[MLRA REGION 10 NEWSLETTER]{.mark}

AUGUST 1, 2000

![](media/image1.jpeg){width="3.1875in" height="1.9833333333333334in"}

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**HAVE YOU SEEN ANY OF THESE NEW SOIL COLORS?**

The following soil colors and color names were recently
![](media/image2.jpeg){width="2.286111111111111in" height="1.56875in"}

added to the list of approved soil colors. We expect that

a supplemental color chart will be available in the near

future.

The colors and names are included in NASIS, the

Windows PEDON program, and the official series

description checking routines.

> Munsell notation Approved soil color name
>
> 5GY 3/2 very dark grayish green
>
> 5GY 4/2 dark grayish green
>
> 5GY 5/2 grayish green
>
> 5GY 6/2 light grayish green
>
> 5GY 3/4 dark olive green
>
> 5GY 4/4 olive green
>
> 5GY 5/4 light olive green
>
> 5GY 6/4 pale yellowish green
>
> 10Y 3/2 very dark grayish olive
>
> 10Y 4/2 dark grayish olive
>
> 10Y 5/2 grayish olive
>
> 10Y 6/2 light grayish olive
>
> 10Y 3/4 dark olive
>
> 10Y 4/4 olive
>
> 10Y 5/4 light olive
>
> 10Y 6/4 pale olive

HORACE SMITH

Director

Soil Survey Division

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**HIGHWAY SAFETY**

Safety articles are a great way to remind ourselves about things we take

for granted. Most of the advice in these articles is common sense, but

we still need to hear it. The Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety put

out 9 safety tips as part of their campaign for safe and alert driving.

These tips are listed at the end of this article.

(The safety tips listed below were taken from the following site

<http://www.saferoads.org/facts/tips.html>)

***IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT: MAKING SMART DECISIONS***

***A Public Service Campaign for Safe and Alert Driving***

***Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety***

**9 SAFETY TIPS TO HELP PROTECT YOU AND YOUR FAMILY**

BEFORE YOU GET BEHIND THE WHEEL:

1\) HAVE A CLEAR HEAD. Make sure you always have a clear head before

deciding to operate a motor vehicle. Alcohol and certain drugs, both

illegal and legal, can severely impair your driving skills. Many

prescription and over the counter medications can cause dangerous

drowsiness. Get a good night's rest and don't drive for long stretches

without a break. If you are tired, don't risk the safety of yourself

and others on the highway by trying to drive. Just as with alcohol --

designate a driver or choose another means of transportation.

2\) LIMIT DRIVING ALONE WHEN TIRED. Driving with someone else in the car

can increase your overall awareness. It is well recognized that when

driving alone, especially when sleep deprived and at night, your chances

of a crash are dramatically increased.

3\) READ THE LABELS. If you are taking any medications, be sure to read

and obey the warning labels. If the label says the medication causes

drowsiness or not to drive -- heed the warning and don't drive. The

warnings are there for a reason. Consult with your doctor or pharmacist

if you have any questions or to ask about medications for your condition

that won't cause drowsiness.

4\) PLAN AHEAD. Allow yourself plenty of extra time to reach your

destination and allow for emergencies or traffic jams. In today's busy

world most of us are in a hurry to get where we are going. By allowing

extra time we can be more relaxed when operating our vehicles and

thereby cut down on the incidences of road rage, such as excessive

speeding, tailgating and weaving in and out between cars.

5\) RESEARCH SAFETY FEATURES. Safety should always be a top priority

when shopping for a vehicle. Research the safety performance of any

vehicle you are considering buying including how the vehicle performs in

crash tests. Both driver and passenger side air bags are now mandatory

in all new vehicles with air bags. Research what type of safety systems

are in the car and choose the safest to protect you and your loved ones

in the event of a collision.

IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT:

6\) RELAX. Avoid aggressive driving by relaxing and having patience. By

not being in such a rush to reach your destination you will be a calmer

person and won't need to speed and run red lights. A yellow light means

slow down, not speed up. Always stop at red lights.

7\) BE ALERT TO SIGNS OF FATIGUE. If you start to feel tired when

driving pull over in a safe area and let someone else drive. If you are

alone, pull into a safe location such as a well-lit rest stop and take a

short nap or get out of the car and walk around for a few minutes. Stop

as often as necessary. When traveling on long trips, eat light. Large,

heavy meals can make you drowsy.

8\) PRACTICE COMMON SENSE SAFETY RULES. Always wear your safety belt and

make sure all your passengers are buckled properly, even on short

trips. If traveling with children, educate yourself on the many kinds

of child safety seats and restraints. Choose which system is best for

your child and always follow the directions. Make sure children ages 12

and under are always buckled up in the back seat, the safest place to

ride.

9\) KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE ROAD. Avoid taking your eyes off the road by

eliminating any possible distractions ahead of time. Before setting out

on a drive, be sure that important items are within easy reach, i.e.

directions and maps, sunglasses, etc. Reduce to minimum possibly

dangerous diversions of your attention from the tasks of safe driving

such as changing tapes or compact discs and always pull over to a safe

place to use your cellular telephone.

Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety - 750 First Street, NE, Suite 901,

Washington, D.C. 20002 \* pH. 202-408-1711 \* fax 202-408-1699

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**QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT WINDOWS PEDON**

1\. Will it run in a database or a spreadsheet format?

I\'m not sure what is meant by \"database\" format. I have attached a
very

early prototype of one of the forms. We are using \"tab\" controls in
order

to include many fields on the \"same\" form. This prototype will at
least

give you an idea of where we are heading.

![](media/image3.jpeg){width="5.888194444444444in"
height="5.054861111111111in"}

2\. Will it be similar to the pedon format in NASIS or more like Pedon
3.6?

It will match the absolute latest site and pedon format in NASIS 5.0,
which

will be released in December (NASIS 5.0 that is). There are a number of

minor improvements since the NASIS 4.1 pedon structure. The handling of

transects has been completely reworked.

3\. We are hoping that the input format will follow the description
format.

Terry Aho tells me that he wants to redesign the paper form to be
consistent

with the new Windows Pedon program. The tab motif will allow us to group

related attributes on the same tab, and any tab may be selected at any
time.

4\. Will the current pedon codes be used in this program?

The older, shorter codes do not exist for all pedon related attributes,
but

where they do exist, the older shorter pedon codes will be using in lieu
of

the longer NASIS codes.

5\. Is there any web information available on this program?

Not at this time. I have attached a copy of our current analysis
document.

It is still being worked on and probably isn\'t what you are looking
for, but

it is all we have at the moment.

Contributed by: Dorn Egley

NASIS Staff

<degley@itc.nrcs.usda.gov>

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**HYDRO LAYER COMPILATION FOR ILLINOIS**

Back when I was a Soil Data Quality Specialist I didn\'t worry too much

about map compilation, digitizing, and finishing. Now that I work more

closely with all aspects of getting products to the clients, I have been

amazed at how much time we are spending on putting \"water lines\" on
soil

maps.

The following establishes the policy that will be used for compiling
hydro

features onto soil maps. For most subset projects in Illinois, this
policy

will result in less time spent in compiling and digitizing this layer.

Here is the policy from Bob McLeese to the soil scientists in Illinois:

Due to the inconsistency in developing this (hydro) layer and the time

required to compile, etc the following guidance will be followed on all

future projects.

\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--

1\. The 7.5\' topoquad will be used as the reference for drainage.

2\. Only those streams and drains that are on the topo will be compiled

to the orthophoto hydro layer.

3\. If a more detailed hydro layer is desired for the local GIS then

arrangements must be made locally to develop and digitize that layer.

\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--

John C. Doll <jdoll@il.usda.gov>

Soil Scientist

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**AUTOMATED CLEANUP OF /NASIS/TMP**

I am planning on modifying the /var/adm/SMaRT/cleanup script so that
each day Monday

through Friday it removes all files in the /nasis/tmp directory that are
more

than 3 days old. This will include all FOCS, SSURGO and NASIS exports.

Tammy Cheever

Soils Hotline

National Soil Survey Center

Lincoln, Nebraska

Email: tammy.cheever@nssc.nrcs.usda.gov

Fax: 402-437-5336

Phone: 402-437-5379

\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--

This works great on the MLRA Region 10 NASIS computer (mlra10) to keep
its hard drive from filling up with these temporary files. Please note
that files and reports that you save in your home directory (mine's
/home/jfh) are not removed by Tammy's process.

John Handler

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**SOILS BOOK TRANSLATED INTO SPANISH**

\"The Field Book for Describing and Sampling Soils,\" Version 1.1
(1998), has

been translated into Spanish by soil scientists of the federal
agricultural

program in Argentina. This translation will be published in the year
2000

by

the United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources
Conservation

Service. The National Soil Survey Center in Lincoln, Nebraska is
currently

preparing the work for publication.

For more information contact:

Stan Anderson

National Soil Survey Center

\(402\) 437-5357

<stan.anderson@nssc.nrcs.usda.gov>

\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--

NOTE: The English language version is available by accessing the MLRA
Region 10 web site (<http://www.mn.nrcs.usda.gov/mo10/mo10.html>), then
clicking on "Soil Survey: Guides, Books, References, Procedures" in the
left frame.

The Spanish language version is not yet published.

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**NATIONAL HYDRIC SOILS REPORT RELEASED**

A draft of the National Hydric Soils Report is now available in the
National

Soil Information System (NASIS) on all MLRA office computers. The
purpose

Of this report is to generate county hydric soil lists for the Field
Office

Technical Guide. The hydric soils determinations are produced by the
NASIS

Interpretations Generator based on the soil properties in the NASIS

database.

Each state is encouraged to test this program by generating hydric soil

Lists of selected areas and comparing them with current lists in the
Field

Office Technical Guide.

For more information concerning hydric soil criteria contact:

Wade Hurt

National Soil Survey Center

\(352\) 392-1951

<wade_hurt@gnv.ifas.ufl.edu>

For more information concerning how the interpretations were generated

contact:

Arnold Mendenhall

National Soil Survey Center

\(402\) 437-4176

<arnold.mendenhall@nssc.nrcs.usda.gov>

For more information about the hydric soils report contact:

Jim Fortner

National Soil Survey Center

\(402\) 437-5755

<jim.fortner@nssc.nrcs.usda.gov>

From: USDA NRCS Technology News

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##### A Comparison of Soil Moisture Regimes from Measured and Modeled Data

**By**

**Soil Survey Staff**[^1]

##### I. Background

**Historically, NRCS soil scientists have not measured soil moisture on
a daily basis in order to determine its moisture regime as specified in
Soil Taxonomy (Soil Survey Staff, 1999). Though hundreds of moisture
studies have been initiated since the 1970's, correlations of soil
moisture regimes were assigned by inferences based on total
precipitation and vegetation species (NRCS Soil Climate Team, 1995).
Therefore it was not been possible to test soil moisture regimes using
the definitions in Soil Taxonomy. With increased sophistication of
sensor technology in the mid-1990's, soil moisture can now be measured
and soil moisture regimes can be determined.**

**Twenty-one climate stations in the Soil Climate Analysis Network were
installed in the 1990's as part of the NRCS Global Change Initiative.
Six of these stations, representing different climate regimes, were
selected for this study.**

### Purpose

**The purpose of this study was to compare measured data against the
Newhall Simulation Model (Van Wambeke et al., 1991). Another purpose was
to evaluate soil moisture regime definitions to determine if any changes
are needed in Soil Taxonomy.**

##### III. Study Area

**The study area consists of soils at climate stations in Georgia,
Kentucky, Minnesota, North Dakota, Wyoming, and Washington. All of the
sites are nearly level and covered with grass vegetation. The series
soil moisture regime ranges from udic to aridic. Additional metadata for
the sites are presented in Table 1.**

Table 1 -- Site Characteristics and Soil Moisture Regimes for the Study
Area

^\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_^

Location Latitude Longitude Moisture Temperature

(State) (North) (West) Soil Series Regime Regime

^\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_^

Georgia 33°53.05' 083°25.67' Cecil Udic Thermic

Kentucky 37°06.15' 087°50.45' Zanesville Udic Mesic

Minnesota 45°24.90' 093°56.86' Hubbard Udic Frigid

North Dakota46°46.62' 100°54.45' Wilton Ustic Frigid

Washington 46°26.34' 119°01.22' Ritzville Xeric Mesic

Wyoming 42°03.80' 104°09.10' Dwyer Aridic Mesic

^\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_^

##### IV. Methods

**Hourly soil moisture data from 1997 to 1999 were measured using the
Vitel Hydroprobe^^ at the 5-, 10-, 20-, 50-, and 100-cm depths. The
output of this sensor is volumetric water content (%). Electronic
maintenance of sensors is performed by technicians at the NRCS Water and
Climate Center (WCC) in Portland, Oregon and the NSSC in Lincoln,
Nebraska.**

**Using NSSC laboratory characterization data at each site, the
volumetric water content at 15 bars tension was determined for each
horizon by multiplying the 15-bar water content by the moist 1/3-bar
bulk density. The upper and lower soil moisture control sections were
then calculated using the water retention difference (Soil Survey Staff,
1999) (Table 2). The placement of the sensors was such that 2 were in
the soil moisture control section for each soil at Minnesota, North
Dakota, Wyoming, and Washington. Only the 50-cm sensor was in the
moisture control section at Georgia.**

**Table 2 -- Moisture Control Sections for Soils in the Study Area**

^\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_^

Upper Moisture Lower Moisture

Location Control Section Control Section

(State) (cm) (cm)

^\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_^

Georgia 32 70

Kentucky 8 24

Minnesota 17 91

North Dakota 9 41

Washington 8 22

Wyoming 52 175

^\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_^

![](media/image4.wmf){width="6.2in" height="3.6194444444444445in"}Data
were then plotted in Excel format and the number of days when the soil
was dry (\>15 bars tension) for each year was determined (Fig. 1). In
some cases, the number of days dry when the soil temperature was above
5°C was derived. Using the rules of Soil Taxonomy, a soil moisture
regime was then assigned to each soil (Soil Survey Staff, 1999).

**Figure 1. Xeric soil moisture signature for the 10-cm depth during
1998 at Lind, Washington.**

Outputs of modeled data were calculated with the Newhall Simulation
Model. This model requires monthly air temperature and precipitation
data, which were also recorded at each site. An additional input of
available water capacity to 1 meter was used for these simulations.

###### **V. Results**

Results of the number of days dry the Newhall Simulation Model and
measured data are shown in figure 2. Results from Newhall display days
dry in some part of the moisture control section (Newhall Dry ISP) and
days dry in all parts of the moisture control section (Newhall Dry all
Parts). Measured data only reflect soil moisture recorded from one to
three depths within the moisture control section. Normally, there was a
sensor near the top and bottom of the moisture control section. However,
for the soil at Georgia, days dry were interpolated between sensors.

![](media/image5.wmf){width="6.6in" height="3.7576388888888888in"}

**Figure 2. Comparison of days the soil is dry with Newhall and measured
data.**

#### A. Georgia

Measured data infer the clayey soil with kaolinitic mineralogy at
Watkinsville experienced a period of reduced precipitation (15%) and
warmer air temperatures (1°F) during the period from 1997 and 1998.
Though dry for more days than any other site in the study area, it is
interpreted to have, on average, an ustic soil moisture regime. The
upper soil moisture control section (average of the 20- and 50-cm
sensors) averaged 170 days when dry during the period of record and the
lower soil moisture control section (average of the 50- and 100-cm
sensors) averaged 140 days when dry. These periods of dry soil occurred
during the summer and early autumn months. Conversely, the winter months
indicate a recharge of moisture with high volumetric water contents.
However, during normal years, the moisture control section is not dry
more than half the time when the soil temperature was greater than 5°C.
Results from Newhall drastically underestimates days dry in some part of
the moisture control section (34 days vs. 170 days dry with measured
data). Newhall also underestimates days dry throughout the moisture
control section (21 days vs. 140 days).

#### B. Kentucky

The Zanesville soil at Princeton was generally moist throughout the
period of record. Consequently, this soil has a udic moisture regime.

Only in 1999 was the moisture control section dry for a relatively short
period of time. That year, the upper moisture control section (10-cm
sensor) was dry for 48 days and the lower moisture control section
(20-cm sensor) was dry for 23 days. Results of modeled data to measured
data were closest at this site. Newhall predicts this soil to be dry, on
average, 12 days each year while measured data showed the soil to be
dry, on average, for 16 days of each year. Therefore, it is presumed the
model works well at this station. The period of dryness was after the
summer solstice revealing this soil to have tendencies toward a xeric
moisture signature (Fig. 3).

![](media/image6.wmf){width="6.5in" height="3.7215277777777778in"}

Figure 3. Soil moisture signature at 10 cm during 1999 for the
Zanesville soil at Princeton, Kentucky.

##### *C. Minnesota*

The sandy soil at Crescent City, Minnesota has an ustic soil moisture
regime. All depths above 100 cm indicate the soil has considerable days
when dry during the period of record. The soil at 5 and 10 cm averaged
98 days dry and 86 days dry respectively. The 20-cm soil depth (upper
soil moisture control section) was dry on average 93 days of each year
during the period of record. The 50-cm soil depth is also in the
moisture control section and it is dry on average 152 days of each year.
However, the 100-cm soil depth (lower soil moisture control section) was
moist throughout the period of record. Newhall showed this soil to be
dry in some part of the moisture control section for 34 days compared to
93 days with measured data. This indicates that Newhall recognizes there
will be a period of dryness but underestimates the amount.

#### D. North Dakota

The fine-silty soil at Mandan, North Dakota has an ustic soil moisture
regime bordering on a udic soil moisture regime. The upper soil moisture
control section (10-cm sensor) averaged 95 days dry during the period or
record and the lower soil moisture control section (20-cm sensor)
averaged 50 days. The soil above the moisture control section at the
5-cm averaged 168 day when dry. The 50-cm soil depth averaged 30 days
when dry and values for the 100-cm depth indicated the soil was moist
throughout the period of record. Newhall overestimates the amount of
days when part of the moisture control section is dry (163 days vs. 95
days). This model also overestimates the amount of days when the entire
soil moisture control section is dry (117 days vs. 50 days).
Consequently, the Newhall model indicates Mandan, North Dakota is drier
than measured data infer.

#### E. Washington

The coarse-silty soil at Lind, Washington has an aridic soil moisture
regime with a distinct xeric soil moisture regime signature. The upper
soil moisture control section (10-cm sensor) averaged 143 days when dry
during the period of record and the lower soil moisture control section
(20-cm sensor) averaged 138 days when dry. These periods of dry soil
occurred during the summer and early autumn months. Conversely, the
winter months indicate a recharge of moisture with high volumetric water
contents. In all years, the moisture control section was dry more than
half the time when the soil temperature was greater than 5°C (aridic)
and dry more than 45 consecutive days during the 4-month period
following the summer solstice (xeric). Using the rules of Soil Taxonomy,
this soil is a xeric intergrade to an aridic soil moisture regime.
Results show the Newhall model to accurately predict days dry in some
part of the moisture control section (150 days vs. 143 days with
measured data). However, its accuracy is diminished for days dry in all
parts of the moisture control section. The Newhall model shows 58 days
dry where measured data reveals that, on average, the soil at Lind was
dry in all parts of the moisture control section for 139 days

#### F. Wyoming

Based on measured data, it is inferred that the sandy soil at
Torrington, Wyoming has an aridic soil moisture regime in some years and
an ustic soil moisture regime in other years. The upper soil moisture
control section (50-cm sensor) averaged 119 days when dry during the
period of record and the lower soil moisture control section (100-cm
sensor) averaged 93 days dry. For the 3-year period, the upper moisture
control section (50-cm sensor) averaged 49.5% dry (47.0%, 47.9%, and
53.7% by year) when the soil temperature was greater than 5°C. For the
3-year period, the lower moisture control section (100-cm sensor)
averaged 39.3% dry (17.0%, 50.3%, and 50.5% by year) when the soil
temperature was greater than 5°C. The entire moisture control section
was dry for more than 45 consecutive days sometime during the four
months following the summer solstice for two out of three years. The
Newhall model reflected measured data for days dry in some part (122 vs.
119) and days dry in all

part of the moisture control section (81 vs. 93 days). These results
infer that the Newhall model works well for the soil at Torrington,
Wyoming.

VI. **Discussion**

Data from this study infer that the present definitions in Soil Taxonomy
are suitable for NCSS activities in the United States. Except for the
soils with an ustic moisture regime at Crescent City, Minnesota and
Watkinsville, Georgia, the findings of this study are consistent with
state and MLRA soil survey correlation decisions.

Soils with sandy particle-size control sections also have lower moisture
holding capacity and deeper moisture control sections than loamy soils
(Soil Survey Staff, 1999). Excessively drained sandy soils warm up
sooner and have a warmer annual soil temperature in the same field and
cropping system than loamy soils (Mount, 1999). Consequently, if all
other variables are similar, a sandy soil will be drier more days during
a year than a loamy soil. To date, the only area east of the Mississippi
River in the United States where soils with ustic soil moisture regimes
have been correlated are in the Keys of Monroe County, Florida (G.W.
Hurt et al., 1995). Findings of this study suggest that excessively
drained soils with sandy particle-size classes have an ustic moisture
regimes in several other areas of the eastern United States. Excessively
drained sandy soils in Mason County, Illinois and Lake County, Florida,
need irrigation to produce commercial crops during summer months. In
light of recent measured soil moisture data, the reason now appears
clear -- excessively drained sandy soils at these locations have an
ustic moisture regime.

Laboratory data suggests soils with kaolinitic mineralogy have lower
moisture holding capacity than comparable soils with smectitic
mineralogy. Consequently, soils such as Cecil in Watkinsville, Georgia
have deeper moisture control sections. Their soil moisture signature
indicates an abrupt increase in volumetric water content with
precipitation events and a sharp decline after these events (Fig. 4).

![](media/image7.wmf){width="6.5in" height="3.7819444444444446in"}

Figure 4. Moisture signature for 1998 showing rapid changes in
volumetric water content at the 20-cm soil depth for Watkinsville,
Georgia. This depth was dry for a total of 132 days.

Due to the strong structure of the Cecil soil, roots are not impeded
from locating a zone of higher moisture content (100 cm). It is
suggested that crops growing in Cecil soil attain their relatively high
productivity by attaining adequate moisture beneath the presently
defined soil moisture control section. While clayey soils in the
Piedmont of the Southeast United States have never been considered to
have an ustic soil moisture regime, measured data from this study
suggests they do. However, data from only one station are not enough to
make any generalizations about the moisture status of the Cecil soil
throughout its wide area of extent.

Accurate calibration of sensors is of utmost importance when measuring
soil moisture. It is possible, but not likely, that the sensors at the
Cecil soil in Watkinsville were miscalibrated. If the sensors at 20, 50,
and 100 cm were consistently recording 5% too much volumetric water
content, that would change interpretation of the data. Instead of being
the driest soil in the study area, the Cecil soil would be borderline
ustic/udic with an average of 91 days dry in the upper moisture control
section and 48 days dry in the lower moisture control section.

Soil moisture is a use-dependent property. The soil moisture signature
will change with any change in land use for the same soil, i.e., the
moisture of a soil will change from cropland to pasture to woodland
though other soil properties remain constant. Redefinition of the soil
moisture control section will not likely assist field soil scientists
when determining the soil climate status among land use changes. Until
more sites are monitored across different climatic zones of the United
States and data are reviewed, it is proposed that no change be made to
the current definition of soil moisture regimes in Soil Taxonomy.

##### References

**Hurt, G.W., C.V. Noble, and R.W. Drew. 1995. *Soil Survey of Monroe
County, Keys Area, Florida*. USDA-NRCS. Washington, D.C.**

# Mount, H.R. 2000. *Soil Temperature Findings for the Camden Farms Cropping System Study*. USDA-NRCS, Lincoln, NE.

**NRCS Soil Climate Team. 1995. *Distribution of soil climate Stations
for the United States.* H.R. Mount, ed. USDA-NRCS. Lincoln, Nebraska. 12
pp.**

**Soil Survey Staff. 1999. *Soil taxonomy*. USDA-NRCS. Washington,
D.C.**

**Van Wambeke, A., P. Hastings, and M. Tolomear. 1991. *Newhall
Simulation Model -- a BASIC program for the IMB PC (DOS 2.0 or later)*.
Dept. of Agron. Cornell Univ., Ithaca, NY, 37 pp.**

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MLRA REGION 10 NASIS REPORTS UPDATE

**Lynn DesLauriers, SDQS**

**Region 10 MLRA Office**

The *Region 10 Map Unit Generator* and the *Region 10 General Map Unit
Generator* reports have undergone the following modifications:

-   Components will have data displayed only if the corresponding data
    fields are populated in NASIS, with the exception of flooding,
    ponding, and depth to restrictive feature which will always be
    displayed if the component is a series, taxadjunct, family, or taxon
    above family. The component name and component percent will always
    be displayed for every component.

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-   The use and management section at the end of these reports will only
    be displayed if at least one component of the map unit is a series,
    taxadjunct, family, or taxon above family.

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-   A short description of a component that is a miscellaneous area or
    that has a *null* component kind can be populated in the component
    text table with kind = *miscellaneous notes* and category =
    *component*, and the *text* with the short description.

The purpose of these changes is to allow more flexibility in displaying
data for individual components, especially those that are miscellaneous
areas or water.

Pattie West has reviewed the NASIS MUG reports and made suggestions for
grammatical improvements. These suggestions have been implemented in the
current version of the MUG reports. They include the following:

-   If you are using the component geomorphic description table to
    populate landform, the MUG report will make your entry plural,
    example *Depressions on moraines* (if you use component text for
    landform then you need to make the entry plural and populate one
    line in the component text table for each landform).

-   *Feet* has been changed to *depth* for the following entries: Wet
    soil moisture status is highest (*depth,* months), Wet soil moisture
    status is lowest (*depth,* months), Ponding is shallowest (*depth,*
    months), Ponding is deepest (*depth,* months)

-   If ponding or flooding are *none* part of the year but exist another
    part of the year, then for the part of the year that is *none* the
    display reads *Flooding does not occur* or *Ponding does not occur*
    and only the months are displayed.

The NASIS manuscript procedure manual and the prewritten material have
been updated recently with changes and improvements. The manuscript
procedure manual now includes instructions for using FTP (file transfer
protocol) to copy files from a remote computer, such as MLRA10 to you
local computer.

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**WEB SITES OF INTEREST**

1.  Soil Resources On The Web from the Soil and
    Water![](media/image8.jpeg){width="0.7875in"
    height="0.5694444444444444in"}

Conservation Society (<http://www.swcs.org/t_resources.htm>). Includes\
Fact Sheets, Links to Web Resources, and Web Resources

for Kids and Teachers.

2.  Southeast Minnesota Soil Survey Update. This Soil Survey Update is
    an innovative approach to soil survey work which involves a diverse
    partnership to complete all phases of the soil survey update.
    <http://www.mn.nrcs.usda.gov/about/seupdate.html>

3.  Surface material (soils) properties at the Mars Pathfinder site

> <http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/MPF/science/surface.html>. Anyone care to
> take a shot at extraterrestrial Taxonomy?

4.  T R I A N G L E \-- A Program For Soil Textural Classification
    <http://nowlin.css.msu.edu/software/triangle_form.html>. Enter the
    percents of sand and clay and the USDA textural class is determined.

5.  History of the Natural Resources Conservation Service.
    <http://www.nhq.nrcs.usda.gov/RESS/econ/History/Contents.html>

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### UPDATED OFFICIAL SERIES DESCRIPTIONS

The following Official Series Descriptions were recently updated. Please
access the following web site to view and print them:

<http://www.statlab.iastate.edu/cgi-bin/osd/osdname.cgi>

FRIGID: audubon \... balaton \... bigstone \... byrne \... cathro \...
clontarf

\... darnen \... estelline \... everts \... freya \... friberg \...
hantho \...

hattie \... hokans \... kab \... kerkhoven \... kooch \... lakepark \...
northwood

\... nymore \... ortonville \... quam \... ratroot \... rothsay \...
sverdrup \...

tara \... tawas \... willosippi

MESIC: \... aredale \... bassett \... belfore \... bellechest \...
blyburg \...

brodale \... churchtown \... cooper \... council \... crofton \...
derrynane \...

fairhaven \... floyd \... fontanelle \... gaphill \... gardencity \...
good_thund

\... gosil \... harps \... hayfield \... hixton \... joslin \... judson
\...

kennebec \... kickapoo \... lamoille \... lawler \... lourdes \... moody
\...

nodaway \... nora \... norden \... omadi \... onawa \... oran \...
paintcreek \...

percival \... protivin \... rawles \... revere \... rockbluff \...
rockbridge \...

rockton \... sarpy \... shell \... tieville \... zook

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**CHANGED ADDRESSES AND PHONE NUMBERS**

1.  Richard Lensch has joined the MLRA 107 soil scientist staff in
    Atlantic, Iowa.

> His communications links are: phone: (712) 243-1576
>
> FAX (712) 243-1688 Email:
> [[Richard.Lensch@ia.usda.gov]{.underline}](mailto:Julia.McCormick@ia.usda.gov)
>
> Surface mail: 503 W 7th Suite 3

Atlantic, IA 50022-1429

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**ACTIVITY SCHEDULE (through September 15\--subject to change)**

MLRA DATE ACTIVITY LOCATION MO 10 STAFF

\-\-\-- \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--
\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--
\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-- \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--

88 Sep 04-08 Progress Review Virginia Giencke

90 Sep 11-15 Final Field Review (Dunn) Eau Claire Jahnke

92 Aug 21-25 Field Review Ironwood, Ramsay, Ontonagon Jahnke

92 Aug 28-01 Field Review Ironwood, Ramsay, Ontonagon Jahnke

93 Aug 07-11 Progress Field Review Eagle River Jahnke

93 Aug 21-25 Field Review Ironwood, Ramsay, Ontonagon Jahnke

93 Aug 21-25 Progress Review Duluth Giencke

93 Aug 28-01 Field Review Ironwood, Ramsay, Ontonagon Jahnke

102A Aug 07-11 Progress Review Redfield Giencke

102B Aug 07-11 Field Review Stanton Hempel

104 Aug 21-25 Progress Field Review Waverly Hempel

105 Aug 21-25 Progress Field Review Waverly Hempel

105 Sep 11-15 Final Field Review (Dunn) Eau Claire Jahnke

108 Aug 28-01 Field Review Rock Falls Hempel

Aug 08-09 MN MLRA Coordinators Mtg Morton McCloskey

DesLauriers

Hempel

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CONTRIBUTIONS, IDEAS, SUGGESTIONS, AND QUESTIONS ARE WELCOME

This newsletter is intended to be a forum to distribute information of

a general nature that will benefit soil scientists in soil survey
project

offices. It is hoped that it will foster communications and sharing of

knowledge among those soil scientists in MLRA Region 10.

\* \* \* \* \*

Articles from other newsletters are often included to distribute ideas

and comments from other areas of the country; these ideas and comments

are not necessarily identical to those used in MLRA Region 10.

\* \* \* \* \*

The format of this newsletter is intentionally simple so that it can be

received, read, and printed by the project office having the least

sophisticated computer and printer setup.

\* \* \* \* \*

Thanks to those individuals who participated this month. It is your

efforts that have made this newsletter a success.

\* \* \* \* \*

Please submit your articles at least five days before the end of the

month for inclusion in the following month\'s newsletter. Otherwise it

will appear the following month. Occasionally, due to other workload

demands, it may be an additional month before the article appears.

Generally, articles are inserted in the order they are received.

Articles in an electronic format can be submitted to:

john.handler@mn.usda.gov.

Articles in a paper format can be sent or faxed to:

John Handler

MLRA Region 10 Office

USDA - NRCS

375 Jackson Street - Suite 600

St. Paul, Minnesota 55101-1854

FAX: 1-651-602-7914

\* \* \* \* \*

Previous month\'s copies of this newsletter are available at:

<http://www.mn.nrcs.usda.gov/mo10/mo10.html>

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### USDA NON-DISCRIMINATION STATEMENT

> The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in
> all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national
> origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual
> orientation, or marital or family status. (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 USDA, Director, Office of
> Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence
> Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice
> and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

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[^1]: **Henry Mount, Robert Engel, and R. Frank Paetzold, Soil
    Scientists, National Soil Survey Center, NRCS, 100 Centennial Mall
    North, Lincoln, NE 68508. Paul Reich is an NRCS Soil Scientist at
    Washington, DC.**