils and less than 42 inches thick in the Tawas some short steeper slopes occur along 'breaks to drainage- soils. The underlying material is generaIly sandy, though ways. This association covers about 2 percent of the county. in a few places it consists of marl or loamy material. The The Selkirk soils make up atbout 30 percent of this asso- Saranac and Sloan soils are mineral soils on bottom lands ciation; the Kent soils, 25 percent; and the Kawkawlin and are medium textured to fine textured. coils, 25 percent. The rest of the association consists mostly The organic soils are used for general farming or of Allendale, Hettinger, and Ogemaw soils. Most of the specialized farming. General farms normally include some soils in this asociation are fine textured, but there are some mineral soils on uplands, but drained areas of organic soils very fine sands and some silt soils. The Kent soils are on are used for corn and other general crops. Cleared, un- short steep slopes and are s'ne textured and moderately drained areas are pastured. well drained. Celery and onions are the two main special crops. Most This association is suitaible for dairy farming and en- celery farms are near the mouths of the White River, the era1 farming. The soils are naturally fertile and pro%ice Muskegon River, and Black Creek. Celery farms are favorable yields if drainage is adqua.& and management smaller than onion farms and generally range from 5 to 50 is good. Because adequate outlets are avaihble, artificial acres in size, though a few are larger than 50 acres. Celery drainage is not difficult. is grown almost exclusively on these farms. This association consists mostly of open cropland, but Onion farms are concentrated farther inland. The Moor- there are a few woodlots and, near Brunswick, a few or- land muck area, which is concentrated in sections 11, 12, chards at the higher elevations. Maintenance of good soil 13, and 14 of Moorland Township, specializes in onions, structure is needed for continued above-average yields. but other crops are also grown. Among these are carrots Practices needed on the soils of this association are tillage and peppermint and small acreages of lettuce, spinach, and at a,minimum and at the right time, return of crop res- melons. idues, artificial drainage, maintenance of fertility, and Nearly all organic farms along Lake Michigan are diked selection of a godcropping system. against seasonal flooding. All cultivated fields are drained artificially by tile and open ditches. Nearly all diked areas and many other areas depend on pumps for drainage. How Survey Was Made Where possible, open ditches are rapidly being replaced This by tile. Irrigation is common on the muck farms and may Soil scientists made this survey to learn what kinds of be overhead by means of sprinklers or underground by soils are in Muskegon County, where they are located, ancl control of the water table. how they can be used. Most of the better muck and peat areas have been cleared They went into the county knowing they likely would and developed for crops. The undeveloped areas remain find many soils they had already seen, and perhaps some wooded. A large part of the valley of the Muskegon River they had not. As they traveled over the county, they ob- that includes both organic and mineral soils is being con- served steepness, length, and shape of slopes; size and sidered for development as recreational and wildlife areas. speed of streams; kinds of native plants or crops; kinds MUSKEGON COUNTY, MICHIGAN 5 of rock; and many facts about ,the soils. They dug mmy practical 60 show them separately on the map. Therefore, holes to expose soil profiles. A profile is the sequence of they show this mixture of soils as one mapping unit and nabural layers,. or horizons, in a soil; it extends from the call it a soil complex. Ordinarily, a soil complex is named surface down Into the parent material bhat has not been for ithe major kmds of soil in it, for example, Au Gres- changed much by leaching or by.roots of plants. Saugatuck sands, 0 to 6 percent slopes. 'The soil scientists made colmparisons among the profiles Ancyther kind of mapping univt is the undifferentiated they studied, and they compared these profiles with those soil group, which consists of two or more soils not separated in counties nearby and in places more distant. They classi- on the map because differences among them are small or fied and named the soils according to nationwide, uniform they are ,too difficult ,to delineate. An example is Belding procedurm. To use this survey efficiently, it is necessary to and Allendale soils, 0 to 6 percent slopes. Also, on most soil know the kinds of groupings most used in a local so,il maps, some areas are shown that are so rocky, so shallow, classification. or so frequently worked by wind and water that they Soils that have profiles almost alike make up a soil series. cannot be classified by soil series. These areas are shown Except for different texture in the surface layer, all the on a soil map like other mapping units, but they are given soils of one series have major horizons that are similar in descriptive names, sudh as Lake 'beaches or Marsh, and are thickness, arrangement, and obhw important characteris- called land types. tics. Each soil series is named for a town or other geo- While a soil survey is in progress, samples of soils are graphic feature near the place where a soil of that series taken, as needed, for laboratory measurements and for was first observed and mapped. Au Gres and Rubicon, engineering tests. Laboratory data from the same kinds for example, are the natmes of two soil series. All the soils of Isoils in other places are assembled. Data on yields of in the United States having the same series name are es- crops under defined practices are assembled from farm rec- sentially alike in those characteristics that go with their ords and from field or plot experiments on the same kinds behavior in the natural, untouched landscape. Soils of one of soils. Yields under defined management are estimated series can differ somewhat in texture of the surface soil for all the soils. and in slope, stoniness, or some other characteristic that But only part of a soil survey is done when the soils affects use of the soils by man. have been named, described, and delineated on ithe map, Many soil series contain soils that differ in texture of and the laboratory data and yield data have been as- their surface layer. According to' such differences in tex- sembled. The mass of detailed informaiion then needs to ture, separations called soil types are made. Within a be organized in a way that it is readily useful to different series, aJl the so'ils having a surface layer of the same tex- groups of readers, among them farmers, ranchers, m%n- ture belong to one soil type. Nester loam and Nester sandy agers of woodland, engineers, and homeowners. Grouplng loam are two soil types in the Nester series. The difference soils that are similar in suittxbility for each specified us0 in texture o,f their surface layers is apparent from their is 'the met,hod of organization commonly used in the soil names. surveys. On basis of the yield and practice tables and other Some types vary so'much in slope, degree of erosion, data, the soil scientists set up trial groups, ,and test these number and size of stones, or some other feature affecting by further study and by consultation wikh farmers, agrono- their use, that practical suggestions %bout their manage- mists, engineers, and others. The scientists then adjust the ment could not be made if they were shown on the soil map groups according to the results of their studies and con- as one unit. Such soil types are divided into phases. The sultation. Thus, the groups that are finally evolved reflect name of a soil phase indicates a feature that affects man- up-to-date knowledge of 'the soils and their behavior under ageme.nt. For example, Nester loam, 6 to 12 percent slopes, present methods of use and management. is one of several phases of .Nester loam, a soil type that ranges from nearly level to rolling. After a guide for classifying and naming the soils had Descriptions of the Soh been worked out, the soil scientists drew the boundaries of the individual soils on a.eria.1 photographs. These This section describes the soil series and mapping units photographs show woodlands, buildings, field borders, of Muskegon Count?. The acre?* and proportionate ex- trees, ~ and other details that greatly help in dra.win.g tent of each mapping unit are given in 'tfable1. boundaries accurately. The soil map in the back of this The procedure in this section is first to describe the soil survey was prepared from the aerial photographs. series and then to give, in small print, a profile descrip- The areas shown on a soil map are called mapping units. tion representat.ive of the series, the range of soil charac- On most 'maps det.ailed enough to be useful in planning teristics within the series; and a comparison with soils of management of farms and fields, a mapping unit is nearly other series. Next, in larger print, are the descri'ptions equivalent to a. soil type or a. phase of soil type. It is not of the mapping units within the series. The farmer and exactly equivalent, because it IS iiot practical to show on general reader probddy will be interested only in the ma- such a map all the small, sca.tbered bits of soil of some terial in larger print, or the descriptions of the series and of other kind that have been seen a-icthin an area that is domi- the mapping units. The soil scientists and others who re- nantly of a recognized soil type or soil phase. As much as quire more information need to read this material and 15 percent, of a mapping unit may consist of other kinds the material in finer print as well. of soil. The mapping unit is gdnerally named for the soil -1s mentioned in the section "How This Survey Was or soils that make up most of the area. Made," iiot all mapping units are members of soil series. In preparing some detailed maps, the soil scientists have Blown-out land, 0 to 6 percent 'slopes, and 6 to 50 percent a problem o,f delineating areas where different kinds of soils slopes, Ihne land, Lake beaches, Marsh, and Wind eroded are so intricately mixed, and so small in size that irt is not land, sloping, 'are miscellaneous land types and do not be- 6 SO15 SURVEtY TABLE1.-Approximate acreage and proportionate extent of soils

Soil Acres Per- Soil Acres Per- cent cent

Au Gres-Saugatuck sands, 0 to 6 percent slopes- 30,320 9.4 Menominee,and Ubly soils, 2 to 6 percent slopes- 2,604 0. 8 Belding and Allendale soils, 0 to 6 percent slopes- 5,797 1.8 Menominee and Ubly soils, 6 to I2 percent Belding-Ubly\sandy loams, 2 to 6 percent slopes- 2,495 .8 slopes______---______184 .1 Blown-oub land, 0 to 6 percent slopes______4, 585 1.4 Montcalm and Chelsea soils, 2 to 6 percent slopes 913 .3 Blown-out land, 6 to 50 percent slopes______2,747 .9 Nester loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes: ______9,028 4. 8 Chelsea-Mancelona loamy sands, 2 to 6 percent Nester loam, 6 to 12 percent slopes______1,730 .5 slopes_-______-- 808 .3 Nester sandy loam, 6 to 12 percent slopes.. - - - - - 547 ’ .2 Chelsea-Mancelona loamy sands, 6 to 12 percent Nester soils, 12 to 25 percent slopes______976 .3 slopes- __ ------_ - _ - - - _ - - - _ - - - 364 .I Nester soils, 12 to 25 percent slopes, severely Chelsea and‘Montcalm sands, 12 to 25 percent eroded____------_----_------167 .1 slopes- __ ------_ _ ------_ _ ------656 .2 Nester soils, 25 to 45 perceht slopes______497 .1 Chelsea and Montcalm sands, 25 to 45 percent Nester soils, 25 to 45 percent slopes, severely slopes- __ - _ ------_ - _ - _ - - _ - - - _ ------802 .3 eroaed__------_-----_----_------220 .1 Croswell and Au Gres sands, 0 to 6 percent Nester-Kawkawlin loams, 2 to 6 percent slopes- 2,712 .8 slopes_--- _ ------_ - - - - - _ ------30,219 9.4 Nester-Ubly sandy loams, 2 to 6 percent slopes.. 14,219 4.4 Deer Park fine sand, 12 to 50 percent slopes-- - - 811 .3 Ogemaw loamy sand, 0 to 6 percent slopes- _ - - - 289 .1 Defordfinesand______-__--__1, 907 i , ..6 Roscommon and Au Gres sands ______29,949 9. 3 Dune land______--_------_-812 .’ 3 Rousseau fine sand, 0 to 6 percent slopes------755 .2 Granby loamy sand______--_--^-_- 4, 929 1. 5 Rubicon sand, 0 to 6 percent slopes______71,106 21. 9 Grayling-Rubicon sands, 6 to 12 percent slopes- 7, 360 2. 3 Rubicon sand, 6 to 25 percent slopes______1, 441 .4 Grayling-Rubicon sands, 12 to 25 percent slopes: 9,883 3. 1 Rubicon loamy substratum and Montcalm soils, Grayling-Rubicon sands, 25 to 45 percent slopes- 8,873 2.7 0 to 6 percent slopes ______4, 592 1. 4 Hettinger and Pickford soils______l,, 383 .4 Rubicon loamy substratum and Montcalm soils, Houghton peat and muck ______1, 182 .4 6 to 12 percent slopes______173 .1 Kalkaska-Wallace sands, 2 to 6 percent slopes- - 511 -.1 Saranacloam______------4,309 1‘. 3 Kawkawlin loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes______950 .3 Si~loam_------_-______-~------_1,273 .4 Kawkawlin loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes___------941 .3 ~o~nsoils--___-_,------______~_---,--_4, 912 1. 5 Kawkawlin and Selkirk loams, 0 to 2 percent Sparta sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes ______677 .2 slopes______--..------_____-_-_------1,155 .3 Tawas and Carlisle mucks ______5,826 1.8 Kawkawlin and Selkirk loams, 2 to 6 percent Tonkey and Deford soils ______4,725 1. 5 slopes_-_-,------_-___------_--- 1,021 .3 Warners muck___-___-______-_212 .1 Kent silt loam, 25 to 45 percent slopes______--- 206 .1 Wind eroded land, sloping ______687 .2 Kerston muck ______9,963 3. 1 Urban, built up, and miscellaneous______26,100 8. 1 Lake beaches_------__------_------65 (1) 3 Marsh______------___------993 Total- - _ - _ - - - - _ - - - - _ - - _ ------_ - - - - 322, 560 100.0

* Less than 0.05 percent.

long it0 a soil series; nevertheless, they are listed ixfalpha- Terms for available moisture capacity denote the abil- betic order along wi,th the series. ,. ity of a soil to hold water that plants can use. Low, moder- Following the name of each mapping unit,, there is a ate, and high are examples of terms used to indicate avail- symbol in parentheses. This symbol identifies the mapping able moisture capacity. unit on the detailed soil map Listed at the end of each Other terms used in this survey ,are defined in the Glos-, description of a mapping unit are the capability unit fol- sary, and some of them are explained in detail in the “Soil lowed ‘bythe management: group in parentheses, woodland Survey Manual” (9) 2 suitability group, wildlife suitability group, and com- munity development group in which the map ing unit had Allendale Series #been,placed. The page on iwhich each capat i>llty unit is descriibed can be found by referring to the “Guide to Map- The Allendale series consist of somewhat poorly drained ping Units” at &heback of this survey. sandy soils that are underlain by silty clay or clay at a In the description of the soil series and of the map- depth of 18 to 42 inches. These soils occur in lake plain ping units, terms for ”structure, consistence and other areas and are nearly level ‘to undulating. They are mostly soil properties are usad. Some,of these terms require in the northeastern and hth-central parts of ‘the county: explanation. The native vegetation consisted of mixed lowland hard- Structure is the arrangement of soil particles into woods and conifers. Red maple, elm, ash, and birch were aggregates, or clusters, that are separated in the soil mass the main trees, but there were small amounts of white pine

from adjoining ~ aggregates. The shape of these aggre- and hemlock. gates are described by terms such as grandar, mguZar The surface layer of ~heesoils is very dark gray blocky, and subunguZar blocky. loamy sand about 3 inches thick. It has granular structure Terms for consistence denote .the feel, of the soil and and is1vq-y friable..The subsurface layer is about 7 inches the ease with which a lump can be crushed by the fingers. thick and consists of gray loamy sand that has many dark- Common terms of consistence are Zoose, friable, pht;ic, gray mottles. It has subangular blocky structure and is and firm. Gonsistence is *given for a dry, wet, or moist very friable. material. Unless otherwise specified, the consistewe given in this survey is for a moist material. a Italic numbers in parentheses refer to Literature Cited, p 89. MUSKEGON COUNTY, MICHIGAN 7 The subsoil is mainly sand. It is strong brown in the The natiGe vegethtion consisted of white pine and hemlock upper part and yellowish brown and brown in the lower and of mixed hardwoods, including aspen, birch, elni, a?h, part. The subsoil is mottled with yellowish-brown specks, and to some extent, red maple. which are most numerous in the lower part. The subsoil The surf am layer in uncultivated areas is about 5 inches is mainly granular and is loose or very friable. thick and consists of black sand that has granular struc- Below the subsoil, at a depth of about 40 inches, is ture and is very friable. The subsurface layer is light-gray brown silty clay that has many gray and yellowish-brown sand that is about 6 inches thick and has subangular mottles. It has angular blocky struc@me, is very firm, and blocky structure. is calcareous. The subsoil consists of brownish sand mottled with light The Allendale soils are permeable to air and water above yellowish brown. It is subangular blocky to single grain the clayey layer, but water moyes very slo.r?.lythrough this and very friable'in the upper part and loose in the lower layer. Artificial drainage is needed because these soils are part. naturally wet. Mottles in the subsoil inidicabe extended Underlying the subsoil, at a depth of about 34 inches, is periods of saturation. These soils are moderately low in very pale brown sand mottled with light yel~lowish,brown. natural fertility and, where drained, are moderately low It is single &ain and loose. in available moisture capacity. They are used for general ' The Au Gres soils are very permeable to water and have farm crops. low available moisture capacity and natural fertility. Mot- In this county Allendale soils are mapped only with tles indicate periodic wetness. During spring free water is Belding soils in an undifferentiated unit. often within 2 or 3 feet of the surface, but this water A typical profile of Aliendale loamy sand in SWl/,SE1/, recedes during summer, and for extended periods there is NWX see. 29, T. 9 N.,R. 15 ',Ti'. : not enough moisture available to'crops. Drainage

MUSKEGON COUNTY, MICHIGAN 9 layer is distinctly mottled. It has subangular blocky struc- Allendale loamy sand. Only a few areas contain both of ture and is friable in the upper part and firm in the lower these soils. Each of these soils has a profile similar to the part. one described for its respective series. 'Underlying the subsoil, at a depth of about 30 inches, These soils are on nearly level lake plains and are near is light brownish-gray clay loam that is distinctly mottled. the edges of and within the rolling uplands. These areas This material has angular blocky structure, is firm, and is occur in the western parts of Casnovia and Ravenna T'own- calcareous. ships, the eastern parts of Sullivan and Moorland Town- Permeability is moderately rapid in the upper 18 to 42 ships, the southwestern part of Holton Township, and in inches and is moderately slow below that depth. Available White River Township, Belding and Allendale soils are moisture capacity is moderately high. Because these soils both somewhat poorly drained, but they have different are naturally wet, artificial drainage is required before texture. most crops can be grown. The water table is near the sur- The Belding soil Gas a very dark brown sandy loam sur- face in spring, but it recedes in summer. Because the face layer. This soil is near the extreme edge of the lake underlying material has moderately slow permeability, plain and in the nearly level depressions and drams of the the upper part of these soils is saturated during wet rolling uplands. periods. This wetness hinders the development of plant Allendale loamy sand has a sandier surface layer and . roots and the operation of farm machinery. Fertility is subsoil than the Belding soil. Sticky silty clay is at a depth medium. ranging from 18 to 42 inches. This clayey material is finer Most areas of these soils are cultivated to the general textured than the material at a corresponding depth in crops of the area. A small amount is idle or in woodlots. the areas that are dominantly Belding sandy loam. The A typical profile of Belding sandy loam in SWy4 see. 24, Allendale soil occupies broad, nearly level lake plains, and T. 9 N., R. 14 W.: it also is scattered throughout the county. Clayey ma- terial lies below a depth of 3% feet in some areas of Allen- ApO to 8 inches, very dark brown (10YR 2/2) sandy loam; weak, coarse, granular structure ; friable ; medium dale soil and at less than 12 inches in a few other areas. acid ; abrupt, smooth boundary. Included with these soils in the mapping, on slopes of 2 Rir4 to 11 inches, reddish-brown (5YR 4/4) sandy loam to 6 percent, were areas of Kawkawlin soils that are under- that has many, medium, faint mottles of reddish lain by clay loam at a depth of less than 18 inches. The brown (5YR 5/4) and many, medium, distinct mottles of grayish brown (10YR 5/2) ; weak, medium, sub- Kawkawlin soils generally occur in areas that are domi- angular blocky structure ; friable ; strongly acid ; nantly Belding soil. These areas are small and do not alter clear, irregular boundary. the use and management of this mapping unit. Also in- 8'2 & B'21-11 to 18 inches, very pale brown (10YR 7/31 cluded, but in areas that are dominantly Allendale soil, sandy loam, representing the A'2 horizon, and yellow- are small shallow deprpssions of poorly drained soils. Wa- i&ibn?olwn (10YR 5/6) saady loam that many, ke, distinct mottles of brown (lOYR 5/3), representing ter ponds in these depressions during wet periods and the B'N horizon; weak, medium, subangular blocky sometimes hinders fiela operations. structure ; friable ; medium acid ; clear, irregular Artificial drainage is needed on the soils of this unit if boundary. they are to be used for crops. Because the underlying ma: B'22t-18 to 30 inches, strong-brown (7.5YR 5/8) heavy siandy loam that has many, coarse, distinct mottles of light terial is fine textured and of variable depth, artificial brownish gray (1OYR 6/2) ; moderate, medium, sub- drainage is difficult. Drained areas, however, are produc- angular blocky structure ; firm ; slightly acid ; abrupt, tive if they are properly managed. Undrained areas are wavy )boundary. used for hay and pasture, or they remain in woodlots. IIC-30 to 48 inches +, light brownish-gray (10YR 6/2) clay loam that has many, medium, distinct mottles of yel- Belding soil is in capability unit IIw-8 (3/2b) ; wood- lowish brown (10YR 5/6), few, fine, distinct mottles land suitability group G; wildlife suitability group 3 ; of brownish yellow (10YR 6/81, and few, mediwm, community development group 5. Allendale soil is in capa- faint mottles of grayish brown (10YR 5/2) ;moderate, bility group IVw-2 (&/lb) ; woodland suitability 'group fine, angukr blocky structure ; firm ; calcareous. G ; wildlife suitability group 3 ; community development In areas of Belding soils that have never been' plowed or group 5. dilstumd, me surface layer is a very tiark grqi&libn*orw?l 'sandv loam 3 to 5 inches thick. Below this lies a grayish subsurface Belding-Ubly; sandy loams, 2 to 6 percent slopes layer 3 to 5 inches thick. Cultivation mixes these two layers (BbB1.-This mapping unit consists of Belding sandy loam into a plow layer. In some areas. a weakly-cemented grayish and Ubly sandy loam. These somewhat similar soils,differ layer is present just above a depth of 30 inches. This layer is mainly in drainage. The Belding soil is somewhat poorly especially noticeable during dry periods. The lower part of the subsoil ranges from sandy loam to clay loam or gandy clay drained, and the Ubly 'soil is moderately well drained and loam. Below a deptb of 30 inches, the material ranges from well drained. Many areas are dominantly Belding sandy loam to clay loam or silty clay loam. The surface layer and loam, and some areas are dominantly Ubly sandy loam. In upper part of the subsoil generally range from medium acid to strongly acid, and the lower part of the subsoil ranges from other areas these soils occur in about equal amounts. Each medium acid to neutral. of these soils has a profile similar to the one described for Belding soils are more poorly drained and more highly its respective series. These soils are in the gently sloping mottled than Ubly soils. They have finer textured upper layers but coarser textured lower layers than the Allendale soils. and rolling areas of glacial till in the northwestern and Belding soils are similar to the Kawkawlin soils in drainage southeastern parts of the county. A thin layer of sandy but are coarser textured loam material overlies the loamy glacial till. Belding adAllendale mils, 0 to 6 percent slopes In some areas, Belding sandy loam is in the dish-shaped (BaB1.-This mapping unit consists of Belding sandy loam areas between rises occupied by the Ubly sandy loam. In and Allendale loamy sand. Some areas are dominantly other areas, the Belding soil is at the base of slopes and is Belding sandy loam, and other areas are dominantly also in flat areas in the draws. The Ubly sandy loam is on 10 SOIL SURVEY lower side slopes in the rolling landscape. It receives run- Blown-out land, 6 to 50 percent slopes (BoE).-This off from higher slopes. land occurs throughout the open sandy areas of the county. Included with these soils in the mapping were many It occupies short, steep and very steep slopes that have areas that differ from typical Belding or Ubly soils. In been cleared and left bare to the eroding force of wind some areas slopes range from 6 to 12 percent. These sloping and water. The original surface layer and subsoil have areas are eroded and'have a lighter colored surface layer been removed by erosion in most areas, and the former than uneroded areas. Areas on some of the hillocks are substratum of loose sand is at the surface in most places. better drained than areas of these soils. On these hillocks Remnants of the subsoil are on the lee slopes,. in protected the underlying material is exposed in spots. Other areas pockets, and in other sheltered spots. Active blowouts have a sandy loam surface layer and subsoil. In places the make up from 20- to 50 percent of individual areas. Ac- depth to the loamy underlying material is more than 42 cumulations of soil occur as overburden at the base of inches. Also included are poorly drained shallow depres- slopes and on the leeward side of slopes. sions that have a dark-colored surface layer and are slow Included with this land in the mapping were areas that to dry up after rains in spring. Seepy-areas occur in the have slopes of less than 6 percent. Also included were less Ubly soils. Areas of Nester soils are included where the severely eroded areas. A few areas have a sparse cover of loamy underlying material is less than 18 inches from the mosses and lichens, and other areas have a thin mantle of surface. The Menominee soils and the Rubicon soils that lag gravel on the surface. Many areas consist of raw, shift- have a loamy substratum occur where the 'surface layer ing sand. and subsoil are sandier than normal. Poorly drained Sims This land has little value as cropland, though trees grow soils are in the wettest dish-shaped areas between rises. if the sand is stabilized. Some areas have been stabilized None of these included areas greatly affects use and by planting beachgrass. Other areas that were first sta- management. bilized by planting beachgrass have been planted to pitch, Artificial drainage is required in seepy spots and in areas red, or jack pines, or in a few places to locust. In all areas that are dominantly Belding sandy loam. Drainage, how- careful management is needed for protection from further ever, is difficult because the depth to the underlying loamy damage through soil blowing. material varies. Drained areas that are' properly managed Capability unit VIIIs-1 (5a) ; woodland suitability have favorable yields of most crops. group Y; wildlife suitability group 4 ; community develop- 'This unit is extensive. Adequately drained areas are used ment group 3.' I for general crops. Undrained areas are used mainly for hay and pasture. A few areas remain wooded. Carlisle Series Belding soil is 'in capability unit IIw-8 (312b) ; wood- land suitability group G; wildlife suitability group 3 ; The 'Carlisle series consists of very poorly drained soils community development group 5. Ubly soil is in capability that developed in deep, organic material. These soils occur unit IIe-3 (3/2a) ; woodland suitability group A ; wildlife in nearly level areas, in depressions, and on broad depres- suitability group 9 ;community development group 2. sional flats of the lake plain and outwash plain. They also occur along streams and are in scattered pockets and swales of the uplands. The native vegetation consisted of Blown-out Land lowland hardwoods and included elm, ash, soft maple, and Blown-out land was mapped in two units according to some tamarack, cherry, and willow. A few white pines slope. Neither unit has much value as cropland. grow in some places. Blown-out land, 0 to 6 percent slopes (BOB).-This land The upljer 25 inches of these soils consist of black muck is in scattered areas throughout the open sandy parts of that has granular or subangular blocky structure. Woody the county where the orikinal forest has been cleared. The fragments are common in these layers. original surface layer and the subsoil have been removed Below a depth of 25 inches, and extending to a depth of by soil blowing and water erosion. Loose sand is ,at the 42 inches or more, the material consists of fibrous peat surface. Active blowouts make up from 20 to 50 percent of containing a considerable amount of woody fragments. individual areas. Some areas betxveen blowouts show evi- Carlisle soils have high available moisture capacity but dence of stabilization. are low in natural fertility. They are deficient in micro- Included with this land in the mapping were some areas nutrients. Artificial drainage is required for optimum that are not so severely eroded. yields, but drainage is difficult and costly. Runoff from The present vegetation consists of mosses and lichens Carlisle soils is slow, and additional runoff is rece.ived and a few stunted trees of scrub oak or fire cherry. Some from hi her adjacent soils. Water ponds in the lowest areas are covered only by lag gravel. Many areas, especially areas. A Bso, a high water table saturates these soils, espe- those along Lake Michigan, are raw and open. cially in spring, and the planting of crops is delayed. 'This land has' no value as cropland, but it will support Excess water also impairs the use of machinery. Soil blow- trees. Some areas have been stabilized with plantings of ing is a serious hazard during dry periods. beachgrass. Other areas have been stabilized with beach- 'Carlisle soils are highly valued because of their suita- grass and then planted to red, Scotch, pitch, or jack pines. bility for celery, mint, carrots, onions, and other special In all areas careful management is needed for protection crops, Corn is the most' important field crop. Undrained from further damage by erosion. areas are in pasture, including pasture of reed canarygrass, Capability unit VIIIs-1 (5a) ; woodland suitability or are in second-growth forest. group Y ; wildlife suitability group 4 ; community develop- In this county Carlisle soils are mapped only with ment group 3. Tawas soils in an undifferentiated unit. MUSKEGON COUNTY, MICHIGAN 11

Typical profile of Carlisle muck in NWXNEX sec. 14, B22ir-19' to 28 inches, yellowish-brown (10YR $24) sand ; very weak, ,coarse, subangular blocky structure ; very T. 10 N., R. 14 W. : friable ; medium acid ; gradual, wavy boundary. 14to 14 inches, black (10YR 2/1) well-decomposed muck; B23ir-28 to 33 inches, brownish-yellow (10FR 6/6) sand; weak, coarse, subangular blocky structure ; friable ; very weak, medium, subangular blocky structure ; very slightly acid ; clear, smooth boundary. friable ; medium acid ; clear, wavy boundary. 2-14 to 18 inches, black (5YR 2/1) muck ; weak, fine, granu- A'21-33 to 42 inches, very pale brown (10YR 7/4) sand ; single lar structure ; very friable ; slightly acid ; clear, grain ; loose ; medium acid ; clear, smooth boundary. smooth boundary. B'tl-42 to 43 inches, yellowish-red (5YR 4/8) loamy sand ; &18 to 25 inches, black (5YR 2/1) muck; moderate, medium, weak, medium, subangular blocky structure ; very fri- subangular blocky structure ; firm ; slightly acid ; clear, able ; medium acid ; clear, wavy boundary. smooth boundary. A'22-43 to 48 incbes, very pale brown (10YR 7/3) sand ; single 4-25 to 36 inches, dark-gray (10YR 4/1) fibrous peat that has grain ; loose ; medium acid ; abrupt, wavy boundary. many woody fragments ; weak, coarse, subangular B't2-48 to 50 inches, brownish-yellow (10YR 6/8) loamy blocky structure ; friable ; medium acid ; clear, smooth sand ; very weak, coarse, subangular blocky structure ; boundary. very friable; slightly acid ; clear, wavy boundary. 5-36 im 48 irides, darlr-brown (lOYR 3/3) fin!ely~divideh3fibrlo,us A'2$B't-50 to 60 inches +, very pale brown (lOYR 7/3) sand ,peat mixed with collodial material ; massive ; friable ; representing 8'2 horizuns ; single grain ; loose ; me- slightly acid. dium acid ; brownish-yellow (lOYR 6/8) heavy sand representing B't horizons. The surface layer of Carlisle soils is bPack, well-decomposed muck in most ,places, but in some places it contains a considmer- In uncultivated areas of Chelsea soils the surface layer is able amount of mineral material. 'The layers below the surface 2 to 4 inches thick an'd consists of black loamy sand. It is under- layer range from reddish ,brown through brown to gray. Carlisle lain by 8 layer 'of grayish sand 1 to 4 intches thick. Brown of soils range from medium acid to neutral. The organic materials various shades is the color of the sand or loamy sand subsoil. that make up the layers below the surface layer are normally Th,e lowest layer of loamy sand is normally at a depth of less fibrous. In the upper 24 inches of these soils, there are few to than 66 inches and is underlain by slightly acid sand. In some many partly decomposed fragments of wood. One or' more places the underlying material is coarse sand and contains some layers may be made up of a jellylike organic material that is fragments of gravel size. very fine and impermeable. ' Chelsea soils have thinner layers in the subsoil than those 'Carlisle soils contaih more fragments of wood than the in Montcalm and Mancelona soils, but the subsoil in Chelsea Houghton soils anld have t?nicker organic ,deposits than the soils extends to a gkeater depth. They have a finer textured Tawas or Warners soils. They are less stratified and more uni- subsoil than the Kalkaslra, Rubicon, and Grayling soils. form in composition than Kerston soils. Chelsea-Mancelona loamy sands, 2 to 6 peroent slopes (CmB1.-Chelsea loamy sand and Mancelona loamy sand Chelsea Series have been mapped together in this complex because they The Chelsea series consists of well-drained sandy soils. occur in an intricate pattern and cannot be mapped sepa- These soils developed in deep deposits of sand that are un- rately. Each of these isoils' has a profile similar to the one derlain by thin layers of loamy sand at a depth of 42 to described for its resp,ecti#veseries. These soils occupy the 66 inches. Chelsea soils occur in gentle to very steep areas rolling uplands in the southeastern part of the county. of the till plains and moraines. The native vegetation con- They generally occur on long, narrow foot slopes or on sisted of mixed hardwoods 'and included oak, aspen, gently sloping crests 6f cone-shaped sandy hills. Included with these' soils in mapping were areas on short, hickory, and sugar- maple.- Some areas supported stands of white pine. choppy slopes of 6 to 12 percent t.hat are severely .eroded in The surface layer is very dark grayish-brown loamy some places. In these areas the surface layer is brownish sand about 9 inches thick. It has "granular structure and colored and gritty. Also included vere a few are'w that is very friable. have a. sticky, grmelly surface layer and other areas that The subsoil to a depbh of about 33 inches consists mainly have a light yellowish-brown sand surface layer. In many of sand. It is yellowish brown or brownish yellow, has areas the Alancelona soil has a gravelly surface layer and subangular blocky structure, and is very friable. Below subsoil and sand and gravel at a depth of more than 2 feet. this are alternate layers of sand and loamy sand. The sand The depth to the clay:loam material in the Mancelona soil layers are very pale brown and loose. The loamy sand varies greatly in some places. None of these included areas layers are yellowish red and brownish yellow, have sub- greatly affects, use and management. Chelsea and Mancelona loamy sands are permeable to angular blocky structure, and are very friable. The loamy water and air. They ,are deficient in plant nutrients a.nd sand layers are % inch to 2 inches thick, are 6 to 12 inches have a low available moisture capacity. They are suscep- apart, and extend to a depth of 6 feet or more. tible to soil blowing and water erosion. These soils are Chelsea soils have rapid permeability and low natural suited to the crops commonly grown in ,the county. Most fertility and available moisture capacity. Because of the areas are small, however, and make up only part of culti- low available moisture capacity, growth of plants is vated fields. slowed in midsummer and throughout the dry summers. Chelsea soil is in cagability unit IVs-2 (5a) j woodland These soils are easily eroded by wind and water. suitability group E ; wildlife suitability group 7;-wm- Typical profile of Chelsea loamy sand in NE1/NW1/ muiiity development group 3. Mancelona soil is in capabil- SWX see. 36, T. 12 N., R. 15 W., Holton Township: ity unit IIIs-4 (4a) ; woodland suitability group C; wild- AHto 9 inches, very dark grayish-brown (10YR 3/2) loamy life suitability group 7;community development group 3. sand ; weak, medium, granular structure ; very friable ; Chelsea-Mancelona loamy sands, 6 to 12 percent slightly acid ; abrupt, wavy boundary. slopes (CmC).-Chelsea loamy sand and Mancelona loamy B21ir-9 to 19 inches, strong-brown ('7.5518 5/8) loamy sand ; weak, medium, subangular blocky structure ; wry fri- sand have been mappFd together in this complex because able ; medium acid ; clear, irregular boundary. they occur in such an intricate pattern that they cannot be 12 SOIL SURVEY mapped separately. Each of these soils has a profile similar described for its respective series. These soils are similar in to the one described for its respective series. These soils are texture and drainage, but the Montcalm soil is finer tex- in the rolling uplands mainly in the eastern part of the tured in the subsoil than the Chelsea soil. Thm, soils are county. They occur on the sides and tops of knoblike sandy on short slope breaks in the rolling areas of the eastern hills and on short narrow breaks. quarter of the county. Included with these soils in the mapping were areas of The finer textured soil layers that are common in these Au Gres and Croswell soils in long, narrow draws. Also soils are thinner and fewer than those described as typical included were areas where the clay loam material is within of each series. Also, the surface layer is lighter colored. 42 inches of the surface. Other included areas are hum- Included with these soils in the mapping were areas mocky and have moderately eroded spots. In these eroded where the loamy material is below a depth of 60 inches. spots the surface layer is lighter colored than normal and Also included were severely eroded spots that have a is gravelly. In some places the hummocky areas have slopes brownish sandy loam surface layer and contain little or- of more than 12 percent, and in the long narrow draws anic matter. Many small pebbles are scattered on the sur- slopes are less than 6 percent. face of eroded areas. Also included were areas of severely These soils are permeable to water and air. Their avail- eroded Nester soils. able moisture capacity and supply of plant nutrients are These Chelsea and Montcalm soils are permeable to low. Because slopes are strong and the soils are loose, soil water and air. They have a low natural supply of plant blowing and water erosion are likely. These soils are poorly nutrients. Because they are steep and loose, they are easily suited to row crops, because they are sandy, low in fertility, eroded by wind and water. Permanenh grasses or trees can and strongly sloping. be established and maintained to reduce the hazard of Chelsea soil is in capability unit VIs-1 (5a) ; woodland erosion. suitability group E ; wildlife suitability group 7 ; com- Chelsea soil is in capability unit VIIs-1 (5a) ; wood- munity development group 3. Mancelona soil is in capzbil- land suitability group E ; wildlife suitability group 7; ity unit IIIe-9 (4a) ; woodland suitability group C ; wild- community development group 3. Montcalm soil is in life suitability group 7; community development group 3. capability group VIIs-1 (4a) ; woodland suitability Chelsea and Montcalm sands) 12 to 25 percent slopes group C; wildlife suitability group 7;community develop- (CnD1.-This mapping unit consists of Chelsea sand and ment group 3. Montcalm sand. Most areas consist dominantly of the Chelsea soil or of the Montcalm soil. Each of these soils Croswell Series has a profile similar to the one described under its respec- tive series. The Croswell series consists of moderately well drained The soils of this mapping unit are similar in texture and soils that developed in deep sands. These soils are in nearly drainage. The subsoil in the Montcalm soil, however, is level to gently sloping areas and on narrow low ridges of closer to the surface and finer textured than that in the the broad outwash plains of the county. The natural vege- Chelsea soil. These Chelsea and Montcalm soils are in roll- tation was hardwoods and conifers that included white ing areas of the eastern part of the county. They are on pine, hard maple, soft maple, aspen, and some red pine, short breaks and the sides and tops of small, sandy knob- hemlock, and elm. like hills. The surface layer is very dark brown sand about 8 Included with these soils in the mapping were small inches thick. It is underlain by a subsurface layer of gray areas of deep, sandy Rubicon soils. Also included were sand about 4 inches thick. Both of these layers have gran- areas where the clay loam material is within 42 inches of ular structure and are very friable. the surface. These areas generally are at the top of slopes. The subsoil consists of sand. It is mottled with reddish Some of these areas are moderately eroded, and their plow yellow, dark red, and yellowish red in the lower part. layer is lighter colored than that in uneroded areas. The upper part has subangular blocky structure, and the These Chelsea and Montcalm soils are permeable to lower part is single grain and loose. air and water. Their available moisture capacity and sup- The material below the subsoil, at a depth of about 42 ply of plant nutrients are low. The Montcalm soil is gen- inches, is pale-brown sand that is mottled with yellowish erally more productive than the Chelsea soil because it red. This material is single grain and loose. has more fme-textured material in the subsoil. Above the fluctuating water table, water moves very Most areas uf these soils have been cleared and cultivat- rapidly through the Croswell soils. These soils are satu- ed, but a few areas remain wooded. Because the soils are rated during rainy periods in spring, but the water' dis- steep and loose, they are easily eroded by wind and water. appears quickly after rains stop. The upper layers of these They are best suited to permanent vegetation, such as soils dry out quickly, but the layers below a depth of 36 grasses, legumes, and trees. inches remain wet. Croswell soils are low in natural fertil- Chelsea soil is in capability uni't VIIs-1 (5a) ; wood- ity and available moisture capacity. They are very SUS- land suitability group E ; wildlife suitability group 7 ; ceptible to soil blowing if their protective cover is removed. community development group 3. Montoalm soil is in ca- As summer progresses, rain normally is not adequate to pability unit VIIsl (4a) ; woodland suitability group C; meet the needs of the plants. Crops show the need for mois- wildlife suitability group 7 ; community development ture during extended dry periods. group 3. Typical profile of Croswell sand in SE1/4NE1/4 see. 24, Chelsea and Montcalm sands, 25 to 45 percent slopes T. 10 N., R. 16 W. : (CnE).-Most areas of this mapping unit are dominantly ApO to 8 inches, very dark brown (10YR 2/2) 'sand; weak, Chelsea sand, but some areas are dominantly Montcalm medium, granular structure ; very friable ; slightly sand. Each of these soils has a profile similar to the one acid ;abrupt, wavy boundary. MUSKEaON COUNTY, MICHIGAN 13 A2--8 to 12 inches, gray (1OYR 5/1) sand; weak, medium, dunes and beach ridges along ,the shore of Lake Michigan. granular structure ; very friable ; strongly acid ; The native vegetation consisted of beech, sugar maple, red abrupt, wavy boundary. B21ir-12 to 18 inches, ]brown (10YR 4/3) sand; weak me- oak, hemlock, white pine, and ash. Greenbrier, wintergreen, dium, subangular blocky structure ; very friable ; and blueberry made up the ground cover. strongly acid ; clear, wavy boundary. The upper 3 inches of these soils is black and consists of B22ir-18 to 24 inches, strong-brown (7.5YR 5/6) sand that has many, fine, faint mottles of reddish yellow (7.5YR the oyganic remains of plants mixed with some mineral 6/6) ; weak, medium, subangular blocky structure; material. The subsurface layers are ray or light brownish- very friable ; medium acid ; gradual, wavy boundary. gray fine sand or sand about 6 incfi es thick. This sand is B3-24 to 42 inches, strong-brown (7.5YR 5/6) sand that has single grain and loose. few, coapse, $distinct,mottles of dark red (2.5YR 3/61 and many, medium, distinct mottles of yellowish red The s&soil is light yellowish-brown sand about 12 inches (5YR 5/6) ; single grain ; loose ; medium acid ; grad- thick. It is single grain and loose. ual, wavy boundary. Underlying the subsoil is very pale brown sand that is C-42 to 60 inches +, pale-brown (1OYR 6/3) sand that has few. medium, distinct mottles of yellowish red (5YR single grain and loose. 5/6) ; single grain ; loose ; medium acid. Deer Park soils are very permeable and have low avail- The surface layer of Croswell soils ranges from neutral to able moisture capacity and natural fertility. Where the medium acid. Generally, the water table is high in spring and protective vegekation has been removed, soil bhwing is fall. Evidence of a seas,onally high water table is the mixture of likely on these loose, dry sands. These soils can be used for colors, normally between depths of 18 and 40 inches. Where recreation. Croswell soils grade to the well-drained sands, the mixture of colors is at a depth of about 3 feet. Where Croswell soils Typical profile of Deer Park fine sand in SWl/,SWl/, grade to the somewhat poorly drained Au Gres soils, the mix- sec. 15, T. 12 N, R. 18 W.: ture of colors is at a depth of about 18 inches. In areas where 01-3 inches to 0, black (1OYR 2/1) organic matter containing Croswell soils grade to the Wallace soils, the subsoil contains 'some sand ; very weak, fine, granular structure ; very a few chunks of weakly cemented sand that are irregular in friable ; slightly acid ; medium acid ; abrupt, irregular size and shape. boundary. Croswell soils are more moist and more mottled than the Rubicon and Kalkaska soils. Croswell soils lack the cemented ,221-0 to 2 inches, gray (10YR 5/1) fine sand stained very dark layer that is common in the Wallace soils. They are better gray (10YR 3/1) by organic matter ; ,single grain ; drained and not so highly mottled as Au Gres soils. loose ; medium acid ; clear, irregular boundary. 822-2 to 6 inches, light brownish-gray (10YR 6/2) sand; Croswell and Au Gres sands, 0 to 6 percent slopes single grain ; loose ; medium acid ; clear, irregular (crB).-This mappin unit consists of Croswell sand and ,boundary. Au Gres sand. The roswell sand makes up most of the B-6 to 18 inches, light yellowish-brown (10YR 6/4) sand; 8 single grain ; loose ; medium acid ; clear, irregular unit. Each of these soils has a profile similar to the one !boundary. described for its respective series. This unit mpccurs through- C-1s to 60 inches +, very pale brown (lOYR 7/3) sand ; single out most of the county. It has a fluctuating high water grain ; loose ; medium acid. table. The water table is clo$er to the surface in the Au In some areas, the subsurface layer is thicker than that Gres soil than in the Croswell soil. The Croswell soil is described and the subsoil is very thin. Near Lake Michigan, the slightly higher and better drained and is lighter colored subsoil layer (B horizon) is normally absent. Farther from than the An Gres soil. The Au Gres soil is in depressions the lake, this layer occurs, and it becomes thicker and brighter ~ colored as distance from the lake increases. The profile 'ranges in some places. from medium acid to slightly acid. The texture of the entire Areas of these soils that have never been cultivated and profile is fine sand,in some areas. About % to 1/4 mile inland, still retain a protective cover thaw a slightly thicker sur- Deer Park soils are adjacent to Rubicon or Grayling soils, or face layer th,an cultivated areas. Soil blowing has 'thinned both. Deer Park soils hlave a more distinct subsurface layer than the surfacs layer where these soils have lo$ their vegeta- the Grayling soilis but a less distinct subsoil than the Rubicon tion. Overwash has accumulated in a thin layer over the soils. Deer Park soils are ,less acid than the Rubicon or the Au Gres sand in those places where the soil occurs in shal- Grayling soils. low depressions or at the base of slopes. Deer Park fine sand, 12 to 50 percent slopes IDpE1.- These soils are low in plant nutrients. They become This soil occupies the sloping to very steep areas of sand droughty in ,the summer when the water table drops. Dur- dunes and beach rid.ges along Lake Michigan. Much of ing dry periods, unprotected areas are easily eroded by the area is covered with a forest of mixed hardwoods con- wind. sisting of beech, maple, red oak, white pine, and hemlock. Large areas of these soils have been cultivated, but now Some areas are covered only with beachgrass and briers, most areas are idle. The vegetation is Canada bluegrass, and in these areas the subsoil is absent and the organic quackgrass, goldenrod, and bracken fern. A few small mat at the surface is very thin or absent. aspen, birch, and elm trees also are present. Included with this soil in mapping were very severely Croswell soil is in capability unit IVs-2 (5a), woodland eroded, bare areas in which the soil is veiy pale brown, suitability group E ; wildlife suitability group 1; com- infertile sand. munity development group 3. Au Gres soil is in capability Deer Park fine sand, 12 to 50 percent slopes, contains unit IVw-2 (5b) ; woodland suitability group F ; wildlife only sinall amounts of plant nutrients. It is droughty and is suitability group 1; community development group 6. easily eroded by mind if its protective cover is removed. It is unsuitable as cropland, because it is sloping to very Deer Park Series steep and droughty. It produces excellent timber products, because of the influence of Lake Michigan. Areas of this The Deer Park series consists of well-drained soils de- soil are highly regarded for their esthetic value and recrea- veloped in weathered sand. These soils are on the stabilized tional potential. 14 SOIL SURVEY Capability unit VIIs-1 (5.3a) ; woodland suitability C7-38 to 60 inches +, pinkish-gray (7.5YR 6/52) fine sand; group H ; wildlife suitability group I;community devel- single grain ; loose ; calcareous. opment group 3. In cultivzlted areas of Deford soils the gray subsurface layer has been mixed with the black surface layer and the plow layer is dark gray. Thin layers of silt and very fine Def ord Series sand occur in the subsurface layer in some areas. The amount of mottling varies considerably throughout the profile, but The Deford series consists of deep, poorly drained fine mottles are dominantly grayish in color. The upper 11 inches of these soils range from acid to neutral, and the material sands. These soils are in nearly les7el to depressional areas below is neutral or calcareous. As the distance to Roscommon of the lake plain and the outwash plain. The native vegeta- soils decreases, texture of the sand in the Deford soils becomw tion consisted of lowland hardwoods and a few conifers coarser with depth, and the thin layers of finer textured ma- and included elm, red maple, swamp white oak, and ,some terial ,occur above a depth,of 42 inches or arc absent. black spruce and white-cedar. Deford soils have a thinner surface layer and developed in finer sand than the Granby soils. Also, they developed in finer The surface layer is black fine sand about 5 inches thick. sand than the Roscommon soils. This layer has granular structure, is very ,friable, and is very high in organic-matter content. Deford fine sand (0 to 2 percent slopes) (Ds1.-This soil consists of fine sand and has a black or very dark gray sur- Below the surface layer are alternate layers of fine sand face layer. The soil occurs mainly in broad, flat areas of the and very fine sand. The dominant color is light brownish lake plain near Moorland but other areas arc elsewhere in gray?and the material is mainly very friable or loose. Most sli'ght depressions of the lake plain.' of these layers are single grain, but some have submgular blocky or platy structure. These layers are highly mottled Included with this soil in the mapping were areas that with brownish yellow and yellow. have a sand surface layer and areas that have a mucky surface layer. Also included were small areas that have Deford soils are very permeable to witer and have low slopes 2 to 6 percent and a lighter colored surface layer available moisture capacity. They are low in natural fer- of tility. Unless these soils are drained, they are saturated by than that described in the typical profile. This soil is met because its water table ?s high. Drainage SL high water table and the excess water severely limits the growth of plants and use of farm machinery. Drainage, improves this soil as cropland, but drained areas have low holyever, is difficult because the ,sandy material caves into available moistdre capacity. Exposed areas are easily ditches and into trenches dug for tile. Only fair yields eroded by wind. Rotations that provide a high proportion can be expected under careful management. Much of the of meadow and hay crops are well suited. Undrained areas acreage of these soils is idle or is used for pasture. Some are used mainly for pasture or are idle. areas are forested. Capability unit 111~-6, (4c) ; woodland suitability group W ; wildlife suitability group ~5; community tie- Typical profile of Deford fine sand in SWXNWX sec. velopment group 8. 15, T. 11 N., R. 16 W. : Al-0 to 5 inches, black (10YR 2/1) fine sand; moderate, fine, granular structure ; very friable ; medium acid ; very Dune Land high content of organic matter; abrupt, wavy boundary. Dune land (Du) is in areas of sand dunes near Lake Clg-5 to 9 inches, light-gray (10YR 6/1) fine sand that has Michigan (fig. 3). Slopes range from 12 to 35 percent. common, medium, faint mottles of grayish brown Most areas do not have a protective plant cover and are (10YR 5/2) and common, coarse, prominent mottles actively eroding. Beachgrass grows in clumps, and some of black (10YR -*2/1) ; weak, medium, subangular blocky structure ; very friable ; medium acid ;'abrupt, trees and woody shrubs grow in sheltered coves. In several irregular boundary. areas the dunesare advancing into the lower areas. Evi- (22-9 to 11 inches, pale-brown (10YR 6/3) fine sand that has dence of this. advance is the treetops that protrude above many, medium, distinct mottles of,^ yellowish 'brown the sand on the leeward side of the dunes. Stabilization of (10YR 5/8), many, coanse, faint mottles of light the dunes has been attemptedin a few phes but generally 'brownish gray (10YR 6/2), an,d common, med'ium distinct mottles of brownish yellow JlOYR 6/8) ; weak, has not be.en successftl. Dune land is used primarily for medium, subangular blocky structure ; very -friable ; recreation. slightly acid ; clear, irregular iboundary. Capability unit VIIIsl (Sa) ; woodland suitability 03-11 to 20 inches, light brQwnish-gray (lOYR 6/2) fine santt that has many, medium, distinct mottles of brownish group Y ; wildlife suitability group 4; community develop- yellow (10YR 6/6) and few, fine, faint mottles of ment group 3. light yellowish brown (10YR 6/4) ; single grain ; neutral ; clear, irregular boundary. C4-20 to 28 inches, light brownish-gray (109R 6/2) very fine Granby Series sand that has many, medium, distinct mottles of brownish yellow (10YR 6/S) ; vertical streaks of black The Graiiby series consists of poorly drained soils that (10YR 2/1) 2 millimeters wide; weak, thick, platy developed in deep deposits of neutral sand. These soils oc- structure ; very friable ; mildly alkaline ; clear, ir- regular 'boundmy. cupy broad, neqly level to depressional areas of lake plain Cd-28 to 32 inches, light brownish-gray (10YR 6/2) fine ,sand and outwash plain in the central part of the county. The 'that has,niany, medium, distinct mottles of brownish native vegetation consisted of lowland hardwoods, mainly yellow (lOYR 6/6) and many, fine, distinct mottles of yellow (lOYR 7/8) ; single grain ; 1,oose; calcareous ; elm, red maple, and swamp white oak and some willow. clear, wavy boundary. mere were also some spruce and white-cedmar. C6-32 to 38 inches, light brownish-gray (10YR 6/2) very fine In cultivated areas the surface layer is black loamy sand sand that has common, medium, faint mottles of pale brown (10YR 8/31 ; single grain ; 'loose ; calcareous ; about 10 inches thick. It has granular structure and is very gradual, wavy boundary. friable.

16 SOIL SURVEY

C-16 tv 60 inches +, very pale brown (lOYR 7/3) sand ; single Capability unit VIIs-1 (5.7a, 5.3a) ; woodland suit- grain ; loose ; medium acid. ability group H; wildlife suitability group 8 ; community The surface layer of Grayling soils ranges from dark gray to development group 3. black and in some areas is high in organic-matter content Grayling-Rubicon sands, 25 to 45 percent slopes The grayish subsurface layer is absent in some areas. Depth to the very pale brown, loose sand ranges from 12 to 24 inches. (GrE).-These soils occur together in such an intricate pat- The profile ranges from medium acid to strongly acid. tern tha? they could not be mapped separately. Each of Grayling soils have a less well-developed subsoil than either these soils has a profile similar to the one described for the Rubicon or the Kalkaska soils. Unlike the Wallace soils, its respective series. These soils are on the short, very steep Grayling soils lack a cemented layer in the subsoil. Grayling soils are more acid and have a thinner subsurface layer than slopes in the rolling, sandy uplands of the county. Some Deer Park soils. areas are ,dong sandy terrace breaks and in pits in the flat, Grayling-Rubicon sands, 6 to 12 percent sllopes sandy outwash plain and lake plain. (GrC1.-These soils occur together in such an intricate The surface layer is thinner and less distinct than t,hat pattern that they could not be mapped separately. Each of typical Grayling and Rubicon soils. Also, the depth to of these soils has a profile similar to the one described the substratum is much less. The gray subsurface layer is absent in many areas. for its respective series. These soils occur throughout the Included with these soils in the mapping were moder- sandy areas of the county. They are on'the sides of hills ately eroded areas that have a grayish-brown surf ace layer. in sandy rolling areas in the north-central part of the Also included mere severely eroded areas that have shallow county. They also occupy short slopes adjacent to closed blowouts and U-shaped gullies. In a small included acre- depressions, along drainageways, and on breaks from one age slopes are less than 25 percent. broad level area to another at a lower elevation. Other These soils are extensive in this county. Their value as areas are on long, narrow ridges of the plains. cropland is lorn, but they are valuable as woodland. Some Grayling nnd Rubicon soils are similar, but the Rubicon open areas have been reforested to adapted pines, and has a redder subsoil than the Grayling. others could be. The main concerns in managing these Included wit11 these soils in the mapping were moder- steep soils are erosion and the very low fertility and avail- ately eroded areas that have a surface layer of grayish- able moisture capacity. brown sand that contains little organic matter. Also in- Capability unit VIIs-1 (5.7a, 5.3a) ; woodland suitabil- cluded were a few areas with slopes of more than 12 per- ity group H; wildlife suitability group 8; community cent and a few with slopes of less than 6 percent,. development group 3. The soils in this mapping unit have severe limita t' ions to use as cropland. They are droughty and have a very Hettinger Series low supply of plant nutrients. Erosion by wind and water is likely where protective vegetation has been removed. The Hettinger series consists of poorly drained to very These soils can be used to produce forest products. Much poorly drained soils. These soils developed in stratified of the acreage is woodland, and open areas can be planted silty and clayey deposits on the lake plain. They are not to adapted trees. extensive in this county and occur only on the lake plain Capability unit VIIs-1 (5.7a, 5.3%); woodland suit- in the northeastern and central parts. The native vegeta- ability group H; wildlife suitability group 8 ; community tion consisted of lowland hardwoods a.nd included elm, development group 3. ash, red maple, and swa,mpwhite oak. Grayling-Rubicon sands, 12 to 25 percent slopes The surface layer is black loa,m about 7 inches thick. It (GrD1.-These soils occur together in such an intricate pat- has granu1a.r structure, is friable, and has a high content tern that they could not be mapped separately. Each of of organic matter. these soils has a profile similar to the one described for its The subsoil is stratified and consists mainly of gray silty respective series. These soils are on short, steep slopes in clay loam but has a thin layer or layers of silrt loam. The the rolling, sandy upland of the north-central part of the subsoil is 'about 24 indies thick. It has angular blomcky and county. They are also along sandy terrace breaks and in subangdar %lockystructmre. Brownish-yellow and yellow- pits in the flat, sandy areas of the outwash plain and the ish-brown mottles are common throughout the subsoil and lake plain. exbend into t

B21g-7 to 18 inches, gray (10YR 5/1) silty clay loam that has wildlife suitability group 6 ; community development many, fine distinct mottles of brownish yellow (10YR group 7. 6/6) and many, fine, faint mottles of grayish brown (2.5Y 5/2) ; strong, fine, angular blwky structure; firm ; neutral ;clear, wavy boundary. Houghton Series IIBZ2g-18 to 21 inches, gray (10YR 5/1) silt loam that has many, medium, faint mottles of dark gray (10YR 4/1) The Houghton series consists of very poorly drained and few, fine, distinct mattles of brownish yellow soils that developed in dark-cornlored, fibrous organic (lOYR 6/6) ; weak, medium, subangular blocky struc- ture ; friable ; mildly alkaline ; clear, wavy bouqdary. deposits more than 42 inches thick. These soils occur IIIB23g-21 to 31 inches, light-gray (1OYR 6/1) silty clay mainly along flowing streams and in shallow beds of old loam that has common, medium, faint mottles of gray lakes, but some areas are scattered in very wet swales and (10YR 5/1) and many, medium, distinct mottles of potholes throughout the uplands. The native vegetation yellowish brown (10YR 5/8) ; weak, medium, sub- angular blocky structure ; firm ; mildly alkaline ; consisted mainly of marsh grasses, sedges, reeds, cattails, abrupit, smooth boundary. and other fibrous plants. A few herbaceous plants, willows', IVc31to 36 inches, light brownish-gray (10YR 6/2) very fine and elm trees occur. sandy loam that has many, medium, distinct mottles 6 of yellowish brown (10YR 5/4) ; massive; friable; The surface layer is black muck about inches thick. It mildly alkaline ; abrupt, smooth boundary. has granular structure and is friable. VC2g-36 to 48 inches +, gray (10YR 5/1) silty clay loam that Below t.he surface layer,. and extending to a depth of 60 has many, medium, distinct mottles of brown (10YR inches or more the material consists of mucky peat and 5/3), many, fine, faint mottles of gray (N 5/0), and fibrous peat. This material is massive and is black, dark few, fine, distinct mottles of brownish yellow (10YR 6/6) ;massive ; fim ; calscareow. brown, very dark gray, and very dark grayish brown. Except in drained areas, a high water table saturates Undisturbed areas of Hettinger soils have a black or very dark brown surface layer 6 to 10' inches thick. The subsoil is Hougliton soils. These soils have moderately rapid per- dominantly silty clay loani or clay loam, but in some areas it meability and high available moisture capacity. The sup- has layers of silt loam, loam, or fine sandy loam 1 to 6 inches ply of plant nutrients, especially micronutrients, is low. thick. The material below the subsoil also is dominantly silty Cult,ivated amts are suweptible to soil blowing. clay loam or clay loam, but in some areas there are layers of very fine sandy loam, silt loam, loam, and fine sand 1 to 6 inches Houghton soils are highly valued as cropland used fo,r thick. The subsoil'ranges from slightly acid to mildly alkaline. celery, mint, and other special crops, but artificial drain- Below a depth of 36 inches the material is calcareous. age is necessary before crops can be grown. Controlled In some areas these soils are limy within 10 inches of the surface, but in other areas they are free of lime in the upper drainage is advisable because it reduces subsidence of the 60 inches. The surface layer is dominantly loam but is silty clay soil. All drainage, however, is difficult and costly. Many loam in some places. are Hettinger soils are similar to Sims soils in texture, but are areas idle because outlets are lacking. Also needed are more stratified. They are coarser textured than Pickford soils. special mixtures of fertilizer. Hettinger soils are more poorly drained and are grayer than Typical profile of Houghton muck in STV1/4SE1/4NE1/4 Kawkawlin soils. sec. 16, T. 10 N., R. 15 W. : Hettinger and Pickford soils (0 to 6 percent slopes) 14to 6 inches, black (10YR 2/1) muck; moderate, fine, (Hpl.-This mapping unit consists of Hettinger loam and granular structure ; friable ; medium acid ; clear, wavy Pickford silty clay loam. These soils were mapped as a: boundary. single unit because they are similar, and, for the purpose 2-43 to 12 inches, dark-brown (10YR 3/3) mucky peat; mas- sive; friable; slightly acid ; clear, wavy boundary. of this survey, it. was not necessary to map them separately. &12 to 15 inches, black (10YR 2/l) colloidal peat that has Most mapped areas are dominantly Hettinger loam, but many, fine, dark yellowish-brown (lOYR 3/4) fibers ; some are dominantly Pickford silty clay loam, and a few massive ; slightly acid ; clear, smooth boundary. consist of each soil in about equal amounts. Each of these 4-15 to 45 inches, very dark gray (10YR 3/1) peat that has soils has a profile similar to the one described for its dark-brown (10YR 3/3) fibers; massive ; friable ; neutral ; clear, wavy boundary. respective series. 545to 60 inches f, very dark grayish-brown (1OYR 3/2) These soils are on nearly level to gentlc slopes of the fibrous peat; approximately 10 percent of horizon is lake plain. They occupy the beds of former lakes. The light-gray (10YR 7/1) 'sand; massive ; friable ; neutral. Pickford soil is finer textured than the Hettinger soil and In some areas the surface layer of Houghton soils consists of only lacks distinct stratification in the upper layers. partly decomposed organic material and is lighter colored than Included with these soils in the mapping, in areas of that in the profile descfibed. The layers underlying the surface layer vary in color and thickness and contain a few woody fragments. This Hettinger loam, were small areas of coarsgtextured soils. soil is genepaally medium acid to slightly acid, but a few areas are Also included, in areas dominantly of Pickford silky clay strongly acid or neutral. In some areas, a 2- to 10-inch layer of loam, mere small areas of Selkirk soils that are gently loamy mineral material is at the surface. In the beds of old lakes, sloping md slightly higher't.han'the Pickford soils. sandy material is just ,Mow a depbh of 42 inches Houghton soils have a lower content of woody fragments than Hettinger and Pickford soils' are wet. Water and air Carlisle soils and thicker organic deposits than Tawas or Warners move through them at 'a rrioderately slow to vkry slow rate. soils. Houghton soils are less stratified than Kerston soils and Natural fertility and available moisture capacity are high. consist of more uniform material. In the level or nearly level areas, these soils are difficult Howghton peat and muck (0 to 2 percent slopes) (H$- to drain 'because of the relief. Undrained areas of these This soil lies in low, flat areas and in potholes or depressions soils are used mainly for hay, pasture, or trees. in the outwash plain, lake plain, and till plain. It has a Hettinger soil is in capability unit IIm-2 (1.5~); wood- profile like the one described for the series. land suitability group P; wildlife suitability group 6; Included with this soil in the mapping were areas of community development groq 7. ,Pickford soil is in ca- Tawas muck. These areas consist of shallow deposits of pability unit IIIw-2 (lc) ; woodland suitzbility group P ; peat over sandy material. Also included were scattered 18 SOIL SURVEY spots of woody peat. None of these included areas greatly from 2 to 12 inches, but this layer is absent in some areas. The surface layer and subsoil combined, range from 18 to 36 inches influences use and management. in thickness. Chunks of cemented material occur in the subsoil This soil is wet and has high available moisture capacity. in some areas. The surface layer and subsoil range from very Nahdfertility is low. strongly acid to medium acid. Srtificial drainage is required before this soil can be The layers in the subsoil of Kalkaska soils are more de- veloped th,an those of the Rubicon soils bat are less developed used as cropland. Drained areas are used for celery, mint, than those of bhe Wallace soils. Kalkaska soils lack the ce- lettuce, onions, carrots, and other special crops. Corn is mented layer in the suibsoil that is typical of the Wallace soils. also grown. Care is needed to prevent overdrainage, for Kalkaska-Wallace sands, 2 to 6 peroent slopes1 (KaB).- overdrainage increases susceptibility, to soil blowing. Spe- Kalkaska sand and Wallace sand generally occur together cial mixtures of fertilizer are needed on this soil. in such an intricate pattern that they could not be mapped Capability unit IIIw-15 (Me) ; woodland suitability separately. Each of these soils has a profile similar to the group U; wildlife suitability group 5 ; community devel- one described for its respixtive series. These two soils are opment group 10. somewhat similar, but the Wallace soil has a cemented layer in the subsoil, and the Kalkaska soil does not. The Kalkaska Series unit occupies gently sloping, narrow, long and low dune- The Kalkaska series consists of well-drained sandy soils like ridges within areas of the flat, wet outwash plain and on low, long, narrow ridges that occur on the nearly level, lake plain. These soils are normally moderately well wet outwash plain. A few areas are in the rolling sandy drained, although some higher positions are well drained. uplands. The native forest vegetFtion conSisted of beech, Included wibh these soils in 'the mapping were eroded maple, hemlock, white birch, and some blackgum. Many areas in which the surface layer consists of brownish of the narrow ridges are in' grasses, weeds, scattered former subsoil material and has a few chunks of cemented sassafras, fire cherry, gum, and sumac. material on the surface. Also included were small areas of The surface layer is a mixture of black and gra;y sand Au Gres and Saugatuck sands in some of the shallow about 4 inches thick. It has granular structure and is very depressions and at their outer edges. In a few included friable. A subsurface layer of light-gray sand underlies areas, slopes are 6 to 12percent. the surface layer. It has subangular blocky structure and These soils have low available moisture capacity and is very friable. natural f-ertility. They are susceptible to erosion. The The subsoil is sand about 16 inches thick. It is dark red- cemented layer in the subsoil retards the penetration of dish brown in the upper part and yellowish red in the roots in some places. lower part. The subsoil has subangular blocky structure These soils have little value as cropland, but they are and is very friable. valuable for their forest products. Underlying the subsoil,,nt a depth of about 26 inches, Capability unit VIIs-1 (5a ; 5a-h) ; woodland suit- is light yellawilsh-brown sand. This materiial is single grain ability group H ; wildlife suitability group 8 ; community and loose. development group 3. Kalkaska soils have rapid permeability and low availa- ble moisture capacity. The content of moisture is seldom Kawkawlin Series adequate for crop growth, and plants are especially in need The Kawkawlin series consists of somewhat poorly of moisture during dry summers. If cultivated, these soils drained loamy soils that commonly occur on lower slopes are easily ero'decl by wind and water. They are of little and around the edges of depressions in the gently sloping value as cropland but are valuable as woodland. Many to hilly areas of the southeastern part of the county. Some areas have been replanted to pine. areas are on the level to gently sloping lake plain. Small Typical profile of Kalkaska sand in SE+&SE1/,sec. 15, areas are near Holton in the northeastern part of the T. 9 N., R. 14 W., Ravenna,Tovnship: county and west of Montague in the northwestern part. 01-1 inch tlo 0, needles from jack pine. The native vEgetation consisted of mixed hardwoods and A1-0 to 4 inches, black (10YR 2/1) mixed with gray (1OYR conifers and included sugar maple, red maple, oak, iron- 5/1) sand ; very weak, fine, granular, structure; very friable ; very strongly acid ; abrupt, irregular bound- wood, birch, aspen, white pine, and hemlock, ary. The surface layer'is very dark gray loam about 10 inches A24to 10 inches, light-gray (lOYR 6/l) sand ; weak, coarse, thick. It has granular structure and is friable. subangular blocky structure ; very friable ; strongly The upper part of the subsoil is about 8 inches thick and acid ; clear, wavy boundary. B2lhir-10 to 15 inches, dark reddish-brown (2.5YR 3/4) consists of a mixture of the subsurface layer and material sand ; weak, mediym, subangular block9 structure ; from the subsoil. The subsurface material is grayish-brown very friable ; very strongly acid ; clear, ,irregular loam, and the subsoil material is yellowish-brown heavy boundary. loam. The lower part of the subsoil coniists of reddish- B22ir-15 to 21 inches, dark-red (25YR 3/6) sand; weak, brown or brown clay loam about 18 inches thick. This coarse, subangular blocky structure ; very friacble ; very strongly acid ; clear, irregular boundary. horizon is distinctly mottled with yellowish brown, grayish B23ir-21 to 26 inches, yellowish-red (5YR 5/8) sand; weak, brown, and gray. It has angular blocky structure and is medium, subangular blocky structure ; very friable ; firm. medium acid ; clear, wavy boundary. Under the subsoil is light-gray clay loam mottled with C-26 inches +, light yellowish-brown (lOYR 6/4) sand ; single grain ; loose ; medium acid. gray or light olive brdwn. This material has angular blocky st.ructure and is firm and calcareous. In cultivated areas of Kalkasksa soils the dark-colored sur- face layer and subshrface layer are mixed and form a dark- These soils have moderately slow permeability and high gray PIOW lay€?. The t%ickmsis of the subsurface layer ranges zivailable moisture capacity.. They are naturally fertile. MUSKEGON COUNTY, MICHIGAN 19 Artificial drainage is needed for maximum use in farming, eroded Kawkawlin loam'. The total acreage of the included I but this drainage is not difficult. areas is small. ' Typical profile of Ka,wkawlin loam in SW1/4SEl/q sec. This soil generally requires some artificial drainage for ' 14, T. 9 N., R. 14 W., Ravenna Township : be,st results. Because slopes are gentle, water ordinarily ApO to 10 inches, very dark gray (lOYR 3/1) loam ; moder- does not stand on th surface. Exceptions are in the small ate, coarse, granular structure ; friable ; neutral ; depressions1 areas. Managemeat is needed that provides .abrupt, smooth boundary. control of water erosion. Also needed are practices for A2bB21t-10 to 18 inches, grayish-bro8wn (10YR 5/21 loam maintaining adequate amounts of organic matter. representing the A2 horizon ; yellowish-brown (lOYR 5/6) heavy loam that has many, coarse, distinct mot- Capability unit IIw-3 (1.5b) ; woodland suitability tles of brown (1OYR 5/3) representing the B21t hori- group 2 ; wildlife suitability group,3 ; community devel- zon ; weak, medium. subangurar blocky structure ; opment group 4. ; ; friable medium acid clear, irregular boundary. , Kawkawlin and Selkirk loams, 0 to 2 percent slopes BBt-18 to 25 inches, wCtd!i&Jbr!mn (SYR 4/3) clay l,o:o&n t@t lhas colmmo8n, medtum, distinct mottleB of yellowish (KsA)~-This mapping unit generally consists of Kawkawlin ,brown (10YR 5/8) md many, coamk!, distinct mottles or Selkirk loam or silt loam, but areas 'of Kawkawlin loam of grayish brown (1QXR 5/2) ; moderate, medium, are more estehsive. 'Each of these soils has a profile simi- !angular blocky struoture ; firm ; ld&htly acid ; clear, lar to the one described for its respective series. These sods vavy b'oumdiary. BZ%-2.5 to 36 inches, brown (1OYR 5/51 day loam that 'has occur in the nearly level areas of the gently undulatirrg many, fine, faint mottles of,'gray (10YR 5/l) and lake plain in the northeastern part of the county.' many, medium, distinct mottles of yellowish brown The Kawkawlin soil and the Selkirk soil are similar in (10YR 5/8) ; modeSate, coarse, angular blocky struc- drainage, but the Selkirk soil generally has a silt loam plow ture ; firm ; neutral; abrupt, irregular 'boundary. Cg-36 to 48 Bnches +, light-gray (1OYR 7/1) clay barn tlmt layer and finer textured subsoil and substratum. The Kaw- has common, niediurr;, fain.t lnottles of gray (N 6/0) kawlin loam has a plow layer only 7 inches thick in some and clommon, coarse, dhstinct mottles of ligllt ohve places, but this layer is thicker and darker colored in low brown (2.5Y ,5/4) ; moderate, coarse, angular blocky pockets. structure ; firm ;,calcareous. , I Included with these soils in the mappiri were areas of Undisturbed areas of Kawkawlin soils have a very dark gray Sims loam. These areas were in some of t e low pockets or very dark grayish-brown surface layer 2 to 5 inches thick. B It is underlain by a grayish-brownish layer 3 to 7 inches thicli. or depressions. Also included were eroded areas that have Depth to mottling ranges from 8 to about 16 inches. The subsoil a dark-browir plow layer that is a. mixture of the original ranges from clay loam to ,silty clay loam or light clay. The surface layer and material from the subsoil. In these areas profile is neutral to medium acid. Depth to the light-gray clay the plow layer is finer textured and contains less organic loam material ranges from 24 to 40 inches. In' drainageways the surface layer is thicker than that described because loamy matter than that in noneroded areas, where the p10.w layer material from higher lying, areas has been deposited on the does not contain subsoil material. The& inclusions are in surface. areas of the Mawkamlin soil. Kawkawlin soils occur near Nester, Belding, and Kent soils. They are more poorly drained and more highly mottled than Also included, in areas of Selkirk loam, were' some se- Nester soils but are better drained and not so gray as the Sims verely eroded areas that have a clay loam or silty clay loam soils. Texture is coarser in the Kawkawlin soils than it is in plow layer. Included in sniall, slight depressions.were Pick- the Selkirk soils. ford soils. Other areas havo a black plo-vv'layerthat is high Kawkawlin loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes (KkA).-This in content of organicmatte:. soil occupies lower parts of nearly level to gently undulat- Most areas of this mapping unit have been drained and ing lake plains in the northeastern part of the county and are used for hay, grain, and pasture. ,The Selkirk soil is the nearly level upland depressions in the rolling land- liarder to chin than t,@eKawkawlin. The finer texture of scape in the southeastern part. tlie Selkirk soil makes i't better suited to hay and pas- Included with this soil in the mapping were small areas ture than to grain. Some undrained areas of Selkirk soil of poorly drained, dark-colored soils. These included areas remain wooded. dry up slowly after prolonged rains in'spring. Kawkawlin soil is in capability unit IIw-2 (1.5b) ; This soil has no serious limitations to intensive row- woodland suitability group 2 ; wildlife suitability group cropping in drained areas. After this soil has been drained, 3 ; cominuiiity development group 4. Selkirk soil is in capa- the maintenance of organic matter and tilth is the main bility unit 111~-2(lb) ; woodland suitability group 2; concern of management. wildlife suitability group 3 ; community development Capability unit IIw-2 (1.5b) ; woodland suitability group 4. I group Z ; wildlife suitability group 3 ; community develop- Kawkawlin and Selkirk loams, 2 to 6 percent slopes ment group 4. ( KsB) .-This mappiag unit is made up of either Kawkawlin Kawkawlin loam, 2 tq 6 percent slopes (KkB).-This loam or Selkirk loam, but Kawkawlin loam is most exten- soil occupies the gentle slopes of the nearlyJeve1 to gently sive. Each of these soils has'a profile similar to the one de- sloping lake plBin in'the northeastern part of the county. scribed for 'its respective series. These soils occur on the It is also on the lower side slopes and foot slopes of the rolling landscape of the southeastern part. gentle slopes of the nearly level to gently, undulating lake Included Gith this soil in mapping were many areas plain in the northeastern part of the county. Sther areas where so much of the original surface layer has been are on the lower slopes and gently sloping sides of natural removed by water erosion that tillage mixes some of the drainageways in the gently undulating to :rolling till plain clayey subsoil into the plow layer. In small spots, espe- in the southeastern and northwestern parts of tlie comty. cialli those ojn. the upper parts of slopes, the plow layer is The Kawkawlin soil and the Selkirk soil are similar in made up bntirely of chyey subsoil material. These small drainage, but the Selkirk soil generally has a very dark spots are better drained and lighter colored than the un- grayish-brown loam or clay loam plow layer and is finer 20 SOIL SURVEY textured in the subsoil and substratum. The plow layer of B21-10 to 17 inches, strong4xown (7.5YR 5/8) silty clay that has many, medium, dimstinct mottles of reddish brown the Kawkawlin soil is dark-gray or dark grayish-brown (5YR 5/3 or 5/4) and light yellowish brown (10YR loam and is generally about 7 inches thick. 6/4) ; moderate, medium, angular blocky structure ; Included with these soils in the mapping were small very firm ; medium acid; clear, irregular boundary. areas of Sims soils in shallow depressions. Also included, B2.2-17 to 29 inches, reddish+brown (5YR 4/4) clay that has many, fine, faint coats of reddish brown (5YR 5/3) ; on the upper parts of slopes, were areas of Nester and of strong, fine, angular blocky structure; very firm; Menominee soils. In a few small included areas the surface slightly acid ; abrupt, wavy boundary. layer is sandy loam or loamy sand. These included soils C-29 to 36 inches f, reddish-brown (5YR 5/3) silty clay that are in areas that aro mainly Kawkawlin soils. has many, medium, distinct mottles of yellow (1OYR 7/6), pinkish gray (7.5YR 6/2), and yellowish red Also included in mapping, in areas of Selkirk soils, were (6YR 5/6) ; strong, medium, angular iblocky &.-uabure ; areas of Pickford soils in small depressions and, at the very firm ; calcareous. upper parts of slopes, areas of Kent soils. Some of the Undisturbed areas of Kent soils have a very dark gray or upper parts of slopes were severely eroded and have a plow very dark grayish-brown surface layer 1to 4 inches thick. This layer that is reddish-colored to grayish-brown clay loam layer is underlain by a grayish-brown or brown layer that is or silty clay. The substratum is calcareous and is 18 to 24 1to 4 inches thick. The comfbined thickness of the surface layer and upper part of the subsoil ranges from 25 to about 34 inches. inches below the surface. Soils in a few shallow, eroded In some areas in the northeastern part of me coun,, layers drainageways are also included. Although the inclusions in of silt, less than 6 inches thick, are in the soil profile. this mapping unit vary in characteristics, th'ey are so small Kent soils are finer textured than Nester soils and are better that they are not managed separately. drained than Selkirk soils. Most areas of this mapping unit have been drained and Kent silt loam, 25 to 45 percent slopes (KtE).-This soil are used for hay, grain, and pasture. The finer texture of occupies the short, steep slopes along streams that have cut the Selkirk soil makes it better suited to hay and pasture into the gently sloping lake plain. It is near areas of than to grain. The Selkirk soil is harder to drain khan the Allendale soils and Selkirk soils. Kawkawlin. Many areas are not suited to a complete The surface soil is a dark gray to a very dark grayish drainage sydtem, but random drainage and surf ace drain- brown. Mottling is closer to the surface than is typical of age are helpful in level areas. Some undrained areas of this series. Depth to calcareods material ranges from 25 to Selkirk soil remain wooded. 34 inches. Kawkamlin soil is in capability unit IIw-2 (1.5b) ; Included with this soil in the mapping were small areas woodland suitability group Z ; wildlife suiitability group that have slopes of less than 25 percent. These included 3; community development group 4. Selkirk soil is in areas do not greatly influence use and management. capability unit IIIw-2 (lb) ; woodland suitability group Water moves slowly through this soil. Many small areas Z ; wildlife suitability group 3 ; community development are wet where water moves laterally and seeps out at the group 4. surface. This soil is too steep to be used as cropland. The steep slopes limit the use of machinery. In cultivated Kent Series areas runoff is very rapid and severe water erosion is likely. Some areas are used for pasture, and others support a The Kent series consists of well drained and moderately second growth of mixed hardwoods. well drained, medium-textured soils that occupy short, Capability unit VIIel (la) ; woodland suitability steep breaks in gently sloping areas of the lake plain. The group B ;wildlife suitability group 9 ; community develop- native vegetation consisted of northern hardwoods and ment group 1. some conifers and included hard maple, red oak, and beech and some elm, hemlock, and white pine. Kerston Series These soils have a dark grayish-brown silt loam sur- face layer about 10 inches thick. This layer has granular The Kerston series consists of very poorly drained soils structure and is friable. in which layers of organic material alternate with layers The subsoil is strong-brown and reddish-brown silty of mineral material. These soils occupy the lowest areas of clay and clay that is mottled or coated with reddish brown stream bottoms and are flooded when the streams are high. in the lower part. It has angular blocky structure and is A considerable acreage of these soils occurs along the very firm. Muskegon River where it flows into Muskegon Lake, along the branches of the White River near Montague, and along Underlying the subsoil, at a depth of about 29 inches, other streams in the county. The native vegetation con- is reddish-brown silty clay that is distinctly mottled wikh sisted of alder, elm, red maple, white-cedar, and hemlock. yellow, pinkih gray, 'and yellcvwish red. This material has The upper part of the surface layer is black muck about angular blocky structure and is very firm and calcareous. 10 inches thick. The lower part is very dark grayish brown Water and air move slowly through these moderately and consists of muck mixed with sandy material and is fine ,textured soils. Natural fertility and available moisture about 6 inches thick. The surface layer is friable. capacity are high. Because slopes are steep a.nd erosion Below the surface layer are alternate layers of sand and is a hazard, these soils are used mainly for hay crops or muck. The sand is dominantly gray, single vain, and loose. permanent pasture. The muck is black or very dark gray, massive, and friable. Typical profile of Kent silt loam in SWJ&3Wl/,NaT% In some places the layer of muck makes up about 75 per- sec. 13, T. 12 N., R. 15 W. : cent of the total thickness of Kerston soils. Air and water move through these soils at a moderately ApOto 10 inches, dark grayish-brown (lOYR 4/2) silt loam ; moderate, coame, grandaT (structure; friable ; sllightly rapid rate. Available moisture capacity is moderately high, acid ; abrupt, smooth boundary. but natural fertility is low. mewater table is at the sur- NXJSKEtGON COU NTY, MICHIGAN 21 Capability unit IIIw-12 (L-Mc) ; woodland suitability '3 '3 face or within 1 foot of the surface throughout most of theyear. group 0 ;wildlife suitability group 5 ; mmmunity develop- A considerable acreage of 'chese soils along t'he White ment group 10. : and Muskegon Rivers is drained and planted to celery, : lettuce, onions, and other crops of high value. These soils Lake Beaches are difficult to drain and are subject to flooding. Crops are susceptible to damage by frost in spring. Lake beaches (la) occur bath along inland lakes and Typical profile of Kerston muck in SIV1/4SEl/qSE1/4S~C. along Lake Michigan. Slopes range from 0 to 12 percent. 15, T. 12 N., R. 1'7 W.: The soil material is light-colored sand that is not in definite layers, as are the layers in the Deer Park and Rubicon 1-0 to 10 inches, black (l0YR 2/1) muck ; weak, medium, platy structure ; friable ; slightly acid ; clear, smooth soils. The sand ranges from grayish brown to light gray. boundary. Because Lake beaches extend from the edge of the water 2-10 to 16 inches, very dark grayish-brown (l0YR 3/2) muck to elevations of as much as 15 feet above the level of the and very dark gray (10YR 3/1) ,sand mixed together ; lake, their water table ranges from very shallow to deep. weak, coarse, ,su&bangularblocky structure ; friable ; The lowest parts of these beaches, particularly when the medium acid ; abrupt, irregular bounclary. 3-16 to 18 inches, light brownish-gray (10YR 6/2) sand that lakes are at n high level, are intermittently covered with has many, medium, distinct ~mott81esof dark gray water. The beaches along Lake Michigan are calcareous, (10YR 4/1) ; single grain; loose; medium acid; but those along Mona Lake and Wolf Lake are not. abbrupt, smooth $boundary. In most places Lake beaches slope gently toward the 4-18 to 22 inches, black (10YR 2/1) muck contaking grayish- lake, but slopes are short and steep in some areas. In the brown (l0YR 5/2) stems of plants ; massive ; friable ; medium acid ; abrupt, smooth bounaary. driest areas the pattern of low humps and pits is changed 5-22 to 25 inches, dark-gray (10YR 4/1) sand that has many, by the wind. Beachgrass grows near the edge of the water fine, faint mottles of gray (10YR 5/l) and many, in some areas, and n few scattered trees are present. Recrea- medium, distinct, mottles of very dark gray (10YR tion is the main use; cottages have been built in a few areas. 3/1) ; considerable organic material; very weak, coarse, ,subangular Mocky structure ; very friable ; Capability unit VIIIs-1 (Sa) ; woodland suitability slightly acid ; abrwpt, smooth boundary. group Y ; wildlife suih'bility group 4 ; community devd- 6-25 to 29 inches, gray (10YR 5/11 sand that has many, opment group 3. medium, hint mottles of light brownish gray (10YR 6/2) ; single grain; loose; slightly acid; abrupt, smooth boundary. Mancelona Series 7-29 to 34 inches,, very dark gray (10YR 3/1) muck that has many, medium, faint motties of very dark brown The Mancelona series consists of well-drained sandy soils (10YR 2/2) ; massive ; friable ; neutral ; abrupt, that are underlain by calcareous stratified sand and gravel smooth 'boundary. I at a depth of 18 to 42 inches. These soils are in the gently &34 to 40 inches +, olive-gray ('5YR 4/2) coarse sand that has many, medium, distinct mottles of very dark gray sloping and rolling, water-worked, sandy area in the south- (5Y 3/1) ; some organic materials ; single grain ; eastern part of the county. The native vegetation consisted loose; neutral. , mainly of mixed hardwoods and conifers and included The muck surface layer of Kerston soils ranges from 6 to oaks, maple, aspen, white pine, and red pine. The present about 20 inches in thickness. The thickness of the alternate vegetation is mainly grasses and weeds, and there is some layers d muck and mineral material ranges from 2 to 12 second-growth aspen and oak. inches. The mineral horizons are dominantly sand b,ut are loamy sand or sandy loam in some areas. The surface layer is very dark grayish-brown loamy Kerstm soils are in sites similar to those of Sloan soils sand about 7 inches thick. It has granular- structure and is but have layers of organic material that are lacking in Sloan very friable. soils. The layers of otrganic material in the Kerston soils are The subsoil is dominantlv brown. vellowish brown, or thinner than those in the, Carlisle md Huughkon so&. dark yellowish brown. The Gpper andlower parts are very Kerston muck (0 to 2 percent slopes) (Ku1.-This soil friable loamy sand, but the middle part is firm sandy clay is in depressions or in ponded areas on first bottoms along loam about 9 inches thick. The lower part contains pebbles flowing streams. It is most extensive near the mouth of and cobbles as much as 6 inches in size. The subsoil is sub- the Muskegon and White Rivers: angular or, angular blocky. Included with this soil in the mapping were some areas Below the subsoil, at a depth of about 36 inches, is strati- of Roscommon sand and coarse-textured alluvium that fied sand and gravel. This material is single grain, loose, make up as much as 25 percent of the a.rea ma.pped. and calcareous. Much management is needed on this soil before it can Mancelona soils have moderatel rapid permeability and be used for crops. Optimum yields are difficult to obtain low available moisture capacity. $heir supply of plant nu- unless artificial drainage is provided. Overdrainage ac- trients is low. These soils have many gravel pits and are celerates erosion and the ' decomposition of the organic used mainly as sources of sand and gravel. matter. Ferility is low, and in many places special mixtures In this county Mancelona soils are mapped only in com- of fertilizcr are required. Available moisture capacity, plexes with Chelsea soils. however, is moderately high. Typical profile of Mancelona loamy sand in SEX sec. 33, Where this soil is diked and drained, celery, onions, T. 10 N., R. 13 W., Casnovia Township: and other special crops are grown. Otiher areas are covered Ap4to 7 inches, very dark grayish-brown (1OYR 3/2) loamy with second- rotwtli forest consisting of elm, ash, soft sand ; weak, coarse, granular structure ; very friable ; maplei and frush. Cleared areas that are frequently medium acid ; abrupt, smooth boundary. Bir-7 to 17 inches, brown (7.5YR 4/4) loamy sand; weak, flooded and remain flooded for long periods are used for medium, subangular blocky structure ; very friable ; pasture. strongly acid ; clear, wavy boundary. 22 SOIL SURVEiY

B'2t-17 to 26 inches, @arkyellowish-brown (1OPIR 4/4) sandy or yellowish brown, has subanguliLr blocky structure, and clay loam ; weak, medium, angular blocliy structure ; is very friable. The lower part is yellowish-red clay loam firm ; medium acid ; clear, irregular boundary. B'3-26 to 36 inches, yellowish-brown (10YR 5/4) loamy about 8 inches thick. It has angular blocky structure and sand streaked with grayish brown (10YR 5/2) and is firm. Between the upper and lower parts of the subsoil yellowish brown (10YR 5/8) ; weak, coarse, sub- is brownish-yellow and light yellowish-brown, loose sand angular blocliy structure ; very friable ; slightly acid ; about 15 inches thick. The lower part of the subsoil is contains cobbles as much as 6 inches in diameter; abrupt, irregular boundary. mottled with pinkish gray. IIC1-36 to 41 inches, pale-,brown (10YR 6/3) coarse sand ; Below the subsoil, at a depth of about 41 inches, is single grain ; loose ; calcareous ; clear, wavy boundary. yellowish-red clay loam that is massive, firm, and IIIC241 to 60 inches +, very pale brown (10YR 7/3) strati- fied sand and gravel ; single grain ; loose ; calcareous. calcareous. These soils are rapidly permeable to water in their up- In undisturbed areas Nancelona soils have B very dark gray or very dark grayish-brown surfwe layer 2 to 5 inches thick per sandy part and are moderately slowly permeable in It is underlain by a grayish-brown or light brownish-gray layer their lower part. -These soils are low in natural fertility 2 to 6 inches thick. The layer of sandy clay loam in the sub- and are droughty during dry periods. They have mod- soil ranges from dark yellowish brown to dark brown or strong brown. Its texture ranges from sandy clay loam to clay loam, erately low available moisture capacity. and its thicliiiess ranges from 6 to 10 inches. Above the strati- Most of the acregge of these soils is cleared and cul- fied sand and gravel. the material ranges from etrongly acid to slightly acid. The stratified sand and gravel are calcareous. tivated. The main concerns of management are low fer- Depth to stratified sand and gravel rahges from 24 to about tility, droughtiness, soil blowing, and water erosion. 36 inches. The stratified material 1s dominantly sand, dom- Typical profile of Menominea loamy sand'in SEXSE1/4 inantly gravel, or stratified sand and grayel. Mancelona soils have a finer textured subsoil than the Chel- SEX sec. 15, T, 10 N., R. 14 W., Moorland Township: sea or Montcalm soils. Mancelona soils are underlain by A1-0 to 3 inches, very dark grayish-brown (IOYR 3/21 loamy coarser sand and gravel than are Rubicon soils and have a sand ; we@, medium, granular structure ; very fri- finer textured subsoil. able ; neutral ; abrupt, wavy boundary. A24to 7 inches, dark-gray (10YR 4/1) loamy sand; weak, medium, lmbangular 'bloclry s8tmcture; very friable ; Marsh medium acid ; clear,, irregular boundary. B21ir-7 to 11 inches,~strong-brown (7.5YR 5/8) loamy sand ; Marsh (Ma) is made up of old bayous and wet areas weak, medium, subangular blocky structure ; very along streams that empty into Lake Michigm and of very friable ;*st'ronkly acid ; clear, irregular boundary. wet, inland areas. Slopes range from 0 to 2 percent. The B22ir-11 to 18. inches, yellowish-brown (1OYR 5/8) sand ; weak, coarse, subangdar blocky structure ; very fn- vegetation consists of cattails, sedges, water weeds, and able ; medium acid ; clear, wavy boundary. a few clumps of tamarack, willow, elder, and ot,her wate,r- B3-18 to 26 inches, brownish-yellow (10YR 676) sand ; single tolerant trees. The soil m'aterial is a very friable, finely grain ; loose ; medhm acid ; qadual, diffuse boundary. divided peat. It is saturated during the entire year. A'2-46 to 33 inches, light yellowish-brown (10YR 6/4)'sand thak has many, fine, distinct mo,ttles of strong brown Most Marsh is used only by wildlife. Waterfowl, musk- (7.5YR 5/8) ; single grain; loose;' slightly acid; rats, and other water-loving wildlife use the areas for nest- abrupt, wavy boundary. ing. and shelter. A few of these areas have been diked and IIB't-33 to 41 ,inches, yellowiPh-red (5YR 4/8). day loam that artificially drained and are now producing A owers, bulbs, has many, medium, distinct mottles of pinkish gray (1.5YR 6/2) ;-weak, coarse, angular blocky structure ; celery, onions, and other special crops. Draining these firm : neutral ; abrupt, wavy boundary. areas so that they can be used as cropland is very expen- IIC41 to 48 inches~+, yellowish-red (5YR 4/8), clay loam; sive. It is advisable to make special studies to determine massive ; firm : calcarecus. the feasibility of drainage. In cultivated areas of Menominee soils the surface Payer Capability unit VIIIw-1 (Sc) ; woodland suitability and part or all of the subsurface layer are -mixed together group U ; wildlife suitability group 5 ;community,develop- into a loamy sand plow layer that is very dark irayish brown or 'dark grayish brown and 6 to 10 incheq thick. 'The texture ment group 10. of the underlying loamy substratum ranges from clay loam to silty day loam. Menominee soils have coarser textured upper layers than Menominee Series Ubly soils and coarser textured low@r layers than Allendale soils. Menominee soils lack the cemented layer in the subsoil The Menominee series consists of well drained and mod- that is present in the Ogemaw soils and are somewhat better erately well drained, sandy soils. These soils are scattered drained. in gently sloping to rolling areas in the southeastern, nortlieastern, and northwestern parts of the county. They Menominee and Ubly soils, 2 to 6 percent slopes developed in sandy deposits that are underlain by loamy (MeB).-In most areas of these soils, eit6er Menominee material at a depth of 18 to 42 inches. The native vegeta- loamy sand or Ubly sandy loam is dominant, but ,a few tion consisted of mixed hardwoods and conifers and areas .contain nearly equal proportions of both soils. These included sugar maple, beech, ash, oak, hickory, and white soils are somewhat similar, but Menominee loamy sand has pine. a coarser textured plow 1ayer.and subsoil than the Ubly The surface layer consists of very dark grayish-brown soil. Each of these so'ils has %'profilesimilar to the one loamy sand that has granular structure and is very friable. described for its respective series. ' It is about 3 inches thick. The subsurface layer, about 4 In areas that contain Menominee loamy sand and Ubly inches thick, is daxk-gray loamy,sand that has subangular sandy loam in about equal proportions, the' Menominee blocky structure an&'is very friable. loamy sand is on the upper parts of slopes and is well The upper part .of the subsoil is loamy sand and sand drained. Ubly sandy loam is generally on the gentle side about 11 inches thick. In most places it is strong brown slopes and is moderately well drained. MUSKE,GON CO1JNTY, MICHIGAN 23

In tlie Menominee and Ubly soils, clay loam underlies The included Rubicon soils are in areas where the clay i sandy material at a depth of 18 to 42 inches. Water moves loam makerial dips below a depth of 42 inches. The in- rapidly or moderately rapidly through the sandy upper cluded Nester soils are in areas on the crests of slopes

3 part, but it' moves' moderately slowly through the finer where the clay loam is nea.r the surface. Some of these textured lower part. In many places water that seeps along areas are eroded and have a plow layer of reddish-brown the tops of the clay lo,am layer causes wet spots in both clay loam. Nester soils are generally adjacent to Menomi- the Menominee and Ubly soils. nee loamy sand. Belding soils are normally at the lower Areas of ,Menominee loamy sand have a very dark parts of slopes in wet, seepy spots. They are adjacent to grayish-brown loamy sand surf?ce layer. These areas %re Ubly sandy loam. generally moderately well drained, ,and there is faint Because of the slopas, these spils are best suited to long- mottling in the lower part of the sandy subsoil. The term rotations in which meadow is grown for much of crests and upper parts of the gentle slopes are somewhat the time. better drained, and in these areas the subsoil is not Menominee soil. is in capability unit IIIe-9 (4/2a) ; mottled. woodland suitability group C; wildlife suitability group Areas of Ubly sandy loam have a very dark grayish- 9; community development group.2. Ubly soil is in capa- brown sandy loam surface soil. The sandy loam lower sub- bility unit IIIe-9 (3;/2a) ; woodland suitability group A; soil in these areas is faintly mottled with 'brown and wildlife suitability group 9 ; community development grayish, colors, an indication :of moderately good drain- group 2. age. The crests "and upper parts of slopes are well drained, and in these areas the subsoil is not mottled. Montcalm Series Included with these soils in the mapping were areas of Rubicon soils 'that have a ,loamy substratum and Nester, The Montcalm series consists of. well-drained sandy soils. , These soils are in nearly level to steep, areas of the till ' &so included Kawkawlin, Belding, and Su Gres koils. plains and moraines in the eastern and northwestern parts were small afeas at the top of hills that are moderately of the county. In most areas the native vegetation con- eroded, areas that have slopes of 0 to 2 percent, ,and areas sisted of mixed hardwoods, such as oak, hickory, and hard thak have slopes of 6 to12 percent. maple. Qther areas supported nearly pure stands of white The included Rubicon soils are in rqreas where clay loam pine. is below a depth of 42 inches. Nester and Kawkawlin These soils have a very dark grayish-brown loamy sand soils are in areas where the clay loam is near the surface. surfsice layer about 11 inches thick. It has granular struc- The Belding and Au Gres soils are in the wetter, darker ture and is very friable. colored areas at the:lower parts of slopes of less than 2 The upper part of the subsoil is yellowishlbrown loamy percent. In some places, Belding soils mAke up 30 percent sand about ,'7 inches thick. It has subangular blocky struc- of these lower parts of slopes. ture and is very'friable. EMOWthis, to a-depth of 60 inches This mapphg unit is used for the crops generally or more, there are alternate layers of sand and ssidy loam grown in the county.!Many areas are used for hay and or loamy sand. The layers of sand are pale brown or yel- pasture, and a few are idle. lowish brown, single grain,^ and loose. The layers of loamy Menominee soil is 'in capabiIity unit. IfI& (4/2a) ; sand and sandy loam are dark btrown, massive, and very woodland suitability group C ;-wildlife suitability group friable. 9 ; community development group 2. Ubly sod is in capa- Montcalm soils have modersltely rapid permeability and bility unit IIe3 (3/2a) ; woodland suitability group 9; moderately low available moisture capacity. Natural fer- wildlife suitability , group 9 ; community development tility is moderately low to low. The main concerns in,man- group 2. aging these soils are drought, low fertility, soil blowing, Menominee and Ubly soils,'6 to 12 percent slopes and water erosion. Because the available moisture capac- (MeCI.-This mapping unit occupies moderately steep ity is low, the growth of plants is slowed b lack of mois- hillsides and ridges Yn the northwestern and southeastern ture. Crop yields are seriously reduce$ during dry parts of the county. It consists of Menominee loamy sand snmmers. and Ubly sankly loam, but some map,ped areas consist of Typical profile of Montcalm loamy sand in SE% see. only one of these soils. These soils .are somewhat similar, 33, T. 10 N., R. 13 TV. but the Menominee loamy sand has a coarser textured ApO to 11 inches, very dark grayish-brown (10YR 3/2) plow layer aiid subssoil thin the Ubly soil. Each of these loamy sand ; weak, coarse, granular structure ; very soil&has a profile simi1ar:to the one described for its re- friablse ; slightly acid ; a,brupt, smooth boundary. spective series. Bir-11 to 18 inches, yellowish-brown (IOYR 5/8) loamy sand ; In these soils the clay loam material underlies the sandy weak, medium, subangular blocky structure ; very friable ; medium acid ; clear, wavy boundary. material at a depth of 18 to 42 inches Or more. Permeabili- B'21t-18 to 26 ine$@s, dark-brown (7.5YR 4/4) sandy lolam; ty to water is rapid or moderitely rapid in the sandy ma- moderate, medium, subangular blocky structure ; fri- teri,al and is moderately slow in' the finer textured material. able ; medium acia ; clear, wavy boundary. In areas of Ubly sandy loam, the'clay loam material is at A'S26 to 36 inches, yellowish-brown (lOYR 5/41 sand ; single a depth of more than,24'inches in only few places, and grain ; loose ; slightly acid ; abrupt, wavy boundary. i B'22t-36 to 40 inches, dark-brown (7.5YR 4/4) sandy loam,; in some places it is within 18 inches of the surface. massive ; friable ; slightly acid ; clear, wavy boundary. Included with these soils in mapping wer? areas of Ru- A'2&B't40 to 60 inches +, pale-brown (10YR 6/3) sand bicon, Nester, and Felding soils. Also included were representing the A'2 horizons; bands, 1 to 3 inches eroded areax in which light-colored clay 1oa.m is at the thick, of dark-brown (7.5YR 4/4) loamy sand repre- senting the B't horizons ; the A'2 horizons are single surf ace. grain ; loose ; medium acid. The B't horizons are mas- 24 SOIL SURVE4Y

sive ; very friable ; medium Wi'd ; abrupt, wavy bound- The subsoil is mainly dark reddish-brown or reddish- ,aries; alternating horiaonts consthue lbo a #depth of brown clay loam that is firm and has mainly angular blocky i 8 feet or more. structure. The upper part of the subsoil is a mixture of the Undisturbed areas of Montcalm soils have a very dark gray material from the subsurface layer and the subsoil. or very dark grayish-brown loamy sand surface layer 1 to 4 inches thick. It is underlain by light-gray or gay loamy sand Brown clay loam underlies the subsoil. It is angular 3 to 8 inches thick. The depth to the first layer of sandy loam blocky, firm, and calcareous. ranges from about 16 to 40 inches. The thin layer of sanAy loam Nester soils make up some of the best cropland in the that OCCUTS ~klowthe first layer in the susbsoil ,ranges from l/s county. These soils are naturally fertile and have high inch to 8 incheq in thickness. Between the layers of sandy loam (B'21t and B'Bt) are layers of coarser textured material that available moisture capacity and moderately slow perme- range from 2 to 12 inches in thickness. The finer textured ability. Many of the orchards in the county are on these material is light sandy clay loam in some areas. Gravel occurs soils. Management is needed to control water erosion and below a depth of 42 inches in some areas. to maintain fertility and the content of organic matter. Montcalm soils have thicker, generally finer textured layers in the subToil than the Chelsea soils. They are similar to the Typical profile of Nester loam RTE%NE% sec. 26, T. 10 Mancelona soils in drainage but lack the stratified sand and N., R. 13 W., Casnovia Township : gravel bhat uniderlie those soils. ApOto 5 inches, very dark grayish-brown (10YR 3/2) loam ; Montcalm and Chelsea soils, 2 to 6 percent slopes weak, medium, granular structure ; friable; neutral ; (MhB1.-This mapping unit consists of areas of Montcalm abrupt, smooth boundary. 82-5 to 10 inches, grayish-brown (10YR 5/2) bani ; weak, loamy sand and Chelsea sandy loam. Some areas are made medium, subangular blocky structure ; friable ; slightly up almost entirely of either soil. Each of these soils has a acid ; clear, irregular boundary. profile similar to the one described for its respective series. A2&B21-10 to 14 inches, grayish-brown (10YR 5/2) loam (A2) These soils are mainly in the eastern quarter of the county, and reddish-brown (5YR 4/4) clay loam (B21) ; but a few areas are in the northwestern part. Areas of these moderate, medium, subangular blocky structure ; firm ; slightly acid ; clear, irregular boundary. soils are generally rolling. In these areas the Montcalm B22-14 to 36 inches, dark reddish-brown (5YR 3/4) clay loam ; and Chelsea soils are on gentle slopes and side slopes and strong, medium, angular blocky structure ; firm ; thin the rounded crests of small sandy hills. clay films,on many peds ; slightly acid ; abrupt, wavy Included with these soils in the mapping were areas boundary. where clay loam material is generally at a depth of 24 to C-36 to 48 inches +, brown (7.5YR 5/4) clay loam; moder- ate, medium, angular blocky structure; firm; cal- 60 inches. In some eroded areas, this clay loam is within careous. 24 inches of the surface. Also included, near the top and Undisturbed areas of Nester soils have a very dark grayish- the bottom of the hillsides, were small areas that^ have brown or very dark gray surface layer 2 to 5 inches thick. The slopes of 6 to 12 percent. These included areas have a sur- subsurface layer described in the typical profile is niissing in face layer of loamy sand that is lirrhter colored than that some places. The subsoil ranges from clay loam to silty clay of the Montcalm or Chelsea soils. Use and management of loam or clay. Mottl

26 SOIL SURVEY gently sloping lake plain. These soils are deep, are fertile, Nester soils, 25 to 45 percent slopes, severely eroded and have high available moisture capacity. (NsE3L-These soils occupy the steepest slopes of the roll- Included with these soils in mapping were areas that ing landscape in the southeastern and northwestern parts have slopes of 2 to 6 percent and a few wet spots. In these of the county. Most areas are in the southeastern part. areas the surface layer is mainly loam or sandy loam. Some Slopes are short and choppy. These soils are in small areas areas, especially those near the top of slopes, are eroded that are generally long and narrow. The PIOWlayer is a and have a plow layer containing material from the clayey reddish-brown sticky clay loam, and the limy underlying subsoil. The short, steep slopes in the northwestern part of material is generally within 2 feet of the surface. The the county are severely eroded in a few spots and have a brownish, limy underlying material is exposed at the sur- few shallow waterways that are eroded. These inclusions face in small areas, Shallow gullies are common. do not have a large total acreage, nor do they greatly affect These soils have been cleared and cultivated, but severe use and management. erosion and steep slopes restrict use to hay and pasture. A These soils have been cleared and cultivated. In the cover of suitable grass or legumes can be established' to southeastern part of the county, much of the acreage is in reduce further erosion. ' apple and peach orchards. In other areas these soils are Capability unit VIIe-1 (1.5a) ; woodland suitability used mainly for hay and small grains. Because slopes are group B ;wildlife suitability group,9 ; community. develop- steep, crops are needed that reduce soil erosion. ment group 1. Capability unit VIe-1 (1.54 : woodland suitability Nester-Kawkawlin loams, 2 to 6 percent slopes group B ; wildlife suitability group 9; community develop- (NtB).-Nester loam and Kawkawlin loam were not mapped ment group 1. separately, because they occur together in an intricate Nester soils, 12 to 25 percent slopes, severely eroded pattern. These soils are similar in many respects, but they (NsD3).-These soils occupy the upper part of hillsides in differ in their natural drainage. Each of these soils has a the rolling southeastern and northwestern parts of the profile similar to the one described for its respective series. county. They also occur on short, steep, knoblike slopes. The areas of this mapping unit occur in khe northwestern Individual areas are small. The plow layer is generally and southeastern parts. of t,hecounty,,. reddish-brown clay loam. The limy underlying material is Included with these soils in the mapping were a few generally within 2 feet of the surface, but in a few small areas of poorly drained Sims soils in depressions. Also areas it is exposed. A few shallow gullies occur. In some included were some sandy spots and some areas of Selkirk slight depressions the plow layer is darker and more friable soils.. than it is in other places. The soils of this complex are generally in undulating These soils have been cleared and cultivated, but most areas on gentle slopes. In places they are in hummocky areas are now partly covered with grass. Some areas are areas that have many small depressions and waterways. in orchards. These severely eroded soils are in poor tilth The small depressions are generally occupied by the Kaw- and are difficult to cultivate. A grass or a grass-legume kawlin loams. Nester soils are in the higher more exposed cover helps to reduce further erosion. spots and are eroded in many places. These eroded spots Capdbility unit VIe-1 (1.54 ; woodland suitaibili'ty have a reddish-brown clay loam plow layer khat contains group B ;wildlife suitability group 9 ;community develop- little organic matter. The surface soil is hard and compact ment group 1. when dry and sticky when wet. The lower slopes are oc- Nester soils, 25 to 45 percent slopes (NsE).-These soils cupied by the Kawkawlin soils. The material underlying occur on the steepest slopes of the rolling landscape in the these Nester and Kawkawlin soils is slightly finer textured southeastern and northwestern parts of the county. Most and has a higher percentage of clay than the material areas are in the southeastern part. The slopes are generally underlying other areas of Nester and Kawkawlin soils. short. The surface layer is mainly loam or sandy loam. Water and air move moderately slowly through these Layers in these soils are generally thinner than those soils, and the Kawkawlin loams normally require some described in the soil representative of the series, and the artificial drainage. Also, the supply of plant nutrients and limy underlying material is generally within 30 inches available moisture capacity are good. Under careful man- of the surface. But these soils are naturally fertile and have agement, these soils are well suited to most crops commonly high available moisture capacity. grown in the county. Included in the mapping were severely eroded spots Nester soil is in capability unit IIe-1 (1.54 ; woodland that have a surface layer of brown clay loam. suitability group B ;-wilkllife suitability group 9 ; com- Most areas of this mapping unit have been cleared and munity development group 1. Kawkawlin.soi1 is in capa- cultivated. Some areas are now in orchards, but most of the bility ,unit IIw-2 (1.5b) ; woodland suitability group Z ; acreage is used for hay and pasture. The steepest areas are wildlife suitability group 3 ; community developmentI used mainly for native pasture or are idle. Hawthorn, group 4. briers, and other brush have grown up in many idle areas. Nester-Ubly sandy loams, 2 to 6 percent slopes A few spots have been reforested. (NUB).-Nester and Ubly sandy loams are so closely inter- Water quickly runs off these very steep soils unless mingled that they were not, mapped separately. They are vegetation is thick enough to hold the water until it soaks extensive and occur on the gently sloping hillsides of the into the ground. The very steep slopes also restrict the use southeastern and northwestern parts of the county. Both of machinery. Because of these factors, these soils are soils have a sandy loam surface layer. In the Nester soil, better suited to hay aud pasture than to crops. however, clay loam lies just below the plow layer, and in Capbility unit VIIe-1 ( 1.5a) ; wooidland suitability the Ubly sandy loam, it is at a depth rarigmg from group B ; wildlife Suitability group 9 ; community develop- 18 to 42 inches. Each of these soils has a profile somewhat ment group 1. simpar to the-.one described as representative of its 'series. , $5,- MUSKEiGON COUNTY, MICHIGAN 27 These two soils occur together, but not in a repetitive pat- B22hirm-12 to 19 inches, dark-brown (7.5YR 4/4) loamy tern. The he-textured material occurs at a'depth of 36 to sand that has common, fine, distinct mottles of dark red (2.5YR 3/6) and few, medium, distinct. mottles of 42 inches in one place and, within a few feet, is exposed dark readish brown (2.5YR 2/4) ; massive ; indurated ; at the surface. very strongly acid ; clear, irregular boundary. Included with these soils in the mapping were a few B3-19 to 23 inches, pale-brown (10YR 6/3) loamy Sand that moderately well drained areas that have slopes of less than has many, medium, faint mottles of very pale brown (10YR 7/3) and few, fine, distinct mottles of dark 2 percent. Also included were areas of darker colored, wet- brown (10YR 3/3) ; 'weak, medium, subangular ter Relding soils on the lower parts of slopes and areas of blocky structure ; very friable ; strongly arid ; abrupt, the sandy, lighter colored Menominee or Rubicon soils on irregular boundary. the upper parts of slopes. In cultivated fields there were IIB'tg-23 to 32 inches, reddish-gray- (5YR 5/2) silty clay eroded areas that have a brownish clay loam surface layer that has few, fine, distinct mottles of yellowish red (5YR 5/6), and msany, fine, distinct mottles of light that is hard when dry and sticky when wet. gray (5YR 7/1) ; strong, medium, angular blocky Management is needed for controlling water erosion, structure ; firm,, slightly acid ; abrupt, wavy boundary. but these soils are fertile and have moderately high to high IICg-32 to 48 inches +, brown (7.5YR.5/2) silty clay that has available moisture capacity. They are productive if man- many, coarse, distinct mottles of light gray (N 7/0) agement good. and many, fine, disltinct mottles of reddish brown (5YR is 5/31 ; strong, medium, angular blocky structure Nester Soil is in capability unit IIe-1 (1.5~~); woodland breaking to strong, fine, angular blocky structure ; suitability group B ; wildlife suitability group 9 ; com- fi,rm, calcareous. munitv develomient ~rouu1. Ublv soil is in catmbilitv Cultivated areas of Ogemaw soils have a very dark gray unit IIe-3 (3/ia) ; ,wozdl$aidsuitability group A ;kildlife surface" layer 6 to,10 inches thick. Where it occurs, the sub- suitability group 9 ; community development group 2. surface layer ranges from 2 to 8 inches in thickness, but this layer is absent in mmany cultivated areas. Sandy material ex- tends from ,the surface to a depth of 18 to 42 inches. The tex- Ogemaw Series ture of khe finer textured material in the lower part of the profile ranges from silty clay to clay, clay loam, or silty clay The Ogemaw series consists of somewhat poorly drained loam. The profile ranges from slightly acid to very strongly to poorly: (rained sandy soils that have a hardpan in %he acid. subsoil. Limy silty clay is at a depth of 18 to 42 inches. Ogemaw soils are similar to the Allendale soils in texture, Ogemaw soils occur in the northeastern part of the county though the hllendale a soils do not have a hardpan in the sub- on the nearly level to gently sloping lake plain. The native soil. Ogemaw soils haire finer textured underlying material vegetation consisted of mixed lowland hardwoods, white than the Saugatuck soils. pine, and some hemlock and northern white-cedar. Ogemaw loamy sand, 0 to 6 percent dopes (OgB1.- The surface layer is very dark gray loamy sand about This nearly level to, gently sloping soil is on the gently 5 inches thick. It has granular structure and is very friable. undulating lake plain in the northeastern part of the The subsurface layer is light-gray loamy sand about 4 county. Most of it is in the northeastern part of Holton inches thick. Township along the boundary of the county. The upper part of the subsoil is a hardpan consisting Included with this soil in the mapping were'a few areas of cemented, dark reddish-brown and dark-brown loamy of Selkirk soils that: are clayey and dry out slow& than the sand. This material is mottled, massive, and indurated. The Ogemaw soil. lower part of the subsoil is reddish-gray silty clay. It,is This soil has a low supply of plant nutrients. During dry mottled, has angular blocky structure, and is firm. periods, the upper 24 inches is droughty and susceptible to Underlying the subsoil, at a de th of about 32 inches, soil blowing. is brown silty clay mottled with Tight gray and reddish Most of this soil has been cleared and cultivated. Hay brown. It has angular blocky structure and is firm and and pasture can be gown, but artificial drainage is needed calcareous. in many areas before this soil can be used as cropland. Permeability is rapid above the hardpan and very slow Diversions, installed,on higher slopes above this soil, inter- in it. The hardpan also restricts the develo ment of roots. cept excess runoff and are helpful in controlling erosion. The material above the hardpan is saturatex in spring and Capability unit IVw-2 (5b-h) ; woodland suitability after prolonged rains in other seasons. Natural fertility group F ; wildlife suitability group 1; community devel- and available moisture capacity are low. opment group 5. ' Most areas of these soils have been cleared, and most of this acreage is used for

Underlying the subsoil, at a depth of about 21 inches, is C1-5 to 9 inches, light-gray (10YR 7/2) sand that has many, ' light brownish-gray silty clay mottled with yellowish medium, faint mottles of light #brownishgray (1OYR 6/2) ; very weak, medium, subangular blocky struc- brown. It has angular blocky structure, is firm, and is ture; very friable; medium acid; clear, irregular calcareous. boundary. Water and air move very slowly through the Pickford C2-9 to 18 inches, pale-brown (lOYR 6/3) sand that has few, ' soils. Natural fertility and available moisture capacity are medium, faint mottles of light gray (10YR 7/2) ; single high. These soils warm slowly ikl spring. They require care- grain ; loose ; medium acid ; gradual, wavy boundary. (33-18 to 36 inches, light brownish-gray (10YR 6/2) sand that ful management to insure the maintenance of good soil has many, coarse, faint mottles of gray (10YR 5/1) ; structure and fertility. Artificial drainage is required for single grain ; loose ; slightly acid ; graduaI, wavy most crops, but drainage is difficult because of the high boundary. proportion of clay. C4-36 to 60 inches +, light brownish-gray (1OYR 6/2) sand that has few, medium faint mottles of grayish brown In this county Pickford soils are mapped only with (lOYR 5/2) : single grain ; loose ; neutral. Hettinger soils in an undifferentiated soil group. A layer of muck, 1 to 12 inches thick, is at the surface in Typical profile of Pickford silty clay loam in SWy4 some areas. The original surface layer ranges from very dark SE1/SE1/4 sec. 11, T. 12 N., R. 15 W. : gray to black in color and from 3 to 8 inches in thickness. Ap-0 to 8 inches, black (10YR 2/1) silty clay loam; moder- Cultivated areas have a dark grayish-brown or very dark ate, medium, subangular blocky structure : firm ; neu- grayish-brown surface layer 6 to 10 inches thick. The reaction, tral ; abrupt, smooth boundary. to a depth of 36 inches, ranges from medium acid to mildly Bg-8 to 21 inches, dark grayish-brown (2.517 4/2) silty clay alkaline and below 36 inches ranges from neutral to mildly that has few, medium, distinct mottles of yellowish alkaline. In some areas clay loam occurs below 42 inches. brown (lOYR 5/6) ; moderate, medium, angular blwky Roscommon soils consist of coarser sand than Deford soils structure; very firm; slightly acid; abrupt, wavy and have a thinner surface layer than Granby soils. Roscom- boundary. mon soils are more poorly drained and grayer than Au Gres Cg-21 to 48 inches +, light brownish-gray (2.5Y 6/2) silty soils. clay that has many, medium, distinct mottles of yellow- Roscommon and Au Gres sands (0 to 6 percent s~opes) ish brown (10YR 5/4) ; weak, coarse, angular blwky structure ; very firm ; calcareous. [Ral.-This mapping unit consists of Roscommon sand and Au Gres sand. Most areas are Roscommon sand. Each of A layer of muck is on the surface in some areas. Undisturbed areas have a black surface layer 4 to 7 inches thick. Layers of these soils has a profile similar to the one described for its silt and very fine sand, y4 inch to 2 inches thick, occur below respective series. These soils are on nearly level, wet, sandy a depth of 20 inches in some places. plains in the central part of Fruitland and Laketon Town- Pickford soils are finer textured than Sims and Hettinger ships and are in Norton, Fruitport, and Sullivan Town- soils but are similar to them in drainage. They are more poorly ships. They also are in shallow depressions adjacent to the drained and grayer than Selkirk soils and have a darker surEace layer. long, narrow sand ridges in the western part of the county. Low hummocks and soft swells that are mostly Au Gres sand also occur and have slopes of 2 to 6 percent. Roscommon Series In cultivated areas the plow layer of the Roscommon The Roscommon series consists of deep, poorly drained, soil is very dark gray. Areas eroded by wind have a very sandy soils. These soils are in nearly level to slightly dark brown plow layer that has had material from the depressional areas on the outwash plains and the sandy grayish subsoil mixed into it. The depressional areas have uplands of the county. The native vegetation consisted of a black plow layer of mucky sand. Generally the Roscom- . elm, ash, 'aspen, willow, and hoary alder. mon soil is in low, shallow, dish-shaped depressions and The surface layer is very dark gray sand about 5 inches the Au Gres soil is in the adjacent higher areas. CuXti- thick. It has granular structure and is very friable. vated or eroded areas of AU Gres sand have a lighter Light-gray, pale-brown, or light brownish-gray sand is colored plow laver than nndist,urbedareas. below the surface layer and -extends to a depth of more Included with these soils in the mapping were eroded than 60 incllies. This material is mainly single grain and areas that have a plow layer consisting of brown sand that loose. contains little organic material. On the crests of some of Roscommon soils are very permeable to water and air the hummacks are areas of Croswell sand. The included and have low available moisture capacity. The supply of areas do not greatly affect use and mantcgemen't of this plant nutrients is also lorn. A high water table saturates mapping unit. these soils, especially during spring, and impairs use as Roscommon and Au Gres sands have a low supply of cropland. Artificial drainage is needed for most culti- plant nutrients. They are wet most of the time because the vated crops, but it should be carried out with extreme care water table is generally high. In dry periods, when the to avoid overdrainage. Overdrained areas become dmughty water table drops, these soils become droughty and are and susceptible to severe soil blowing. easily eroded by n-ind. These soils are exten+ve .but are of little value for farm; Some areas of these soils ar? planted to ine. A large ing. A small acreage is planted to blueberries, melons, acreage is idle and has a ground cover oP quackgrass, pickling cucumbers, and other special crop. Most areas Canadian bluegrass, .iveeds, and briers. Some areas are in remain wooded or are used for pasture. Some are% are pasture. A small acreage is used for genera1 crops, but idle. yields are normally low. Blueberries, pickling cucumbers, Typical profile of Roscommon sand in SWxSW$ see. melons, and other special crops are grown successfully in 15, T. 11 N., R. 16 W., Dalton Township : a small acreage. Roscommon soil is in capability unit IIIw-11 (5c); A-0 to 5 inches, very dark gray (10YR 3/1) sand; very weak, medium, granular structure ; very friable ; woodland suitability group Q ; wildlife suitability. group strongly acid ; abrupt, irregular boundary. 1; community development group 9. An Gres soil is in MUSKEGON COUNTY, MICHIGAN 29 capability unit IVw-2 (5b) ; woodland suitability group This soil has low fertility and available moisture capac- F ; wildlife suitability group 1; community development ity. Cultivated areas are easily eroded by wind and water. group 6. In summer lack of water retards the growth of.crops. This soil can be used for crops in rot?tion lf. practices Rousseau Series are used for controlling erosion, conserving moisture, im- proving fertility, and maintaining the supply of organic The Rousseau series consists of well drained and mod- matter. Rotations that include a high proportion of hay erately well drained soils in which fine sand extends from or meadow are well suited. the surface to a depth of more than 26 inches. These soils Capability unit IIIs4 (4a) ; woodland suitability group occur in nearly level to gently sloping areas of the lake C ; wildlife suitability group 7 : community development plain in the eastern part of Holton and Cedar Creek group 3. Townships. The native vegetation consisted of mixed hardwoods in which black oak and white oak are domi- Rubicon Series nant. In many areas there is an understory of white pine. The surface layer is very dark grayish-brown fine sand The Rubicon series consists of well-drained, deep, sandy that has subangular blocky structure and is very friable. soils on the nearly level, dry outwash plain and the rolling In wooded areas this layer is covered with a 2- to 3-inch sandhills of the county. In some areas these soils are under- layer of partly decomposed oak litter. lain by clay loam to clay at a depth of 42 to 66 inches. The The subsoil is yellowish-brown or brownish-yellow f%lc original vegetation was white pine, red pine, black oak, sand. It has subangular blocky structure and is very and white oak, but now the forest cover is mainly black friable. oak, and there are some white oaks and a few white pines. Very pale brown fine sand is at a depth of 26 inches. A,few areas of white pine and red pine remain. Many areas This materia1 is single grain and loose. are now covered only with little bluestem, Canada blue- Rousseau soils have low available moisture capacity and grass, lichens and mosses, and a scattering of staghorn a low supply of plant nutrients. Permeability is rapid. sumac, sassafras, fire cherry, and clumps of scrubby black These soils are easily eroded by wind or water. oak. Most areas of these soils are used for the farm crops The surface layer is blac,k sand about 3 inches thick. It commonly gro,wn in the county. Corn, small grains, and has granular structure and is very friable..A subsurface hay are t'he principal crops. The growth of crops is slowed layer consists of gray sand about 2 inches thlck. during midsummer because there is not enough moisture. The subsoil also is sand, but it is dark brown or strong The content of moisture is seldom adequate for optimum brown to brownish yellow, subangular blocky, and very growth of crops. friable. The upper part of the subsoil is darker and redder Typical prqfile of Rousseau fine sand in NE%NW% than the lower part. see. 10, T. 12 N., R. 15 Holton Township: Below the subsoil is very pale brown sand that is single MT., grain and loose. 01-3 inches to 0, black (10YR 2/1) partly decomposed oak litter ; massive ; soft ; very strongly acid ; abrupt, These soils are permeable, have a low supply of pIant smooth boundary. nutrients, and are low in available moisture capacity. The A14 to 2 inches, very dark grayish-brown (10YR 3/2) fine content of moisture is seldom adequate for optimum sand ; weak, medium, subangular blocky structure ; growth of crops. Acidity is very strong or strong to a depth very friable; very strongly acid; abrupt, wavy boundary. of about 19 inches. B21ir-2 to 16 inches, yellowish-brown (BOYR 518) fine sand; Rubicon soils cover a large acreage in Muskegon County. weak, coarse, subangular blocky structure ; very fri- They are largely in forest, or they have been cleared and able ; strongly acid ; gradual, wavy boundary. are now idle. They are well suited to plantations of Christ- BZ2ir-16 to 26 inches, brownish-yellow (IOYR 6/6) fine sand ; weak, medium, subangular blocky structure ; very fri- mas trees and to other forest products. Only a small acreage able ; medium acid ; gradual,, wavy boundary. is used for cultivated crops. C-26 to 60 inches +, very pale brown (10YR 7/4) fine sand; Typical profile of Rubicon sand in NWXNEXNWX single grain ; loose ; medium acid. sec. 22,T. 10 N.,R. 15 W.: In areas of Rousseau soils that have been cultivated, the Al-0 to 3 inches, black (1OYR 2/1) sand ; weak, medium, surface layer and subsurface layer are mixed and form a dark- granular structure ; very friable ; very high content brown plow layer. These soils range from very strongly acid of organic material ; very strongly acid ; abrupt, to medium acid and are less acid as depth increases. In some smooth boundary. areas the lower part of the subsoil and the underlying material A2-3 to 5 inches, gray (10YR 5/1) sand ; singIe grain ; loose ; are mottled In some areas very thin layers of finer textured very strongly acid ; abrupt, irregular boundary. material are below a depth of 30 inches. B21hir-5 to 10 inches, dark-brown (7.5YR 4/4) sand; weak, The sand particles in the Rousseau soils are finer than those coarse, subangular blocky structure ; very friable ; in the Rubicon or Grayling soils. Rousseau soils have a thinner strongly acid ; clear, irregular boundary. 'surface ,layer and finer paPticles of sand than the Spark soils. B22ir-10 to 19 inches, strong-brown (7.5YR 5/8) sand ; weak, Rousseau fine sand, 0 to 6 percent slopes (Roe).-This coarse, subangular blocky structure ; very friable ; strongly acid ; clear, irregular boundary. soil is on the nearly level to undulating lake phin in the B3-19 to 28 inches, brownish-yellow (10YR 6/6) sand ; weak, northeastern part of the county. coarse, subangular blocky structure ; very friable ; Included with this soil in the mapping were severely medium acid ; gradual, wavy boundary. eroded areas that have a light-colored plow layer contain- C-28 to 60 inches f, very pale brown (10PR 7/4) sand ; single ing little organic matter. Also included were small, slight- grain ; loose ; medium acid. ly depressional areas that are somewhat poorly drained. In some areas the surface layer has been removed by erosion. In other areas it is mixed with the subsoil and the plow layer These included areas have a small acreage, and they do is brownish. Rubicon soils range from very strongly acid to not influence use and management. medium acid. Cultivated areas have a very dark grayish-brown 30 SOIL SURVEcY surface layer 6 to 10 inches thick. The subsurface layer is 2 to This soil has little value as cropland, b,ut it is valuscble 6 inches thick. as woodland. Open areas can be reforested to suitab,letrees. Rubicon soils consist of coarser sands than Rousseau soils and have a better developed, redder subsoil than Grayling soils. Many open areas are planted to Scotch pine for Christmas Drainage is better in the Rubicon soils than in Croswell soils trees or to red and white pines for timber products. A few and mottling is less. Rubicon soils have a thinner surface areas are cultivated to crops commonly grown in ithe coun- layer than Sparta soils. They lack the cemented layer in the ty. In a few irrigated areas, pickling cucumbers, melons, subsoil that-is typical of the Wallace soils and have less well developed subsoil layers than Kalkaska soils. and small fruits are grown. A few areas are in native pasture. Rubicon sand, 0 to 6 percent slopes lRsB).-This is the Capability unit VIIs-1 (5.3a) ; woodland suitability most extensive soil in the county. It occupies broad areas group H; wildlife suitability group'8; community develop- of the nearly level to gently sloping sandy outwash plain mentgroup 3. and lake plain. It also occurs in nearly level to gently slop- Rubicon sand, 6 to 25 percent slopes (RsD).-This soil ing areas of the sandy uplands. The sandy plain appears occurs throughout the sanhy areas ofthe county. It is on flat, but it has many small depressions, swells, shallolw lcng, narrow ridges of the sandy plain and on the steeper pits, and slightly domed areas. The shallow depressions hillsides of the rolling sandy areas. in these plains are normally oval and somewhat dish Included with this soil in the mapping were areas of shaped. They are flat on the bottom and gently slo2ing moderately well drained Croswell soils that make up 20 near bhe edge. They are elongated where 'they occur at the percent of some mapped areas. These included areas are base of slopes in the rolling sandy uplands and at the base on the lower parts of slopes. Also included were small de- of long gentle wavelike slopes of the sandy p1,ain. pressional pockets of somewhat poorly drained hu Gres Included with this soil in the depressions and at the base soils. In these pockets the water table is close to the surface. of slopes in the sandy uplands were Lhe darker colored, Eroded spots that have a brownish surface layer are in- moderately well drained Croswell soils. T-hese depressions cluded in open areas. A few spots are ses-erely eroded. have small accumulations of outwash, on their surface. This soil has a low supply of plant nutrients and is low Their edges have a lighter colored surface layer. Also in available moisture capacity. Cultivated areas are sus- included were areas of Grayling sand ,that have a thinner, ceptible to soil blowing and water erosion. less well developed subsoil than this Rubicon sand. Other Some areas of this soil are covered by a second-growth inclusions were areas of Kalkaska ,soil, which are generally forest. Other areas have been cleared and cultivated. This on gentle slopes and in wayy areas of the sandy plain. These soil has little value as cropland, but it is well suited as areas are darker colored and have a more distinct subsoil woodland. Its vegetation is mainly grasses, weeds, and than this Rubicon ' soil. 'Chunks of dark reddish-brown some young aspen, sassafras, black oak, and white pine cemented sand occur in places. trees. In the northeastern part of Blue Lake Township and Capability unit VIIs-1 (5.3a) ; woodland suitability in the northwestern part of Holtori Township, t,his soil group H ; wildlife suitability.- group - 8 ; community develop- differs slightly from the Rubicon sand in other parts of iientgroup 3. the county, but not enough to affect use and management. Rubicon loamy substratum and Montcalm soils, 0 to In these areas, this soil is covered by a well-stocked stand 6 percent slopes (RtB1.-This ,mapping unit consists of of black oak and white oak mlxed with white pine. The Rubicon soil that has a loamy substratum and of Montcalni surface layer is slight.ly thicker than normal, and in many loamy sand. Most areas are Rubicon soil, but a few areas places the subsurface layer is missing. Also the upper part contain both of these soils. Each of these soils has a profile of the subsoil is darker GoloTed than it is in other areas. similar to the one described for its respective series. In cultivated areas the plow layer of ,thissoil is a mikture These soils occur throughout the county. Areas are gen- of the surface layer, subsurface layer, and upper part of erally small except in the northwestern and eastern parts the subsoil. Many small 'areas .are eroded and have a dark- of the county. These soils are on gently sloping, sandy hill- brown sand surface layer. Small, severely eroded areas sides and level hilltops. They are also on gently sloping, have a loose, yellowish-brown sand surface layer that is broad, sandy beac1:es that lie above small streambeds. In several feet thick. Some open areas that have not been culti- the southeastern and northwestern parts of the county, a vated have been eroded by wind. large acreage is at the edge of the rolling areas of loamy Many areas of this soil are in second-growth forest in till. which khere are some open areas. The forested areas are In the Rubicon soil the plow layer is dark-brown sand not eroded, buk the open areas are and have a thin, grayish- or loamy sand and a loamy substratum lies at ? depth of brown surface layer. In some places a, new, thin surface 42 to 66 'inches. The Montcalm>soillacks the loanly sub- layer has developed. Many areas are cleared of trees, and stratum that occurs at a depth of 42 to 66 inches in the most of these have been burned over several times. Rubicon soil. The second-growth forest consists of black oak, white Included with these soils in the mapping, in areas of oak, and a few large white pines. In many places the under- Rubicon soil, vere sinall areas of Menominee soils that story is mainly white pine. Areas cleared of trees are cov- have a moderately fine textured substratum w-ithin 42 ered with native grasses and weeds. In some places the inches of the surface. Also in areas. of.Rubicon soils were cover consists of mos,cRs and lichens, clumps of little Mue- shallow, xet sags occupied by,Au Gres soils. These depres- stem, and a few scrubby black oak, sassafras, or fire cherry sions have a darker colored and thicker plow layer than trees. the Rubicon soil. Included in areas of Montcalm soil were This soil contains only a small amount of plant nutrients, .z fern wet spots xiid some small areas that hax-e a sandier, and it has low available moisture capacity. Exposed areas lighter colored surface than is typical of Montcalm soils. are easily eroded by wind. Some areas of Rubicon and Montcalm soils that have been MUSKEGON COUNTY, MICHIGAN 31 eroded by wind and water were also included in the map- depressional am= on the flood plains and in the bayous ping. Near the top of slopes in these places, the color of of the county. The na,tive vegetation consisted mainly of the plow la,yer is a mixture of dark gray and yellowish lowland hardwoo,ds, including elm, ash, maple, cotton- brown. The lower parts of slopes and small depressions wood, and willow, but there wax also some arborvitae. have a thicker surface layer because materid that washed The surface layer of these soils is very dark gray loam in 'has accumulated. Severely eroded spotis were also in- about 10 inches thick. It has granular structure and is cluded. None Olf the included areas affect the use and man- friable. agement of this mapping unit. The subsoil is wea.kly developed and about 9 inches These soils are permeable to water and air. They are low thick. This layer consists of dark-gray and gray silty clay in fertility and in available moisture capacity. Bare areas loam mottled with dark brown and gray or dark gray. It are easily eroded by wind and water. has angular blocky structure and is firm. Many areas of these soils are now idle, and other areas Below the subsoil are alternate layers of clay loam and are used mainly for hay and pasture. few areas remain silty clay loam and thin layers of sandy loam, loam, silt wooded or are covered with brush. loam, and loamy sand. This material is gray mottled with Rubicon soil is in 'capability unit VIs-1 (5/2a) ; wood- yellowish brown and gray or dark gray. land suitability group C ; wildlife suitability group 7 ; These soils are naturally fertile but are very wet. Per- community development group 3. Montcalm soil is in capa- meability is moderately slow, and available moisture bility unit 111s-4; (4a) woodland suitability group C; capacity is high. Since these soils 0ocu.r on first bottoms wildlife suitability group 7' ; community development along flowing streams, frequent flooding is likely. Flood- group 3. ing seriously restricts use as cropland. Forest and native Rubicon loamy substratum and Montcalm soils, 6 to pasture are the main uses. L 12 percent slopes (RtC).-Most areas of this mapping unit Typical profile of Saranac loam in SWv4SWl/, sec. 26, are either Rubicon soil or Montcalm soil, but a few areas T. 9 N,,R. 16 W.: contain both of these soils. Each of these soils has a profile similar to the one described for its respective series. The A1-0 to 10 inches, very dark gray (10YR 3/l)loam ; moderate, medium, granular structure ; friable ; mildly alkaline ; Montcalm soil has a thinner subsoil than the soil described clear, wavy, boundary. as representative of the Montcalm series. This mapping B21g-10 to 13 inches, dark-gray (10YR 4/1) light silty clay unit occurs throughout the county. It is generally in small, loam that has many, fine, faint mottles of dark brown elongated areas on small, ridgelike hills and on long breaks and common, medium, faint mottles of gray (10YR 5/1) ; moderate, medium, angular blocky structure ; that slopes to streambeds. firm ; mildly alkaline ; clear, frregular boundary. Included with these soils in the mapping, in areas of the BBg-13 to 19 inches, gray (5YR 5/1) silty clay loam that has Rubicon soil, were areas #wherethe finer textured material common, medium, distinct mottles of dark brown is within 42 inches of tlie surface. This material is exposed (7.5YR 4/4) and few, medium, faint mottles of dark gray (10YR 4/1) ; moderate, medium, angular blocky at the top of slopes. Also included in areas of the Rubicon structure; very firm; mildly alkaline; clear, wavy soil were seepy spots that have a thick, dark-colored sur- boundary. face layer that is high in content of organic matter. A few Clg-19 to 27 inches, gray (1OYR 5/1) clay loam that has many, eroded spots have a surf ace layer of yellowish-brown sand. coarse, distinct mottles of yellowish brown (lOYR 5/6) Included in areas of the Montcalm soils were areas of Chel- and commont medium, faint mottles of gray ; moderate, medium, angular blocky structure ; firm ; mildly alka- sea loamy sand and of Rubicon sand. Some small included line ; clear, wavy boundary. areas have slopes of 2 to 6 percent, and others have slopes C2g-27 to 36 inches, gray (10YR 5/1) light clay loam that has of more than 12 percent. These included areas do not many, medium, distinct mottles of yellowish brown greatly influence use and management of this mapping (10YR 5/6) and common, medium, faint mottles of gray (10YR 6/1) ; weak, coarse,' subangular blocky unit. structure ; firm ; mildly alkaline ; clear, wavy boundmy. These soils are permeable to water and air. They are low C3g-36 to 48 inches +, gray (N 5/0) silty clay loam that has in natural fertility and in available moisture capacity. common, medium, distinct mottles of yellowish brown Because slopes are strong and the soil is loose, exposed (lOYR 5/6;5/8) and few, medium, distinct mottles of areas of these soils are susceptible to soil blowing and Idark gray (1bYR 4/1) ; msSive; firm; calcamom. water erosion. In a few cultivated areas, the plow layer is lighter colored Many areas of this mapping unit are now idle or are used than the surface layer described because plowing has mixed the dark surface layer and the grayish subsoil. Because each only for pasture. Some areas have been reforested to pine flood lays down different kinds and amounts of materials, trees for timber or for Christmas trees. A few areas are layers of varying thickness and texture are common. The used for corn, small grains, hay, and other crops commonly texture of the upper 30 inches is normally clay loam, silty grown in the county. Crop rotations generally include 3 or clay loam, or sandy clay loam. Below 30 inches the texture varies a great deal.'These soils are normally slightly acid to more years of hay. mildly alkaline in the upper 24 inches and neutral-to calcareous Rubicon soil is in capability unit VIs-1 (5/2a) ; wood- below. Shells, which are high in line, occur within the soil land suitability group C ; wildlife suitability group 7; profile. community development group 3'. Montcalm soil is in capa- Saranac soils are at sites similar to those of the Sloan soils but are finer textured. They are similar to the Sims soils in bility unit IIIe-9 (4a) ; woodland suitability grouy! C ; texture but are more stratified and occupy bottom lands instead wildlife suitability group 7 ; community development of morainic areas. group 3. Saranac loam (0 to 2 percent slopes) (Sa).-This soil is on first bottoms along the major streams, such as Muskegon Saranac Series and White Rivers and Crockery, Cedar, and Black Creeks. The Saranac serim consists of very poorly drained, These bottoms are nearly level, but they contain many medium-textured mils. These soils are in nearly level to slight depressions. Normally, this soil is in the lowest 279-229-684 32 SOIL SURVEY

areas, where floodwaters remain the longest. The material dark red (2.5YR 3/6) ; massive; indurated; very deposited varies in texture from one to another. strongly acid ; clear, irregular boundary. flood B23irm-24 to 34 inches, dark reddish-brown (5YR 3/4) fine Included with this soil in the mapping were ams that sand that has many, coarse, prominent mottles. of have slopes of 2 to 6 percent. These areas are on the short yellowish red (5YR 5/8) ; indurated; very strongly side slopes of the depressions. Also included were areas of acid ; clear, wavy boundary. the coarser textured Sloan soils. These included areas do B24ir-34 to 45 inches, dark-brown (7.5YR 4/4) fine sand that has few, medium, distinct mottlee of dark reddish not greatly affect use and management. brown (5YR 3/3) ; single grain ; loose : very strong- Saranac soils are naturally fertile, but they are cold and ly acid ; gradual, wavy boundary. very wet. Artificial drainage is difficult to install, and most G-45 to 60 inches +, light yellowish-brown (10YR 6/4) fine areas remain wooded or are used for native pasture. Some sand that has few, fine, faint mottles of brownish yellow (10YR 6/6) and few, fine, faint mottles of areas are idle and are densely covered with grasses, weeds, light brownish gray (10YR 6/2) ; single grain ; loose ; and brush. medium acid. Capability unit IIIw-12 (L-2c) ; woodland suitability A very dark gray or black surface layer, 1 to 6 inches thick. group 0 ; wildlife suitability group 6 ; community develorp- occurs in some areas. In thickness, the subsurface 'layer ranges ment group 7. from 6 to 20 inches or more, and the cemented hardpan ranges from 8 to 30 inches. Saugatuck soils are similar to the Au Gres soils in drainage, Saugatuck Series though the Au Gres soils do not have a cemented hardpan. Saugatuck soils have upper sandy layers similar to those in The Saugatuck series consists of somewhat poorly the Ogemaw soils but do not have clayey underlying material. drained to poorly drained, acid sands that have a cemented Saugatuck soils are better drained than the Roscommon and hardpan in the subsoil. These soils are in broad, nearly Deford soils and are not so gray. level areas of the outwash plain. The native vegetation consisted of white pine, red pine, birch, aspen, gum, pin Selkirk Series oak, and elm. The Selkirk series copsists of somewhat poorly drained In undisturbed areas the surface layer is black, partly soils on the lake plain. These soils developed in limy, decayed organic material about 3 inches thick. This ma- clayey deposits. I"he native vegetation consisted of mixed terial is friable aiid very strongly acid. The subsurface hardwoods and conifers and included red maple, sugar layer is about 11 inches thick and consists of pinkish-gray maple, beech, elm, ash, white pine, and hemlock. sand distinctly mottled with dark gray. It has subangular The surface layer is generally a plow layer consisting of blocky structure and is very friable. very dark grayish-brown silt loam about 10 inches thick. The upper part of the subsoil is dark reddish-brown or It has granular structure and is friable. very dusky red sand or fine sand about 23 inches thick. It The upper part of the spbsoil is 7 inches of gray heavy is a strongly cemented hardpan. The lower part is dark- silty clay loam. The lower part is grayish-brown silty clay brown fine sand about 11 inshes thick. It is.single grain about 9 inches thick. Both parts ha>veangular bloscky struc- and loose. Both parts of the subsoil are mottled. ture, are firm to very firm, and are momttled with yellowish Below the subsoil is light yellowish-brown fine sand that brown. is mottled. It is single grain and loose. Underlying the subsoil is light-gray silty clay. This Permeability is very rapid above the cemented layers material is mottled, has angular blocky structure, and is and is slow in them. Natural fertility is very low, and very firm and calcareous. available moisture capacity is low. These soils are often Selkirk mils are slowly permeable. They are high in wet because their water table fluctuates and is within a few fertility and in available moisture capacity. The mottled feet of the surface during parts of the year. This water subsoil indicates tha.k these soils are sscturated with water table drops during the summer months, and the soil be- for extended periods. Most of the acreage is cleared and comes very droughty. During dry periods soil blowing is used for meadows or for small grains, but a large part re- likely. A large 'part'of these soils is cleared of timber and mains idle. Management is needed for removing excess is now idle, but some areas remain in trees. Some areas are water and for maintaining soil tilth. used for blueberries. In this county Selkirk soils are mapped only wit.h Raw- Saugatuck soils are mapped only with Au Gres soils in kawlin soils in undifferentiated units. a complex. Typical profile of Selkirk silt loam in NWXSWX see. Typical profile of Saugatuck sand in NE1/4NW1/NW1/4 17, T. 9 N., R. 14 W., Ravenna Township. 21,'T. 10 14 SWX sw. N., R. W.: A@ to 10 in&es, very dark grraytslh-brown (10YR 3./2) silt 013 inches to 0, black (10YR 2/1) partly decayed organic Poam ; moderate, medium, granular structure ; friable : material ; massive ; friable ; very strongly acid ; slightly acid ; abrupt, smooth boundary. abrupt, wavy boundary. B21g-10 to 17 inches, gray (1OYR 5/1) heavy silty clay loam A24 to 11 inches, pinkish-gray (7.5YR 7/2) sand that has that has common, coarse, distinct mottles of yellowish many, coarse, dis'tinct mottlee of dark gray (10YR brown (10YR 5/8) and many, medium, faint mottles 411) ; very weak, coarse, subangular blocky struc- of ,dark gray (10YR 4/1) ; strong, fine, angular ,blocky ture; very friable; very strongly acid; abrupt, ir- structure ; firm ; neutral ; gradual, irregular boundary. regular boundary. BBg-17 to 26 inches, grayishibrown (10YR 5/2) silty clay B2lhirm-11 to 15 inches, dark reddish-brown (5YR 2/2) that has common, coarse, faint mottles of gray (10YR sand that has many, medium, distinct mottles of red .5/1) and many, medium, distinct mottles of yellbwish (2.5YR 4/8) ; massive ; indurated ; very strongly acid ; brown (10YR 5/6) ; strong, medium, angular blocky gradual, wavy boundary. structure ; very firm ; mildly alkaline ; abrupt, wavy B22hirm-15 to 24 inches, very dusky red (1OR 2/2) fine sand bouncfary. that has many, coarse, distinct mottles of yellowish Cg-26 to 48 inches +, light-gray (5Y 7/2) silty clay that has red (5YR 4/8) and many, coarse, distinct mottles of many, fine, faint mottles of gray (5Y 6/1) and many, MUSKEGON COUNTY, MICHIGAN 33

medium, distinct mottles of olive (5Y 4/4) ; moderate, yellowish brown (lOYR 5/8) ; weak, coarse, angular medium, angular blocky structure; very firm; cal- blocky structure ; firm ; calcareous. careous. In cultivated areas of Sims soils the lower part of the sur- Undistunbd areas of elkirk soils have a very dark grayish- face layer is slightly darker colored than the upper part. The brown or very dark gray surface layer 1 to 3 inches thick It layer of loam at the top of the subsoil is absent in many areas. is underlain by a gray or light-gray layer 3 to 6 inches thick. The texture of the subsoil ranges from loam to silty clay loam Depth to the calcareous silty clay ranges from 24 to 36 in some places. Layers of fine sand, silt, and clay, 1 to 3 inches in&*. TrhR surface Jayw and submil range from slightly thick, occur below a depth of 36 inches In some areas. The acid to mildly alkaline, and the material below a depth of surface layer and subsoil range from slightly acid to mildly about 26 inches is calcareous. alkaline ; below a depth of 32 inches the material is calcareous. Belkirk soils are better drained than Pickford soils and are Sims soils are similar to the Pickford soils in drainage but not so gray. They are more poorly drained and more highly are coarser textured. They have a darker colored surface layer mottled than Kent soils. Selkirk soils are finer textured than than Kawkawlin soils and are more poorly drained and grayer. the Kawkawlin soils, though similar to them i,n drainage. Sims soils lack the stratification that occurs in the Hettinger soils. Sims Series Sims loam (0 to 2 percent slopes) Ism).-This nearly level to gently sloping soil occupies wet depressions and The Sims series consists of poorly drained loamy soils. flats in the rolling landscape of the southeastern and These soils are in nearly level and depressional areas o,f northwestern parts of the county. These areas are shaped the rolling, morainic landscape in the southeastern and the like a dish, and normally they occur between higher areas. extreme northwestern parts of the county. The native for- In some places soil material that washed from adjoining est consisted of lowland hardwoods and included elm, ash, slopes is deposited on these soils. This material is most noticeable near the edges of the wet areas. The material red maple, and swamp white oak. is lighter colored and coarser textured than that of the The surface layer is black loam about 9 inches thick. surface layer in the profile representative of the Sims It has granular structure a.nd is friable. series. The upper 3 inches of the subsoil is dark-gray loam that Included with Sims loam in mapping were areas that has subangular blocky structure and is fritxble. The rest have slopes of 2 to 6 percent. These areas are on knolls in of the subsoil is light brownish-gray or gray clay loam the nearly level topography, or they are at the edges of that is mottled. It has subangular or angular blocky better drained soils of the uplands. Some of the slopes of structure and is firm. 2 to 6 percent are occupied by Kawkawlin loam, which is Underlying the subsoil, at a depth of about 32 inches, not so wet and is lighter colored than Sims loam. These is grayish-brown clay loam distinctly mottled with yel- included areas are used and managed in about the same lowish brown. This material has angular blocky structure way as are areas of Sims loam. and is firm and calcareous. Sims loam is naturdly poorly drained, but it is produc- Sims soils are moderately slow in permeability. They tive and can be cropped intensively if adequate drainage is provided. After this soil has been drained, the main have high available moisture capacity and are naturally practices needed are those that maintain organic-matter fertile. A high water table saturates these soils, especially content, fertility,. and soil structure. during spring. Capability unit IIw-2 (1.5~); woodland suitability Maintaining fertility and good tilth are main mncerm group P ; wildlife suitability group 6 ; community devel- of management. Areas that are artificially drained are opment group 7. planted to crops. Yields of most crops are favorable. Undrained areas remain wooded or are used for pasture. Sloan Series Typical profile of Sims loam in SEXNEX sec. 12, T. 10 N., R. 13 W.: The Sloan series consists of very poorly drained soils. These soils are on nearly level to gently sloping first bot- Ap-0 to 9 inches, black (10YR 2/1) loam; moderate, coarse, granular structure ; friable ; mildly alkaline ; clear, toms along streams. They developed in loamy alluvium. wavy ,boundary, The native vegetation consisted of elm, ash, cottonwood, B21g-9 to 12 inches, dark-gray (10YR 4/1) loam that has soft maple, willow, and some arborvitae. many, coarse, faint mottles of gray (10YR 5/1) and The surface layer is about 13 inches thick and consists few, medium, distinct mottles of yellowish brown (10YR 5/4); weak, medium, subangular blocky of very dark gray loam that is mottled. It has granular structure ; friable ; neutral ; abrupt, wavy boundary. structure and is friable. B22g-12 to 17 inches, light brownish-gray (10YR 6/2) clay Below the surface layer is stratified material of varied loam that has many, coarse, distinct mottles of yellow- tish bm(10YR 5/8) and many, co&~se,faint mot- texture. Texture is dominantly silt loam, but khe individ- tles of light gray (10YR 7/2) ; moderate, coarse, ual layers are sand, loam, sandy loam, clay loam, and subangular blocky structure ; firm ; neutral ; gradual, silty clay loam. This material is grayish brown, very pale irregular boundary. B23g-17 to 32 inches, gray (10YR 6/1) clay loam that has brown, pale brown, or gray and is mottled. Except in the many, medium, distinct mottles of yellowish brown layer of sand, structure is angular blocky or subangular (10YR 5/8) and common, medium, distinct mottles of blocky. dark brown (7.5YR 4/4) ; thin gray (10YR 6/1) clay films on many peds; moderate, medium, angular Permeability is moderate. The water table is high unless blocky structure ; firm ; neutral ; abrupt, wavy artificial drainage is provided. Natural fertility is high. boundary. Most of the acreage of these soils is wooded or is used Cg-32 to 48 inches +, grayish-brown (10YR 5/2) clay loam that has many, medium, faint mottles of light gray for native pasture. Some areas are idle and are densely (1OYR 6/1) And many, medium, distinct m'ottles of covered with grasses, weeds, and brush. 34 SOIL SURVEY Typical profile of Sloan loam in NE%NE1/, sec. 25, T. The subsoil is mainly dark yellowish-brown or yellowish- 11 N., R. 15 W.: % brown sand about 18 inches thick. It has subangular blocky Al-0 to 13 inches, very dark gray (10YR 3/1) loam that has structure and is very friable in ,the upper part and is single common, fine, distinct mottles of grayish brown (10YR grain and loose in the lower part. 5/2) ; moderate, coarse, granular structure ; friable ; Below the subsoil the material is very pale brown sand neutral ; abrupt, smooth boundary. Bg-13 to 21 inches, grayish-brown (10YR 5J2 silt loam that that is single grain and loose. has few, fine, distinct mottles of black (10YR 2/1) Sparta soils are low in natural fertility. Permeability is and many, fine, distinct mottles of dark yellowish very rapid, and available moisture capacity is low. brown (lOYR 4/4) ; fine subangular blocky structure ; firm ; neutral ; abrupt, irregular boundary. These soils are of little value as cropland, but they are of IIC1-21 to 24 inches, very pale brown (10YR 7/3) sand ; single value as sites for Christmas trees or other Dlanted trees. grain ; loose ; neutral ; abrupt, irregular boundary. Typical profile of Sparta sand in Nlf1/,NW1/,NW1/, IIC2g-24 to 27 inches, gray (10YR 5/1) heavy silt loam that sec. 5, T. 12 N., R. 15 W. : has many, fine, distinct mottles of dark yellowish brown (10YR 4/4) ; moderate, medium, angular All-0 to 10 inches, very dark brown (lOYR 2/2) sand ; weak, blocky structure ; firm ; neutral ; clear, wavy boundary. medium, granular structure ; very friable ; strongly IVC3-27 to 34 inches, pale-brown (10YR 6/3) sandy loam that acid ; clear, irregular boundary. has many, coarse, faint mottles of grayish brown -412-10 to 14 inches, very dark grayish-brown (10YR 3/2) (1OyR 5/2) ; weak, medium, subangular blocky struc- sand ; weak, fine, subangular blocky structure ; very ture ; friable ; mildly atkaline ; clear, wavy boundary. friable ; strongly acid ; clear, wavy boundary. VC4g-34 to 48 inches +, gray (lOYR 5/1) silt loam that has B21--14 to 19 inches, dark yellowish-brown (IOYR 4/4) sand ; many, fine, faint mottles of grayish brown (10YR 5/2) ; weak, medium, subangular blocky structure ; very weak, fine, subangular blocky structure ; firm ; mi-ldly friable ; medium acid ; gradual, irregular boundary. alkaline. B22-19 to 25 inches, yellowish-brown (10YR 5/4) sand ; weak, medium, subangular blocky structure ; very friable ; The surface layer of Sloan soils ranges from very dark gray medium acid ; gradual, wavy boundary. to black in color and from 7 to 14 inches in thickness. The ma- B3-25 to 32 inches, light yellowish-brown (10YR 6/4) sand ; tepid {betweendepbhs of 13 and 21 bhesranges from silt loam single grain ; loose ; medium acid ; gradual, wavy to loam, heavy sandy loam, or light chy loam. Below a depth of boundary. 21 inches, the layers range from loam to silt loam, sandy loam, C-32 to 60 inches +, very pale brown (10YR 7/3) sand ; single light clay loam or light silty clay loam, and there are thin grain ; loose ; medium acid. layers of sand. The bhickness of khe layem belaw Zl inches ranges from 1 to 12 inches. The soil material ranges from The surface layer of Sparta soils ranges from very dark slightly acid to mildly alkaline to a depth of 21 inches and brown to very dark grayish brown in color and from 10 to 16 from neutral to calcareous below 21 inches. inches in thickness. It is very stnmgly acid !to strmgly acid in Sloan soils are at sites similar to those of Saranac soils but undi,sturbed or unlimed areas. Below a depth of 16 inches the are coarser.textured. Sloan soils lack the organic layers that material ranges from medium acid to strongly acid. are common in the Kerston soils. Sparta soils have a thicker surface layer than the Rubicon and Rousseau wils and are coarser textured than the Roulsseau. Sloan soils (0 to 6 percent slopes) (Sol.-These soils are on nearly level to gently sloping first bottoms along Sparta sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes (Sp).-This nearly streams. These bottoms contain many slight depressions level soil is on the outwash plain in the northeastern part and raised areas. Flooding deposits new material of vari- of the county. It lies in the scattered dry basins in this able texture. The texture of the surface layer is sandy plain. In tfiese basins the surface layer is from 12 to 14 loam, silt loam, and occasionally loamy sand. Texture inches thick and is darker colored than the surface layer changes from one flood to another. described 'in the representative profile. Normally, the sand Included with these soils in mapping were many small grains are coarser than they are in the higher areas of the plain. The few areas that have been cultivated have a thin- areas of Saranac soils in slight depressions in the bottom ner and lighter colored surface layer than that described land. These included areas, and the changes in texture of in the representative profile. the surface layer, do not greatly affect use and manage- Included with this soil in mappin were small areas ment. that have slopes of 2 to 6 percent. ese gently sloping Artificial drainage is beneficial in removing excess water Ta from these fertile soils, but drainage is difficult to install axeas are at the outer edge of the basin. because of the variable texture and the flooding. Much of This soil has low fertility and low available moisture the area remains wooded or is used for native pasture. capacity. If the mil is cultivated, the organic 'matter in the Some areas are idle and are densely covered with grasses, surf ace layer decomposes rapidly. Soil blowing is likely if weeds, and brush. the protective cover of grass and trees is removed. Capability unit IIIw-12 (L2c) ; woodland suitability Except in irrigated areas, this soil is too sandy and group 0 ;wildlife suitability group 6 ; community develop- droughty to be used as cropland. Most of it is idle or has ment group 8. been planted to pine trees. Capability unit IVs-2 (5a) ; woodland suitability group V ; wildlife suitability group 8 ; community development Sparta Series group 3. The Spapta serim consists of wdl-drained, acid sands that have a thick, dark-colored surface layer. These soils Tawas Series are on the nearly level to gently sloping outwash plain and stream terraces. They developed under grasses in open The Tawas series consists of very,poorly drained, shal- areas in the northeastern part of the county. low, organic soils that have sand or loamy sand at a depth The surface layer is very dark brown or very dark gray- ranging from 18 to 4.2 inches. These soils are extensive ish-brown sand about 14 inches thick. It is mainly granular in this county. They occur in the Moorland muck area-and and very friable. in other level and depressional areas. The nartive vegeta-

36 SOIL SURVEY native grasses and sedges, goldenrod and other weeds, and smaller amount is in the northeastern and other parts of dwarf willows. the county. The largest areas are in Moorland Township The surface is very dark gray sandy loam about 10 inch- along Cranberry Creek and in Ravenna Township along es thick. It has granular structure and is friable. Crockery Creek and its tributaries. Other areas are in In the subsoil the individual layers range from 2 to 12 Sullivan and Casnovia Townships. inches in thickness. The texture of these layers is sandy The surface layer is very dark gray in the Tonkey soil loam, loamy sand, ,and sandy clay loam. Color ranges and very dark gray or black in the Deford soil. This layer from pinkish gray in the upper part of khe subsoil to light is generally sandy loam in the Tonkey soil, but it is loam gray in the lower part. The subsoil is mottled. It has sub- in some areas. The surface layer of the Deford soil is gen- angular and angular blocky structure. erally loamy sand, but it is loamy fine sand in some areas. Below the subsoil the material is dominantly brown Within a few feet, texture varies from sandy loam to loamy clay loam, but there are lenses of sandy loam, loamy sand, sand. The Tonkey and Deford soils do not occur in a dis- and fine sand. Dark-brown and light-gray mottles are tinct pattern. present. This material is massive, firm, and calcareous. Included with these soils in the mapping, in the south- Tonkey soils have moderately rapid permeability. eastern part of the county, were areas of Roscommon sand Available moisture capacity and natural fertility are me- and areas that hawe a thin layer of muck at the surface. dium to low. Because the water table is high,. especially Also included, in other parts of the county, were areas that during Spring, these soils are so wet that the growth of have fine-textured material within 42 inches of the surface. lants and operation of farm machinery are hindered. These included areas do not greatly affect use and bop yields vary from fairly favorable to favorable in management. drmned areas. Artificial drainage, however, is difficult be- Drainage is required on these soils if crops are grown, cause texture varies within short distances. but drainage is difficult because of the content of sand. The Typical profile of Tonkey sandy loam in NWSNWX Tonkey sandy loam has a better supply of plant nutrients NW% sec. 25, T. 12 N., R. 15 W., Holton Township : than the Deford loamy sand and has higher available moisture capacity. Many areas of this mapping unit are Ap-4 to 10 inches, very dark gray (10YR 3/1) sandy loam ; weak, coarse, granular structure ; friable; mildly alka- cultivated, but some undrained areas are idle or are used line : abrupt, smooth boundary. for hay and pasture. Many areas remain wooded. B21-10 to 23 inches, pinkish-gray (7.5YR €42) loamy sand Tonkey soil is in capability unit IIw-6 (3c) ; woodland that has common, medium, distinct mottles 6€ dark suitability group W; wildlife suitability group 5; com- gray (10YR 4/1) and few, medium, distinct mottles of very dark brown (lOYR 2/2) ; very weak, medium, munity development group 8. Deford soil is in capability subangular blocky structure ; very friable ; neutral ; unit IIIw-6 (4c) ; woodland suitability group W; wildlife clear, irregular boundary. suitability group 5 ; community development group 8. BZ2-23 to 26 inches, dark reddish-brown (5YR 3/3) sandy loam that has many, medium, distinct mottles of sltrong brown (7.5YR 5/6) and many, medium, distinct Ubly Series mottles of reddish yellow (7.5YR 6/8) ; weak, medium, subangular blocky structure; slightly acid ; clear, ir- The Ubly series co,nsistsof well drained and moderately regular boundary. well drained sandy loams in which clay loam is at a depth B23g-26 to 33 inches, ligrht-gray (10YR 7/2) sandy clay loam tbat him man'y, medium, distinct mottiles of yellow&& of 18 to 42 inches. These soils are scattered in the gently brown (10YR 5/8) and many, fine, prominent mottles sloping landscape in the southeastern, northwestern, and of reddhh brown (5YR 5/3) ; moderate, medium, an- northeastern pnrts of the county. "he native vegetation gular blocky structure ; firm ; neutral ; clear, wavy consisted of mixed hardwoods and some conifers and in- Doundary. cluded sugar maple, beech, ash, white oak, black oak, and C-33 to 48 inches +, brown (7.5YR 5/2) clay loam and lenses of sandy loam, loamy sand, and fine sand; many, me- some hickory and white pine. dium, distinct mottles of dark brown (7.5YR 4/4) and The surface layer is very dark grayish-brown sandy many medium, distinct mottles of light gray ("70) ; loam about 4 inches thick. It has granular structure and is massive ; firm ; calcareous. friable. The subsurface layer is gray or light. brownish- ' The surface layer of Tonkey soils ranges from very dark gray gray loamy sand that has subangular blocky structure and to very dark grayish brown or black in color and from 6 to 10 is very friable. inches in thickness. The layers that make up the subsoil range from sandy loam to sandy clay loam, loam, or heavy loamy The upper part of the subsoil is dark-brown or yellow- sand and from 2 to 12 inches in thickness. In some places ish-red sandy loam thah is mottled. It is friable and has there are also 1-inch to 3-inch layers of silt, very fine sand, and subangular blocky structure or is massive. The lower part clay in the profile. A layer of gravelly sand, 2 to 5 inches thick, occurs below a depth of 30 inches in some areas. The is brown clay loam. It is firni and has angular blocky subsoil ranges from medium acid to mildly alkaline. Below a structure. depth of 30 inches, the material is calcareous. Below the subsoil, at a depth of about. 36 inches, is light Tonkey soils d'eveloped in coarser sand than Deford soils and are finer textured than Roscommon and Granby soils. brownish-gray clay 1oa.m. It has angular blblocky structure Tonkey and Deford soils (0 to 6 percent slopes) (Td).-- and is firm and calcareous. This mapping unit consists of Tonkey soils and Deford Permeability is moderately rapid in the upper part of soils. Most mapped areas are Tonkey sandy loam, but some Ubly soils and moderately slow in the lower part. These are dominantly Deford loamy sand. A few areas consist of soils are moderate in natural fertility a.nd moderntely high both soils in nea.rly equal parts. Each of these soils has a in avaihble moisture capacity. Yields of most crops are profile similar to the one described for its respective series. favorable if management is good. Management is needed These soils are mostly in large areas in broad, wet, nearly mainly for maintaining fertility and organic matter and level basins in the southeastern part of the county. A for controlling soil blowing and water erosion. MUSKEGON COUNTY, MICHIGAN 37

Although Ubly soils are widesprea.d in this county, they blowing and water erosion are likely in cultivated areas. are not mapped separately. They are mapped with Menom- Practically all areas are either in forest or are idle. These inee soils in an undifferentiated soil unit and with Beld- soils are suited to trees, and many areas have been re- ing and Nester soils in a complex. planted to pine. Profile of Ubly sandy loam in SE%SEI$see. 22, T. 9 N., In this county Wallace soils are mapped only in a com- R. 14 W. : plex with Kalkaska soils. A1-0 to 4 inches, very dark grayish-brown (lOYR 3/2) sandy Tvpical profile of Wallace sand in SWl/,SWl/, see. 1, Uoam ; weak, coarse, granular structure ; friable ; T. I;&., 1R.h W medium acid ; clear, wavy boundary. Ap-0 to 7 inches, very dark grayish-brown (10YR 3/2) sand ; A214 to 6 inches, gray (10YR 5/1) loamy sand; weak, weak, medium, granular structure ; very friable: very medium, subangular blocky structure : very friable : strongly acid ; abrupt, smooth boundary. medium acid; clear, wavy boundary. A2-7 to 12 inches, light-gray (10YR 7/1) sand; very weak, -6 to 10 inches, light brownish-gray (10YR 6/2) loamy medium, subangular blocky structure; very friable ; sand; very weak, medium, subangular blocky struc medium acid ; abrupt, irregular boundary. ture; very friable ; strongly acid ; clear, irregular B21hirm-12 to 15 inches, black (5YR 2/1) sand; massive; boundary. indurated ; very strongly acid ; abrupt, irregular B2lir-10 to 17 inches dark4rown (7.5YR 4/4) sandy loam; boundary. moderate, medium subangular blocky structure ; B22hir-15 to 30 inches, dark reddish-brown (5YR 3/3) sand; friable ; medium acid ; clear, irregular boundary. weak, coarse, subangular blocky structure ; very fri- B22ir-17 to 25 inches, yellowish-red (5YR 5/&) sandy loam able ; strongly acid ; gradual, wavy boundary. that has few, medium, distinct mottles of dark brown B3-30 to 40 inches, yellowish-brown (10YR 5/4) sand that (7.5YR 4/4) in lower part; massive; friable; slightly has common, fine, prominent mottles of red (2.5YR acid ; clear, wavy boundary. 4/6) ; weak, coarse, subangular blocky structure ; very A'2-25 to 32 inches ; pale-brown (lOYlR 6/3) sandy loam ; friable ; medium acid ; gradual, wavy boundary. weak, medium, angular blocky structure ; friable ; C40to 60 inches +, light yellowish-brown (10YR 6/4) sand medium acid ; clear, irregular boundary. that has many, medium, faint mottles of yellowish brown (10YR 5/4) and few, medium, distinct mott?es IIB't-32 to 36 inches, brown (10YR 4/3) clay loam ; strong, of dark yellowish brown (lOYR 4/4) ; single grain : medium, angular blocky structure : firm ; medium loose; medium acid. acid ; clear, irregular boundary. IIC-36 to 48 inches +, light 'brownish-gray (10YR 6/2) clay TJndiSturW axas .of Wallace soib have 8. very dkwk gray loam ; moderate, medium, angular blocky structure ; or very dark grayish-brown surface layer that is 2 to 4 inches firm ; calcareous. thick and is underlain by a layer of light sand 5 to 7 inches thick. The hardpan varies in the degree of cementation. In some Cultivated areas of Ubly soi,ls have a dark-brown or grayish- areas it is well cemented and difficult to break, but in other ,brown surface layer 7 to 10 inches thick. The upper part of the areas it is broken and only weakly cemented. The subsoil ranges subsoil ranges from sandy loam to sandy clay loam. In some from very strongly to medium acid. Below a depth of 40 inches areas the middle of the subsoil is hard and brittle during dry the material ranges from mediuq acid to slightly acid. periods. The underlying material ranges from clay loam to The cemented layer in the subsoil of the Wallace soils is silty clay loam or loam and is at a depth ranging from lacking in the Kalkaska and Rubicon soils. Wallace soils are 18 to 42 inches. These soils range from strongly acid to slightly better drained than Saugatuck soils. acid in the upper 24 to 36 inches. Below 36 inches, they are mtldly alkaline or calcareous. In their upper layers, Ubly soils are finer textured than- Warners Series Menominee soils but are coarser textured than Nester soils. Ubly soils are better drained and less mottled than Belding The Warners series consists of very poorly drained soils soils. that have a surface layer of muck mixed with fragments of marl. These soils formed on deposits of marl that varied Wallace Series in purity. They generally occur in low ponded areas along the outer rims of flood plains. A few areas are on seepy The Wallace series consists of well drained and moder- hillsides, and there are small areas in depressions in the ately well dr,ained, sandy soils that have a cemented rolling areas of Ravenna and Casnovia Townships. The hardpan in the subsoil. These soils are on long, narrow present vegetation consists of marsh grasses and some ridges of,sand in the lake and outwash plains. The native northern white-cedar and tamarack. forest consisted of mixed conifers and hardwoods and in- The surface layer consists of black muck mixed with cluded white pine, red pine, and some aspen, birch, and light-gray fragments of marl. It has granular structure, oak. is very friable, and is calcareous. The surface layer is very dark grayish-brown sand about Underlying the surface layer is light-gray or ,white 7 inches thick. It has granular structure and is very friable. marl. This material is massive, friable, and calcareous. The subsurface layer is light-gray sand about 5 inches Warners soils are very slowly permeable. They have thick. It has subangular blocky structure and is very high available moisture capacity. friable. These soils are in only a small acreage in Muskegon The upper part of the subsoil is a hardpan consisting of strongly cemented, massive, black sand about 3 inches County. A small part of this has been cleared and is used thick. The lower part is dark reddish-brown or yellowish- for corn, small grains, and hay. Crops sensitive to lime are brown sand that has subangular blocky structure and is not suited. Most of the acreage remains in forest or has very friable. been cleared and is used for pasture. Below the subsoil the material also is sand. It is light Typical profile of Warners muck in Sj5'?4SWT?4 see. 23, yellowish brown, single grain, and loose. T. 10 N., R. 13 W., Casnovia Township : Wallace soils are poorly suited for farming. They are ApOto 8 inches, black (10YR 2/1) muck mixed with a few, medium, light-gray (10YR 7/1) ' fragments of marl ; very droughty and infertile. Permeability is rapid above weak, fine, granular structure ; very friable ; calcare- and below the cemented layer, but is slow within it. Soil ous ; abrupt, smooth boundary. 38 SOIL SURVEiY

C1--8 to 20 inches, light-gray (10YR 7/1) marl and very dark gray (10YR 3/1) organic material along root chan- Use and Management of the Soils nels ; massive ; friable ; calcareous ; gradual, diffuse bound ary . The soils of Muskegon County are used mainly for crops C2-20 to 48 inches +, white (10YR 8/1) marl that has many, and pasture. This section tells how the soils ca.n be used fine, faint mottles of very pale brown (10YR 8/3) ; for these main purposes, and it gives predicted yields of massive ; friable ; calcareous. the principal crops. In addition, it explains how the soils In some areas of Warners soils the surface layer is as much can be managed as woodland, for wildlife, in building as 60 percent marl. In other areas a considerable amount of highways, farm ponds, and other engineering structures, silt occurs in the upper 6 to 10 inches. The calcium carbonate in the marl ranges from 20 to 70 percent. Small fragments of and in community development. snail shells occur in the marl and on the surface in many In discussing management of cropland and pasture and areas. of soils used for wildlife, the procedure in this section is Warners soils have a thinner organic layer than the Carlisle to describe groups of soils that require similar manage- or the Houghton soils. Marl underlies the organic material of the Warners soils, whereas sand underlies the organic ma- ment and then to suggest management suitable for the terial of the Tawas soils. groups. Ma,na ement of woodland is a.lm described for Warners muck (0 to 2 percent. slopes) (Wa).-Most of groups, but in5 ormation about these groups is in a table. this soil is in low areas along the edge of flood plains. A few areas are on seepy hillsides, and small areas are in up- Crops and Pasture land depressions. The areas at the edge of the flood plains In this subsection, the capabiliky classification and are likely to be ponded. management groups are explained and the management of The surface layer of this soil is black, well-granulated soils by capability units is discussed. A ta,ble lists pre- muck. It is underlain by marl. dicted yields under two levels of management. Included with this soil in the mapping were areas that have a silt loam or loam surface layer. Also included were Capability groups of soils a few small spots that have a plow layer that is mostly Capability classification is the grouping of soils to show, marl. In places the organic layer is thick. These included in a general way, their suitability for most kinds of farni- areas are small and have no effect on use and management. ing. It is a practical classification based on limitations of This soil is difficult to drain beoause the marl is near the the soils, the risk of damage when they are used, and the surface. Most areas are not suitable as cropland, but they way they respond to treatment. The classification does not can be used for forest or pasture. apply to most hortlicultural crops, or to rice and other Capability unit IVw-5 (M/Mc j ; woodland suitability crops that have their own spec.ial requirements. The soils group U; wildlife suitability group 5; community develop- are classified according to degree and kind of permanent ment group 10. limitation, but without consideration of major and gener- ally expensive landforming that would change the slope, Wind Eroded Land, Sloping depth, or other characteristics of the soils ; and without consideration of -possible but unlikely maj‘or reclamation Wind eroded land, sloping (We) consists of sandy soils projects. that are severely damaged by soil blowing. Blowouts and In the capability system, a11 kinds of soils are grouped small dune-shaped knolls occur in many places. Slopes at three levels. tshe calsabilitv class, subclass, and unit. These are disciksed in ilie fo~o~~in,a’parag~aphs. range from 0 to 12 percent. This land is mainly in areas CAPABILITYCLASSES, the broadest grouping, are desig- that were Croswell and Au Gres soils, but some areas were nated by Roman numerals I through VIII. The numerals the better drained Chelsea and Montcalm soils. indicate propressireIy greater limitations and iiarrower On this land severe erosion has removed all or nearly all choices for practical use. The classes are defined as follows : of the original surface layer and, in local areas, even the Class I. Soils have few limitations that restrict their subsoil. The present surface layer is loose sand that has a use. (None in Muskegon County.) low content of organic matter and is susceptible to soil Class 11. Soils have some limitations that reduce the blowing. choice of plants or require moderate conservation This land has low fertility and available moisture ca- practices. pacity. It is droughty during summer, and may be wet Class 111. Soils have severe limitaitions that reduce the during the rest of the year. The water table fluctuates in choice of plants or require special conservation most areas and is within 24 inches of the surface during practices, or both. spring. Poorly drained depressions occur locally. Class IV. Soils have very severe limitations that This mapping, unit has been cleared of trees and cul- restrict the choice of plants, require very careful tivated, but it is now idle and has little or no plant cover. management, or both. During spring, fall, and winter, further erosion may be Class V. Soils subject to little or no erosion burt~have other limitations, impractical to remove, that retarded by the water table. Soil blowing, droughtiness, limit their use largely to pasture, range, wood- and excess water severely Ii,mit use of this land as crop- land, or wildlife food and cover. (None in Mus- land. Planting suitable trees helps to stabilize this land kegon County.) and to protect it against soil blowing. Class VI. Soils have severe limitations that make them Capability unit VIsl (Sa) ; woodland suitability generally unsuited ‘to cultivation and limit their group E ; wildlife suitability group 2; community develop- use largely to pasture or range, woodland, or ment group 3. wildlife food and cover. MTJSKEGON COUNTY, MICHIGAN 39 Class VII. Soils have very severe Iimitations that CAPABILITY UNIT IIe-1 (1.58) make them unsuited to cult,ivation and that This capability unit coiisists of gently sloping, slightly restrict__ __.” their use largely to grazing, woodland, or eroded to uneroded Nester soils that are well drained or wildlife. moderately well drained. These soils have a clay loam sub- Class VIII. Soils and landforms have limitations that soil and underlying material. preclude their use for commercial plant produc- Water moves moderately slowly through these soils. tion and restrict their use to recreation, wildlife, Available moisture capacity is moderately high to high. or water supply, or to esthetic purposes. These soils are fertile. They are acid in the upper part and CAPABILITYSUBCLASSES are soil groups within one class; are alkaline in the lower part. A few areas are moderately they are designated by adding a small letter, e, w, s, or c, to eroded and have poorer tilth and lower fertility than the the class numeral, for example, IIe. The letter e shows that uneroded or slightly eroded areas. the main limitation is risk of erosion unless close-growing These soils are well suited to most crops grown in the plant cover is maintained; w shows that water in or on the county if management is provided for controlling runoff soil interferes with plant growth or cultivation (in some aiid erosion and for maintaining soil structure and the soils the wetness can be partly corrected by artificial drain- content of organic matter. Because these soils dry out and age) ; s shows that the soil is limited mainly because it is warm up slowly in spripg, planting dates are later than on shallow, droughty, or stony; and c, used in some parts of soils of coarser texture. the United States but not in Muskegon County, shows that Good management provides return of crop residue, the chief limitation is climate that is too cold or too dry. selection of a suitable sequence of crops, and use of prac- In class I there are no subclasses, because the soils of this tices that control erosion. Soil tilth, especially that of class have few limitations. Class V can contain, at the most, eroded soils, is improved by adding organic material. only subclasses indicated by w, s, and c, because the soils Yields are reduced where erosion has removed the surface in it are subject to little or no erosion, though they have layer. The subsoil is tight aiid difficult to till. other limitations that restrict their use largely to pasture, These soils are well suited to forage crops. The soils range, woodland, wildlife, or recreation. puddle, however, aiid have poor tilth, if grazing is CAPABILITYUNITS are soil groups within the subclasses. permitted in wet periods. The soils in one capability unit are enough alike to be suited to the same crops and pasture plants, to require sim- CAPABILITY UNIT IIe-3 (3/2a) ilar management, and to have similar productivity and This capability unit consists of well drained or moder- other responses to management. Thus, the capability unit is ately well drained, gently sloping, slightly eroded or un- a convenient grouping for making many statements about eroded soils. These soils have a sandy loam to clay loam management of soils. Capability units are generally desig- subsoil and clay loam underlying material. They are in the nated by adding an Arabic numeral to the subclass symbol, TJbly series. for example, IIe-1 or IIIe-4. Thus, in one symbol, the Permeability is moderately rapid in the upper part of Roman numeral designates the capability class, or degree these soils and is moderately slow in the lower part. Avail- of limitation, and the small letter indicates the subclass, able moisture capacity is moderately high, but crops lack or kind of limitation, as defined in the foregoing para- moisture during prolonged dry periods. Fertility is mod- graph. The Arabic numeral specifically identifies the capa- erate. The upper part of these soils is acid, and the lower bility unit within each subclass. In the following pages the part is alkaline. Erosion is a hazard. capability units in Muskegon County are described and These soils itre suited to most crops gso.cr-n in the county suggestions for the use and management of the soils are if management is provided for maintaining fertility and given. In this survey, the Arabic numerals are not consecu- the content of organic matter, for controlling erosion, and tive, because not all the capability units used in Michigan for overcoming slight droughtiness. are represented in Muskegon County. If cultivated crops are grown, use of terraces, stripcrop- In this soil survey, symbols made up of Arabic numer- ping, contour tillage, and other practices help to control als and small or oapital letters follow the symbols of each erosion. h sequence of crops that returns a large amount of capability unit. These symbols in parentheses identify the organic matter helps to conserve soil and water. management group or groups, all or poxtions of which are These soils are well suited to forage crops and to trees represented by the soils in the capability unit. These man- aiid plants that provide food aiid cover for wildlife. agement groups are part of a statewide system used in Michigan for making recommendations about applications CAPABILITY UNIT IIw-2 (1.5b, 1.5~) of lime and fertilizer, about drainage, and about other This capability unit consists of nearly level to gently practices. For an explanation of this classification, refer sloping, somewhat poorly drained to very poorly drained to “Fertilizer Recommendations for Michigan Crops” soils. These soils have a clay loam or silty clay loam subsoil (5). and underlying material. Their water table fluctuates and Management by capability units is at or near the surface in spring. These soils are in the This subsection describes the soils in each capability unit, Hettinger, Kamkawlin, and Sinis series. Permeability is moderately slow. Available moisture tells of their use and suitability for crops and pasture, aiid capacity and fertility are high, aiid the content of organic discusses management practices. The soil series represented matter is moderately high. in each capability unit are named, but this does not mean These soils are some of the most productive in the county. that all the soils in the series are in the capability unit. They are well suited to crops commonly grown in the To find the names of the soils in any given unit, refer to county if management is provided for removing excess the “Guide to Mapping Units‘’ at the back of this survey. water, for maintaining fertility and content of organic 40 SOIL SURVEY matter, and for improving the poor soil structure. Planting grown in depressions and low places are subject to damage may be delayed because these soils, especially the very from flooding and frost. poorly drained Hettinger soils, warm up and dry out Drainage is difficult on these soils because the soil nia- slowly in spring. The Hetting*ersoils are in depressioas and terial is unstable when wet. The drainage system should remain vet for extended periods. Crops grown in the de- be installed during dry periods because trenches dug for pressions are subject to clamage from frost. laying tile and ditches for surface drains cave in readily. A combination of tile and open ditches can be used to The tile lines may become filled with soil material unless drain these soils. The soils are generally stable, and ditches care is used in blinding. Both surface drains and tile are require litrtle maintenance. Tile drainage is more successful needed in undulating areas. if soil structure is improved by adding crop residue and by These soils are well suited to forage crops. In undrained tilling at a minimum. By delaying tillage during wet areas it is necessary to select. legumes and grasses that are periods, puddling is prevented. tolerant of wet conditions. In all areas, grazing should be These soils are well suited to forage crops. The selection prevented during wet periods so that puddling is pre- of grasses and legumes depends on the degree of wetness. vented and good tilth is maintained. Tilth is impaired unless grazing is prevented during wet periods. CAPABILITY UNIT IIw-8 (3/2b) CAPABILITY UNIT JIw-3 (Idb) This capability unit consists of nearly level to gently This capability unit consists of gently sloping, poorly sloping soils that are somewhat poorly drained. These drained soils that have a clay loam subsoil and clay loam soils formed in sandy loam material that was 18 to 42 underlying material. These soils are in undulating areas inches thick and underlain by loam to silty clay loam mate- in which closed depressions are numerous. The water rial. They have a high water tahle that fluctuates. These table fluctuates and is at or near the surface in spring. soils are in the Belding series. Thse soils are in the Kawkawlin series. The movement of water is moderately rapid through t.he Permeability is moderately slow. Available moisture upper part of the soils and moderately slow through the capacity and fertility are high, and the content of organic finer textured lower part. These soils are fertile and are matter is moderately high. moderateLy well supplied with organic matter. They are The soils in this unit are among the most productive in able to furnish the moisture needed by growing crops. the county. If adequately drained, they are well suited to Where these soils have been successfully drained, they crops grom in the county. In addition to drainage,. man- are well suited to the crops commonly grown in the county. agement is needed that helps to control erosion, maintain In addition to drainage, management is needed that helps fertility and content of organic matter, and improve tilth. to maintain fertility and the content of organic matter. Planting may be dehyed on the soils'iii depressions because Depressions are likely to be ponded during wet periods. they are wet and dry out slowly in spring. Crops grown in In spring they dry out slowly, and planting may be the depressions are subject to damage from frost. delayed. A Combination of tile and surface drains can be used to Tile drains and ditches can be used to lower the water drain these soils. Becanse the soils are generally stable, table and remove excess water. The depth and the spacing ditches used as surface drains require little maintenance. of tile lines depend on the depth to loam or silty clay It is difficult, however, to lay out and install a drainage loam material. Installation of tile l'ines is difficult because system in the ulldulating topography. Only tile laid at there are pockets of unstable wet sand. random and surface drains can be used in many areas. The soils are well suited to forage crops. The selection Drainage is more successful if soil structure is maintained of grasses and legumes depends on degree of wetness. by adding large amounts of crop residue ~iidby tilling at a Grazing during wet periods is not advisable, because the minimum. trampling animals damage tilth and ca,uF puddling. These soils are well suited to forage crops. The selection CAPABILITY UNIT IIIe-4 (1.5s) of grasses and legumes depends on the degree of wetness. This capability unit consists of sloping; well drained or In undrained areas tilth is impaired unless grazing is moderately well drained soils. These soils have a clay loam prevented during wet periods. - subsoil and underlying material. They are in the Nester CAPABILITY UNIT IIw-6 (3C) series. This capability unit consists of nearly level, poorly The movement of m-ater through these soils is moderately drained Tonkey soils that formed in stratified sand, loamy slow. Both available moisture capacity and natural fer- sand, and sandy loam. These soils have a. high water table tility are high, but the content of organic matter is low7 in spring. especially in moderately eroded areas. The soils of this unit are fertile and are well supplied These soils are suited to crops commonly grown in the with organic matter. Their high water table restricts' in- county, but management is needed that helps to maintain ternal drainage, but water moves rapidly through these soil structure, control erosion, aiid return crop residue. Be- soils in drained areas where the water table has receded. cause these soils warm up slowly in spring, planting may Crops may benefit from the moisture they receive from t.he be delayed. These soils puddle if they are worked when water table. they are too wet. A few spots are wet aiid need random tile These soils are suited to the crops commonly grown in drainage or surface drainage. the county, such as corn, small grains, and hay, but arti- Good management provides the return of crop residue, ficial drainage is required for optimum yields. In addi- selection of a suitable sequence of crops, and use of prac- tion to drain+ge, management is needed that helps to tices that control erosion. Soil structure can be improved maintain fertility and the content of organic matter. Crops by using a sequence of crops that returns large amounts of MUSKEGON COUNTY, MICHIGAN 41 organic residue. Because the subsoil is tight and difficult to Above the water table, permeability is rapid. Available till, yields are reduced where erosion has removed the sur- moisture capacity and fertility are low. Frost damage is face layer. likely in low areas. These soils are suited to cu1tivate.d crops only if man- CAPABILITY UNIT IIIe-9 (4/2a. 3/28, 48) agement is provided for removing excess water and for This capability unit consists of rollinw, well-drained improving fertility and the content of organic matter. soils that are uneroded or only slightly erded. The subsoil Tile drains and open ditches can be used to remove of most of these soils is loamy sand or sandy loam that is excess water, but installing a drainage system 1s difficult. nnderlain by sandy material, but in the Menominee soil Installation is best during dry periods because the sides the subsoil is underlain by clay loam material. These soils of ditches, and of trenches dug for tile, cave in readily are in the Mancelona, Menominee, Montcalm, and Ubly when these sandy soils are wet. Because ,these soils are series. droughty after they are drained, controlled drainage is The soils in this unit have moderately rapid to rapid needed to regulate the amount of water available to plants. permeability. Available moisture capacity is low or mod- Forage crops are well suited to these soils. The grasses erately low, and fertility and the content of organic matter and legumes selected depend on the degree of wetness. are low. In cultivated areas soil Mowing and water erosion Undrained areas furnish good forage during dry suni- are likely. mers, but in these areas wetness may delay seeding and Because these soils warm up early in spring but are grazing during spring. droughty in summer, they are best suited to crops that can be planted early and that mature before the soils become CAPABILITY UNIT IJIw-11 (5~) too droughty. Favorable yields, however, are difficult to This capability unit consists of nearly level, poorly obtain. Practices are needed to control erosion and to in- drained, sandy soils. The water table of these soils is at or crease fertility, the content of organic matter, and avail- near the surface during much of the year. These soils are able moisture. in the Granby and Roscommon series. These soils are moderately well suited to forage crops, Above the water table? water moves rapidly or very but yields are not so favorable, particularly during the dry rapidly through these soils. Svailable moisture capacity summer months. and fertility are low. The content of organic matter is moderately high. CAPABILITY UNIT IIIw-2 (lb, l~) If these soils are adequately drained and otherwise well This capability unit consists of nearly level or gently managed, they are fairly well suited to most crops com- sloping, somewhat poorly drained to poorly drained soils. monly grown in the county. Selected sites, however, are These soils have a clayey subsoil and clayey underlying suited to cucumbers and other truck crops. A few areas material. The water table is at or near the surface in of Roscommon sand are suited to blueberries. spring. These soils are in the Pickford and Selkirk series. Tile drains and open ditches can be used to remove Permeability is slow or very slow. Both available mois- excess water, but installing a drainage system is difficult. ture capacity and natural fertility are high, but the con- The walls of trenches dug fo,r tile cave in, and proper tent of organic matter is low to medium. alinement of the tile is difficult. Also, the sandy soil mate- These soils are well suited to most crops grown in the rial readily fills the tile lines. Unless the banks of open county if management is provided for disposing of excess ditches are seeded and kept in sod, they cave in readily water, for maintaining or increasing the content of or- and the ditches become clogged. After these soils are ganic matter, and for maintaining good soil tilth. Because drained, they are droughty unless drainage is controlled these soils dry out and warm up slowly in spring, planting so as to regulate the amount of moisture available to crops. may be delayed. These soils are better suited to forage crops than to Tile drains are suitable for removing excess water. The cultiva.ted crops. They produce moderately good pasture functioning of the tile lines is insured by blinding them if grazing is restricted during wet periods. with liberal amounts of straw or grass, or with topsoil rich in organic matter. In some areas backfilling to the CAPABILITY UNIT IIIw-12 (L-~c,GMc) surface with'porous material is necessary. In gently slop- This capability unit is made up of nearly level, very ing areas, surface drainage is helpful in supplementing poorly drained Kerston; Saranac, and Sloan soils that the tile. Tile drainage is .more successfuP if good structure occur on bottom lands and are subject to flooding. These is maintained by planting deep-rooted legumes, using soils vary in texture and drainage within short distances. minimum tillsage, and returning crop residues. Structure The Sloan and Saranac soils consist of alternating layers and tilth are poor if these soils are worked when wet. that range from moderately coarse to moderately fine in These soils are well suited to forage crops. Grasses and texture. The Kerston'soil is made up of alternate layers legumes that tolerate wetness grow well. Grazing during of organic material and sandy material. The s,oils in this met periods is not advisable, because the trampling unit have a high water table and are saturated in spring animals damage structures and impair tilth. md after floods. These soils have high or moderately high available CAPABILITY UNIT IIIw-6 (4c) moisture capacity. Fertility ranges from high to low. The This capability unit consists of poorly drained, nearly content of organic matter is high in the Kerston soils and level soils that formed in fine sand and very fine sand. moderately high in Sloan and Saranac soils. Permeability These soils are wet. because their water table is near the is moderately rapid in the Kerston soil, moderate in Sloan surface during much of the year. They are in the Deford soils, and moderntely slow in the Saranac soil. If the soils series. in this unit are drained and protected from floods, they 42 SOIL SURVEY are well suited to cultivated crops. The crops, however, are drained. These soils are in the Mancelona, Menominee, susceptible .to frost drainage. Celery, onions, and other Montcalm, and Rousseau series. Most of these soils are special crops are grown 'on the Kerston soil. coarse textured, but the Menominee soils are underlain by Tile drains and open ditches can be used to remove clay loam material at a depth of 18 to 42 inches. excess water, but drainage is difficult because the texture Except in the Menominee soils, permeability is moder- of the soil material varies within short distances. Also, ately rapid or rapid. In the Menominee soils, permeability drainage outlets are lacking in some areas. The Kerston is rapid above a depth of 18 to 42 inches and is moderately soil is difficult to drain because it consists of sandy and slow below that depth. Available moisture capacity is low organic material that is unstable when wet. Crops grown in the Mancelona and Rousseau soils and is moderately low on the soils of this unit can be protected from flooding in the Menominee and Montcalm soils. The soils in this by diking. unit have low fertility and content of organic matter. Where drainage is not practical, these soils are used for Runoff is slow, and erosion generally is not a hazard. Till- pasture. Restricting grazing during wet periods helps to a e is easy and can be performed throughout a wide range maintain soil tilth and structure. 0.f moisture content without clodding o,r crusting of the soils. CAPABILITY UNIT IIIw-15 (Mc) Under good management, these soils are suited to corn, This unit consists of poorly 'drained organic so,ils in small grains, and meadows. Because they warm up early which the organic material is more than 42 inches thick. in spring, they are well suited to small grains and other These soils are in the Carlisle and Houghton series. crops that are seeded early. Small grains are more depend- These soils have low fertility, high available moist.ure able than corn because they mature before there is a serious capacity, and moderate to rapid permeability. Surface shortage of moisture. Good management on these soils runoff is slow to ponded. The soils are generally low in provides practices that maintain and incre.ase fertility and content of phosphorus and potassium and in the micro- the content of organic matter, that increase the moisture nutrients manganese, boron, copper, molybdenum, and available during dry periods, and that control soil blowing. zinc. The Rousseau soils are more droughty than the other soils Under good management, the soils in this unit are suited in this unit and are more susceptible to soil blowing. to specialized crops such as celery, carrots, mint, and Large additions of crop residues and manure and the use onions. Good management provides practices that control of green-manure crops help to increase fertility and the the height of the water table, maintain and improve fer- content of organic matter. Large additions of commercial tility, lessen the frost hazard, control soil bmlowing, and fert.ilizer are not profitable in dry years. eradicate weeds, pests, and diseases. Drained areas of these Because these soils are generally moist and warm up soils produce favo,rable yields of short-season, frost- early in spring, forage crops grow well early in the grow- resistant truck crops. Small grains have rank growth and ing season. But growth is reduced during the dry summer lodge before harvest. months. Deep-rooted, drought-resistant plants grow best. Much damage is caused by soil blowing. The wind Lime is generally needed if legumes are groan. blows away newly seeded plants a.nd damages older ones. It also thins the layer of organic material. Drainage CAPABILITY UNIT IVW-2 (4/lb, 5b, 5b-h) ditches are filled by sand and organic material. Soil blow- This capability unit is made up of nearly level or gently ing can be reduced by compacting the surface, by irrigat- sloping, somewhat poorly drained soils. These soils are in ing, by stripcropping, and by using buffer strips and the Allendale, Au Gres, Ogemam, and Saugatuck series. windbreaks. Rows of grain 2 or 3 feet apart prot,ect the soil The AU Gres and Saugatuck soils in this unit formed in until the main crop is high enough to add its protection. sand more than 42 inches thick. The Ogemaw and the Besides protecting the soil, the windbreaks provide nest- Allendale soils formed in a layer of sand, 18 to 42 inches ing places and cover for wildlife. thick, over clay material. The Ogemaw and Saugatuck Artificial drainage is needed before these soils can be soils have a cement.ed hardpan in their subsoil. The soils cultivated intensivelx? but drainage is not practical in of this unit have a fluctuating water table that is near the some areas because suitable outlets are lacking. The water surface during wet periods. table needs to be kept at a height ,that will allom- good If the mater table is lowered by artificial drainage, water growth of plants and yet keep subsidence of the soils low. moves rapidly or very rapidly through the sandy part of The water table can be controlled by using dams, dikes, these soils. The movement of water is restricted by the subirrigation through tile, pumps and irrigation wells, cemented hardpan and the underlying material in the and a system of tile and open ditches. Subsidence is re- Ogemaw soil, by the cemented hardpan in the Saugatuck duced by keeping the water table high when these soils are soil, and by the underlying clayey material in the Allen- not cropped. dale soil. The cemented subsoil also restricts the growth of These soils are commonly irrigated by sprinklers SO roots in Ogemaw and Saugatuck soils. Available moisture that yields are increased, young transplants are benefited, capacity, the content of organic matter, and fertility are and frost damage is reduced. Frost damage is also reduced low. Reaction is acid. by selecting hardy plants, providing good air drainage, and applying a large amount of potash fertilizer. These soils are not well suited to cultivated crops but can be used for forage. If they are drained and well CAPABILITY UNIT IIIs-4 (4/2a, 48) managed, they can be used for crops. Selected areas are This capability unit consists of soils that are nearly level suited to blueberries. Sites that meet the exacting require- or gently sloping and well drained or moderately well ments of this special crop are relatively valuable. MUSKEGON COUNTY, MICHIGAN 43 If these soils are cultivated, management is needed that to rise when crops are not grown. Wind erosion is also lowers the water table, controls water erosion and soil reduced by allowing the water table to rise. Mowing, and improves fertility and content of organic These soi'ls, both Tawas and Warners, are commonly matter. A cropping system that returns large amounts of irrigated by sprinklers so that yields are increased, soil crop residue helps to improve fertility and content of blowing is decreased, young transplants are benefited, and organic matter. frost damage is reduced. Frost damage is also reduced by Drainage systems are difficult to install and relatively selecting hardy plants, providing good air drainage, and expensive. Because trenches dug for tile readily cave in, applying a large amount of potash fertilizer. the tile should be installed during the driest part of the In most places additions of phosphate and potash are year. In some areas sand flows into the completed tile lines needed, as are additions of manganese, boron, copper, and clogs them. The banks of open ditches are unstable molybdenum, and zinc. The amount and kind of fertilizer and cave in readily. These soils are droughty if the water applied depend on soil reaction and the crop to be grown. table is lowered too much. Soil blowing, especially in intensively cultivated areas, also is a hazard. CAPABILITY UNIT IVS-2 (58) Where these soils are used for forage, lime and fertilizer This capability unit consists of nearly level or gently are needed more frequently than on mosb other soils in the sloping, well drained or moderately well drained soils. county. Grazing should be restricted during wet periods in These soils are in the Chelsea, 'Croswell, and Sparta series. undrained areas. Except for the Chelsea soil, these soils have sand through- out their profile. The Chelsea soil contains layers o'f loamy CAPABILITY UNIT IVw-5 (M/4c, M/mc) sand. The Sparta soil is darker colored than the other soils This capability unit consists of very poorly drained soils of this unit. In the Croswell soil the water table is within that formed in organic material that overlies sand or marl. 2 to 3 feet of the surface during wet periods. Thickness of the organic material ranges from 8 to 42 Water moves rapidly or very rapidly through these soils. inches. These soils are in the Tawas and Warners series. Available moisture capacity and fertility are low. The con- The Tawas soil has a thicker layer of organic material than tent of organic matter is high in the Sparta soil and low Warners soil and is underlain by sand instead of marl. in the other soils in this unit. Organic matter decomposes The soils in this unit are saturated because the water readily in these soils. Runoff is slow, and water erosion table is high. Available moisture capacity is high, but the generally is not a hazard. The soils are easily tilled and can soils are droughty if the water table is lowered too much. be cultivated throughout a wide range of moisture content. Runoff is very slow or ponded. Permeability is rapid in Use of these soils for crops is severely limited by low the Tawas sail and is very slow in 'the Warners soil. In fertility and amilable moisture capacity and by the hazard the Warners soil downward movement of water and roots of soil blowing. If crops are grown, they show signs of is restricted by the )marl. The content of plant nutrients, drought sooner than do crops on most other soils in the especially of the micronutrients, is low. Alkalinity reduces county. Early season crops are better suited than crops availability of plant nutrients in the Warners soil. planted late in spring, for these soils dry out and warm The Warners soil in this unit generally is not suited to up early in spring. Also, they can be worked earlier than cultivated crops, but it can be used for grasses and trees. loamy and clayey soils. A4few areas are used for corn and small grains. The Tawas Large additions of crop residue and manure, including soil is suited to onions, celery, and other specialized crops green manure, help increase fertility and the content of if management is used that lowers the water table, main- tains or improves fertility, controls soil blowing, prevents organic matter. Large additions of commercial fertilizer fires, and eradicates weeds, pests, and diseases. are not profita.ble in dry seasons. Crops planted as winter Soil blowing is a serious hazard, for it carries away cover and trees planted in windbreaks protect, these soils newly planted seed, and it thins the layer of organic mate- from soil blowing. rial. Drainage ditches are filled with drifting soil material. Forage crops are most abundant early in the growing Soil blowing can be reduced by compacting the surface, season before these .soils become too dry. Deep-rooted, by irrigating, by stripcropping, and by using buffer strips drought-resistant forage crops grow best. If legumes are and windbreaks. Rows of grain planted 2 or 3 feet apart grown, lime is generally required. protect the soil until the main crop is tall enough to add its protection. Windbreaks, besides protecting the soil, pro- CAPABILITY UNIT VIe-1 (1.5a) vide nesting places and cover for wildlife. This capability unit is made up of steep, well drained Artificial drainage generally is required before the or moderately well drained soils of the Nester series. These Tawas soil can be used for crops. By controlling the height soils have a clay loam subsoil and underlying material. of the water table, subsidence of the soil is reduced and Most areas are severely eroded, but a small acreage is only yields are increased. Grasses generally tolerate a high moderately eroded. water table better than do crops. In most areas of the Permeability is moderately slow. Available moisture Warners soil drainage is not practical, because the marl is capacity and fertility are high. In severely eroded areas near the surface and outlets are lacking. fertility, tilth, and the content of organic matter are lower The water tabble of the soils in this unit can be controlled than in less eroded areas. Runoff is rapid, especially in hy the use of dams, dikes, subirrigation through tile lines, severely eroded areas. pumps, irrigation wells, and a system of tile and open These soils are better suited to hay, pasture, or trees than ditches. Subsidence is reduced if the water table is allowed to cultivated crops. Plants may lack moisture because run- 44 SOIL SURVEY off is rapid and little moisture enters the soil. Also, it is dry summer months. They are suitable for various species difficult to operate farm machines safely and efficiently on of trees. the steepmt slopes. CAPABILITY UNIT VIIIS-1 (58, Sa) Good management provides practices that reduce runoff, This capability unit consists of nearly level to very improve structure and tilth, and control erosion. steep, well-drained sands that are deep, very loose, and dry. These sands are very low in fertility and in content CAPABILITY UNIT VIS-1 (58, 5/28. Sa) of organic matter. They are subject to severe soil blowing, This capability unit consists of nearly level to sloping, aiid the wind is constantly changing the shape of their well-drained to somewhat poorly drained Chelsea and landforms. Blown-out land, Dune land, and Lake beaches Rubicon soils and Wind eroded land. These soils formed are in this capability unit. in sand that is generally more than 60 inches deep, but The areas of Dune land in this unit can support trees in the Rubicon soil that has a loamy substratum, loamy after they are stabilized and adapted species are estab- material is at a depth of 42 to 66 inches. The surface layer lished. The land can be stabilized by planting beachgrass of Wind eroded land has been removed by soil blowing, or by using a brush-type mulch. Hand labor must be used and blowouts occur in some areas. to plant and maintain both trees and grasses. Water moves rapidly or very rapidly through these The areas of Lake beaches in this unit normally do not soils. Available moisture capacity and fertility are low, support permanent vegetation. These areas, however, have and runoff is ~s10l.v~to medium. The content of organic esthetic value and are well suited to recreation. matter is low, especially in the Wind eroded land. The soils in this unit are poorly suited as cropland. They CAPABILITY UNIT VIIIW-1 (SC) are subject to severe soil blowing if large areas are exposed This capability unit consists only of the mapping unit by tillage. Available moisture is seldom adequate for the Marsh. Saturated organic material or sediments from growth of crops, especially during the hot summer months. rivers make up the soil material of Marsh. These soils are not well suited to forage crops or pasture. The vegetation consists mainly of cattails, rushes, sedges, Yields are not dependable; pastures dry up and yield little water lilies, aiid other water-tolerant plants. Tamarack, food during dry periods. Trees, especially pines, can be aspen, and willow also grow in a few places. Marsh is well grown. adapted to use as a habitat for wetland wildlife. CAPABILITY UNIT VIIe-1 (la, 1.58) This capability unit consists of very steep, well drained Predicted yields or moderately well drained soils in the Kent and Nester The predicted average acre yields of the principal crops series. These soils have a clay or clay loam subsoil and un- grown in MnskeKon County are given in table 2. The esti- derlying material. A small acreage is severely eroded. mates are given for the soil at two levels of management. Erosion is a severe hazard if these soils are cultivated. Only the arable soils, those suitable for cultivation, are Available moisture capacity is high, but runoff is very listed in table 2. The estimates are based on information rapid and little water that can be used by plants is ab- obtained from farmers, froin members of the staff of the sorbed. In severely eroded areas tilth and structure are Michigin Agricultural Experiment. Stat,ion, from Soil poor and the content of organic matter is lower than that (‘onservation Service perso11ne1, aid from otlieis familiar in uneroded areas. with the soils and crops of the county. These soils are too steep for use as cropland. The se- In columiis A are average yields obtained under the verely eroded areas were cultivated at one time but are management that as common in the county when the sur- now in pasture or are idle. Management that keeps these vey was imde. In this management, lime and fertilizer soils in pasture or trees helps to control further erosion. are applied, but normnlly iiot in amounts sufficient to Fruit trees are grown in a few areas, and here special insure good yields. Barnyard manure produced on tho care is needed to reduce the hazard of erosion. These solls farm is returned to the soil. Some areas have been artifi- are suited as woodland. cially drained, but many of, the low areas still require drainage. In most areas, a crop rotation is used that in- CAPABILITY UNIT VIIs-1 (58, 48, 5.38, 5a-h, 8.78) cludes mixed grasses aiid legumes, but the mixture is not This capability unit consists of nearly level to very steep, used long enough in rotations on the steep or the sandy well drained to moderately well drained sandy soils. These soils. so& consist of sand t.liat eitends from the surface to a The yields in columns I3 are obtained under improved depth of 66 inches or more. They are in the Chelsea, Deer management. In this management, lime and fertilizer are Park, Grayling, Kalkaska, Montcalm, Rubicon, and Wal- applied in amomits indicated by soil tests and according lace series. to the need of the crop grown. Where needed, a complete drainage system is installed. The plants are of adapted and Water moves through these soils rapidly or very rap- improved wrieties, aiid the seed of high quality. If needed, idly. Available moisture capacity, fertility, and the con- other conservation practices are used to control erosion tent of organic matter are low. If these soils are tilled, the and to conserve moisture. The cropping system used is orgfinic material decomposes rapidly and soil blowing is adapted to the soils, and seeding, spraying, and cultiva- likely. tion are done at the proper time. These soils generally are iiot suited as cropland, though a Because of the influence of Lake Michigin, the range in few areas are irrigated and are used for special crops. The cliinate aiid t,he resulting yields vary from one part of the use of farm machines is severely limited on the steep and county to another. This influence of Lake Michigan also very steep slopes. Yields of forage crops and pasture are allom a number of special crops to be grown, though yields not dependable, for these soils dry out readily during the of these crops have not been predicted. MUSKEGON COUNTY, MICHIGAN 45

TABLE2.-Predkted average acre yklds under two levels of management [Yields in columns A are those expected under ordinary management; those in columns B are for improved management. Dashes indicate soil is not suited to the crop, or that the crop ordinarily is not grown]

Llfalfa or >lover- Corn Corn Oats Wheat alfalfa- grass Mapping unit (grain) (silage) xome haj hay ------A B A B A B A B A B A B - - - __ ------

Bu. Bu. TOnS Tons Bu. Bu. Bu Bu rons Tons rons rons 25 45 4 7 20 40 16 25 1.3 2.1 1.1 1.8 45 70 7 11 40 75 28 45 2.1 3.8 1.7 2.4 30 55 5 9 32 50 22 32 1.5 3.0 1.2 2.0 45 70 7 11 40 75 28 45 2.1 3.8 1.7 2.4 50 85 8 13 40 75 32 45 2.4 4.0 1.5 2.2 20 40 3 6 18 34 13 22 1.2 2.0 1.0 1.5 15 35 2 5 15 30 10 20 1.2 2.0 1.0 1.5 __ __- ___ _-- _- __ __ _- .8 1.7 .7 1.2 25 45 4 7 20 40 16 25 1.3 2.1 1.1 1.8 38 70 6 11 35 58 22 35 1.8 3.0 1.5 2.3 25 48 4 7 22 45 12 25 1.2 2.2 1.0 1 .K 55 90 8 14 50 80 30 48 2.5 3.8 2.0 2.9 35 70 5 11 45 65 27 40 2.4 3.5 2.0 3.0 60 100 9 15 ______- _.__-- --- 20 40 3 6 18 34 13 22 1.2 2.0 1.0 1.5 55 90 8 14 48 75 30 48 2.3 3.5 1.8 2.6 55 90 8 14 48 75 30 48 2.3 3.5 1.8 2.6 55 90 8 14 48 75 30 48 2.3 3.5 1.8 2.6 55 90 8 13 48 75 30 45 2.3 3.5 1.8 2.6 55 90 8 14 48 75 30 48 2.3 3.5 1.8 2.6 55 90 8 13 48 75 30 48 2.3 3.5 1.8 2.6 50 90 8 14 __ _- _- -- __- -_- __- --- 35 65 5 10 30 50 20 30 1.5 2.6 1.2 2.0 50 85 8 13 40 75 32 45 2.4 4.0 1.5 2.2 30 6C 4 9 25 45 16 26 1.5 2.6 1.2 2.0 45 8C 7 12 35 70 28 40 2.4 4.0 1.5 2.2 35 65 5 10 30 50 20 30 1.5 2.6 1.2 2.0 50 9c 8 14 48 70 32 45 2.3 4.0 1.8 2.6 50 90 8 14 42 65 32 45 2: 3 4.0 1.8 2.6 50 9c 8 14 42 55 32 45 '2.3 4.0 1.8 2.6 ______- ___ 25 55 15 30 2.0 3.7 1.5 2.3 50 90 8 14 48 70 32 45 2.3 4.0 1.8 2.6 50 8F 8 13 40 75 32 45 2. 4 4. 0 15 22 25 4E 4 7 20 40 16 25 1. 2 2. 2 1. 1 1. 8 25 4E 4 7 22 45 12 25 1. 2 2. 2 1. 0 1. 8 30 6C 4 9 25 45 16 26 1. 5 2. 6 1. 2 2. 0 20 4C 3 6 18 34 13 22 1. 2 2. 0 1. '0 1. d 35 65 3 10 30 50 20 30 1. 5 26 1. 2 2. 0 15 35 2 5 15 30 10 20 1. 2 2. 0 1. 0 1. 3 30 60 4 9 25 45 16 26 1. 5 2. 6 1. 2 2. 0 40 90 6 14 40 70 20 40 1. 9 3. 5 1. 8 2. 9 55 90 8 14 50 80 30 48 2. 5 3. 8 2. 0 2. 9 40 90 6 14 40 70 20 40 1. 9 3. 5 1. 8 2. 9 50 8C 8 12 _- __ -- __ ___ -__ --_ --_

50 80 8 12 40 75 27 4 5 2. 1 3. 3 1. 7 2. .j 38 70 6 11 35 58 22 35 1. 8 3 ;o 1. 5 2. 3 45 71 7 11 _- __ -- __ ___ --_ --_ --_ - __ - - - - - __ - -

48 SOIL SURVE,Y TABLE,3.-Woodland suitability groups, their potential productivity, species, [Absence of rating for potential productivity indicates Potential productivity ratings for woodland types

Woodland suitability group 1 Mixed Pine Sprucefir Aspen-birch Oaks hardwoods

Group A: Well drained and moderately well drained Medium to Medium to Medium to Medium to gently sloping to rolling, loamy soils over clay loam. high. high. very high. high.

Group B: Well drained and moderately well drained Low to medi- Medium to Medium to High to very soils with a clayey or loamy subsoil over silty clay or um. high. high. high. clay loam. Permeability is slow or moderately slow, and available moisture capacity is high. Group C: Well drained or moderately well drained soils High to very Medium to Medium to Medium to with a sandy to loamy subsoil over clay loam or sand high. high. high high. and gravel below a depth of 18 inches. Permeability is moderately rapid to rapid, and available moisture capacity is low or moderately low. Group E: Well drained or moderately well drained High to very Medium to Low to medi- sandy soils. Permeability is rapid or very rapid, and high. high. um. arilable moisture capacity is low.

Group F: Somewhat poorly drained or poorly drained Low to Low to Low to Very low- - - - sandy soils that have a hardpan in some areas and a medium. medium, medium. water table near the surface during wet periods. Per- meability is very rapid or rapid above the water table, and available moisture capacity is low. Group G: Somewhat poorly drained soils formed in Low to sandy or loamy material over loam to clay at a depth medium. of 18 to 42 inches. A high water table is at or near the surface during wet periods. Permeability is moderately slow to very slow, and available moisture capacity is moderately low to moderately high. Group H: Well drained and moderately well drained Medium to Very low-..-- Very low- - sandy soils that have a cemented hardpan in some high. areas. Above the hardpan, permeability is rapid or very rapid and available mositure capacity is low or very low. Group 0: Soils on nearly level bottom land along ______- ______------______----- streams that are very poorly drained, have sandy or loamy subsoils, and are subject to flooding. Permea- bility is moderate to moderately slow, and available moisture capacity is moderately high to high. Group P: Poorly drained and very poorly drained soils Low to Low to with a loamy or loamy and clayey profile and a high medium. medium. water table, especially in spring. Permeability is mod- erately slow or very slow, and available moisture ca- pacity is high. Group Q. Poorly drained sandy soils with a high water Very low- - - - Very low to table. Permeability is rapid or very rapid, and avail- low. able moisture capacity islow. Group U: Very poorly drained organic soils with a ______--- ______-_--- high water table. These soils are saturated with water most of the year.

Group V: Well-drained, nearly level sandy soils that are dark colored and droughty. Permeability is very rapid, and available moisture capacity is low. Group W. Poorly drained, moderately coarse textured Yery low to and coarse textured soils with a high water table. Per- low. meability is rapid, or moderately rapid, and available moisture capacity is low to medium. Group Y: This group consists of sand dunes, lake _____-_-----_____-_----- beaches, and severely eroded sandy soils. Available moisture canacitv*" is low, and the soils are difficult tc stabilize.3 Group Z. Somewhat poorly drained soils that have a Medium_---- Low to Low to clayey or loamy subsoil over clayey or loamy material medium. medium. and a fluctuating water table. Permeability is mod- erately slow or slow, and available moisture capacity is high.-

Where soils are subject to flooding. MUSKEGON COUNTY, MICHIGAN 49 priority, and raEings for major limitations and hazards aflecting management ,rees are not suited or data are not avail: lel Species priority- Limitations and hazards affecting- management- To favor in existing Seedling Plant Insect and Equipment Erosion Wind- stands For planting mortality competition disease limitations hazard throw hazards hazard

Red oak, sugar maple, White pine, red Slight to Moderate__- - Slight. white oak, bass- pine, white moderate. wood, white ash, spruce. black cherry, black walnut Sugar maple, red oak, White spruce, Moderate---- Moderate to Moderate to Moderate to Slight. basswood, black Norway severe. severe; severe severe; severe cherry, black wal- spruce, white on steeper on steeper nut. pine. slopes. slopes. White pine, red oak, White pine, red Slight------Slight to severe; Slight tgsevere; Slight. white oak, sugar pine, white limitations hazard in; maple. spruce. increase with creases with slope. slope.

White pine, red oak, Red pine, white Slight------Slighe to severe; Slight to severe; Slight. white oak, aspen, pine, jack limitations hazard in- beech. pine. increase with creases with slope. slope. Aspen, soft maple, White pine, Moderate to Moderate-_-. Moderate----.. - Slight to Moderate. white pine, white white spruce, severe. moderate. birch, pin oak. Norway spruce.

White ash, red maple, White spruce, Moderate to Moderate- - -. Slight to Moderate. swamp white oak, white pine, severe. moderate. cottonwood, aspen. Norway spruce.

White pine, red pine, Red pine, white Moderate- - __ Moderate-- __ Moderate to Moderate to Slight. white oak, black pine, jack severe. severe. oak. pine.

White ash, red maple, Cottonwood f, Moderate to Moderate to Moderate- - - - Slight - - - ___ Moderate, basswood, syca- sycamore. severe. severe. more, elm.2

Soft maple, white ash, White spruce, Severe- - - - __ Moderate to Moderate---. Moderate basswood, elm. Norway severe. to spruce, white severe. pme. Soft maple, white ash, None suitable-- Moderate--- - Moderate-- __ Moderate to Moderate pin oak, white severe. to birch. severe. Soft maple, elm, white In windbreaks Severe------Moderate--_- Severe------Severe. cedar, willow. only-Aus- trian pine, white pine, Scotch pine, willows. Red pine, Moderate---- Moderate to Slight to Slight. white pine, severe. moderate. white spruce. White ash, soft maple, None suited- - - Severe------Severe------Moderate_-__ Moderate basswood, elm. to severe. ------______-

White oak, red oak, White spruce, Moderate to Vloderate to Moderate---__- doderate. basswood, red white pine, severe. severe. maple, white ash, white cedar. cottonwood.

After these areas are stabilized, they have ratings and limitations nilar to group 50 SOIL SURVEY

Erosion huaard.-A soil is well protected from erosion Grain and seed crops: Valuable as food for wild- if it is under a dense stand of trees, undergrowth, shrubs, life are corn, buckwheat rye, soybeans, oats, barley, and other plants and a fairly thick cover of litter. Ero- and other rain grown $or rain and seed. sion is likely, however, if this cover is removed t.hrough Grasses and 7egumes: Alfal a, alsike clover, ladino fire, harvesting of trees, or poor management. Erosion is clover, bromegrass, beachgrass,P orchardgrass, and also likely unless care is taken in constructing and main- timothy are planted grasses and legumes valued as taining roads, skid trails, and loading areas. wildlife food and cover. In table 3 s7iqh.t indicates that damage from erosion is Wild herbaceous upland plants : Among these plants not likely if ordinary methods of clear cutting are used. that wildlife use for food and cover are little blue- iVoderute means that in clear-cut areas some protective stem, Canada bluestem, ,and other nat.ive grasses cover must be niaintained and that care must be taken to and native herbs. prevent gullies from forming in skid trails. A rating of Hardwood forest plants: This group includes trees severe means that gullies form ,readily and cut rapidly and shrubs typical of northern hardwood forest. and deeply into the soil, that wind causes blowouts in areas Among the native shrubs are staghorn sumac, fire without a protective cover, and that clear cutt,ing can be cherry, greenbrier, wintergreen, and blueberry. done only where the areas have a dense ground cover. Also, Common hardwoods are aspen and birch ; white and roads and trails \\--ash out frequently, unless they are black oaks; beech, maple, red oak, hickory, and properly laid out, are stabilized with compacted soil ma- other upland hardwoods; and elm, ash, red maple, terial, or are maintained in other yays. cottonwood, and 0the.r swamp hardwoods. These Wincltlwozo A azurd.-The hazard of windthrow de- trees and shrubs generally seed or sprout naturally, pends on the development of roots aiid the ability of the and if openings are made for wildlife, they respond soil to anchor trees firmly against the force of the wind. favorably. Areas of hardwood forest plants pro- A rating of s7ight means t,liat the trees are well anchored vide food, cover for nesting, and protection in and wiiidthrom- is not common. illoderate means that in winter. protected areas the trees remain standing during wind- Conifer forests and plantations : Plants include storms of medium intensity, that scattered trees bloy over cone-bearing shrubs and white, red, Scotch, and in unprotected areas, and that protective measures must jack pines, Norway and black spruce, and other be taken, especially in haryesting aiid release cutting. The conifers. They are established by natural seeding or rating severe indicates that a high water table or a hardpan by planting. Although these trees and shrubs pro- or some other restrictive layer limits the dept.h of rooting vide some food, they are used mostly as nesting so that stability is not adequate. arms and winter cover. Wetland food and cover plants: These are wild Use of the Soils for Wildlife herbaceous plants that grow in moist to wet sites. Examples are cattails, se.dges, and water weeds. If management of wildlife is to be successful, food, Shallow impoundments : These are, flooding, gen- cover, and water must be available in a suitable combina- ernlly less than 6 feet deep. They provide feedin tion, for an imbalance of these or a lack of any one may loafing, and breeding areas for wetland wildli !? e account for the absence of desired kinds of wildlife. Most (fig. m8). managed wildlife habitats are created, improved, or main- Excavated ponds: These are ditches, ponds, or pot- tained by planting suitable vegetation, by nianipulating holes developed by dredging or blasting. They re- the existing vegetatioil so that the desired plants are en- quire a pe,rmanently high water table and provide couraged, or by a combination of such measures. The in- feeding, loafing, and breeding areas for wetland fluence of a soil on the growth of plants can be inferred wildlife. from knowledge about the properties of the so,&The prop- The following defines and gives examples of wildlife erties of a particular soil indicate whether that soil is suit- in the three classes of wildlife for which the suitability of able for establishing and maintainina various combina- groups of soils is rated in table 4. tions of plants. By evaluating the cornxinations of plants that can be produced on a soil, a manager of wildlife Openland wildlife: Birds and mammals that nor- habitat can estimate the suitability of that soil for differ- mally frequent croplands, pastures, meadows, ent kinds of wildlife. lawns, and amas sup orting herbaceous and In table 4 groups of soils of the county are rated accord- shrubby plants. ExampP es are quail, pheasants, ing to their suitability for elements of wildlife habitat cottontail rabbits, meadow larks, field sparrows, red and according to their suitability as habitat for openland, foxes, and woodchucks. woodland, and wetland wildlife. These grou s of soils are Woodland wildlife: Birds and mammals that nor- called wildlife suitability groups and are 2escribed later mally frequent wooded areas of Iiard~i-oodor conif- in this subsection. Explanations are needed for the ele- erous trees aiid shrubs. Among these are ruffed ments of wildlife habitats, for openland, we.tland, and grouse, woodcock, thrushes, vireos, scarlet tanagers, woodland wildlife, and for the ratings used in table 4. gray, red and fox squirrels, white-tailed deer, and me following gives examples of plants in the plant raccoons. categories in table 4 and tells something about the prop- Wetland wildlife : Birds and mammals that nor- erties of soils suitable for water developments. mally frequent ponds, marshes, swamps, and other MEELE RABER,Michigan Department of Conservation, helped wet areas. They include ducks, geese, herons, shore- prepare this subsection. birds, rails,~mink,and muskrat.

52 SOIL SURVEY

In table 4 groups of soils have been rated according to WILDLIFE SUITABILITY GROUP 2 their suitability for the eight elements of wildlife habitat Only Wind eroded land, sloping, is in this gFaup. This and according to their suitability for openland, woodland, land is moderately well drained to poorly drained, dwp, and wetland wildlife. The ratings are based on a system and sandy, and it has been severely eroded by wind. The described by Allen, Garland, and Dugan (1).A rating water table is seasonally high, but this land is droughty of well suited means the elements of the wildlife habitat during long dry periods. It is medium acid to strongly acid occur naturally on the soils in the group or can easily be and has low available moisture capacity and fertility. established and maintained. A rating of moderate& welZ In openings of any kind, this land is susceptible to ero- suited indicates that drainage, fertility, or some other sion unless a cover of trees is established and maintained. natural factor limits suitability or that t.he habitat is diffi- It may be necessary to st,abilize severely eroded areas cult to est.ablish and maintain. The soils are poorly suited before trees are planted. Brush mulch and beachgrass help if the elements of the habitat rarely occur naturally in to stabilize the openings and also benefit wildlife. White, quantity or qualit,y or are expensive to establish and main- red, Scotch, and jack pines are adapted, and they provide tain. The soils are rated very poorly suited if the elements cover and places for wildlife to roost and nest. of the habitat 60 not occur naturally or are impractical to establish and maintain at a level necessary for sustained WILDLIFE SUITABILITY GROUP 3 production of most wildlife. This group consists of somewhat poorly drained nearly Not considered in the ratings in table 4 are present, use level to gently sloping soils that are moderately coarse of the land, existing vegetation, or the ability of wildlife textured to moderately fine tex'tured to a depth of 18 to to move from place to place. Although these factors are 42 inches. Below that depth the soils are modera,tely he important to managers of wildlife, they are subject to textured to fine textured. These soils are in the Allendale, change and are not practical to determine. Also, the soils Belding, Kawkawlin, and Selkirk series. They have a sea- are rated without considering their position in relation t.0 sonally high water table and are seepy in some spots. adjoining soils. Available moisture capacity and fertility range from mod- erately low to high. Reaction is medium acid to neutral. Wildlife suitability groups These soils support natural cover of herbaceous plants The soils in the county have been placed in nine wildlife favorable for wildlife. Also, it is easy to establish food suitability groups according to similarities in character- plots of rye, buckwheat, corn, and other seed and grain istics that determine suitability as habitat for wildlife. crops. In some areas, artificial drainage is beneficial. Nest- These are the groups of soils that are rated in table 4 ing places are excellent in meadows of Ladino clover, alsike according to their suitability ftor elements of wildlife clover, timothy, bromegrass, and orchardgrass, but man- habitat and for openland, woodland, and wetland wild- agement is needed to 'prevent invasion by brush and then life. The soil series represented in each of these groups by mixed hardwoods. The gentle relief provides many sites are named, but this does not mean that all the soils in the favorable for constructing shallow impoundments. Ditches series are in the group. To determine the soils in each mild- are easily dug in the shallow depressions, and potholes life suitability group, refer to the "Guide to Mapping occur in the small wet areas. These ditches and potholes are Units" at the back of this survey. used by wetland wildlife. WILDLIFE SUITABILITY GROUP 4 WILDLIFE SUITABILITY GROUP 1 This group consists of well-drained, nearly level to This group consists of moderately well drained to poorly very steep sands, some uneroded, and some very severely, drained, deep, sandy soils that are nearly level to gently eroded by wind. In the group are Deer Park soils and sloping and have a seasonally high water table. These soils Blown-out land, Dune land, and Lake beaches. These map- are in the Au Gres, Saugatuck, Croswell, Ogemaw, and ping units have very low fertility and available moisture Roscommon series. They are medium acid to strongly acid capacity. Reaction ranges from strongly acid to slightly in the surface layer and subsoil. They have low available acid, but Ilake beaches are calcareous and do not support moisture capacity, are droughty during long dry periods, vegetation. and are naturally low in fertility. The Roscommon soils Because 6he soils in open, areas are subject, to severe have a slightly higher water table and are wetter than the soil blowing, a cover of trees should be established and other soils in this group. The Saugatuck and Ogemaw maintained on the mils of this group. In many plqes,, soils have a hard, cemented subsoil. the steep slopes and the loose sands hinder the use of, On the soils of this group, the natural cover of herba- machins for planting. Blo,yn-out land normally is sta- ceous plants is sparse and the variety of plants is small. bilized by, using brush mulch and beachgmss, and theo, Among the woody plants are quacking aspen and willow. the land is planted to conifers. Many areas of Blown-qut Openings in the wooded areas can be seeded to alsike and land have been stabilized and now support p1aatations;of Ladino clovers, if they are seeded in summer and if lime red, jack, vdScotoh pines. These trees provide protection, and fertilizer are applied. The life of these plants, how- in winter and nesting and roosting places at other t,imes.: ever, is generally short. The soils in this group are gen- Areas of Deer Park soils near Lake Michigan support,: dense stands of beech and maple and of hemlock and as-. erally poorly suited to grain and seed crops and to grasses sociated shrubs. In these areas squirrels and raccoons are and legumes. White,,,pine, Norway spruce, ,black spruce, common and sometimes are a nuisance to property owners., and other conifers can be planted to provide winter'cover and nesting places for wildlife. Areas of Roscommon sand WILDLIFE SUITABILITY GROUP 5 are well suited as sites for dug ponds and for potholes This group consists of poorly drained to very poorly because these soils have a high wat,er table. drained sandy soils and of shallow or deep organic soils. MUSKEGON COUNTY, MICRIGAN 53 In the group are Marsh and TVarners, Deford, Tonkey, tained. Seedings of grasses, legumes, and other food plants Tawas, Carlisle, Granby, Kerston, and Houghton soils. A for wildlife can be established if management is good and high water table saturates these soils unless they are artifi- provides use of lime and fertilizer. Growth, holwever, is &ally drained. Available water ,capacity is higher in the limited by lack of moisture during the growing season. Houghton, Kerston, Tawas, Carlisle, and Tonkey soils than in the Deford and Granby. The Tonkey soils are WILDLIFE SUITABILITY GROUP 8 medium in natural fertility, but fertility,is low in all This group consists of well-drained very sandy soils other soils in this group. Reaction ranges from medium that have rapid internal drainage. These soils are in the acid to neutral. Grayling, Rubicon, Kalkaska, Wallace, and Sparta series. Because these soils have a high water table, they can be They have low to very low fertility and available moisture developed for use by wetland wildlife. It is possible to capacity and are acid throughout the profile. These soils blast in these soils and create shallow potholes and ditches are nearly level to x-ery steep and are easily eroded by wind that can be used by wildlife. Larger areas for water can be and water. du.g with draglines. Wetland wildlife is naturally well The soils in this group are well suited to planted coni- suited to Mar& because it is covered with free water fers and adapted shrubs, though planting by machines is during most of the year and suppor.ts aquatic plants. difficult where slopes are more than 12 percent. Planting Because the Tonkey soils are slightly higher in natural by machines on the natural contour helps to retard ero- fertility than the other soils in this unit, they are more sion. Adequate opening for wildlife food plants should suitable for the production of grain and seed crops, be maintained. A mixture of fast- and slowgowing adapted grasses and legumes, and food and cover suitable plants lasts a long time. In open areas, the Sparta soils for wetland wildlife. support. a better stand of grasses and weeds than do the other soils in this group. WILDLIFE SUITABILITY GROUP 6 This group consists of poorly drained or very poorly WILDLIFE SUITABILITY GROUP 9 drained soils of the bottom lands, which are moderately This group consists of nearly level to rolling, moderate- coarse textured to moderately fine textured; and of mod- ly coarse textured to fine textured soils that are mainly erately fine textured to fine textured soils, which are on well drained or moderately well drained. These soils are uplands. These soils are in the Hettinger, Pickford, Sara- in the Kent, Menominee, Nester, and Ubly series. They nac, Sims, and Sloan series. They supply much moisture have moderate to high available mokture capacity and and large amounts of nutrients to plants. The water table natural fertility, are generally acid, and are underlain by is high, and, internal drainage is slou-. Reaction ranges limy material. Aeration ranges from good to fair. from slightly acid to moderately alkaline. Slopes are less In this group are some of the better soils for farming than 6 percent. in the county, and on these soils are the largest numbers of These soils generally can be developed into ha!bitat suit- birds and animals. Also, habitat suitable for all three types able for many kinds o,f wildlife. Because drainage is poor, of ddlife can be developed on the soils of this group. however, grain and seed ,crops grown for wildlife food are somewhat difficult to establish, though buckwheat, soy- Common practices that benefit wildlife are planting beans, and rye are generally suited. The Hettinger, Pick- shrubs along field borders, planting grain and seed crops ford, and Sims soils occur on uplands and are poorly in odd areas, and leaving strips or corners of unmowed drained, but in many areas they are artificially drained. hay. Commonly growing in natural openings are dense In these areas, a number of grain and seed crops can be stands of native grasses and legumes, but these openings grown. Although the Saranac and Sloan soils are difficult are rapidly invaded by woody shrubs and then by mixed to drain because they are subject to periodic flooding, mi- hardwoods. Habitat for wetland wildlife can b,e developed grating waterfowl are attracted to the corn that has been by impounding runoff water. planted in some areas. In some open areas lowland her- 1 baceous and woody plants are common, but these areas require constant cutting and spraying of undesired plants. Engineering Uses of the Soils This subsection describes those properties of soils that WILDLIFE SUITABILITY GROUP 7 are important to engineering. Soil properties are of special This group consists of well drained or moderately well interest to engineers because they affect the construction drained, acid, sandy soils that have very rapid to moder- and maintenance of roads, airports, pipelines, building ately rapid internal drainage. These soils are in the Rubi- con, Montcalm, Chelsea, Rousseau, and Mancelona series. foundations, facilities for storing water, structures for They are well aerated, have moderately low to low avail- erosion control, and drainage systems. able moisture capacity, and low fertility. They range from Engineers can use the information in this subsection to- nearly level to very steep and are easily eroded by wind 1. Make studies of soil and land use that aid in se- and water. lecting and developing sites for industries, busi- The soils in this group are well suited to planted coni- nesses, residences, and recreational facilities. fers; though planting by hand may be necessary where 2. Make estimates of engineering properties for use slopes are more than 12 percent. Although erosion is likely, in planning agricultural drainage structures, it can be retarded by planting trees on the natural con- dams and other structures for conserving soil and tour. Openings for use by wildlife can be left when trees water; in locating suitable routes for underground are planted. On the more gentle slopes, buckwheat, rye, or conduits and cables; and in locating sites for other grain and seed crops can be established and main- sewage disposal fields. 54 SOIL SURVEY

3. Make 'preliminary evaha'tions of soil conditions 7. Determine suitability of soils for movement of tlhat will aid in selecting locations for highways, vehicles and construction equipment. airports, pipelines, and sewage disposal fields and 8. Develop other preliminary estimates for construc- in planning detailed surveys of the soils at the tion purposes that are pertinent to the particular selected locations. area. 4. Locate sources of sand, gravel, and other material It should be emphasized, however, these estimates may for use in construction. not eliminate the need for sampling and testing at the site 5. Correlate pavement performance with the soil of specific engineering works involving heavy loads and mapping units and thus develop information that where the excavations are deeper than the depths of layers will be useful in designing and maintaining the here reported. Even in these situations, however, the soil pavements. map is useful for planning more detailed field investiga- 6. Supplement information obtained from other tion and for suggesting the kinds of problems that may be published maps, reports, and aerial photographs expected. for the purpose of making maps and reports that Much of the information in this subsection is given can be used readily by engineers. in tables 5, 6,7, and 8. Table 5 contains test data for soils

TABLE5.-Engineering [Tests performed by the Bureau of Public Roads in accordance with standard

Mechanical analysis 1 Bureau of Public Percentage passing Soil name and location Parent material Roads Deptk Horizon sieve- report No. No. 10 (2.0 mm.)

Belding sandy loam: Inches NEgNEg sec. 27, T. 9 N., R. 14 W. (Modal)- Glacial till. 5-39973 0-6 5-39974 17-26 j s-39975 34-66 700 feet south and 700 feet west of northeast Glacial till. 5-39976 7-16 corner of sec. 27, T. 12 N., R. 18 W. (Grad- 5-39977 16-33 ing to Iosco). S-39978 40-66 Kent silt loam: SWgSWgNWg sec. 13, T. 12 N., R. 15 W. Stratified silty clay. s-39979 0-10 (Modal). S-39980 17-29 5-39981 29-66 SEgNEgSWgNWg sec. 10, T. 9 N., R. 14 W. Glacial till. S-39982 0-7 100 (Coarser textured than modal profile). S-39983 14-26 ____ S-39984 26-66 100 Rubicon sand: NWgNEgNWX sec. 22, T. 10 N., R. 15 W. Sandy glacial outwash. 639985 0-3 100 (Modal) . 5-39986 10-19 100 5-39987 28-66 98 SEgSEgSWY, sec. 28, T. 11 N., R. 15 W. Sandy glacial outwash. 5 5-39988 4-12 96 (Grading to Grayling soils). 5-39989 12-20 93 S-39990 24-66 95 NEgNEgSEg sec. 2, T. 12 N., R. 18 W. Sandy glacial outwash. 5-39991 10-15 100 (Grading to Rousseau and Kalkaska soils). S-39992 15-21 100 5-39993 21-66 100 Saugatuck sand: NEgNWgNWjiSWg sec. 21, T. 10 N., R. 14 Glacial lake sediments. 5-39994 0-11 100 W. (Modal). 5-29995 11-15 100 S-39996 15-24 100 5-39997 45-66 100 NEgNEgNWg sec. 4, T. 10 N., R. 17 W. 3;lacial lake sediments. S-39998 0-6 100 (Grading to Au Gres soils). 5-39999 6-14 100 5-40000 20-27 100 5-40001 27-66 100

* Mechanical analyses according to the AASHO Designation T 88-57(2). Results by this procedure frequently may differ somewhat from results that would have been obtained by the soil survey procedure of the Soil Conservation Service (SCS). In the AASHO procedure, the fine material is analyzed by the hydrometer method and the various grain-size fractions are calculated on the basis of all the material, including that coarser than 2 millimeters in diameter. Inthe SCS soil survey procedure, the fine material is analyzed by the pipette method and the material coarser than 2 millimeters is excluded from calculations of grain-size fractions. The mechanical analyses used in this table are not suitable for use in naming textural classes for soil. MUSKEGON COUNTY, MICHIGAN 55

of four series in the county. In table 6 properties of the other speciril terms that are used are defined in the Glos- soils that are important to engineering are estimated. In sary at the back of this survey. tables ’7 and 8 are interpretations of engineering properties of soils and soil features that affect specified engineering Engineering classification systems uses. From the data in these tables and the so71 maps, the Two systems for classifying soils are in general use engineer can make a preliminary evaluation of the suita- among engineers. Many highway engineers classify soil . bility of the soils for a specific use in any part of the materials according to the system approved by the Ameri- county. can Association of State Highway Officials (AASHO) In addition to this subsection, other sections of the sur- (2).Others prefer to use the Unified system, which was vey, including “General Soil Map,” “Descriptions of the adopted by the Corps of Engineers, U.S. Army (11).Both Soils,” and “Use of Soils in Community Devehpments,” systems differ from the system of classification used by contain information useful for engineering. Some of the soil scientists of the United States Department of Agricul- terms used by the soil scientists may be unfamiliar to en- ture (USDA) . In the USDA system, classification is based gineers and some words, for example, soil, clay, silt, and on the percentages of sand, silt, and clay in the soil. The sand may have special meanings in soil science. These and engineering systems are explained in the following para-

test data procedures of the American Association of State Highway Officials (AASHO) (a)]

Mechanical analysis ‘-Continued Classification Percentage passing Percentage smaller than- Liquid Plasticity sieve-Continued limit index AASHO Jnified No. 40 No. 200 0.05 mm. 0.02 mm. lo05 mm. f.002 mm (0.42 mm.) :0.074 mm.)

95 31 29 24 14 8 NP NP SM. 95 47 42 33 21 13 15 3 SM. 93 58 53 41 27 19 22 10 CL. 92 23 21 17 11 8 NP NP SM. 91 18 16 13 8 6 NP NP SM. 97 70 66 57 42 33 33 18 CL.

100 89 83 60 38 27 34 13 CL. ------_ - 99 99 92 73 58 68 42 CH. _-_-______- 99 99 93 76 56 54 30 CH. 98 72 68 59 41 31 27 9 CL. 100 90 87 75 58 46 56 31 CH. 99 91 88 74 53 39 43 22 CL. 80 12 12 10 6 4 NP NP SP-SM. 82 8 8 6 5 4 NP NP SP-SM. 68 2 2 1 1 1 NP NP SP. 64 5 5 4 4 3 NP NP SP-SM. 64 4 4 4 4 3 NP NP SP. 63 1 1 1 1 1 NP NP SP. 84 17 15 6 4 2 NP NP SM. 85 7 7 6 4 3 NP NP SP-SM. 86 2 2 0 0 0 NP NP SP. 94 9 8 6 3 2 NP NP SP-SM. 92 8 7 -6 3 2 NP NP SP-SM. 96 12 10 5 2 1 NP NP SP-SM. 96 6 4 1 1 1 NP NP SP-SM: 90 10 9 7 3 2 NP NP SP-SM. 91 5 4 3 2 1 NP NP SP-SM. 90 3 ‘3 2 2 2 NP NP SP. 90 2 2 2 2 1 NP NP SP.

2 Based on AASHO Designation M 145-49 (2). Based on the Unified Soil Classification System (11). The Soil Conservation Service and Bureau of Public Roads have agreed that all soils having plasticity indexes within two points from A-line are to be given a borderline classification. An example of borderline classifica- tion thus obtained is SP-SM. NP=nonplastic. A11 of the material in samples Nos. S.39975, S-39988, 5-39989, and 5-39990 passed a Yi-inch sieve. SOIL SURVEY TABLE6.-E$timated

Depth Classification Soil name Depth to water table from surface USDA texture Unified

Inche8 3 to 10 feet or more 0 to lo-. 10 to 40- 40 to 66- Au Gres (AsB) ______--______Less than 3 feet during 0 to 5--- (For properties of the Saugatuck soil in wet periods. 5 to 66- this mapping unit, refer to the Sauga tuck series.)

Belding (BaB, BbB) ______.______3 to 10 feet or more. 0 to 26-- Sandy loam, fine sandy loam, (For properties of the Allendale soil in map- loamy fine sand. ping unit BaB and the Ubly soil in map- 26 to 60. Loam, sandy clay loam, clay ping unit BbB, refer to their respective loam, silty clay loam. series.)

Water table at or near 0 to 42_. Muck and peat ______. the surface during part of the year. Chelsea (CmB, CmC, CnD, CnE) ______-__ More than 10 feet,. 0 to 9--. Loamy sand-- (For properties of the Mancelona soils in 9 to 40-. mapping units CmB and CmC and of 40 to 66. Sand with loamy sand in )h Montcalm soils in mapping units CnD to 2 inch bands at inter- and Cn E, refer to their respective series.) vals of 6 to 12 inches. Less than 5 feet during 0 to 8--- Sand______--_----__------SP or SM- - - __ wet periods. 8 to 24-_ Sand______------__-----_SP or SP-SM-- 24 to 66- Sand______------SP or SP-SK- More than 10 feet. 0 to 66-. Sand______------1 to 5 feet. 0 to 5-- - Fine sand or loamy sand- - - - 5 to 20-- Fine sand to loamy fine sand. 20 to 42- Very fine sand to loamy fint sand. More than 10 feet. 0 to 66-_ Sand____------Water table at or near 0 to 20_- Loamy sand- - ______---- the surface during wet 20 to 30- Sand______------_-__------wet periods. 30 to 38.. Sand with thin layers of loamy fine sand or fine sandy loam in places. 38 to 66- Sand______-----_____------Grayling (GrC, GrD, GrE) ______More than 10 feet. 0 to 66_- Sand______----_-_--__------(For properties of the Rubicon soils in these mapping units, refer to the Rubicon series.) Hettinger (H p) - - - __ - - - ___ - - ___ - - -__- - ___ - - Near the surface during 0 to 7-- - Loam__--__------_------.. ML or CL.._--_ (For properties of the Pickford soil in this wet periods. 7 to 18-- Clay loam or silty clay loam- CL or CH----- mapping unit, refer to the Pickford 18 to 21- Stratified very fine sand to SM, ML, or CL series.) silt loam. 21 to 66.. Stratified silty clay loam, claj loam, very fine sandy loam, and silt. 3 to 3 feet. 0 to 4%- Muck and peat ______----

Kalkaska (Ka B) ------5 to 20 feet. 0 to lo-- Sand______-_--__-____------(For properties of the Wallace soil in thic 10 to 21- Sand, very weakly cemented mapping unit, refer to the Wallace in places. series.) 21 to 66.. 3and______----_____------Kawkawlin (KkA, KkB, KsA, KsB) ______3 to 8 feet. 0 to 11-_ Loam______---_------(For properties of the Selkirk soils in 11 to 25- Light to heavy clay loam---- mapping units KsA and KsB, refer to the 25 to 36- Clay loam or silty clay loam- Selkirk series.) 36 to 66- >lay loam ______"1 See footnotes at end of table. MUSKEGON COUNTY, MICHIGAN' 57

properties of soils

I CIassification-Cont. Percentage passing sieve- Available Shrink- Permeability water Reaction swell capacity potential

Inche8 pez hour pH &e 5.0 to 10.0+--- 5.5 to 6.5 ______Low. 5.0 to 10.0+..-- 5.5 to 7.0 ______Low. 0.00 to 0.2 _--__ 7.5 to 8.4 _____ High. 10.0 or more--- 4.5 to 6.0 ______Low. 10.0 or more-- - 5.0 to 6.0 ______Low.

2.5 to 5.0 ______4.5 to 6.0 ______Low. 0.05 to 1.5_____ 6.0 to 8.0 _____ Moderate.

5.0 to 10.0----_ 5.5 to 6.5 __-___ Variable.

5.0 to 10.0 _____ 5.5 to 6.5 ______Low. 5.0 to 10.0_____ 5.5 to 6.5 ______Low. 5.0 to 10.0_____ 5.5 to 7.0 ______Low.

>lO.O _____-___ 5.5 to 6.5 ______Low. >lO.O ____---__ 5.0 to 6.0______Low. >lO.O -______5.5 to 6.0 ______Low. >lO.O ____-____ 5.0 to 6.5 ______Low. 5.0 to 10.0_____ 5.5 to 6.5 ______Low. 5.0 to 10.0_____ 5.5 to 7.0 ______Low. 5.0 to 10.0_____ 7.0 to 8.0 _____ Low.

>lO.O ____-____ 5.0 to 6.5 ______Low. 2.5 to 10.0 _____ 6.0 to 7.5 ______Low. 10 or more----- 5.5 to 7.0 ______Low. 5 to 10____-___ 6.0 to 7.5 ______Low.

10 or more----- 6.0 to 7.5 ______Low.

10.0 or more- - - 5.0 to 6.0 ______Low.

0.8 to 2.0 ----__ 6.0 to 7.0 ______Low. 0.05 to 0.8 _____ 6.5 to 8.0______Moderate. 1.5 to 5.0 ______6.5 to 8.0 __-__ Low. 0.05 to 0.8 -____ 7.0 to 8.4 _____ Low to moderate.

2.0 to 5.0 ______5.0 to 7.0 ______Variable. 5.0 to 10.0_____ 4.5 to 6.0 ______Low. 5.0 to 10.0 _____ 4.5 to 6.0 ______Low.

10.0 or more- - - 5.5 to 6.0 ______Low. 0.8 to 2.5 ______6.0 to 7.0 ______Low. 0.2 to 0.8 ______5.5 to 6.5 -_____ Moderate. 0.5 to 0.8 ______6.0 to 7.5 a _____ High to moderate. 0.2 to 0.8 ______7.5 to 8.4 2 _____ Moderate. SOIL SURVEY

TABLE6.-Estimated properties

Depth Classification Soil name Depth 'to water table from surface USDA texture Unified

Inches 10 feet or more. 0 to lo-- Silt loam- ____ - - ____- ____ -

10 to 29- Silty clay or clay ______29 to 66- Silty clay ______Water table at or near 0 to 16-- Alternating layers of organic the surface during material and sand. part of the year. 16 to 20- Alternating layers of organic material and sand. 20 to 42- Alternating layers of organic material and sand. Variable0 to 10 feet: 0 to 60-- Sand______-______SP or SP-SM_-

More than 10 feet. 0 to 17-- Loamy sand-- ______17 to 26.. Sandy clay loam or clay loam- 26 to 60- Coarse sands, gravel, or both- Water table at the 0 to 66-- Peat______surface throughout the year in most areas. Menominee ( M e B, M eC) - - - - __ - - - - _ ------10 feet or more. 0 to 7--- Loamy sand- - ______(For properties of the Ubly soils in these 7 to 33- - Sand or loamy sand ______mapping units, refer to the Ubly series.) 33 to 66- ;lay loam or silty clay loam -

Montcalm (Mh B) - - __ - - - ______- ___ - - ____ - - - 5 to 20 feet or more. 0 to 18-- Loamy sand- - ______(For properties of Chelsea soil in this map- 18 to 26- Sandy loam or sandy.. clay ping unit, refer to the Chelsea series.) loam. 26 to 66- Uternate layers of sand 2 SP or SP-SM..- to 10 inches thick and SM..-______- - loamy sand or sandy loam 1 to 3 inches thick. Nester (NeB, NeC, NrC, NsD, NsD3, NsE, 5 to 20 feet or more. 0 to 14-- Loam, sandy loam, or clay NsE3, NtB, NUB). loam. (For properties of the Kawkawlin soil in 14 to 36- Clay loam or silty clay mapping unit NtB and of the Ubly soil loam. in mapping unit NUB, refer to their 36 to 66- :lay loam or silty clay respective series.) loam. Ogemaw (OgB) ______2 to 10 feet or more. 0 to 9--- Loamy sand- ______9 to 19-- Loamy sand or sand, cemented. 19 to 23- Sand or loamy sand- - - - ___ - 23 to 66- 3ilty clay, clay, clay loam, or silty clay loam. Water table at or near 0 to 8_-- Silty clay loam- - - - ______- the surface during 8 to 21-- Silty clay or clay ______wet periods. 21 to 66- Yity clay or clay ______1 to 4 feet. 0 to 5--- Sand------__ - - - - - _ - - - - - 5 to 42- - Sand______--__---__---___ 42 to 66- Sand- - - - _ - - - - _ ------

5 to 20 feet or more. 0 to 26-- pine sand to loamy fine sand- 26 to 66- pine sand ______Rubicon: Sand (RsB, RsD)_-- ______10 to 20 feet or more. 0 to 3--- 3 to 28- - 28 to 66- Loamy substratum (Rt B, RtC)-- __ - _ ------5 to 20 feet. or more. 0 to 5--- (For properties of the Montcalm soils in 5 to 55-_ these mapping units, refer to the Mont- 55 to 66- calm series.) See footnotes at end of table. -.

MUSKEGON COUNTY, MICHIGAN

of sod-Continued

Cla ssification-cont. Percentage passing sieve- Available Shrink- I Permeability water Reaction swell No. 10 No. 200 capacity potential

~ ~~ Imhea per hour pH value 90 to roo---- 0.2 to 1.5______6.0 to 7.0 ______Moderate to high. 95 to loo---- 0.5 to 0.2 ______5.5 to 7.0 ______High. 95 to loo---- 0.05 to 0.2 _____ 7.5 to 8.4 2 _____ High. _-----_----- 2.0 to 5.0 ______5.0 to 7.0 ______Variable. 95 to loo---- Variable.. ------6.0 to 7.0 ______Low. ______--

90 to loo-- - - 10.0 or more- - - 5.5 to 6.5 or Low. 7.5 to 8.4.4 55 to 95..---- 2.5 to 10.0 _____ 5.0 to 6.5 ______Low. 80 to 95--..-- 0.2 to 0.8 ______5.5 to 6.5______Moderate. 30 to 60-__-- 10.0 or more- __ 7.0 to 8.43_____ Low. ___---_____- 6.0 to 8.0 ______Variable.

95 to loo--.-- 5.0 to 10.0_____ 5.5 to 7.0 ______Low. 95 to loo-..-.. 5.0 to 10.0+__- 5.0 to 6.5 ______Low. 90 to loo-- - - 0.2 to 2.5 ______7.0 to 8.42 _____ High to moderate. 90 to 100- - - - 2.5 to 5.0 ______5.0 to 6.5____-- Low. 95 to loo---- 0.8 to 3.0 ______5.0 to 6.0 ______Low to moderate. 95 to loo---- 5.0 to 10.0_____ 5.5 to 7.0____-- Low. 95 to loo---- 2.5 to 5.0 ______5.5 to 7.05_____ Low.

90 to loo-- - - 0.04 to 2.5 _____ 5.0 to 7.0 ______Low to moderate. 95 to loo-- - - 0.02 to 0.8 _____ 5.0 to 7.0 ______Moderate to /high. 95 to loo-..-- 0.05 to 0.8_____ 7.5 to 8.4 * _____ Moderate.

95 to loo-- - - 5.0 to 10.0_____ 5.0 to 7.0 ______Low. 95 to loo---- 0.2 to 2.5 _____.. 4.5 to 5.5------Low. 95 to loo---- 5.0 to 10.0_____ 5.0 to 7.0 ______Low. 35 to 100- - - - 0.03 to 1.0 _____ 7.5 to 8.4 _____ Moderate to high. 95 to 100---- 0.2 to 2.0 ____-- 6.0 to 7.0 ______Moderate. 95 to 100- - - - 0.05 to 0.2 _____ 6.0 to 7.50_____ High. 95 to loo---- 0.02 to 0.2 _--__ 7.5 to 8.4 2 _____ High. 95 to loo-..-- >lO.O ______5.0 to 6.0 ______Low.’ 95 to loo---- >lO.O ______5.5 to 6.0 ______Low. 95 to loo---- >lO.O --____--- 6.0 to 7.0 ______Low.

95 to loo_..-- 5.0 to 10.0_____ 4.5 to 6.0 ______Low. 95 to loo_--- 5.0 to 10.0_____ 5.0 to 7.0______Low.

95to100---- 5.0 to 10.0 _____ 4.5 to 8.0 _-____Low. 90 to loo---_ 10.0 or more--_ 4.5 to 6.0 ______Low. 95 to 100- - - - 10.0 or more--- 6.0 to 6.5______Low.

95to100-..-- 5.0 to 10.0_____ 5.0 to 6.5._____ Low. 95 to 100- - - - 10.0 or more--.. 5.0 to 7.0 ._____Low. 95to100---- 0.00 to 1.0 _____ 7:5 to 8.4 - - - Moderate to high. SOIL SURVEY

TABLE6.-Estimated properties

Depth Classification I Soil name 1 ' Depth to water table from surface USDA texture Unified

I7&CJkGs Water table at or near 0 to lo-- Loam and clay loam______ML or CL-_--- the surface during wet periods. 10 to 36- Clay loam or silty clay loam- CL.. ------36 to 66- Variable ------SM, ML, or CL. 1 to 6 feet. 0 to 11-- Sand, fine sand, or loamy SM or SP-SM-- sand. 11 to 34- Sand or fine sand, SP or SM--..-- indurated. 34 to 45- Sand or fine sand, weakly SP or SM- - - __ cemented. 45 to 66- Sand or fine sand______SP or SP-SM- - 3 to 10 feet. 0 to lo-- Silt loam- ____ - - ____ - ____- - 10 to 26- Silty clay loam, silty clay, or clay. 26 to 66- Silty clay or clay ______

1 to 4 feet. 0 to 9--- loam^^^^_^_^_^^^^^^^_^^^^ 9 to 32- - Clay loam or silty clay loam- 32 to 48- Clay loam or silty clay loam - 0 to 4 feet. 0 to 21-- Stratified loam, sandy loam, and silt loam. 21 to 48- Stratified silt loam to sandy loam. 10 to 20 feet or more. 0 to 14-- Sand______---- 14 to 60- Sand-- __ ------_ ------Tawas (Tc)--____-_-----__------0 to 4 feet. 0 to 31-- Muck, peat, or both ______(For properties of the Carlisle soil in this 31 to 48- Sand or loamy sand ______mapping unit, refer to the Carlisle series.) Tonkey (Td)_-_-__--___-__-_-_-_------_1 to 4 feet. 0 to lo-- Sandy loam ______SM-_- __ - - - - _ - (For properties of the Deford soil in this 10 to 42.. Loamy sand stratified with Stratified ML mapping unit, refer to the Deford series.) sandy loam. Some clay and SM. loam.

5 to 20 feet or more. 0 to 25- - Sandy loam or loamy fine sand. 25 to 36- Sandy loam, sandy clay SM, SC, or loam, or clay loam. Frag- CL. ipans in places. 36 to 66- Clay loam or silty clay loam - Within a depth of 6 0 to 12-- Sand_____--______------inches in some places 12 to 15- Indurated sand ______- ____ - during wet periods. 15 to 40- Sand------Water table at or near 0 to 8--- Muck, marl, or both- - ______the surface during wet periods. 8 to 42-- Marl______------___-- Wind eroded land, sloping (We) - - - - __ __ - - - - - 2 to 20 feet or more. 0 to 66- - Sand-..- __ ------

1 Blown-out land (BOB, BoE) is so variable that properties were not estimated. 2 Calcareous. 3 Calcareous in places MUSKESGON COUNTY, MICHIGAN 61 of soils-Continued

I Classification-Cont. Percentage passing sieve- Shrink- Permeability Reaction swell No. 10 potential

~ Inches per hour pH vahe 95 to 100..--_ 0.2 to 2.5 _____ 6.0 to 8.0______Low to moderate. 95 to loo..-_- 0.05 to 0.8 6.5 to 8.0J---- Moderate. 95to100-_-- 0.07 to 5.0- - - - 7.0 to 8.4 _.____ Variable.

95 to 100- - - - 10.0 or more- -. 4.5 to 5.5______Low. 95 to loo---_ 0.2 to 2.5 _____ 4.5 to 5.5 ______Low. 95 to 100- - - - 0.7 to 2.5 _____ 4.5 to 5.5_-____ Lou-.

95 to 100- - - - 10.0 or more -... 5.0 to 6.0 ______Low. 95 to loo---- 0.2 to 1.5 6.0 to 7.0 ______Moderate. 95 to loo---_ 0.2 to 1.5 6.0 to 7.5 _____ High. 95 to loo-_-- 0.00 to 0.2 7.5 to 8.42 -____ High.

95 to loo--__ 0.8 to 1.5_____. 6.0 to 7.5______Moderate to low. 90 to loo__-- 0.2 to 0.8 6.0 to 8.0 _____ Moderate. 90 to loo-_.._ 0.05 to 0.2 7.5 to 8.4 _____ Moderate.

95 to loo---_ 0.2 to 5.0 6.0 to 7.5_____ ~ Low. 95 to loo---- 0.2 to 2.5 6.5 to 8.0 _____ Low.

95 to loo--_- 5.0 to 10.0 4.0 to 5.5L_____ Low. 95 to loo---- 10.0 or more- _. 5.0 to 6.0 ______Low. _--_____-___ 5.0 to 10.0---_ 5.0 to 6.5 ______Variable. 95 to 100-- - 5.0 to 10.0 6.0 to 8.0 _____ Low.

95 to loo--_- 2.5 to 5.0 6.0 to 7.5 ______Low. 95 to 100- - - - 2.5 to 5.0______5.5 to 8.0 ----- Low.

85 to 95----- 0.8 to 2.5 ______5.0 to 6.5______Low.

95 to loo---- 0.2 to 0.8 _-___. 5.0 to 6.5 ______Low.

90 to 100-- - - 0.05 to 1.5 7.5 to 8.4 _____ hIoderate. 95 to loo---_ 5.0 to 10.0 4.5 to 6.5______Low. 95 to loo---- 0.2 to 2.5 ______4.0 to 5.0-_____ Low. 95 to loo---- 10.0 or more__. 5.0 to 6.2 ______Low. ______2.5 to 5.0 7.0 to 8.43_____ Variable.

Marl------< .05 ------7.5 to 8.42 -____Variable. 95 to loo---- >lO.O 5.0 to 6.0 ______Low.

4 Beaches on Lake Michigan are calcareous. 5 pH value is 7.0-8.0 below a depth of 50 inches in some places. Calcareous below a depth of 20 inches in some places. ' 62 SOIL SURVEY

TABLE7.-Engineering interpretations: Suitability of soils as construction

Suitability as source of-

Soil series and map symbol 1 Topsoil Sand Gravel Road fill for highway subgrade

Allendale ------_ _ ------Poor or not suited, even Not suited-- ______Poor; surface layer is (Mapped only with the though sandy to a too fine and contains Belding series.) depth of 18 to 42 little sandy material. inches.

Au Gres (AsB) ______Good; poorly graded, Not suited ______Good; sand is wet below (For interpretations of the medium-grained sand. a depth of 3 or 4 feet. Saugatuck soil in this mapping unit, refer to the Saugatuck series.) Belding (BaB, BbB) ______Not suited ______Not suited______Poor; generally wet (For interpretations of the below a depth of 4 Allendale soil in mapping feet; fine textured. unit BaB and the Ubly soil in mapping unit Bb B, refer to those respective series.)

Carlisle ------Fair to poor; well de- Not suited; organic soil-- Not suited ______Not suited; organic (Mapped only with the composed to mod- soil. Tawas series.) erately decomposed organic soil; no mineral material. Chelsea (CmB, CmC, CnD, CnE) Not suited ______- __ Good; poorly graded Poorly suited ______Good; easily eroded; gooc (For interpretations of the sand; lenses of fine ma- to fair bearing capacity Mancelona soils in mapping terial in some places. units CmB and CmC and of the Montcalm soils in ma ping units CnD and Cn& refer to those respective series.) Croswell (CrB) ______- - _-_ Not suited; very Good; poorly graded, me- Not suited- ______Good; wet below a depth (For interpretations of the Au sandy; little organic dium sands. of 5 feet in places. Gres soil in this mapping matter. unit, refer to the Au Gres series.)

Deer Park (D p E) __ - __ ------Not suited; very Good; medium to fine Not suited ___---__-Good; sand is fine in sandy; very little sand. places. organic matter.

Fair to good; upper sur- Poor; sand is fine and Not suited___--- - __ Fair; wet below a depth face 5 to 7 inches poorly graded. of 1 to 3 feet; sand is may be loamy sand. fine and has low volume change.

Dune land (Du) ______---_-____Not suited; material is Good; medium to fine Not suited______- Good; sand is fine in very sandy and con- sands ______.- - - - _ _ - _ _ _ places. tains little organic matter.

?air to good; surface Fair; sand is poorly grad- Not suited ______- Fair; generally wet below layer extends to a ed and contains fines in a depth of 2 to 3 feet; depth of 14 inches in some places. low volume change. some places and is sandy loam in places. Grayling (GrC, GrD, GrE) ______Not suited-- ______Good; sand is poorly Not suited ______Good; erodes easily; low (For interpretations of the graded and medium volume change. Rubicon soils in these grained. mapping units, refer to the Rubicon series.) See footnote at end of table. MUSEEGON COUNTY, MICHIGAN material and soil features aflecting engineering practkes and structures

Suitability as source of- Soil features decting- Continued Corrosion potential for Impermeable material Highway location Winter grading Foundations for low buildings conduits

Poor to a depth of 18 to Seasonal high water table; High content of mois- Seasonal high water table; Very high for 42 inches; fair in sub- susceptible to frost heav- ture; poor stability subject to frost heaving; metal; low for stratum; material below ing; side slopes are seepy when thawing. low bearing capacity and concrete. 18 to 42 inches is wet in places. high shrink-swell potential and difficult to com- below a depth of 18 to 42 pact. inches. Poor; porous sands- - - _ - - Seasonal high water table; High content of mois- Seasonal high water table; High for metal; high erodibility. ture hinders opera- low volume change; very low for con- tions some of the low compressibility; pip- crete. time. ing hazard.

Fair to a depth of 18 to Seasonal high water table; High content of mois- Seasonal high water table; High for metal; 42 inches; needs com- slopes are seepy in places. ture; poor stability subject to frost heaving. low for con- paction; good below a when thawing. crete. depth of 18 to 42 inches, but often wet.

High water table; unstable High water table; un- Low bearing capacity; un- Very high for organic material. stable organic ma- stable organic material; metal; mod- terial. high water table; not erate for suitable for construction. concrete. High erodibility; cuts and Low content of moisture; No limiting features..- - ___ - __ Low for metal; fills often needed; material good drainage; sandy low for con-

easily excavated but diffi- I material. crete. cult to haul.

High water table for limited Low content of moisture Seasonal high water table; Low for metal period; loose sands hinder most of the time; good piping hazard; good bearing low for con hauling. stability when thawing. capacity; low volume changc Crete. during wetting and drying; becomes liquid and flows when wet. High erodibility; no other Low content of moisture; Low volume change on wet- Low for metal; limitations; cuts and fills good stability when ting and drying; low com- low for con- needed in many places. thawing. pressibility; becomes liquid crete. and flows when wet. Poor; sandy material- - - - - High water table; may con- 3igh water table; high High water table; contains High for metal; tain thin layers of unstable content of moisture. thin layers of unstable ma- low for con; material; susceptible to terial; subject to frost heav- Crete. frost heaving. ing; piping hazard; material may become liquid and flow when wet. Not suited- - ___-______High erodibility; easily erod- Low content of moisture; Low volume change on wet- Low for metal; ed, no other restrictions; good stability when ting and drying; low com- low for con- cuts and fills needed in many thawing. pressibility; material be- crete. places. comes liquid and flows when wet. Not suited- - - ___ - ______High water table- __ - ___ - ___ High water table; wet High water table; subject to High for metal; conditions. frost heaving; subject to low for con- PlPW5 crete.

High erodibility; cuts and Low content of moisture; No limiting features______Low for metal; fills needed in places; sandy material; good low for con- hauling difficult. drainage. crete.

279-229-6- SOIL SURVEfY

TABLE7.--Engineering interpretations: Suitability of soils as construction

Suitability as source of-

Soil series and map symbol 1 Topsoil Sand Gravel Road fill for highway subgrade

Hettinger (Hp) - - - __ _ - - __ ------Not suited ______Not suited ______Poor; generally wet; (For interpretations of the contains materials tha Pickford soil in this map- have an undesirable ing unit, refer to the texture. 8ickford series.)

Fair to poor; well de- Not suited ____ - - ____ - - - Not suited ______Not suited; organic soil-.

composed to partly I decomposed organic material. Kalkaska ( Ka B) - - - - __ - - - - __ - - - Not suited ______Good; sand is medium Not suited ______Good; erodes easily.. - - _ - (For interpretations of the and poorly graded. Wallace soil in this map- ing unit, refer to the $v allace series.) Kawkawlin (KkA, KkB, KsA, Not suited ______Not suited ______Fair to poor; generally Ks 6). poor below a depth of (For interpretations of the 3 or 4 feet because of I Selkirk soils in mapping wetness. units KsA and KsB, refer to the Selkirk series.) Kent (Kt E) _ - _ - - - __------_-- - - Not suited _____- ______- Not suited ______Poor; unstable when wet difficult to work and compact.

Kerston (Ku) ______Fair to good; good if Not suited ______Not suited _____-___Poor; unstable when wet mineral and organic difficult to work and tc materials are mixed. compact.

Lake beaches (La)-- - - -i------Not suited ______- ____ Good; medium to coarse, Not suited ______Good above water table- *.< rounded grains of

-2 I -c clean sand. Mancelona- __ ------Poor; gravelly in Good; sandy to a depth Good; sandy to a Good- - - __ ------(Mapped only with the places. of 18 to 42 inches; depth of 18 to 42 Chelsea series.) ’ loose sand and gravel inches; loose sand below a depth of 18 to and gravel below 42 inches. depth of 18 to 42 inches. Not suited ______Not suited ______Not suited; high water table.

Menominee (MeB, MeC) ______Fair to a depth of only Not suited ______Good to a depth of 18 to (For interpretations of the 18 to 42 inches. 42 inches; fair below a Ubly soils in these map- depth of 18 to 42 inches ping units, refer to the Ubly series.)

Montcalm (M h B) ____ - _ - - __ - _ - - _ Poor to fair; loamy sand Not suited ______- (For interpretations of the to a depth of 42 inches; Chelsea soil in this map- sand below 42 inches ping unit, refer to the in places. Chelsea series.) See footnote at end of table. MUSKEGON COUNTY, MICHIGANT

material and soil features afecting engineering practices and structures-Continued I Suitability as source of- Soil features affecting- Continued Corrosion 1 potential for I-Impermeable material Highway location Winter grading Foundations for low buildings conduits Fair to poor; wetness High water table; occasional High water table; poor High water table; occasional High for metal; makes compaciion diffi- ponding; contains layers of stability when thaw- ponding; contains unstable low for con- cult; contains layers of unstable soil material; sub- ing. materials; subject to frost crete. fine sand, silt, or fine ject to frost heaving. heaving; contains layers , clay. that have low bearing capacity; moderate shrink- swell potential. Organic soil; high water High water table; un- Low bearing capacity; un- Very high for table; occasional ponding. stable organic ma- stable organic soils not metal; moder- terial. suited to construction. ate for con- crete. High erodibility; cuts and Low content of moisture; No !imiting features- .. _ ___ - - Low for metal; fills needed in places. sandy material; good low to moder- drainage. ate for con- crete.

Good to fair, depending Seasonal high water table; Content of moisture is Seasonal high water table; High for metal; on content of moisture, subject to some frost too high for good subject to some frost low for con- difficult to compact heaving. compaction; poor heaving; moderate shrink- crete. when wet or dry. stability when thaw- swell potential. ing.

Fair; fine-textured ma- Plastic soil materials subject Perio&"when, content of Low shear strength; subject High for metal;

terial; difficult to to slight frost heaving; moisture is high; poor to slight frost heaving; j low for con- compact. cuts and fills needed in stability when thaw- low bearing capacity ; high crete. places. I ing. shrink-swell potentid. Not suited.. - - ______- ___ Organic materials; high water High water table; un- Low bearing capscity; high Jery high to table; occasional ponding. stable organic water table; unstable high for metal; material. organic material; suitable low for for construction. concrete. Not suited- - ______High water table in some Variable features, de- High to low bearing capac- Moderate for places; unstable sands; pending on depth to ity; fluctuating water metal; low for hieh erodibility. water table. table. concrete . Generally poor; good in Cuts and fills needed in Low content of No limiting features Low to moderate subsoil between depths many places. moisture; good drain- for metal; low of 4 and 10 inches. age and stability for concrete. when thawing.

Not suited- - ______Organic soil; high water Organic material not suited Very high for table; ponding. to construction. metal; moderate for concrete. Poor to a depth of 18 to High erodibility; slightly Poor stability when Fairly low to low bearing Moderate for 42 inches; good below a plastic clays at a depth of thawing; content of capacity; moderate to metal; low for depth of 18 to 42 inches. 18 to 42 inches; cuts and moisture varies. high volume change on concrete. fills needed in many wetting and drying; places. possible seepage at a depth of 18 to 42 inches. Generally poor; good in Cuts and fills needed in some Low content of mois- No limiting features-- ______Low for metal; finer textured subsoil places. ture; good drainage; low for between depths of 4 and sandy material. concrete. 8 inches. SOIL SURVEY

TABLE7.-Engineering interpretations: Suitability of soils as construction

Suitability as source of- Soil series and map symbol Topsoil Sand Gravel Road fill for highway subgrade

Nester (NeB, NeC,'NrC, NsD, Generally fair; poor in Not suited ______Fair; slightly plastic NsD3, NsE, NsE3, NtB, NUB). eroded areas. material. (For interpretations of the Kawkawlin soil in mapping unit NtB and of the Ubly soil in mapping unit Nu B, refer to those respective series.) Ogemaw (OgB) ______Poor; sandy material to Not suited ______Poor below a depth ot 18 a depth of 24 inches to 42 inches because but contains a hard- soil is commonly wet pan, and contains plastic clay; fair above.

Pickford---_-______-_------Good; very fine tex- Not suited ______Not suited ______Not suited; wet, plastic (Mapped only with the Het- tured in places. clays. tinger series.)

Roscommon (Ra) ------Good; poorly graded, Poor; gravel in Fair; commonly wet; (For interpretations of the medium to coarse places below a low volume change. Au Gres soil in this map- sand. depth of 42 ping unit, refer to the Au inches. Gres series.)

Rousseau (Ro 9)- _ ------Poor; fine sand that con. Not suited ______~ Fair; fine sands may be , tains thin layers of unstable. her material.

Rubicon: Sand (RsB, RsD) ______Not suited ______Good; medium sand- _ - - Not suited______Good; erodes easily- - - - -

Loamy substratum (Rt B, Good; poorly graded Not suited ______Good to a depth of 42 to RtC). sand. 66 inches; fair to poor (For interpretations of below a depth 42 to the Montcalm soils in 66 inches. these mapping units, refer to the Montcalm series.) Saranac (Sa)--______Not suited; gravel below Not suited or fair..-- Poor; commonly wet a depth of 3% feet in and contains fine- places. textured material.

Saugatuck~~~~_~~_~_~_------~~- Good below a depth of Not suited ______Poor to fair; commonly (Mapped only with the Au 42 inches; contains wet and subsoil con- Gres series.) hardpan above 3% tains cemented feet. material. Selkirk_---_-_--_--______-_--_Good; too fine tex- Not suited ______Not suited ______Poor; commonly wet (Mapped only with the tured in some plastic clay below a Kawkawlin series.) places. depth of 3 or 4 feet.

Sims (Sm) ...... Not suited ______Poor; wet, slightly plastic material. See footnote at end of table. MUSKEGON COUNTY, MICHIGAN 67 material and soil features affecting engineering practices and strmctures-Continued

Suitability as source of- Soil features affecting- Continued Corrosion potential for Impermeable material Highway location Winter grading Foundations for low buildings conduits

Good, but do not use Slightly plastic clays; cuts Very high content of Moderate shrink-swell poten- Low to moderate when material is ex- and fills needed in many moisture; poor stabil- tial; fairly low to low for metal; low tremely wet or dry. places. ity when thawing. bearing capacity; medium for concrete. shear strength and com- pressibility; slight hasard of frost heaving.

Poor; soil is sandy to a Seasonal high water table; Poor stability when Susceptibility to frost heav- High for metal; depth of 18 to 42 inches cemented sand in subsoil; thawing; seasonal high ing; low bearing strength low for con- it is fine-textured and plastic clays below a depth water table; often below a depth of 18 to 42 crete. difficult to compact anc of 18 to 42 inches; subject wet. inches; high shrink-swell work below a depth of to frost heaving. potential; high water table. 18 to 42 inches. Poor; wet plastic clays; High water table, at times High water table; wet- Low shear strength; subject Very high for difficult to compact anc ponded; plastic clays; sub- ness limits operations; to frost heaving; low bear-, metal; low for work. ject to frost heaving. poor stability when ing capacity; high water concrete. thawing. table; high shrink-swell . potential;. piping hazard; poor Stability. Not suited; wet sands- - _ High water table; occasional High water table; often High water table; occasional High for metal; ponding. wet. ponding; piping hazard. low for con- crete.

,. High erodibility; fine sand Variable content of Slight susceptibility to frost Low for metal; contains thin layers of silt; moisture and compac- heaving; may contain lay- low for con- subject to slight frost tion properties; sandy ers with low stability; crete. heaving; cuts and fills material may be un- piping hazard. needed in some places. stable when thawing. Not suited- - ______High erodibility; cuts and Low content of moisture; No limiting features- - ______Very high for fills needed in many places. good drainage; good metal; low for stability when concrete. thawing. Generally not suited; goo High erodibility; cuts and Low content of moisture; Moderate to high shrink-swell Low for metal below a depth of 42 to fills needed in many places. good drainage. potential below a depth of in sandy ma- 66 inches. 42 to 66 inches; possible terial, high in seepage at a depth of 42 loamy sub- to 66 inches. stratum; low to moderate for concrete. Fair to good; wetness High water table; subject to High water table; sub- High water table; subject to High for metal; makes compaction flooding; contains layer of ject to flooding. flooding; subject to frost low for con- difficult. unstable soil material in heaving; contains layers of crete. some places; subject to unstable material and frost heaving. layers subject to piping. Not suited- - - - __ - ___ - __ High water table; subsoil Seasonal high water High water table; sybject to High for metal; contains cemented sand; table; ‘normally wet. frost heaving ;.piping low for con- subject to frost heaving. hazard; subsoll contains crete. cemented material. Poor; wet plastic clay Seasonal high water table; High content of mois- Low shear strength; high Very high for below a depth of 3 to 4 plastic soil material; sub- ture; poor stability compressibility; subject to metal; low feet; difficult to com- ject to frost heaving. when thawing. frost heaving; low bearing for concrete. pact and work. capacity; high shrink- swell potential; seasonal high water table. Fair; wet in plow materia High water table; slightly High water table; poor High water table; subject to High for metal; difficult to compact or plastic soil material; sub- stability when frost heaving. low for con- handle, or both. ject to frost heaving. thawing. crete.

279-229 0 - 68 - 6 SOIL SURVEY

TABLE7.-Engineering interpretations: Suitability of soils as construction

Suitability as source of- Soil series and map symbol Topsoil Sand Gravel Road fill for highway subgrade

Sloan (So) ...... Poor; lenses of sand in Not suited ______-__Poor; contains layers places. that have an un- desirable texture.

Poor; material has Good; medium to Not suited ______Good; erodes easily-- - - - _ high content of or- coarse sand. ganic matter but is very sandy. Tawas (Tc) ______------Fair to poor; organic Fair below a depth of 18 Poor; gravel in Not suited; organic soil--- (For interpretations of the matter is partly to 42 inches; over- places below a Carlisle soil in this map- decomposed or burden of organic depth of 42 inches. ping unit, refer to the undecomposed. material. Carlisle series.) Tonkey (Td) ______Poor; lenses of sand in Not suited ______Poor; generally wet and (For interpretations of the some places. contains layers that Deford soil in this map- have an undesirable ping unit, refer to the texture. Deford series.)

Ubly - - - _ - - - _ - - - - _ - - - _ - - - _ - - - - Not suited ______-Generally fair; good (Mapped only in complexes above a depth of 18 with the Belding, to 42 inches. Menominee, and Nester series.) Wallace_-_-__-_-_-_-_------_-Not suited ______-_---Good below hardpan- _ - _ Not suited ______-Good; subsoil contains (Mapped only with the hardpan; may be wet Kalkaska series.) at a depth of 5 feet.

Warners (Wa) ______Poor to fair; organic Not suited ______Not suited; marl- - - _____ material normally contains bits of marl.

Wind eroded land (We) __ - - - _ - - - Not suited ______Good; poorly graded, Not suited______- Good; sand is wet below medmm-grained sand. a depth of 3 or 4 feet in some places.

Interpretations were not made for Blown-out land (BOB, BoE).

TABLE&-Engineering interpretations: Soil features

Farm ponds Soil series and map symbol 1 Reservoir area Embankment

Rapid permeability and rapid seepage in Rapid seepage in sandy material to a depth sandy material to a depth of 18 to 42 of 18 to 42 inches; subject to piping; inches; slow permeability and very slow underlying clay is unstable when wet and seepage below that depth. has high shrink-swell potential and low bearing capacity.

Au Gres (AsB) ______Rapid permeability; rapid seepage- __- - - - _ Good compaction;, rapid seepage; subject to (For interpretations of the Saugatuch piping; fairly stable. soil in this mapping unit, refer to thc Saugatuck series.)

See footnote at end of table. MUSKEGON COUNTY, MICHIGAN 69 material and soilfeatures agecting engineering practices and structures-Continued

Suitability as source of- Soil features affecting- Continued Corrosion potential for Impermeable material Highway location Winter grading Foundations for low buildings conduits

Fair; wet and contains High water table; subject to Kigh water table; web Piping hazard and poor Moderate for layers that have an un- flooding; contains layers of ness limits operations; stability; subject to frost metal; low desirable texture. undesirable soil material. poor stability when heaving; high water table; for concrete. thawing. subject to flooding. Not suited- - ______High erodibility-_ - ___ - - ___ - Low content of mois- Xo limitiig features ______Low for metal; ture; good drainage; low for con- good stability when crete. thawing. Not suited ______High water table; frequent High water table; un- Low bearing capacity; high High for metal; ponding; organic soil stable organic material. water table; unstable low for con- material. organic materials not crete. suited to construction.

Fair to poor; wet; con- High water table; contains High water table; poor Low stability; subject to High for metal; tains layers qf sand or layers of unstable soil stability when thaw- frost heaving; piping low for silty materials or both. materials; subject to frost ing. hazard and low bearing concrete. heaving. capacity; high water table; subject to flooding. Good______-_------Slight susceptibility to frost Medium to high content 3light hazard of frost heaving; Moderate for heaving; side slopes are of moisture during possible seepage at a depth metal; low for seepy in places. most of the year; of 18 to 42 inches. concrete. poor stability when thawing. High erodibility; cemented Low content of mois- No limiting features______Low for metal; sand subsoil. ture; good drainage; low for good stability when concrete. thawing; sandy material. Not suited; wet and con- High water table; subject to Aigh water table; Low bearing capacity; high Very high for tains marl; extremely flooding or ponding; organic material over water table; ponding; metal; low difficult to compact or organic material over marl; marl. unstable organic material for concrete. work, or both. unstable and plastic. and marl not suited to construction. Poor; sandy and porous--- High water table in places; High water table in Piping hazard; seasonal high Low for metal; stabilization necessary. some areas; in those water table in places. low for areas poor stability concrete. when thawing.

affecting aggviculturd practices and structures

Agricultural drainage Irrigation Terraces and diversions Grassed waterways I Somewhat poor drainage; seasonal high Low water-holding capacity; Generally not needed- - - Nearly level to short gentle water table; improving drainage is rapid intake rate; side slopes. difficult in places because of uneven slopes may develop seepy slopes and silty clay to clay at a depth of spots. 18 to 42 inches; blind and backfill with porous material. Somewhat poor drainage; rapid perme- Low water-holding capacity; Not needed ______- Sandy soil; short gentle ability; seasonal high water table; tile rapid intake rate; frequent slopes; low water-holding drainage is difficult in some places be- applications of water capacity; low fertility. cause material is sandy; install tile and required; very low ditch during dry periods; soil can be fertility. overdrained. 70 SOIL SURVBY TABLE8.-EngineeTing interpetatwns: Soil features

Farm ponds Soil series and map symbol 1 Reservoir area Embankment

Belding (BaB, BbB) ______Moderate seepage above a depth of 18 to 42 Good compaction; moderate permeability (For interpretations of the Allendale soil inches; slow seepage below that depth. above a depth of 18 to 42 inches; slow in mapping unit Ba B and the Ubly soil permeability below that depth; mixing of in mapping unit BbB, refer to those material above depth of 18 to 42 inches respective series.) with the finer textured material below results in material well suited to impervious cores and blankets. High water table; rapid seepage; organic Organic material; unstable for embankments- soil; possible site for pit-type pond; flotation possible.

Chelsea (CmB, CmC, CnD, CnE) ______Rapid permeability; rapid seepage; material Rapid seepage; fair stability and compaction; (For interpretations of the Mancelona is too sandy to hold water unless seal subject to piping; low volume change on soils in mapping units CmB and CmC blanket is used. wetting and drying. and of the Montcalm soils in mapping units CnD and CnE, refer to thosc respective series.) Croswell (CrB) ______Rapid seepage; rapid or very rapid perme- Rapid seepage; rapid or very rapid perme- (For interpretations of the Au Gres ability; sandy soil. ability; good compaction; subject to soil in this mapping unit, refer to the piping; fair stability; very sandy material. Au Gres series.)

Deer Park (DpE) ______Rapid seepage; rapid or very rapid perme- Rapid seepage; rapid or very rapid perme- ability; sandy soil. ability; good compaction; subject to piping; fair stability; very sandy material.

Deford (Ds) ______High water table; rapid seepage; rapid Good compaction; rapid seepage; rapid permeability. permeability; subject to piping; fair to poor stability and bearing capacity; fine sand.

Rapid seepage; rapid or very rapid perme- Rapid seepage; rapid or very rapid perme- ability; sandy soil. ability; good compaction; subject to piping; fair stability; very sandy.

High water table; rapid permeability; rapid High water table; fair stability and compac- seepage. tion; rapid seepage; subject to piping.

Grayling (GrC, GrD, GrE) ______Rapid permeability; rapid seepage; soil is Rapid seepage; fair stability and compaction; (For interpretations of the Rubicon soils too porous to hold water unless seal subject to piping; low volume change on in these mapping units, refer to the blanket is used. wetting and drying. Rubicon series.)

Hettinger (H p) - - _ - ______--- -__-- -__ -_--- High water table; slow to moderately slow High water table; fair to good compaction (For interpretations of the Pickford soil permeability and seepage; contains thin and stability; contains layers that have in this mapping unit, refer to the layers that have rapid seepage in places. rapid seepage in places and are subject to Pickford series.) piping in places. Houghton (Ht)______- ______High water table; moderately rapid perme- High water table; unstable organic material. ability; rapid seepage; suited to pit-type ponds; flotation of organic material possible.

See footnote at end of table. MUSKEGON COUNTY, MICHIGAN 71 ajfecting agricultural practices and stwctures-Continued 1Agricultural drainage Irrigation Terraces and diversions Grassed waterways r Somewhat poor drainage; seasonal high Lfedium water-holding Zenerally not needed- _ - leepy spots may delay con- water table; drainage is difficult in capacity; medium intake struction; no other places because of uneven slopes and clay rate; side slopes develop limiting features. loam at a depth-of 18 to 42 inches; on seepy spots in places. side slopes or toe slopes, tile may be needed to intercept seepage.

Very poor drainage; high water table; Jery high water-holding Jot needed ______-?ot needed. unstable organic soil; subject to sub- capacity; rapid intake sidence; requires system that controls rate; permeable; low water table; walls of ditches subject to natural fertility; organic cave in; special blinding material needed; soil; poor natural drainage. interceptor ditches commonly effective. Not needed; naturally good drainage- - - - ;ow water-holding capacity; 3enerally not needed-..-- houghty sand; construction rapid intake rate; rapid difficult with plow; low permeability; low fertility; fertility; vegetation difficult uneven slopes. to establish.

Generally not needed; moderately good Low water-holding capacity;" ;ow water-holding capacity; drainage. rapid intake rate; low low fertility; little runoff; natural fertility; rapid or easily eroded sandy soil. very rapid permeability; very frequent applications of water required. Not needed; good natural drainage------Not used for farming ______Low water-holding capacity; low fertility; high erodibility; construction difficult in steep sandy soil.

Poor drainage; high water table; tile gener- Low water-holding capacity; Generally not needed. dly not used; fine sandy soil requires rapid intake rate; low special investigation and methods; sur- fertility; poor natural face drainage and control of water table drainage. needed for special crops; construct drains during dry period. Not needed; good natural drainage------_ Not used for farming ______Low water-holding capacity; low fertility; high erodibility; steep slopes; difficult to construct in sand.

Poor drainage; tile generally not used; Low wateT-holding capacity; Generally not needed. sandy soil requires special investigation rapid intake rate; low and methods; shallow ditches and control fertility; rapid permeability of water table generally needed; install poor natural drainage. during dry periods. Not needed; not used for farming- __-__-- Not used for farming ______Not needed ______-_---Generally not needed.

Poor drainage; high water table; layers of High water-holding capacity; Not needed ______- ___.Generally not needed. unstable material require special atten- medium to low intake rate tion; shallow ditches are needed to re- occurs in pockets in places move surface water. poor natural drainage. Very poor drainage; high water table; un- Very high water-holding Not needed ___-_ - ___ - _. Not suited or needed. stable organic soil that is subject tc capacity; rapid intake rate subsidence; drainage by pumps and con- low fertility; organic soil; trol of water table needed; walls of ditchei poor natural drainage. subject to immediate cave in; specia blinding material and intercepter ditcher needed. 72 SOIL SURVEY TABLE8.-Engineering interpr-s: So2 features

Farm ponds Soil series and map symbol 1 Reservoir area Embankment

Kalkaska ( Ka B) ------Rapid to very rapid permeability; rapid Rapid seepage; fair stability and compaction. (For interpretations of the Wallace soil seepage; too sandy to hold water unless subject to piping; low volume change on in this mapping unit, refer to the seal blankets used. wetting and drying. Wallace series.)

Kawkawlin (KkA, KkB, KsA, KsB) ______Seasonal high water table; moderately slow Fair to good stability and compaction; slow (Fpr interpretations of the Selkirk soils permeability; slow seepage. seepage. in mapping units KsA and KsB, refer to the Selkirk series.) Kent(KtE)______-______Slow to moderately slow permeability; slow Slow seepage; fair to poor compaction and seepage. stability; high volume change on wetting and drying.

High water table; variable permeability; High water table; unstable organic material- rapid seepage; suited to pit-type ponds; flotation of organic material possible.

Very rapid permeability; very rapid seep- Rapid seepage; fair to good stability and age; too porous to hold water. compaction; subject to piping. Moderately rapid to rapid permeability and Rapid seepage; fair stability; subject to rapid seepage above a depth of 18 to 42 piping; fair to good compaction. inches; coarse sand, gravel, or both be- low; very rapid seepage.

Very rapid seepage; submerged during Very high water table; unstable organic parts of the year; suited to pit-type material. ponds.

Menominee ( M e B, M eC) ------Rapid permeability and rapid seepage above Fair stability, rapid seepage, subject to pip- (For interpretations of the Ubly soils in a depth of 18 to 42 inches; slow seepage ing above a depth of 18 to 42 inches; fair these mapping units, refer to the Ubly below; seal blanket required unless sandy to good stability and slow seepage below. series.) material is removed.

Montcalm (M h B) ___ - - __ - - __ - - ______- - __ - Moderately rapid to rapid permeability; Rapid seepage; fair stability and compac- (For interpretations of the Chelsea soil rapid seepage; too porous to hold water tion; subject to piping; low volume change in this mapping unit, refer to the unless seal blanket is used. on wetting and drying. Chelsea series.)

Nester (NeB, NeC, NrC, NsD, NsE, NsE3, Moderately slow permeability; slow seep- Fair to poor stability aTd compaction; slow NsD3, NtB, NUB). age. seepage; high volume change on wetting (For interpretations of the Kawkawlin and drying. soil in mapping unit NtB and of the Ubly soil in mapping unit Nu B, refer to the respective series.) Ogemaw (OgB) ______Rapid seepage above a depth of 18 to 4: Piping hazard; rapid seepage in sandy ma- inches; slow or very slow permeability an1 terial; slow seepage in slightly plastic slow seepage below, that depth. substratum.

High water table; slow or very slow perme- High water table; poor compaction; slow ability; slow seepage. seepage; high volume change on wetting and drying.

See footnote at end of table. MIJSKEGON COUNTY, MICHIGAN 73

a4fecting agricultural practices and structzc.Pes-Continued I Agricultural drainage Irrigation Terraces and diversions Grassed waterways Not needed; good natural drainage; low Very low water-holding Not needed_--______short slopes; very sandy soil fertility. capacity; rapid intake rate; that has rapid infiltration and low fertility; short, uneven low fertility; droughty; slopes. vegetation difficult to estab- lish; waterways difficult to construct with a plow. Somewhat poor drainage; shallow ditches High water-holding capacity; Generally not needed- - Avoid construction during wet needed for surface drainage, especially slow intake rate; uneven periods. where surface is irregular. slopes in some places.

Drainage generally not needed except in High water-holding capacity; short uneven slopes in Rapid runoff; high erodibility; draws or seep spots; soil may warm up slow intake rate; moder- places; material diffi- difficult to work when dry. earlier if random tile is used. ately slow to very slow cult to work. permeability; steep un- even slopes. Very poor drainage; high water table; un- Very high water-holding ca- Not needed _-______-_-Generally not needed. stable organic soil that is subject to sub- pacity; rapid intake rate; sidence; lack adequate outlets in some low fertility; organic soil. places; control of water table needed; walls of ditches subject to cave in; special blinding material required. Not used for farming ______-______---Not used for farming ______Not needed.

Not needed; good natural drainage------Low water-holding capacity; High erodibility; slow Low fertility; droughty sandy rapid intake rate; short, runoff; avoid cuts int' soil; vegetation difficult to uneven slopes in places. substratum below a establish; high erodibility. depth of 18 to 42 inches. Very poor drainage; material has extreme Soil is submerged most of the Notneeded_-____----- Not needed. limitations that require special investiga- year; saturated during tion and methods; some areas have been entire year. successfully drained using dikes, pumps, and other practices and used for special crops.

Generally not needed; low spots and draws Low water-holding capacity Sandy material above i Sandy material to a depth of 18 require random tile in some places. and rapid intake rate to a depth of 18 to 42 in- to 42 inches; low fertility; depth of 18 to 42 inches; . ches; cuts exposing droughty ; high erodibility ; slow permeability below substratum make con vegetation difficult to estab- that depth; uneven slopes struction difficult in lish.

in some places. places. ~ Not needed; good natural drainage- - __ - - - Low water-holding capacity; Sandy material; uneven Not needed. rapid intake rate; short, slopes in some places. uneven slopes in some places; require frequent applications of water. Not needed; good natural drainage- _ - - - - - High water-holding capacity; Short, uneven slopes in Rapid runoff; subsoil difficult slow to medium intake some areas; subsoil to handle when dry. rate; steep uneven slopes may be difficult to in some places. work.

.Poor to somewhat poor drainage; cemented Low water-holding capacity; Not needed,- ______Generally not needed. subsoil; sandy material to a depth of 18 to rapid intake rate above 42 inches; slow or very slow permeability hardpan in subsoil; require below; shallow surface ditches are bene- frequent but small appli- ficial. cations of water. Poor drainage; high water table; frequent High water-holding capacity; Not needed ______Wet fine-textured soil; con- ponding; slow or very slow permeability: very slow intake rate; struct during dry periods. close spacing of tile and special blinding slow or very slow perme- and backfilling material needed; requires ability; poor natural drain- surface water removal. age; pockets in places. 74 SOIL SURVEY TABLE8.-Engheering interpretations: Soil features

Farm ponds Soil series and map symbol 1 Reservoir area Embankment

Roscommon (Ra) _ - - _____ - ______High water table; very rapid permeability; High water table; fsir stability and compac- (For interpretatipns of the Au Gres soil very rapid seepage. tion; rapid seepage; subject to piping. in this mapping unit, refer to the Au Gres series.)

Rapid permeability; rapid seepage- - - - _ - - - Fair to poor stability; moderate seepage; fair to poor compaction; subject to piping.

Rubicon: Sand (RsB, RsD) ______Very rapid permeability; very rapid seepage; Rapid seepage; fair stability and compac- too sandy to hold water unless seal blan- tion; subject to piping;-low volume change ket is used. on wetting and drying.

Loamy substratum (Rt B, RtC) ____ - - --_-- Rapid to very rapid permeability and rapid Rapid seepage in sandy material; subject to (For interpretations of the Montcalm seepage rate above a depth of 42 to 66 piping; fair to good stability and slow soils in these mapping units, refer to inches; very slow to slow seepage be- seepage in substratum. the Montcalm series.) low that depth.

Subject to flooding; high water table; mod- High water table; subject to flooding; wet- erately slow to slow permeability; slow ness makes compaction difficult; contains seepage above a depth of 3 feet; variable layers subject to piping. seepage below. Saugatuck_------Fluctuating high water table; rapid perme- Seasonal high water table; rapid seepage; (Mapped only with the Au Gres series.) ability; rapid seepage. subject to piping.

Seasonal high water table; very slow to slow Seasonal high water table; high volume permeability; very slow seepage. change on wetting and drying; slow seep- age; plastic materials.

Slow to moderately slow permeability; High water table; slightly plastic material; slow seepage. slow seepage.

High water table; subject to flooding; High water table; fair to good compaction; moderate seepage; contains layers that moderate seepage; subject to piping. have rapid seepage.

Very rapid permeability; very rapid seepage; Rapid seepage; fair stability and compaction seal blanket required. subject to piping; low volume change on wetting and drying.

Tawas (Tc) ____--______------High water table; rapid seepage; suitable High water table, unstable organic material (For interpretations of the Carlisle soil for pit-type pond; flotation of organic to a depth of 18 to 42 inches; sandy sub- in this mapping unit, refer to the material possible. stratum below is subject to piping and has Carlisle series.) rapid seepage.

Tonkey (Td)----_-_--_--_-_-_-__-_------High .water table; low stability, subject to (For interpretations of the Deford soil piping; subject to flooding. in this mapping unit, refer to the Deford series.)

See footnote at end of table. MUSKEQON COUNTY, MICHIGAN 75 affecting agricultural prccetices and structures-Continued 1Agricultural drainage Irrigation Terraces and diversionr Grassed waterways Poor drainage; high water table; shallow Tery low water-holding c* Not needed ______Wet sandy soil; low fertility; open ditches and control of water table pacity; rapid intake rate; rapid infiltration; hazard of generally effective; tile requires special frequent applications of water erosion. investigation and methods; install during water required. dry periods. Generally not needed; good natural drain- Low water-holding capacity; short slopes; no other High erodibility; low fertility age. rapid intake rate; frequent limiting features. and droughtiness make vege- applications of water re- tation difficult to establish in quired. places.

Not needed; good natural drainage------Very low water-holding czt- Low fertility; very droughty; pacity; very rapid intake high erodibility; sandy mzt- rate; uneven relief; very terial that is difficult to con- poorly suited to farming. struct with a plow; vegeta- tion difFicult to establish. Not needed; good natural drainage- - - - - _ - Very low water-holding ca- Sandy material; little Sandy material; low fertility; pacity; rapid intake rate; runoff. droughty; high erodibility; slow permeability below a vegetation hard to establish. depth of 42 to 66 inches; short, uneven slopes in places. Poor drainage; subject to flooding; high High water-holding capacity; Not needed ______Generally not needed. water table; special investigation and medium to slow intake rate; methods required; shallow ditches gen- poor natural drainage; erally needed to remove surface water. pockets in places. Poor to somewhat poor drainage; seasonal Very low water-holding ca- Generally not needed- - Wet sandy soil; cemented sub- high water table; acid sandy material; pacity; rapid intake rate soil; low fertility. cemented subsoil; shallow ditches needed above the hardpan in sub- for surface drainage. soil; low fertility; frequent applications of water in small amounts required. Somewhat poor drainage; seasonal high High water-holding capacity; Generally not needed- - Rapid runoff; wet fine-textured water table; very slow or slow permeabil- slow intake rate; very slow soil. ity; surface drainage needed; close spac- to slow permeability; pock- ing of tile and special blinding and back- ets in places. filling materials needed. Poor drainage; high water. table; surface High water-holding capacity; Not needed-- ___ - ____ - Wet fine-textured soils. drainage needed. medium to slow intake rate; poor natural drain- age. Poorly drained; subject to flooding; high High water-hpldmg capacity; Not needed ______Generally not needed. water table; contains layers of unstable medium intake rate; poor material requiring special investigation natural drainage; ,, and methods; outlet lacking in places. depressional in places. Not needed; good natural drainage- - - __ - - Low water-holding capacity; Not needed-- ______Low fertility; droughty; high rapid intake rate; low erodibility; sandy material fertility; frequent applica- that is dfficult to work with tions of water required. a plow; vegetation difficult to establish.

Very poor drainage; high water table; Very high water-holding Not needed ______~ Not needed. shallow organic soil that is subject to capacity; rapid intake rate; subsidence over sand at a depth of 18 to poor natural drainage; 42 inches; shallow open ditches and organic soil. control of water table are generally better than tile drains. Poor drainage; high water table; rapid Medium water-holding Generally not needed- - Wet soil. seepage; contains layers of unstable capacity; medium intake soil; requires special inves ation and rate; poor natural drainage. methods and special blindg; walls of ditches subject to cave in; install during dry periods. 76 SOIL SURVEY TABLE8.-Engkering interpretations: Soil features

Farm ponds Soil series and map symbol 1 Reservoir area Embankment

~ ~ Ubly ______------_ ------Moderate to moderately slow permeability Fair stability and compaction in subsoil; (Mapped only in complexes with the and seepage above a depth of 18 to 42 fair to good stability and compaction and Belding, Menominee, and Nester inches; slow seepage below. slow seepage in substratum. series.)

Very rapid permeability; very rapid Rapid seepage; fair stability and compaction; seepage. subject to piping; low volume change on wetting and drying.

High water table; moderate permeability; High water table; slow seepage; unstable slow seepage. organic material and marl.

Wind eroded land (We) ______Very rapid seepage; very sandy material; Rapid seepage; rapid or very rapid perme- rapid or very rapid permeability. ability; subject to piping, fair stability.

Soil features were not listed for Blown-out land (BOB,BoE).

raphs. The explanations are taken largely from the PCA tion of State Highway Officials, in the laboratories of the Boil Primer (6). Bureau of Public Roads. AASHO classification system.-The AASHO system is The soil samples represented in table 5 were taken from based on the performance of soil material in the field. The selected horizons of the soils at representative sites. They soil material is classified on the basis of gradation, liquid do not represent the entire range of soil properties in the limit, and plasticity index into seven principal grou s. The county, or even of those properties within tho four series groqps range from A-1 consisting of gravelly so1f s khat sampled. have high bearing strength and are the best soils for sub- Both the AASHO and Unified classifications are listed grade, to A-7, consisting of clayey soils that have low in table 5. These classifications are based on data obtained strength when wet and are the poorest soils for subgrade. by mechanical analyses and by tests to determine the liq- Within each of the principal groups, the relative engineer- uid limit and plastic limit. The mechanical .analyses were ing value of the soil material is indicated by the group made by the combined sieve and hydrometer methods. Per- index. Group indexes range from 0 for the best material centages of silt and clay determined by the hydrometer to 20 for the poorest material. For the soils tested, the method should not be used in naming textural classes for group indexes are shown in table 5 following the soil soil classification. The information is useful, however, in group symbol. The estimated AASHO classification of the determining general engineering properties of the so!ls. soils in the county, without group indexes, is given in The terms for texture used by soil scientists have differ- table 6. ent meanings to engineers.. For example, clay to soil scien- U&fied cZassification system.-Some engineers prefer to tists refers to mineral grains less than 0.002 millimeter in use the Unified system. In this system soils are identified diameter, but engineers frequently define clay as less than according to their texture, .plasticity, and performance as 0.005 millimeter in diameter. These and other terms used construction material. Soil materials are identified as by soil scientists are defined in the “Soil Survey Man- coarse grained (GTV, GP, GM, GC, SW, SP, SM, SC) ,fine ual” (9). grained (ML, CL, OL, MH, CH, OH), and highly organic The tests for liquid limit and plastic limit measure the (Pt). The tested soils are classified according to the Uni- effect of water on the consistency of the soil material. As fied system in table 5. The classification for the soils that the moisture content of a clayey soil increases from a very were not tested is estimated in table 6. dry state, the material changes from a semisolid to a plas- tic state. As the moisture content is further increased, the Engineering test data material changes from the plastic state to a liquid state. Engineering test data for four series sampled from nine The plastic limit is the moisture content at which the soil locations in Muskegon County are given in table 5. These material passes from a semisolid to a plastic state. The data were obtained from tests performed in accordance liquid limit is the moisture content at which the material with the standard procedures of the American Associa- passes from a plastic to a liquid state. The plasticity index MSTSKEQON COUNTY, MICHIGAN 77

affecting ag?’kuhrd prmtkes and swtzcres-Continued

Agricultural drainage Irrigation Terraces and diverGons Grassed waterways , I Medium water-holding Short uneven slopes in High erodibility. capacity; medium intake many places; no other rate; moderate to mod- limitation. - erately slow permeability below a depth of 18 to 42 inches; dopes are uneven in places; side slopes develop seep spots in places. Not needed; good natural drainage; not Not used for farming ______High erodibility; low fertility; used-for farming. droughty; cemented subsoil; vegetation diflicult to estab- lish. Very poor drainage; contains marl, tile not High water-holding capacity; Not needed ______Not needed. generally effective; shallow open ditches generally wet; medium and control of water table most effective. intake rate; very slow permeability below surface layer. Not used for farming- ______Not used for farming ______High erodibility; sandy material that is hard to work with a plow; vegetation diflicult to Iestablish.

is the numerical difference between the liquid limit and the rate at which water moves downward through undisturbed plastic limit. It indicates the range of mpisture content soil material. The astimates are based mainly on texture, within which the soil material is in a plastic condition. structure, and consistence of the soils. Available water capacity, expressed in inches per inch Engineering properties of soils of soil depth, refers to the approximate amount of capil- Table 6 gives estimated physical and chemical“datafor lary wa.ter in a soil when wet to field capacity. When the each soil series. Following the series name are the symbols soil is at the wilting point of common crops,. this amount for all the soils within that series. Since many of the soils of water will wet the soil to a depth of 1jnch without are mapped as complexes and undifferentiated units, their deeper penetration. symbols are placed under more than one series. Following Reaction as shown in table 6 is the estimated range in the first listing of a symbol for a complex or undiffemnti- pH values for each major horizon of the soils as deter- ated unit is a reference to the series to which the associated mined in the field. It indicates the acidity or alkalinity of soil belongs. the mils. A pH of 7.0, for example, indicates a neutral soil ; The estimates in this tgble are based on the actual test a-_ lower -. . pH indicates acidiky, and a higher value indicates data in table 5, on a comparison of the untested soils with alkalinity. those that were sampled and hted, and on experience Shrink-swell lsotential refers to the change in volume gained from working with and observing similar soils in of the soil that kltsfrom a change in mo&m content. other areas. The estimates are based mainly on the mount and kind of In general, the information in table 6 applies to a depth clay in the soil. of 5 feet or less. Depth from the surface is normally given only for the major horizons, but other horizons are listed Engineering interpretations if they have engineering properties significantly different Engineering interpretations in this survey are given in from adjacent horizons. tables 7 and 8. The data in these tables apply to the repre- Also given in table 6 we the textural classification of the sentative profile described for the soil series in the section U.S. Department of Agriculture, estimates of the Unified “Descriptions.of the Soils.” classification, and estimates of the classification used by Table 7 gives the suitability of the soils as a soum of the American Association of State Highway Officials. The topsoil, sand, gravel, road fill, and impermeable material ffigures showing the percentages of material passing and lists features that affect the use of soils in highways, through sieves Nos. 4, 10, and 200 ‘are rounded off to the winter grading, and foundations for low buildings. Also nearwt 5 percent. The percentage of material passing the given in table 7 are ratings for the corrosive potential for No. 200 sieve approximates the combined amount of silt conduits. and clay in the soil. The ratings for suitability as a source of topsoil were In the column showing permability are estimates of the based largely on texture and content of organic matter. 78 SOIL SURVEY Topsoil is material, preferably material rich in organic The major features affecting suitability for irrigation matter, that is used to topdress back slopes, embankments, are water-holding capacity and rate of water intake. Also lawns, gardens, and the like. Unless otherwise indicahd, important are depth to the water table, topography, and only the surface layer was considered in making these depth to soil material that restricts root growth. ratings. Important features that affect the layout and construc- Ratings of suitability as a murce of sand and gravel tion of terraces and diversions are topography, texture of apply only to material within a depth of 5 feet. Some soils the soil material, and depth to material that restricts root that are rated ‘

80 SOIL smw!Y TABLE%-Limitutions of soils for residential and

Community development Degree of limitation and soil features decting use for- groups ~ Residential developments with public sewers . Filter fields for septic tanks

.L Group 1 (KtE, NeB, NeC, Limitations: Slight on slopes of 0 to 6 percent; Limitation: Severe. NrC. NsD. NsD3. NsE. moderate on slopes of 6 to 12 percent; and severe NsE3, NIB, NuBj. ' on slopes of 12 to 45 percent. (For limitations of the Features: Wet depressions on slopes of 0 to 6 Features: Moderately slow to 'slow perme- Kawkawlin soil in map- percent; moderate to high volume change on ability; layout and construction is difficult ping unit NtB, refer to wetting and drying; fair to poor bearing capacity; on slopes over 10 percent. group 4; and of Ubly soil severe eros'on on steeper slopes; steeper slopes in mapping unit NUB, hinder construction and layout of utilities. refer to group 2.) Group 2 (BbB, MeB, MeC, Limitations: Slight on slopes of 0 to 6 percent; Limitations: Severe. NUB). moderate on slopes of 6 to 12 percent; and severe on slopes of 12 to 25 percent. Features: Moderate to high volume change on Features: Moderately slow permeability in wetting and drying; fair to poor bearing capacity; loamy substratum; layout and construction is severe erosion on steeper slopes; steep slopes difficult on slopes over 10 percent; effluent hinder layout . and construction of utilities; seeps out on side slopes; areas where the small wet depressions on slopes of 0 to 6 percent. sandy material is 42 inches deep or more are only moderately limited. Group 3 (BOB, BoE, CmB, Limitations: Slight on -slopes of 0 to 6 percent; Limitations: Slight on slopes of 0 to 6 percent; CmC, CnD CnE, CrB, DpE, moderate on slopes of 6 to 12 percent; and severe moderate on slopes of 6 to 12 percent; severe Du. GrC. GrD, GrE. KaB. on slopes of 12 to 45 percent. on slopes of 12 to 45 percent slopes. La,'MhB, ROB; RsB; RsD, Features: Susceptibility to wind erosion; droughty; Features: Favorable percolation rate; possible RtB, RtC, Sp, We). difficult to establish and maintain lawns; frequent contamination of nearby water supplies. (For limitations of the Au watering required; stable material for roadbeds Gres soil in mapping unit and foundations; steep slopes hinder layout and CrB, refer to group 6.) construction of utilities. Group 4 (KkA, KkB, KsA, Limitation: Severe. Limitation : Severe. KsB, NtB). Features: Seasonal high water table; subject to Features: Seasonal high water table; subject ponding; fair to poor material for foundations; to onding; moderately slow to slow perme moderate to high volume change on wetting and abgty. drying; fair to poor bearing capacity; poor for roadbeds; subject to frost heaving; construction difficult when wet. Group 5 (BaB, OgB) ___--____Limitation : Severe. Limitation : Severe. Features: Seasonal high water table; subject to Features: Seasonal high water table; moderately ponding; fair to poor matgrial for foundations; slow permeability; subject to ponding. moderate to high volume change; fair to poor bearing capacity in substratum.

Group 6 (AsB, CrB, Ra) ______Limitation: Moderate. Limitation: Severe. (For limitations of the Features: Seasonal high water table; difficult to Features: High water table; subject to ponding. Roscommon soil in obtain dry basements; areas subject to ponding mapping unit Ra, refer are severely limited; good material for founda- to group 9.) tions; low volume change; fair to good bearing capacity. Group 7 (Hp, Sa, Sm)______Limitation : Severe. Limitation: Severe. Features: High water table; subject to ponding; Features: High water table; moderately slo~ difficult to obtain dry basements; moderately to to slow permeability; subject to ponding. severely limited for foundations; moderate to high volume change; fair to poor bearing capacity.

Group 8 (Ds, So, Td)------Limitation : Severe. Limitation: Severe. Features: High water table; subject to ponding; Features: High water table; inoperative during moderately limited for foundations; poor bearing wet periods. capacity when wet; difficult to obtain dry base ments; subject to frost heaving. See footnote at end of table. MUSKEGON COUNTY, MICHIGAN 81 industrial development, and related nonfam uses

Degree of limitation and soil features affecting use for-Continued Buildings for commerce and light industry Trafficways

Limitations: Slight on slopes of 0 to 6 percent; moderate on slopes Limitations: Slight on slopes of 0 to 6 percent; moderate on of 6 to 12 percent; and severe on slopes of 12 to 45 percent. slopes of 6 to 12 percent; and severe on slopes of 12 to 45 percent. Features: Wet depressions on slopes of 0 to 6 percent; moderately to Features: Fair to poor bearing capacity; subject to frost severely limited for foundations; moderate to high volume change; heaving; seep spots in some .reas; cuts and fills needed in fair to poor bearing capacity; severe erosion on steeper slopes; grading sloping to steep areas; sloping areas subject to erosion. and land shaping required ,in sloping and steep areas.

Limitations: Slight on slopes of 0 to 6 percent; moderate on slopes of Limitations: Slight on slopes of 0 to 6 percent; moderate on 6 to 12 percent; and severe on slopes of 12 to 25 percent. slopes of 6 to 12 percent; and severe on slopes of 12 to 25 percent. Features: Wet depressions on slopes of 0 to 6 percent; moderately Features: Substratum has fair to poor bearing capacity and limited for foundations; moderate to high volume change; fair to issubject to frost heaving; seep spots in some areas; cuts poor bearing capacity; severe erosion on steeper slopes; grading and and fills needed in sloping to steep areas; severe erosion in land shaping required in sloping and steep areas. steeper areas.

Limitations: , Slight on slopes of 0 to 6 percent; moderate on slopes of Limitations: Slight on slopes of 0 to 6 percent; moderate on 6 to 12 percent; and severe on slopes of 12 to 45 percent. elopes of 6 to 12 percent; and severe on slopes of 12 to 45 percent. Features: Susceptibility to wind erosion; good foundation material; Features: Good bearing capacity; good material for subbase low volume change; good bearing capacity; grading and land shaping and subgrade; cuts and fills needed in sloping to steep areas; required in sloping and steep areas. severe erosion in steeper areas.

Limitation: ,Moderate. Limitation: Severe. Features: Seasonal high water table; fair to poor material for founda- Features: Seasonal high water table; fair to poor bearing tions; moderate to high volume change; fair to poor bearing capacity; capacity; poor material for subgrade; subject to frost heav- subject to frost heaving; construction difficult when wet; minimum ing; fill required in some areas to raise grade above water of cuts and fills needed. table; excavating and grading are severely limited during winter and wet periods.

Limitation: Moderate. Limitation: Moderate. Features: Seasonal high water table; fair to poor material for founda- Features: Seasonal high water table; material above 18 to tions; moderate to high volume change; fair to poor bedring capacity 42 inches has good bearing capacity and is. only slightly in substratum; minimum of cuts and fills needed. limited for subgrade; substratum is of severely limited use for subgrade; fill required in some areas to raise grade above water table. Limitation : Moderate. Limitation: Moderate. Features: Seasonal high water table; good material for foundations; low Features: Seasonal high water table; fair to good bearing volume change; fair to good bearing capacity; minimum of cuts and capacity: good material for subgrade; fill required in low fills required. areas to raise grade above water table; sandy material is unstable and flows when wet.

Limitation: Severe. Limitation: Severe. Features: High water table; subject to ponding; moderately to severely Features: High water table; subject to ponding and flooding; limited for foundations; moderate to high volume change; fair to poor wetness hinders construction; subject to frost heaving; fair bearing capacity; minimum of land shaping and grading; fill required to poor bearing capacity; poorly adapted for subgrade; fill to raise grade above water table; poor for excavating and grading needed to raise grade above water table; poor for excavating during winter and wet periods. and grading during winter and wet periods. Limitation: Severe. Limitation: Severe. Features: High water table; subject to ponding; .moderately limited Features: High water table; subject to ponding; subject to for foundations; poor bearing capacity when wet; subject to frost frost heaving; material is unstable and flows when wet: fill heaving; fill required to raise grade above water table; poor for exca- needed to raise grade above water table; construction ‘and vating and grading during winter and wet periods. grading difficult during winter and wet periods. 82 SOIL SURVEY TABLE9.-L$mhttiOns of so& for reskhntial and industrial

Community development Degree of limitation and soil features affecting use for- groups Residential developments with public sewers. Filter fields for septic tanks

Group 9 (Ga, Ra) ______-__-Limitation: Severe. Limitation: Severe. Features: High water table; subject to ponding; Features: High water table; inoperative during slight limitations for foundations; but dry base wet periods. ments difficult to obtain.

Group.10 (Ht, Ku, Ma, Tc, Limitation: Very severe. Limitation: Very severe. Wa). Features: High water table; unstable organic ma- Features: High water table; unstable organic terial with low bearing capacity and high com- material. pressibility; severely limited for foundations; organic material must be removed before construc- tion; subject to ponding and flooding.

1 Based on lots of 1 acre or less.

The Rubicon, Deer Park, Grayling, Wallace, and other one factor unless conditions are specified for (the other sandy soils are well suited as sites for buildings, streets, four factors. Each factor and its effect on the formation of and highways, but nearby water supplies may be con- the soils in this county are discussed in the following taminated if these soils are used for septic tank disposal paragraphs. fields. On these sandy soils lawns are difficult to establish, Parent m,aterial.-The parent material of the soils in and they require frequent applications of water and ferti- Muskegon County is largely of glacial origin because the lizer after they are established. During construction, soil county was covered by ice during the late Wiseonsin age. blowing and water erosion are hazards in sloping areas. This glacial material consisted of boulders, stones, gravel, The organic soils, Carlisle and Houghton, have a high sand, silt, and clay. Because these deposits were several water table and .are subject to ponding. The organic mate- feet thick, the underlying bedrock did not directly affect rial does not support buildings, roads, or other structures. the development of soils. It has a low bearing capacity and shrinks greatly when As the glacial ice melted, large flows of melt water it is compressed. All organic material must be removed carved out valleys and deposited fairly uniformly sorted before construction. material in basins or along drainageways. Today this The Saranac, Sloan, and.Kerston soils are subject to material is in the form of outwash plains and terraces, flooding and have Severe limitations for use in community valley trains, and old lakebed plains. The lake or lakes developments unless they are protected from this hazard. from which Lake Michigan formed were larger than the These soils are suited to recreational or other uses that are present lake and covered an extensive area in the western not affected by flooding. part of the State. After the water receded to the present level of Lake Michigan, a large lake plain made up of strat- Zed material was exposed. This plain was altered by inten- Formation and Classification of Soils sive geologic erosion by wind and water and by the subs- quent deposition of eroded materials. Erosion continued This section tells how the factors of soil formation have until protective vegetation stabilized the land surf ace. The affected the deve1,opment of soils in Muskegon County. It upper 5 feet of the stabilized glacial material, in which also defines the classes in the current system of classifica- some of the soils formed, is uniform in texture and differs tion and, in a table, places each soil series of the county in mainly in mineral composition. its family, subgroup, and order of that system, and in its In places other than the lake plain, the soils developed great soil group of the older system. More information in a highly heterogeneous mixture of varying proportions about the soils, as well as a profile representative of each of gravel, sand, silt, and clay. This mixture ranged from soil series, is given in the section “Descriptions of the strongly acid to neutral or was calcareous. These widely Soils.” different mixtures occur as strata of varying thickness, as small separate bodies, as long narrow strips, or in areas Factors of Soil Formation of the broad outwash plains where fairly uniform layers are stratified. Because the glacial deposits and the relief Soil is formed by weathering and other processes that vary widely, many different kinds of soils occur within act on parent material. The characteristics of the soil at relatively short distances. any given point depend on (1) parent material, (2) cli- CZimate.-The soils of Muskegon County formed in a mate, (3) plant and animal life, (4) relief and drainage, cool, moist climate that was influenced by Lake Michigan. and (5) time, or age. Winters are long and cool, and summers are warm. The The factors of soil formation are so closely interrelated average annual precipitation is about 29 inches. Precipi- in their effects that few generalizations can be made about tation falls in about equal amounts in each season, but ~ ‘By 0. C. ROQEFZS,soil correlator, Soil Conservation Service. slightly more in summer. Areas adjacent to Lake Michi- Buildings for commerce and light industry Trafficways

Limitation: Severe. Limitation: Severe. Features: High water table; subject to ponding; slightly limited for Features: High water table; subject to ponding; unstable foundations; low volume change; fair to good bearing capacity; fills material flows when wet; fill needed to raise grade above required to obtain grade levels above the water table; material easily water table; construction and grading difficult during winter excavated. and wet periods. Limitation: Very severe. Limitation: Very severe. Features: High water table; subject to flooding and ponding; very Features: High water table; unstable organic material severely limited for foundations; low bearing capacity and high com- that must be removed before 611 is placed; low bearing pressibility ; unstable organic material that must be excavated before capacity and high compressibility; fill required to raise fill is placed; fill required to raise grade above water table. grade above water table.

2 Ratings are for buildings of three stories or less.

gan and eastward for a few miles receive somewhat more Classification of Soils precipitation, specially snowfall, than other parts of the Soils are classified so ,that we can more wily remember county. These differences, however, are slight and have ificant characteristics. Classification enables us to not caused significant differences among the soils. theirassemb e knowledge about the soils, to see their relation- Plant and animal Zife.-The native vegetation in this ships to one another and to the whole environment, and county, as elsewhere, was affected by the nature of the soil, to develop principles that help us to understand their and the soil, in turn, was influenced by the vegetation it behavior and their response to manipulation. First, supported. The characteristics of the organic matter in through classification and then through use of soil maps, the surface layers are directly related to the vegetation. we can apply our knowledge of soils to specific fields and The kind of vegetation affected not Only the nature of other tracts of land. the organic matter that accumulated on the surface, but Thus, in classification, soils are placeid in narrow cate- also the depth and color of the leached mineral layer gories that are used in detailed soil surveys, so that howl- directly beneath the organic matter. edge about the soils oan be organized and a plied in managing farms, fields, and woodlands; in d!&eloping Except for areas of marsh and small areas of tall prairie rural areas; in enginwring work; and in many other ways. grasses, Muskegon County was originally covered by for- They axe placed in broad classes to facilitate stud and est. Dense stands of northern hardwoods and some coni- comparison in large areas, such as countries anicon- fers grew on the more fertile, moderately fine textured tinents. to moderately coarse textured, well-drained soils. Mixed Two systems of classifying soils have been used in the hardwoods and white pine grew on the moderately coarse Unilted States in recent years. The older system was textured to coarse textured, well-drained soils. Some of ado ted in 1938 (3)and later revised (8).The system cur- the coarse-textured, well-drained soils supported pine and rentP y used was adopted for general use by the National oak. Cooperative Soil Survey in 1965. The current system Relief and drainage.-Natural drainage is largely de- is under c0ntinua.l study. Therefore, readers interested termined by relief, or the irregularities of the land sur- in developments of this system should search the latest face. In different relief, and therefore under different literature available (7, 10). The soil series of Muskegon County are placed in the current system in table 10. The conditions of drainage, different kinds of mineral soils classes in the current system are briefly defined in the formed from the same kind of parent material. Organic following paragraphs. soils, the peats and mucks, formed in low-lying, poorly ORDER: Ten soil orders are recognized in the current drained areas. In these areas more than a foot of organic system. They are Entisols, Vertisols, Inceptisols, Aridisols, material has accumulated over the mineral material. Mollisols, Spodosols, Alfisols, Ultisols, Oxisols, and Histo- Time, or age.-After the glaciers melted, the processes sols. The properties used to differentiate the soil orders of soil formation began to alter the glacial material, and are those that tend to give broad climatic groupings of at the same time the material was reworked by streams soils. Two exceptions, Entisols and Histosols, occur in and lakes. As a result, many different kinds of soils devel- many different climates. The soil orders represented in

oped in the county. In some of the mineral soils, well- Muskegon .County are Alfisols, Entisols, I Inceptisols, defined horizons have formed, but in recent lake deposits, Histosols, Mollisols, and Spodosols. eolian deposits, or alluvium, the soils are weakly developed SUBORDER: Each order is subdivided into suborders, and are much like the material from which they formed. primarily on the basis of those soil characteristics that In very'poorly drained areas, organic soils formed and seem to produce classes having the greatest genetic simi- have a thick accumulation of organic material over larity. The suborders narrow the broad climatic range mineral material. permitted in the orders. The soil properties used to sepa-

279-229 0 - 68 - 7 84 SOIL SURVJEY

TABLElO.-Clas&&t&m of soil series according to the current system and 1938 system

Current system 1 1938 system Series Family Subgroup Order Great soil group

Sandy over clayey, mixed, Aqualfic Haplorthods- - - _ _ _ - - _ Spodosols- ___ Podzols. frigid. Sandy, mixed, frigid ______Entic Haplaquods_-______Spodosols____ Podzols: Coarse, loamy, mixed, frigid_-_ Alfic Haplaquods ______Spodosols____ Podzols intergrading toward Gray-Wooded soils. __-______--______----_--- Histosols- _ _ _ Bog (Organic) soils. Sandy, mixed, mesic ______Entisols- __ __ Gray-Brown Podsolic inter- grading toward Regosols. Sandy, mixed, frigid- _ _ - _ __ - - _ Entis Haplorthods- ______Spodosols- __ _ Podsols. Sandy, mixed, frigid- _ - _ - - __ - _ Spodic Udipsamments- __ __ - _ - _ Entisols- _ _ - - Brown Podsolic soils. Sandy, mixed, frigid- _ - _ - _ - - - - Typic Psammaquents- - - _ - - _ - _ Entisols- - _ - - Humic Gley soils. Sandy, mixed, noncalcareous, Typic Haplaquolls_->______Molliiols_-__ Humic Gley soils. mesic. Sandy, mixed, frigid ______Typic Udipsamments- - _ __ - _ - - Entisols- ____ Brown Podzolic soils. Fine-loamy, mixed, nonacid, Mollic Haplaquepts_____ - - - _ - - Inceptisols__- Humic Gley soils. frigid. ______---___---- Histosols- - _ _ Bog (Organic) soils. Sandy, mixed, frigid-..- - __ _ - - __ Spodosols- __ _ Podzols. Fine, mixed, frigid______msols-_- _ - - Gray Wooded soils. Fine, illitic, frigid_____ - ____- __ Alfisols___ _ - - Gray Wooded soils. Histosols__-- Alluvial soils intergrading toward Bog (Organic) soils. Sandy, mixed, frigid- _ - _ - _ - - - _ Alfic Haplorthods- _ - ______Spodosols- __ - Podsols. Sandy over loamy, mixed, Alfic Haplorthods ______- - - __ - Spodosols_-__ Podsols . frigid. Sandy, mixed, frigid ______Alfic Haplorthods- ______Spodosols____ Podzol sequum over Gray Wooded sequum. Fine, mixed, frigid______Typic Eutroboralfs- _ _ - - - _ - - - - Alfisols-- - - _ - Gray Wooded soils. Sandy over loamy, mixed, Aquic Haplorthods- _ _ - _ __ - _ - _ Spodosols- __ _ Ground Water Podsols. frigid, ortstein. Very-fine, illitic, nonacid, frigid- Aeric Haplaquepts- _ - _ _ _ _ _ - _ _ _ Inceptisols-__ Humic Gley soils. Sandy, mixed, frigid- _ - - ______Mollic Psammaquents ______Entisols- _ _ _ _ Low-Humic Gley soils. Sandy, mixed, frigid ______-_Entic Haplorthods ______Spodosols--- _ Podsols. Sandy, mixed, frigid- _ - __ - - _ - _ Entic Haplorthods ______Spodosols-_ - _ Podzols. Sandy, mixed, mesic, ortstein- _ Aeric Haplaquods- ______Spodosols-_-- Ground Water Podzols. Fine, $xed, noncalcareous, Fluventic Haplaquolls ____ - - _ _ _ Mollisols-__- Humic Gley intergrading mesic. toward Alluvial soils. Fine, illitic, frigid______Aquic Eutroboralfs- _ _ __ - - - __ _ Alfisols__-_-- Gray Wooded soils. Fine, mixed, nonacid, frigid-- - - Mollic Haplaquepts-__- _ - _ - - - - Inceptisols--- Humic Gley soils. Fine-loamy, mixed, non- Fluventic Haplaquolls _____ - _ - _ Molliiols_--_ Alluvial soils. calcareous, mesic. Sandy, mixed, mesic ______Entic Eapludolls- __ - ____ - ____ Mollisols- _ - _ Brunizems intergrading toward Brown Podzolic soils. ______---_-- Histosols-.. _ _ Bog (Organic) soils. Coarse-loamy, mixed, nonacid, Inceptisols- _ - Humic Gley soils. frigid. Coarse-loamy, mixed, frigid__-- Spodosols-- __ Podsol sequum over Gray Wooded sequum. Sandy, mixed, frigid, ortstein- _ Spodosols- - _ - Podzols. Loamy-carbonatic, calcareous, Inceptisols- __ Regosols. mesic.

1 Placement of some soil series in the current system of classifica- * In material published by the Michigan Agricultural Experiment tion, particularly in families, may change as more precise informa- Station, the loamy substratum phase of the Rubicon series is listed tion becomes available. as part of the Melita series. Also, Chelsea is shown as Graycalm, 2 Development of families and subgroups, within the order of Saranac as Gormer, and Sloan as Pinora. Histosols has not been completed. rate suborders mainly reflect either the presence or absence Among the characteristics considered are the self- of waterlogging or soil differences resulting from the mulching properties of clays, soil temperature, and major climate or vegetation. differences in chemical composition (mainly calcium, GREATGROUP: Soil suborders are separated into great magnesium, sodium, and potassium). The great grou groups on basis of uniformity in the kinds of major soil not shown separately in table 10, because it is the Bast is horizons in sequence of these horizons, and in character- word in the name of the subgroup. istics these horizons possess. The horizons used to make SUBGROUP:Great groups are subdivided into sub- separations into great groups are those in which clay,.iron, groups, one representing the central (typic) segment of or humus have accumulated or those that have pans inter- the group, and others, called intergrades, that have prop- ferring with growth of roots or movement of water. erties of one great group and also one or more properties MUSKEGON COUNTY, MICHIGAN 85 of another great group, suborder, or order. Subgroups The highest temperature ever recorded at Muskegon was may also be made in those instances where soil properties 97" in June 1953, and tlhe lowest was -14" in November intergrade outside of the range of any other great group, 1950. At Grand Rapids, the highest temperature of record suborder, or order. was 102" in June 1953, and the lowest was -22" in FAMILY:Families are separated within a subgroup January 1951. primarily on the basis of properties important to the The influence of Lake Michigan on temperature is growth of plants or behavior of soils used for engineer- shown by the higher maximum and minimum tempera- ing. Among the properties considered are texture, miner- tures in January at Muskegon, as compared to those at alogy, reaction, soil temperature, permeability, thickness Grand Rapids. Also, temperatures in April and May are of horizons, and consistence. lower at Muskegon. The latest freezing temperature ever SERIES: As explained in the section "How This Survey recorded at Muskegon was on May 20, and that at Grand Was Made", the series is a group of soils Chat have major Rapids was on May 27. In fall the average date of the first horizons that, except for texture qf the surface layer, are 32" temperature is October 19 at Muskegon and October similar in important oharacteristics and arrangement in 6 at Grand Rapids. The probabilities of the last freezing the profile. New soil series must be established and con- temperature in spring and the btin fall at Muskegon cepts of some established series, especially older ones that and Grand Rapids are given in table 12. have been used little in recent years, must be revised in the Average annual snowfall in Muskegon County is 74 course of the soil survey program across the country. A inches, as compared to about 40 inches in central and east- proposed new series has tentative status until review of central parts of the Lower Peninsula. This heavy snowfall the series concept at State, regional, and national levels of is a direct result of the influence of Lake Michigan. responsibility for soil classification results in a judgment The moderating influence of Lake Michigan has a pro- that new series should be established. Most of the soil series nounced effect on farming in the county. Because spring described in this publication have been established earlier. days are cooler near the lake, the dormancy of fruit trees is not broken early in spring and the buds do not open until the danger of frost is past. Frost does not occur General Nature of the County' so early in fall near the lake as it does farther inland. The nearness to Lake Michigan makes the soils in this In this section the climate, physiography and drainage, county suitable for fruit trees and other special. c~ops. water supply, settlement and population, and industry Also, the longer growing season near Lake Mlchlg? and transportation are discussed. Also discussed are the favors the growing of other crops. Corn rown for grain more outstanding features of agriculture. The statistics is more likely to mature before the first frost in fall. given are from reports published by the U.S. Bureau of After snow melts in spring, most soils are near satura- the Census and the U.S. Weather Bureau. tion. Subsequent rainfall often dela s planting, especially on soils that are somewhat poory9 drained or poorly CRirnate drained and that have inadequate artificial drainage. Late in spring and early in summer, rainfall on sloping culti- Muskegon County has a quasimarine or continental cli- vated soils that are saturated or near saturation causes mate. Because the county borders Lake Michigan and pre- severe erosion unless the soils are well protected. vailing winds are westerly, much of the time the air reach- In fall, moisture is generally favorable for preparation ing the county has passed over a large amount of water. of the seedbed and germination of seeds. The cool weather When the wind changes, however, and is from the south- during the bloom stage promotes good yields of oats. This east or east, the air moves over a large amount of land cool, moist growing season also favors hay and pasture, and the climate ehanges to continental. Because of the pre- yields of which are cpmmonly good if the soils are not too vailing westerlies, the influence of the lake is strong. Win- wet, sandy, or steep, and are well fertilized. For several ters are milder, summers are cooler, and snowfall is greater days a year the wind is strong enough to cause soil blowing than they would be if the lake were not there. on mucky and sandy soils that are left unprotected. In spring the waters from Lake Michigan cool the warm air that reaches the area. Growth of plants is therefore de- layed until frost is no longer likely. In fall the lake waters, Physiography and Drainage stlll warm from the summer sun, warm the cool air moving The physiography of Muskegon County, fpr the most into the area and dela the first frost. Plants therefore part, results from the Wisconsin, or luttest, glacial period. have time to mature. darp contrasts in temperature oc- The glacial ice that once covered the State melted abut 8 cup as the air is warmed by contact with the warm water. to 12 thousand years ago. As this ice melted, a covering This causes heavy snow storms and squalls that are of of raw soil material 'was left on the surface of the county. great& intensity near the lake. This glacial deposit ranges from about 150 feet to more Table 11 gives data on temperature and precipitation at than 400 feet in thickness. Muskegon, near Lake Michigan, in the western part of the The present surface of the county ranges from nearly county and at Grand Rapids in Kent County. Grand level tq rolling and hilly: Along the shore of Lake Michi- Rapids is used for comparison because there is no weather gan is a belt of strongly rolling sand dunes. These dunes station in the eastern part of Muskegon County and be- are postglacial in origin but are now generally stationary. cause the climate at Grand Rapids is considered represent- After vegetation covers these dunes, a soil profile begins ative of the eastern part of Muskegon. to develop. For several miles inland, smaller dunes are 'DOMUD HEARL, director of the Muskegon cooperative Extension scattered throughout the poorly drained areas of the lake Service, assisted in writing this section. plain. 86 SOIL SURVEY TABLEIl.-Tempature and precipitation data at Muskegon in Muskegon County and at Grand Rapids in Kent Cbunty, Michigan MUSKEGON,MUSKEGON COUNTY

Temperature 1 Precipitation * Two years in 10 will have One year in 10 Average at least 4 days with- will have- Days depth of Month ~ ~ ~- Average - with snow on Maximum Minimum snow days with temperature temperature Sore cover snow equal to or equal to or than- ian- cover higher than- lower than-

B. Imhes NWRbl3 Inchcs 32. 3 19. 7 42 2 3. 4 24 7. 1 32.6 1 18.7 43 3 2. 7 22 8.6 40. 5 25. 2 58 10 3. 3 12 4.7 73 24 44 1. 4 80 34 4.5 0 88 43 4.3 0 60. 6 89 49 4.2 0 59. 8 89 47 4.2 0 53. 4 85 37 5. 9 0 61. 4 43. 6 75 30 2. 51 5. 2 0 46. 3 32. 9 61 20 4.3 5 36. 0 23. 8 49 8 3. 9 17 56. 9 39. 5 ------80 GRANDRAPIDS, KENT COUNTY * I 31.5 17.3 2.03 32.4 16.6 1.67 40.9 23.9 2.44 56. 2 35.2 3.64 68.3 45.7 2.87 78.6 56.2 3.03 83.6 60. 1 3.08 - 82.1 58.9 2.61 73.4 50.9 2.84 61.9 40.4 2.35 45.8 30.5 2.37 34.5 21.4 1. 88 57.4 I 38.1 28.78 I Based on period 1931-60. Less than 1 day. Based on period 1940-64. Based on period 1921-64.

A wide plain with little relief lies east of the duns. The county is drained mainly by three major river sys- Rolling to hilly areas are toward the eastern side of the tems, but some areas are drmned by streams that flow county and in the extreme northwestern part. Parts of the directly into Lake Michigan. The Muskegon River cuts central plain are somewhat broken by stream channels and the county in'to two parts and empties into Muskegon Lake, lake basins. Most of the county ranges from 600 to about which is an inlet from Lake Michigan. The main tributary 800 feet above sea level, but a small area in Casnovia Town- within the county is MarCreek, which receives the drain- ship is more than 800 feet. age waters from the northeast. white River drains the The central plain of Muskegon County ie a part of the northwestern part of the county and empties into White bed of glacial Lake Chicago. The deposi,tsin this lakebed Lake, another inlet on Lake Michigan. Directly south of are sandy, underlain by clayey deposits in many areas. Muskegon is another small inlst, Mona Lake, into which Another broad, gently undulating lake plain is in the Little Black and Black Creeks empty water that drains northeastern part of the county. This plmn is mainly in from the west-central part of the county. Crockery Creek Holton Township, but it extends into the wWrn part of and Norris Creek, both tributaries of the Grand River, Newaygo County. The soil material of this lake plain is drain the southeastern and southern parts. finer textured than that of the plain in the central part of the county. Water Supply The principal morainic areas of the county are (1) most of Casnovia Township; (2) a smaller area north of the The abundant water in the numerows lakes and streams valley of the Muskegon River ; and (3) an area that begins is one of the greatest assets in Muskegon County. The at a point north of Whitehall and extends for several miles three major lakes, inlets from Lake Michigan, are Muske- south and east of that town. gon Lake, Mona Lake, and White Lake. Muskegon Lake MUSKEGON COUNTY, MICHIGAN 87 TABLE12.-Probabilities of East freezing temperatures in spring and&& in fall at Muskegon in Muskegon County and at Grand Rapids in Kent County, Michigan

MUSKEGON,MUSKEGON COUNTY 1

Dates for given probability and temperature Probability 16' F. or 20' F. or 24' F. or 28' F. or 32' F. or lower lower lower lower lower

Spring: 1 year in 10 later than______March 31 April 7 April 22 May 5 May 18 2 years in 10 later than ______March 26 April 2 April 17 April 30 May 13 5 years in 10 later than ______March 16 March 23 April 7 April 20 May 3 Fall: 1 year in 10 earlier than ______November 22 November 12 November 1 October 15 October 3 2 years in 10 earlier than ______L- - ____ - ___ November 27 November 17 November 6 October 20 October 8 5 years in 10 earlier than ______December 8 November 28 November 17 October 31 October 19

GRANDRAPIDS, KENT COUNTY 2

Spring: 1 year in 10 later than ______April 4 April 11 April 23 May 3 May 19 2 years in 10 later than ______March 30 April 6 April 18 April 28 May 14 5 years in 10 later than ______March 20 March 27 April 8 April 18 May 4 Fall: 1 year in 10 earlier than ______November 12 November 7 October 24 October 7 October 20 2 years in 10 earlier than ______November 17 November 12 October 29 October 12 October 25 5 years in 10 earlier than ______November 28 November 23 November 9 October 23 November 6

1 Based on period 1931-60. Based on period 1921-64. provides an excellent supply of water for industrial uses, equipment; foundry products ; office furniture and sup- rand Mona Lake and White Lake are important as resi- plies ;bowling, billiards, and store equipment ; paper ; ma- dential, tourist, and recreational areas. Muskegon hkeis chinery; tools and dies; petroleum products; wire prod- also one of the major harbors of the St. Lawrence Seaway ucts; and coil springs. Muskegon is the center of the tool, on Lake Michi an. die, and pattern industry in the State. Many other f akes, mostly north of the Muskegon River, The port of Muskegon, on Muskegon Lake, is the gate- provide areas for recreation, summer homes, youth camps, way of the western part of Michigan to the St. Lawrence and other recreational facilities. An inventory taken in Seaway and world trade. As such it is the greatest eco- 1962 lists 262 lakes and ponds in the county covering nomic asset of Greater Muskegon. In 1962, the port of 11,453 acres. Muskegon received 81 foreign ships. These ships carried 23,365 tons of imports and 35,691 tons of exports. Among Settlement and Population the agricultural imports were agricultural machinery, cheese, cookies, preserved vegetables, sugar, and woodpulp. The area that is now Muskegon County was first settled The agricultural exports included agricultural machinery, in 1834. The county was orgmzed in 1859, and Muskegon cherries, fruit juices, onions, and wax beans. was named the county seat. The construction of wagon All major cities, towns, and villages except Ravenna are roads and a rail line hastened the settlement of the county. joined by major highways. These are Interstate Highway Many of the settlers were of Dutch and Scandinavian ori- No. 96, U.S. Highway No. 31, and State routes 46,37,20, gin. By 1870, the population had grown to 14,894. The and 213. The county is served by the Chesapeake and Ohio, population continued to grow until 1890, but after 1890, it Grand Trunk Western, and Pennsylvania Railroads. An declined for a short period. airport in Muskegon County provides adequate commer- In 1960, the population in the county was 149,943, of cial, industrial, and private air service for the area. which 66 percent was urban, 31.7 percent was mal but nonfarm, and 2.3 percent was farm. About 80 percent of Agriculture &heurban population lives in the Muskegon metropolitan area. The population of the city of Muskegon was 46,485 Agriculture was begun in Muskegon County in about in 1960. 1845 by the early lumberjacks. As the land was cleared, farms were established, but many of them were soon aban- doned because the soils were sandy. Growing food fqr Industry and Transportation home use was the main concern of the first farmers. Agri- culture was stimulated by the influx of settlers and by the Manufacturing is important and varied in Muskegon building of roads and railroads. Farms increased in num- County. Products include automotive engines, parts, and ber, and by 1870 there was a surplus of crops that could 88 SOIL SURVEY be sold outside of the county. The number of farms in the Glossary county continued to increase and amounted to 1,821 in 1890 and 2,373 in 1910. After 1910 the number of farms began Acidity. See Reaction. Alkalinity. See Reaction. to decrease. Alluvium. Soil or rock material, such as gravel, sand, silt, or day In 1959, 949 farms remained in the county, and their deposited on land by a stream. average size was 104.4 acres. These farms include 226 dairy Available moisture capacitk The capacity of a soil to hold water farms; 61 livestock farms; 36 vegetable farms; 25 poultry in a form available to plants. Amount of moisture held in soil farms; 16 general farms; and 5 field-cro farms. The re- between field capacity, or about one-third atmosphere of ten- sion, and the wilting coefficient, or about 15 atmospheres of maining were miscellaneous or unclassiP ed farms. Full tension. owners operated 79 percent of the farms; part owners, 17 Blowout. An excavation produced by wind action in loose Boil, percent ; managers, 0.2 percent ; and tenants, 3.8 percent. usually sand. Calcareous. Containing enough calcium carbonate to ef€emesce Table 13 shows the acreage on farms of important crops (fizz) when treated with dilute hydrochloric acid. grown in Muskegon County in 1954 and 1959 and the clay. As la soil separate, the mineral soil particles less than 0.002 number of hittrees. The number of livestock on farms in millimeter in diameter. As a soil textural class, soil material 1954 and 1959 is givenin table 14. that is 40 percent or more clay, less than 45 percent sand, and less than 40 percent silt. See also Texture. consistence, soil. The feel of the soil and the ease with which a lump can be crushed by the fingers. Terms commonly used to describe consistence are TABLE13.-Acreage of Ue principal crops and number of Loose.-Noncoherent ; will not hold together in a mass. fruit trees in 1954 and 1959 lWable.-When moist, crushes easily under gentle to moderate pressure between thumb and forefinger and can be pressed together into a lump. crops I 1954 1959 F+rm.-When moist, crushes under moderate pressure between thumb and forelinger, but resistance is distinctly noticeable. Acres Acres Plastic.--When wet, readily deformed by moderate pressure but 7,731 9,604 can be pressed into a lump; will form a “wire” when rolled 2,954 2,593 between thumb and forefinger. 4,517 4,864 Sticky.-When wet, adheres to other material; tends to stretch 7,057 4,163 somewhat and pull apart, rather than pull free from other 190 490 material. 948 572 Hard.-When dry, moderately resistant to pressure, can be 82 30 broken with difficulty between thumb and forefinger. 11 34 Compact.-A combination of firm consistence and close packing 1,115 165 or arrangement of soil particles. &Zoft.-When dry, breaks into powder or individual grains under 6,303 8,678 very slight pressure. 7, 165 4,654 Depressional area. A low-lying area that lacks surface outleh for 737 427 removal of water or has only poorly developed ones. Drainage, artificial. The removal of excess water on or within 10 81 the soil by means of surface or subsurface drains. 642 310 Drainage, natural. Soil drainage that existed during the develop- 96 15 ment of the soil, as opposed to altered drainage, which is com- 2,135 1,845 monly the result of artificial drainage or irrigation but may be 87 81 caused by the sudden deepening of channels or the blocking of 22 23 drainage outlets. 282 400 Eolian soil material. Soil parent material accumulated -ugh 195 91 wind action ; commonly refers to sandy material in dunes. 87 159 Field moisture capacity. The moisture content of a soil, expressed 80 40 as a percentage of the oven-dry weight, after the gravitational, NupnSer Number or free, water has been allowed to drain away; the field mois- 37,449 34,822 ture content 2 or 3 days after a soaking rain; also called 32,221 24,732 normal field capacity, normaE moisture capacity, or capCllaq4 5,194 4,634 capacity. 2,690 1; 683 Glacial outwash. Sandy and gravelly materials deposited in layers 39,281 44,831 on plains or in old glacial drainageways by water from melting 8,604 1,156 glaciers. Hardpan. A hardened or cemented mil horimq or layer. This soil material may be sandy, or clayey, and it may be cemented by iron oxide, silica, calcium carbonate, or other substance. Horizon, soil. Layer or part of the soil profile, aPprosimately parallel to the surface, that ha8 disttnct characteristics pro- duced by soil-forming processes. These are the major soil TABLE14.-Number of livestock on fms horizons : 0 icorizom-!L%e layer of organic matter on the surface of a Livestock mineral soil. This layer consists of decaying plant residues. A horizon..-The mineral horizon at the surface or just below an 0 horizon. This horizon is the mineral horizon in which 12,618 11,519 living organisms are most active, and it is therefore marked 5,662 4,819 by the accumulation of humus. The horizon may have lost 160 202 one or more of soluble salts, clay, and sesquioxides (iron 3,312 3,349 and aluminum oxides). 108,308 56,812 B horizon.-The mineral horizon below an A horizon. The B horizon is in part a layer of change from the overlying A to the underlying C horizon. The B horizon has (a) distinc- 1 4 months old and older. tive characteristics caused by accumulation of clay, sesqui- MUSKEGON COUNTY, MICHIGAN 89

oxides, humus, or some combination of these ; (b) prismatic Structure, soil. The arrangement of primary soil particles into or blocky structure; and (c) redder or stronger colors than compound particles or clusters that are separated from adjoin- the A horizon ; or (d) some combination of these character- ing aggregates and have properties unlike those of unaggre- istics. The combined A and B horizons are usually called the gated primary soil particles. Structure is described by grade solum, or true soil. If a soil lacks a B horizon, the A horizon (weak, moderate, or strong), that is, the distinctness and alone is the solum. durability of the aggregates; by the size of the aggregates C hwim%.-The weathered rock material immediately beneath (very fine, fine, medium, coarse, or very coarse) ; and by their the solum. This layer, commonly called the soil parent mate- shape (platy, prismatic, columnar, blocky, granular, or crumb). rial, is presumed to be like that from which the overlying A soil is described as structureless if there are no observable horizons were formed in most soils. If the underlying mate- aggregates. Structureless soil may be massive (coherent) or rial is known to be different from that in the solum, a Roman single grain (noncoherent). numeral precedes the letter, C. Subsidence. A settling or packing down of the soil material, ae R layer.-Consolidated rock beneath the soil. The rock usually exemplified by muck that has been drained and cultivated underlies a C horizon but may be immediately beneath an many times. A or B horizon. Substratum. Any layer lying.- beneath the solum, or true mil; the Mottled. Irregularly marked with spots of different colors that C or R horizon. vary in number and size. Mottling in soils generally indicates Subsoil. Twhnically the B horizon ; roughly, the part of the profile poor aeration and lack of drainage. Descriptive terms are as below plow depth. follows : Abundance-Few, common, and many; size-fine, Surface soil. The soil ordinarily moved in tillage, or its equivalent medium and coarse; contrast-faint, distinct, and promiaent. in uncultivated soil, about 5 to 8 inches in thickness. The plow Muck. Well-decomposed, organic soil material developed from peat. layer. Muck generally has a higher mineral or ash content than peat Terrace, stream. An area that is fairly level and formerly was the and the original plant parts cannot be identified. See also Peat. flood plain of a stream but now lies above the present flood Munsell notation. A system for designating color by degrees of the plain; the area is generally underlain by stratified stream three simple variables-hue, value, and chroma. For example, sediments. a notation of 10YR 3/2 is a color with a hue of lOYR, a value Texture, soil. The rehtive proportion of sand, silt, and clay par- of 3, and a chroma of 2 (9), ticles in a soil. The basic textural classes, in order of increas- Organic, soil. A general term applied to a soil or to a soil horizon ing proportion of fine particles, are sand, loamy sand, sandy that consists primarily of organic matter, such as peat soils, loam, loam, silt loam, silt, smdy clay loam, c1aU lorn, silty muck soils, and peaty soil layers, In chemistry, organic refers clay loam, swdy clay, silty clay, and olag. The sand, loamy to the compounds of carbon. sand, and sandy loam classes may be further divided by spec- Parent material (soil). The horizon of weathered rock or partly ifying “coarse,” “fine,” or “very fine.” weathered soil material from which soil has formed ; horizon Till plains. A level or undulating land surface covered by till, which C in the soil profile. is unstratified glacial drift consisting of clay, sand, gravel, Peat. Unconsolidated soil material, largely undecomppwed organic and boulders intermingled. matter, that has accumulated where there has been excess Weathering. The physical and chemical disintegration and decom- moisture. position of rocks and minerals. Soil is the result of weathering Percolation. The downward movement of water through the soil. and other chemical, physical, and biological alterations that pH. See Reaction. have changes in the upper part of the earth’s crust through Profile, soil. A vertical section of the soil through all its horizons various periods of time. and extending into the parent material. See Horizon, soil. Reaction. The degree of acidity or alkalinity of a soil, expressed in words and in pH values, as follows : PH Literature Cited Extremely acid ______-_----__------below 4.5 ALLEN, P. F.,GARLAND, L. E., andDu~AN,R. F. Very strongly acid ______4.5 to 5.0 1963. RATING NORTHEASTEEN SOILS FOB THE= SUITABILITY FOR Strongly acid__--___---__--___---_-_----_------5.1 to 5.5 WILDLIFE HABITAT. N. Am. wildlife and Natural Medium. acid--__--_-_-___--__--__------_------__- 5.6 to 6.0 Res. Conference Trans., pp. 247-261, illus. Slightly acid ______6.1 to 6.5 AMERICANASSOCUTION OF STATE HIGHWAY OFFICIALS. Neutral ______-- 6.6‘to 7.3 1955. STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS FOR HIGHWAY MATERIALS AND Mildly alkaline______-___---___--___- 7.4 to 7.8 METHODS OF SAMPLING AND TESTING. Ed. 8, 2 V., illus. Moderately alkaline______-______7.9 to 8.4 BALDWIN,M., KELLOGG,C. E., THORP, J. Strongly alkaline-__--____-___---__-_-___-___---___8.5 to 9.0 1938. SOIL CLASSIFICBTION. U.S. Dept. of Agr. Ybk: 979- Very strongly alkaline______-______9.1 and 1001. higher MICHIGAN STATEHIGHWAY DEPARTMENT. Relief. Elevations and inequalities of the land surface, considered 1960. FIELD MANUAL OF SOIL ENGINEERING. Ed. 4, 368 pp., oollwtively. Relief in this survey refem to a particular area illus. rather than separate slope. MICHIGAN STATEUNIVERSITY. Sand. Individual fragments of rocks or minerals that range from 1963. FERTILIZER RECOMMENDATIONS FOR MICHIGAN CROPS. 0.05 millimeter (0.002 inch) to 2.0 millimeters (0.078 inch) in Ext. Bul. E 159 (rev.), 51 pp. diameter. Most sand grains consist of quartz, but they may PORTLANDCEMENT ASSOCIATION. be of any mineral composition. The term also is applied to a 1956. PCA SOIL PRIMER. 86 pp., illus. Chicago, 111. soil that contains 85 percent or more sand and not more than SIMOSSON,ROY W. 10 percent clay. 1962. SOIL CLASSIFICATION IN THE UNITED STATES. SCi. 137: Silt. Individual mineral particles in a soil that range in diameter 1027-1034. from the upper limit of clay (0.002 millimeter) to the lower THORP,JAMES, and SMITH,GUY D. limit of very fine sand (0.N millimeter). A soil of the silt tex- 1949. HIGHER CATEGORIES OF SOIL CLASSIFICATION : ORDER, tural class is 80 percent or more silt and less than 12 percent SUBORDER, AND GBEAT SOIL GROUPS. soil SCi. 67: clay. 117-126. SIope. The inclination of the land surface from the horizontal; UNITEDSTATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. percentage of slope is the vertical distance, divided by horizon- 1951. SOIL SURVEY MANUAL. U.S. Dept. of Agr. Handbook 18, tal distance times 100. !l%us a slope of 10 percent is a drop of 10 503 pp., illus. feet in 100 feet of horizontal distance. Soil. A natural, three-dimensional body on the earth’s surface that 1960. 8OIL CLASSIFICATION, A COMPREHENSIVE SYSTEM, 7TH supports plants and that has properties resulting from the APPROXIMATION. 265 pp., illU@. [ SUpplemellt issued integrated effect of climate and living matter acting upon par- in March 19671 ent material, as conditioned by relief, over periods of time. WATERWAYSEXPERIMENT STATION, CORPS OF ENGINEERS. Sohm, soil. The upper part of a soil profile, above the parent 1953. THE ULFIFIED SOIL CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM. Tech. Memo. material, in which the processes of soil formation are active. 3357,2 v., illus. and app. GUIDE TO MAPPING UNITS

[For a full description of a mapping unit,read both the description of the mapping unit and the description of the soil series to which it belongs.

[See table 1, p. 6, for approximate acreage and proportionate extent of the soils and table 2, p. 45, for pre- dicted average yields. For information significant to woodlands, wildlife, engineering, and Community devel- opments, see subsections beginning on pp. 46, 50, 53, and 78 respectively.

[In material published by the Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station, the loamy substratum phase of Rubicon in mapping units RtB and RtC is shown as Melita; Chelsea in units CmB, CmC, CnD, CnE, and MhB is shown as Graycalm; unit Sa is shown as Gormer; and unit So is shown as Pinora]

Woodland Wildlife Community suit- suit- develop- Capability unit and ability ability ment Described management group 11 group Map symbol Soil Symbol Page Symbol Number Number

AsB IVW-2 (5b, 5b-h) 42 F 1 6 BaB

IIw-8 (3/2b) 40 G 3 5 IVW-2 (4llb) 42 G 3 5 BbB IIw-8 (3/2b) 40 G 3 5 IIe-3 (3/2a) 39 A 9 2 BOB VIIIs-1 (5a) 44 Y 4 3 B oE VIIIs-1 (5a) 44 Y 4 3 CmB IVs-2 (5a) 43 E 7 3 111s-4 (&a) 42 C 7 3 CmC VIs-1 (5a) 44 E 7 3 IIIe-9 (4a) 41 C 7 3

I CnD VIIS-i (5a) 44 E 7 3 VIIs-1 (4a) 44 C 7 3 CnE

VIIs-1 (5a) 44 E 7 3 VIIs-1 (4a) 44 C 7 3 CrB

IVs-2 (5a) 43 E 1 3 IVW-2 (5b) 42 F 1 6 DPE VIIs-1 (5.3a) 44 H 4 3 Ds IIIw-6 (4~) 41 W 5 8 Du VIIIs-1 (Sa) 44 Y 4 3 Ga IIIW-11 (5c) 41 9 5 9 Gr C VIIs-1 (5.7a, 44 H 8 3 5.3a) Gr D VIIs-1 (5.7a, 44 H 8 3 5.3a) GrE VIIs-1 (5.7a, 44 H 8 3 5.3a) GUIDE TO MAPPING UNITS-*COntlnUcBd

Woodland Wildlife Community suit- suit- develop- Capability unit and ability ability ment management group 11 group group group %P symbol Soil Symbol Page Symbol Number Number

HP IIw-2 (1.5~) 39 P 6 7 IIIW-2 (lc) 41 P 6 7 Ht IIIw-15 (Mc) 42 U 5 10 KaB VIIs-1 (5a, 5a-h) 44 H 8 3 KkA IIw-2 (1.5b) 39 z 3 4 KkB IIW-3 i(1.5b) 40 z 3 4 KsA

IIw-2 (1.5b) 39 z 3 4 IIIw-2 (lb) 41 z 3 4 KsB

IIw-2 1 (1.5b) 39 z 3 4 IIIw-2 (lb) 41 z 3 4 KtE VIIe-1 (la) 44 B 9 1 Ku IIIw-12 (L-Mc) 41 0 5 10 La VIIIs-1 (Sa) 44 Y 4 3 Ma VIIIw-1 ((SC) ' 44 U 5 10 MeB

111s-4 (412a) 42 C 9 2 IIe-3 (312a) 39 A 9 2 MeC

IIIe-9 (4/2a) 41 C 9 2 IIIe-9 (3/2a) 41 A 9 2 MhB

111s-4 (4a) 42 C 7 3 IVs-2 (5a) 43 E 7 3 NeB IIe-1 (1.5a) 39 B 9 1 NeC IIIe-4 (1.5a) 40 B 9 1 NrC IIIe-4 (1.5a) 40 B 9 1 NsD VIe-1 (1.5a) 43 B 9 1 NsD3 VIe-1 (1.5a) 43 B 9, 1 NsE VIIe-1 (l.5a) 44 B 9 1 NsE3 VIIe-1 (1.5a) 44 B 9 1 NtB

IIe-1 (1.5a) 39 B 9 1 IIw-2 (1.5b) 39 z 3 4 NUB

IIe-1 (1.5a) 39 B 9 1 IIe-3 (3/2a) 39 A 9 2 OgB IVW-2 (5b-h) 42 F 1 5 GUIDE TO WAPPXNG UNfTS--Continued

Woodland Wildlife Community suit- suit- develop- Capability unit and ability ab i1 icy ment Described management group group group gr OUP WP symbol Soil Symbol Page Symb ol Number Number

Ra IIIw-11 (5c) 41 Q 1 9 IVW-2 (5b) 42 F 1 6 ROB 111s-4 (ha) 42 C 7 3 RsB VIIs-1 (5.3a) 44 H 8 3 RsD VIIs-1 (5.3a) 44 H 8 3 RtB VIs-1 (5/2a) 44 C 7 3 111s-4 (4a) 42 C 7 3 Rt C VIs-1 (5/2a) 44 C 7 3 IIIe-9 (4a) 41 C 7 3 Sa IIIW-12 (L-2c) 41 0 6 7 sm IIw-2 (1.5~) 39 P 6 7 so IIIw-12 (L-2c) 41 0 6 8 SP IVs-2 (5a) 43 V 8 3 Tc IVW-5 (M/~c) 43 U 5 10 IIIw-15 (Mc) 42 U 5 10 Td IIw-6 (3~) 40 W 5 8 IIIw-6 (4~) 41 w 5 8 Wa IVW-5 (M/Mc) 43 U 5 10 We VIs-1 (Sa) 44 E 2 3

11 The symbol in parentheses are management groups of soils in a statewide system.

U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE. 1968 0--?.79-229