Soils

Soil is the unconsolidated mineral and organic matter on the surface of the earth that serves as a natural medium for plant growth.  Understanding the nature and properties of soils is critical to managing and conserving natural resources.  Different soil types have developed from the interaction of several natural phenomena, including surficial and bedrock geology, topography, moisture, temperature, vegetation, and animal life. 

The surficial deposits and erosion from bedrock contribute the unconsolidated material of which soil forms.  Physical and chemical weathering by water and freezing and thawing have broken down these materials and leached some of them away.

The growth of plant communities on this material further changes the soil.  Roots interact with the soil and decaying plants add material to the soil. Urination and defecation by animal species adds more organic matter to this mixture. This material also contributes acids to the soil that cause further weathering and leaching.  Microbes, earthworms, and other soil organisms act to further decay organic material, aerate and mix the soil layers.  Microscopic organisms are themselves part of the soil. 

The slope of the land plays a role as it determines the flow of water and the movement of eroded materials.  Soils in the bottoms of valleys often contain eroded material but may be saturated with water and high in undecayed organic matter, reflecting poor drainage and lack of oxygen.

The US Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) studies and inventories soil resources across the country. The soil map below is based on NRCS data.  Areas with similar colors have similar characteristics.  Yellow and tan areas represent well drained and excessively drained soils.  The areas colored from light green to blue represent moderately well drained to poorly drained to veery poorly drained soils.

Clicking on any area will display the NRCS soil classification number, name, and description for the predominant soil in that area.  It will also display how well drained the soil is, its suitability for farmland, and its average slope.

The drainage properties of a soil area determine its suitability for roads, septic systems, the stability of foundations, and the types of plant life that will flourish there.  Areas designated as farmland of local importance has soil that wouldn’t generally be considered good for farming but is similar to the soils on land that has been used for farming in Eaton or surrounding towns.

As you zoom in property lot boundaries will be displayed.  This will allow determination of the dominant soil types on individual lots.