Soil Survey of Howard County, Maryland

[Pages:608]United States Department of Agriculture

Natural Resources Conservation Service

In cooperation with Maryland Agricultural Experiment Station (University of Maryland), Maryland Department of Agriculture, Howard County Board of Commissioners, and Howard County Soil Conservation District

Soil Survey of Howard County, Maryland

Soil Survey of Howard County, Maryland

How To Use This Soil Survey

General Soil Map

The general soil map, which is a color map, shows the survey area divided into groups of associated soils called general soil map units. This map is useful in planning the use and management of large areas.

To find information about your area of interest, locate that area on the map, identify the name of the map unit in the area on the color-coded map legend, then refer to the section General Soil Map Units for a general description of the soils in your area.

Detailed Soil Maps

The detailed soil maps can be useful in planning the use and management of small areas.

To find information about your area of interest, locate that area on the Index to Map Sheets. Note the number of the map sheet and turn to that sheet.

Locate your area of interest on the map sheet. Note the map unit symbols that are in that area. Turn to the Contents, which lists the map units by symbol and name and shows the page where each map unit is described.

The Contents shows which table has data on a specific land use for each detailed soil map unit. Also see the Contents for sections of this publication that may address your specific needs.

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Soil Survey of Howard County, Maryland

This soil survey is a publication of the National Cooperative Soil Survey, a joint effort of the United States Department of Agriculture and other Federal agencies, State agencies including the Agricultural Experiment Stations, and local agencies. The Natural Resources Conservation Service (formerly the Soil Conservation Service) has leadership for the Federal part of the National Cooperative Soil Survey.

Major fieldwork for this soil survey was completed in 2001. Soil names and descriptions were approved in 2003. Unless otherwise indicated, statements in this publication refer to conditions in the survey area in 2003. The most current official data are available at . This survey was made cooperatively by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, the Maryland Agricultural Experiment Station (University of Maryland), the Maryland Department of Agriculture, the Howard County Board of Commissioners, and the Howard County Soil Conservation District. The survey is part of the technical assistance furnished to the Howard County Soil Conservation District.

Soil maps in this survey may be copied without permission. Enlargement of these maps, however, could cause misunderstanding of the detail of mapping. If enlarged, maps do not show the small areas of contrasting soils that could have been shown at a larger scale.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or, where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, or political beliefs; as a means of reprisal; or because all or part of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at 202-720-2600 (voice and TDD).

To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call 800-795-3272 (voice) or 202-720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Cover: Top left--Typical view of the Patapsco River valley along the Howard and Baltimore County line. This area provides opportunities for a variety of recreational activities, including fishing, hiking, and biking. Codorus and Hatboro soils are on the flood plain along the river, and Manor, Bannertown, Legore, and Relay soils are on the adjacent uplands. Top right--One of the many parks near Columbia, Maryland, that provides recreational opportunities for the rapidly developing community. Bottom--Typical land use change from agriculture to a mixture of horse farms and suburban development. Many areas of prime farmland are taken out of production each year because of urban sprawl from Baltimore and Washington, D.C.

Additional information about the Nation's natural resources is available online from the Natural Resources Conservation Service at .

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Soil Survey of Howard County, Maryland

Contents

How To Use This Soil Survey ....................................................................................... i Index to Series .......................................................................................................... viii Foreword ..................................................................................................................... ix General Nature of the County ...................................................................................... 1

History and Development ........................................................................................ 1 Industry and Transportation ..................................................................................... 2 Water Supply ........................................................................................................... 2 Geology and Associated Soils ................................................................................. 3

Piedmont Province .............................................................................................. 3 Atlantic Coastal Plain Province ........................................................................... 5 Agriculture ................................................................................................................ 5 Crops ................................................................................................................... 6 Livestock .............................................................................................................. 6 Type and Size of Farms ....................................................................................... 7 Mineral Resources ................................................................................................... 7 Climate ..................................................................................................................... 8 How This Survey Was Made ........................................................................................ 8 Survey Procedures ................................................................................................ 10 Formation of the Soils ............................................................................................. 11 Factors of Soil Formation ....................................................................................... 11 Parent Material .................................................................................................. 11 Climate .............................................................................................................. 12 Plants and Animals ............................................................................................ 12 Relief ................................................................................................................. 12 Time ................................................................................................................... 12 Morphology of the Soils ......................................................................................... 13 Processes of Soil Formation .................................................................................. 14 General Soil Map Units ............................................................................................ 15 1. Occoquan-Brinklow-Glenelg association ........................................................ 15 2. Glenelg-Manor-Glenville association .............................................................. 16 3. Gladstone-Glenville-Manor association .......................................................... 17 4. Legore-Gladstone-Watchung association ....................................................... 18 5. Benevola-Wiltshire association ....................................................................... 18 6. Urban land-Russett-Sassafras association ..................................................... 19 7. Codorus-Hatboro association ......................................................................... 20 Classification of the Soils ....................................................................................... 21 Soil Series and Detailed Soil Map Units ................................................................ 23 Alloway Series ..................................................................................................... 24 AwB--Alloway silt loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes ...................................................... 26 Baile Series .......................................................................................................... 26 BaA--Baile silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes ........................................................... 28 Benevola Series ................................................................................................... 29 BeA--Benevola silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes .................................................... 30 BeB--Benevola silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes .................................................... 31

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Soil Survey of Howard County, Maryland

BeC--Benevola silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes ................................................. 31 Brinklow Series .................................................................................................... 32 BrC--Brinklow channery loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes ......................................... 33 BrD--Brinklow channery loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes ....................................... 34 Blocktown Series ................................................................................................. 34 BtF--Brinklow-Blocktown channery loams, 25 to 65 percent slopes .................... 35 Chillum Series ...................................................................................................... 36 CeB--Chillum loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes ............................................................ 37 CeC--Chillum loam, 5 to 10 percent slopes ......................................................... 38 Russett Series ...................................................................................................... 38 ChB--Chillum-Russett loams, 2 to 5 percent slopes ............................................ 40 ChC--Chillum-Russett loams, 5 to 10 percent slopes .......................................... 41 Codorus Series .................................................................................................... 42 Hatboro Series ..................................................................................................... 43 Co--Codorus and Hatboro silt loams, 0 to 3 percent slopes ................................ 45 Cp--Codorus and Hatboro soils, 0 to 2 percent slopes, frequently flooded ......... 46 Croom Series ....................................................................................................... 46 Evesboro Series ................................................................................................... 48 CrD--Croom and Evesboro soils, 10 to 15 percent slopes ................................... 49 Downer Series ...................................................................................................... 50 Hammonton Series .............................................................................................. 51 DhB--Downer-Hammonton sandy loams, 2 to 5 percent slopes .......................... 52 DhC--Downer-Hammonton sandy loams, 5 to 10 percent slopes ........................ 53 DhD--Downer-Hammonton sandy loams, 10 to 15 percent slopes ...................... 54 Phalanx Series ..................................................................................................... 55 DxC--Downer-Phalanx complex, 5 to 10 percent slopes ..................................... 56 Elioak Series ........................................................................................................ 57 EaB--Elioak silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes ......................................................... 58 EbC--Evesboro loamy sand, 2 to 10 percent slopes ............................................ 59 Fallsington Series ................................................................................................ 59 Fa--Fallsington sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes ............................................... 61 Gaila Series .......................................................................................................... 62 GaC--Gaila loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes ............................................................. 63 GaD--Gaila loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes ........................................................... 63 Gladstone Series ................................................................................................. 64 GbA--Gladstone loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes ....................................................... 65 GbB--Gladstone loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes ....................................................... 66 GbC--Gladstone loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes ..................................................... 67 Legore Series ....................................................................................................... 67 GcB--Gladstone-Legore complex, 3 to 8 percent slopes ..................................... 68 GcC--Gladstone-Legore complex, 8 to 15 percent slopes ................................... 69 GdC--Gladstone-Legore complex, 8 to 15 percent slopes, stony ........................ 70 GdD--Gladstone-Legore complex, 15 to 25 percent slopes, stony ...................... 71 GfB--Gladstone-Urban land complex, 0 to 8 percent slopes ................................ 72 GfC--Gladstone-Urban land complex, 8 to 15 percent slopes ............................. 72 Glenelg Series ...................................................................................................... 73 GgA--Glenelg loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes ........................................................... 74 GgB--Glenelg loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes ........................................................... 75 GgC--Glenelg loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes ......................................................... 76 GhB--Glenelg-Urban land complex, 0 to 8 percent slopes ................................... 77 GhC--Glenelg-Urban land complex, 8 to 15 percent slopes ................................ 78 Glenville Series .................................................................................................... 78 GmA--Glenville silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes ................................................... 80 GmB--Glenville silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes ................................................... 80

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Soil Survey of Howard County, Maryland

GmC--Glenville silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes ................................................. 81 GnB--Glenville-Baile silt loams, 0 to 8 percent slopes ......................................... 82 GoB--Glenville-Codorus silt loams, 0 to 8 percent slopes .................................... 82 GuB--Glenville-Urban land-Udorthents complex, 0 to 8 percent slopes .............. 83 Ha--Hatboro-Codorus silt loams, 0 to 3 percent slopes ....................................... 84 Jackland Series .................................................................................................... 85 JaB--Jackland silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes ..................................................... 86 LaB--Legore silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes ........................................................ 86 LaC--Legore silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes ..................................................... 87 LeB--Legore silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes, stony ............................................. 88 LeC--Legore silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, stony ........................................... 88 Montalto Series .................................................................................................... 89 LmB--Legore-Montalto silt loams, 3 to 8 percent slopes ...................................... 90 LoB--Legore-Montalto-Urban land complex, 0 to 8 percent slopes ..................... 91 LoC--Legore-Montalto-Urban land complex, 8 to 15 percent slopes ................... 92 Relay Series ......................................................................................................... 93 LrD--Legore-Relay gravelly loams, 15 to 25 percent slopes, very stony .............. 94 LrF--Legore-Relay gravelly loams, 25 to 65 percent slopes, very stony .............. 95 Manor Series ........................................................................................................ 96 MaB--Manor loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes ............................................................. 97 MaC--Manor loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes ........................................................... 98 MaD--Manor loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes ......................................................... 98 McD--Manor loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes, very rocky ....................................... 99 Bannertown Series ............................................................................................ 100 MgD--Manor-Bannertown sandy loams, 15 to 25 percent slopes, rocky ........... 101 MgF--Manor-Bannertown sandy loams, 25 to 65 percent slopes, rocky ............ 102 MkF--Manor-Brinklow complex, 25 to 65 percent slopes, very rocky ................. 103 Mount Lucas Series ........................................................................................... 104 MoB--Mount Lucas silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes, stony ................................. 105 MoC--Mount Lucas silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, stony .............................. 106 Occoquan Series ............................................................................................... 106 OcB--Occoquan loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes ..................................................... 107 OcC--Occoquan loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes ................................................... 108 Patapsco Series ................................................................................................. 108 Fort Mott Series ................................................................................................. 110 PfC--Patapsco-Fort Mott complex, 5 to 10 percent slopes ................................. 112 RsB--Russett fine sandy loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes ........................................ 112 RsC--Russett fine sandy loam, 5 to 10 percent slopes ...................................... 113 RsD--Russett fine sandy loam, 10 to 15 percent slopes .................................... 114 Hambrook Series ............................................................................................... 114 RtB--Russett-Alloway-Hambrook complex, 0 to 5 percent slopes ...................... 116 RtC--Russett-Alloway-Hambrook complex, 5 to 10 percent slopes ................... 117 RtD--Russett-Alloway-Hambrook complex, 10 to 15 percent slopes ................. 118 Beltsville Series ................................................................................................. 119 RuB--Russett and Beltsville soils, 2 to 5 percent slopes .................................... 120 RuC--Russett and Beltsville soils, 5 to 10 percent slopes .................................. 121 Sassafras Series ................................................................................................ 122 SaB--Sassafras loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes ...................................................... 123 SaC--Sassafras loam, 5 to 10 percent slopes .................................................... 124 SfB--Sassafras gravelly sandy loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes ............................... 124 SrC--Sassafras and Croom soils, 5 to 10 percent slopes .................................. 125 SrD--Sassafras and Croom soils, 10 to 15 percent slopes ................................ 126 SrE--Sassafras and Croom soils, 15 to 25 percent slopes ................................ 127 UaF--Udorthents, Highway, 0 to 65 percent slopes ............................................ 128

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Soil Survey of Howard County, Maryland

UbF--Udorthents, Refuse, 0 to 65 percent slopes .............................................. 128 UcB--Urban land-Chillum-Beltsville complex, 0 to 5 percent slopes .................. 128 UcD--Urban land-Chillum-Beltsville complex, 5 to 15 percent slopes ................ 129 UdB--Udorthents, loamy, 0 to 5 percent slopes .................................................. 131 UfA--Urban land-Fallsington complex, 0 to 2 percent slopes ............................. 131 UoE--Udorthents, 0 to 45 percent slopes, Gravel Pits ....................................... 132 Ur--Urban land .................................................................................................... 132 UsB--Urban land-Sassafras-Beltsville complex, 0 to 5 percent slopes .............. 133 UsD--Urban land-Sassafras-Beltsville complex, 5 to 15 percent slopes ............ 134 UtD--Urban land-Udorthents complex, 0 to 15 percent slopes .......................... 134 UuB--Urban land-Udorthents complex, 0 to 8 percent slopes ........................... 135 UuD--Urban land-Udorthents complex, 8 to 25 percent slopes ......................... 136 Woodstown Series ............................................................................................. 136 UwC--Urban land-Woodstown-Sassafras complex, 5 to 10 percent slopes ...... 138 W--Water ............................................................................................................ 139 Watchung Series ................................................................................................ 139 WaA--Watchung silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes ............................................... 140 WcB--Watchung silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes, stony ..................................... 140 Wheaton Series .................................................................................................. 141 WgB--Wheaton-Glenelg complex, 0 to 8 percent slopes ................................... 141 WgD--Wheaton-Glenelg complex, 8 to 25 percent slopes ................................. 142 Wiltshire Series .................................................................................................. 143 WhA--Wiltshire silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes .................................................. 144 WhB--Wiltshire silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes .................................................. 145 WoA--Woodstown sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes ........................................ 145 WoB--Woodstown sandy loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes ........................................ 146 Zekiah Series ...................................................................................................... 147 Issue Series ........................................................................................................ 148 ZbA--Zekiah and Issue soils, 0 to 2 percent slopes, frequently flooded ............ 150 Use and Management of the Soils ........................................................................ 151 Interpretive Ratings ............................................................................................. 151

Rating Class Terms ......................................................................................... 151 Numerical Ratings ........................................................................................... 151 Crops and Pasture ............................................................................................... 152 Yields per Acre ................................................................................................ 152 Land Capability Classification ......................................................................... 152 Prime Farmland and Other Important Farmland ................................................. 153 Agricultural Waste Management .......................................................................... 154 Forest Productivity and Management .................................................................. 157 Forest Productivity ........................................................................................... 158 Forest Management ........................................................................................ 158 Recreation ........................................................................................................... 160 Hydric Soils .......................................................................................................... 162 Engineering ......................................................................................................... 163 Building Site Development .............................................................................. 164 Sanitary Facilities ............................................................................................ 166 Construction Materials .................................................................................... 168 Water Management ......................................................................................... 169 Soil Properties ........................................................................................................ 171 Engineering Index Properties .............................................................................. 171 Physical Properties .............................................................................................. 172 Chemical Properties ............................................................................................ 174 Water Features .................................................................................................... 175 Soil Features ........................................................................................................ 176

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