SOIL SURVEY OF YAKIMA INDIAN RESERVATION 

IRRIGATED AREA, WASHINGTON, PART OF YAKIMA COUNTY 

BY JACK J. RASMUSSEN SOIL CONSERVATION SERVICE 

FIELDWORK BY JOHN C. HULET, KENNETH M. BAJEMA, RONALD K. BUDER, RICHARD C. KRUEGER, AND JOSEPH 

V. WILSON, BUREAU OF INDIAN AFFAIRS, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, AND JACK J. 

RASMUSSEN, JAMES T. BAYER, PHILLIP S. GALE, AND MILES L. RAVER, SOIL CONSERVATION SERVICE. 

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, SOIL CONSERVATION SERVICE, AND UNITED STATES 

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, BUREAU OF INDIAN AFFAIRS, IN COOPERATION WITH WASHINGTON STATE 

AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. 

THE YAKIMA INDIAN RESERVATION

IRRIGATED AREA is in Yakima County, in the

south-central part of the State of Washington (fig. 1). 

The survey area consists of the valleys west and south

of the Yakima River and along Toppenish Creek and its

tributaries and the southern half of the Ahtanum Valley. It 

is roughly triangular in shape. The town of Mabton is at

the lower southeast point of the triangle, Union Gap is

at the apex on the north, and White Swan is at the

western point of the triangle. The survey area is about

222,930 acres, or about 348 square miles. About 190,000

acres is irrigated. Parts not irrigated are idle or are used

mainly for grazing or as wildlife habitat. 

The survey area includes both Indian Tribal hands

and privately owned, or deeded, land. The offices of the

Yakima Indian Agency are located in Toppenish. 

The soils of the survey area are dominantly nearly

level or gently sloping. They formed mainly in alluvium,

loess, lake sediments, or eolian sand, or in material

weathered from basalt, or in combinations of these

materials. They range from sand to clay. Many have

impeded drainage, and some are affected by excessive

amounts of salts or alkali, or both. 

How This Survey Was Made 

Soil scientists made this survey to learn what kinds of

soil are in the Yakima Indian Reservation Irrigated

Area, where they are located, and how they can be used.

The soil scientists went into the survey area knowing they

likely would find many soils they had already seen and

perhaps some they had not. They observed the steepness,

length, and shape of slopes, the size and speed of

streams, the kinds of native plants or crops, the kinds of

rock, and many facts about the soils. They dug many

holes to expose soil profiles. A profile is the sequence of

natural layers, or horizons, in a soil; it extends from the

surface down into the parent material that has not been

changed much by leaching or by the action of plant roots.

The soil scientists made comparisons among the profiles

they studied, and they compared these profiles with those

in counties nearby and in places more distant. They

classified and named the soils according to nationwide,

uniform proSoils that have profiles almost alike make up a soil 

series (4). Except for different texture in the surface 

layer, all the soils of one series have major horizons that 

are similar in thickness, arrangement, and other 

important characteristics. Generally a soil series is 

named for a town or other geographic feature near the 

place where a soil of that series was first observed and 

mapped. Naches and Toppenish, for example, are the 

names of two soil series. All the soils in the United 

States having the same series name are essentially alike 

in those characteristics that affect their behavior in the 

undisturbed landscape. 

Soils of one series can differ in texture of the surface 

layer and in slope, stoniness, or some other characteristic 

that affects use of the soils by man. On the basis of such 

differences, a soil series is divided into phases. The name 

of a soil phase indicates a feature that affects management. For

example, Naches loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, is one of

two phases within the Naches series. 

Figure 1.-Location of the Yakima Indian Reservation Irrigated 

Area in Washington. 

This is a scanned version of the text of the original Soil Survey report of Yakima Indian Reservation Irrigated Area, Washington, Part of 

Yakima County issued January 1976. Original tables and maps were deleted. There may be references in the text that refer to a table that is 

not in this document. 

Updated tables were generated from the NRCS National Soil Information System (NASIS). The soil map data has been digitized and may 

include some updated information. These are available from http://soildatamart.nrcs.usda.gov. 

Please contact the State Soil Scientist, Natural Resources Conservation Service (formerly Soil Conservation Service) for additional 

information.
After a guide for classifying and naming the soils had been

worked out, the soil scientists drew the boundaries of the

individual soils on aerial photographs. These photographs 

show buildings, field borders, trees, and other details that

help in drawing boundaries accurately. The soil map at the

back of this publication was prepared from aerial photographs. 

The areas shown on a soil map are called mapping units.

On most maps detailed enough to be useful in planning the

management of farms and fields, a mapping unit is nearly

equivalent to a soil phase. It is not exactly equivalent,

because it can contain small areas of other soils that are too

small to delineate. 

While a soil survey is in progress, soil scientists take soil

samples needed for laboratory measurements and for engineering tests. Laboratory data from the same kind of soil in

other places are also assembled. Data on yields of crops under

defined practices are assembled from farm records and from field

or plot experiments on the same kind of soil. Yields under defined 

management are estimated for all the soils. 

Soil scientists observe how soils behave when used as a

growing medium for native and cultivated plants, and when 

used as material, foundations, or covering for structures.

They relate this behavior to properties of the soils. For

example, they observe that filter fields for onsite disposal of

sewage fail on a given kind of soil, and they relate this to

the slow permeability of the soil or its high water table.

They see that streets, road pavements, and foundations for

houses are cracked on a named kind of soil, and they relate

this failure to the high shrink-swell potential of the soil

material. Thus, they use observation and knowledge of soil

properties, together with available research data, to predict

limitations or suitability of soils for present and potential

uses. 

General Soil Map 

The general soil map at the back of this survey shows, 

in color, the soil associations in the Yakima Indian Reservation Irrigated Area. A soil association is a landscape that 

has a distinctive proportional 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. 

A map showing soil associations is useful to people who 

want a general idea of the soils in an area, who want to 

compare different parts of an area, or who want to know the 

location of large tracts that are suitable for a certain kind of 

land use. Such a map is a useful general guide in managing a 

watershed or a wildlife area or in planning engineering works, 

recreational facilities, and community developments. It is 

not a suitable map for planning the management of a farm or 

field, or for selecting the exact location of a road, building, or 

similar structure, because the soils in any one association 

ordinarily differ in slope, depth, stoniness, drainage, and 

other characteristics that affect their management. 

The seven soil associations in the Yakima Indian Reservation Irrigated Area are described on the following pages. 

1. Quincy-Hezel association 

Deep, somewhat excessively drained, coarse-textured soils formed 

in windblown sand that in places is underlain by lake sediments 

This association is on gently sloping to moderately sloping, 

hummocky or dunelike, rolling terraces. The soils are somewhat excessively drained and coarse textured. They formed in 

deep windblown sand or in a mantle of windblown sand over 

medium-textured lake sediments. The vegetation is mainly 

cheatgrass, needleandthread, and big sagebrush. Elevations 

range from 650 to 800 feet. The mean annual precipitation is 

6 to 9 inches, the mean annual air temperature is 47° to 51°

 F., 

and the frost-free season is 130 to 180 days. 

This association makes up about 3 percent of the survey 

area. It is about 50 percent Quincy soils, 40 percent Hezel 

soils, and 10 percent Esquatzel and Warden soils. 

Hezel soils are grayish-brown loamy fine sand 15 to 35 deep 

thick over light brownish-gray, calcareous, stratified silt loam. 

Quincy soils are grayish-brown loamy sand and loamy fine 

sand more than 40 inches deep. 

Soil blowing is a constant concern. Even in irrigated areas the 

hazard of soil blowing is severe if the soil is bare of vegetation. 

About 50 percent of this association is irrigated by water 

diverted from the Yakima River. Sprinkler irrigation is the 

most satisfactory, but a few areas are surface irrigated. Hay 

and pasture are well suited. A few areas are used for irrigated 

row crops, including asparagus, corn, peas, potatoes, and sugar 

beets. 

This association is very sparsely populated. About 50 

percent is Indian Tribal Land, and 50 percent is privately 

owned. The average farm is about 200 acres in size. Most 

farm boundaries overlap into the more stable and productive 

soils. 

2. Ashue-Naches association 

Deep, well-drained, medium-textured soils formed in old alluvium and underlain by very gravelly material 

This association is on a nearly level or gently sloping, old 

alluvial plain. The soils are well drained and medium textured. They formed in old alluvium. The vegetation in 

nonirrigated areas is big sagebrush, rabbitbrush, and bunchgrasses. Elevations range from 650 to 950 feet. The mean 

annual precipitation is 6 to 9 inches, the mean annual air 

temperature is 47°

 to 51° F., and the frost-free season is 130 to 

180 days. 

This association makes up about 22 percent of the survey 

area. It is about 50 percent Ashue soils, 40 percent Naches 

soils, and about 10 percent Esquatzel, Toppenish, Track, 

Umapine, Warden, and Weirman soils. 

Ashue soils have a surface layer of brown loam or gravelly 

loam over a very gravelly sandy clay loam subsoil. The 

upper part of the substratum is very gravelly sandy loam. The 

lower part, below a depth of about 36 inches, is very gravelly 

sand. 

Nathes soils have a surface layer of brown loam over a 

sandy clay loam subsoil. The substratum is stratified loam and 

fine sandy loam over very gravelly sand at a depth of about 

38 inches. 

Most of this association is surface irrigated or sprinkler 

irrigated. Irrigation water is diverted from the Yakima River. 

Among the crops grown on this association are corn, grapes, 

hops, mint, sugar beets, tree fruits, and truck crops (fig. 2), 

and grasses and legumes for hay and pasture. The association 

also provides habitat for wildlife, mainly Chinese pheasants 

and quail. 

About 40 percent of this association is Indian Tribal Land, and 

60 percent is privately owned. The average farm is about 
Figure 2.-Double cropping in one season on Naches loam. Top: Rows are irrigated in August after harvest of sweet corn. Bottom: 

Lettuce is harvested in October. 
80 acres in size. Most farmers reside on their farms, which 

makes areas of this association the most populated in the 

rural parts of the survey area. 

3. Logy-Simcoe association 

Deep and moderately deep, well-drained, medium-textured

soils formed in alluvium and windlain material and underlain by very gravelly material or basalt 

This association is on gently sloping uplands and nearly 

level bottom land dissected by intermittent stream channels in 

many places. The soils are deep and moderately deep, well 

drained, and medium textured. They formed in windlaid

material and alluvium underlain by very gravelly material or 

basalt bedrock. The vegetation is mainly big sagebrush, 

bluegrass, bunchgrass, and cheatgrass. Elevations range from 700 

to 1,400 feet. The mean annual precipitation is 6 to 12 inches, 

the mean annual temperature is 47° to 51°

 F., and the frost-free 

season is 120 to 170 days. 

This association makes up about 5 percent of the survey 

area. It is about 30 percent Logy soils, 15 percent Simcoe 

soils, 15 percent Onyx soils, 10 percent Yakima soils, and about 30 

percent Ahtanum, Esquatzel, Rock Creek, Shano, Toppenish, and 

Wahtum soils. 

Logy soils have a surface layer of dark grayish-brown silt 

loam or cobbly silt loam and are very gravelly below a depth of

about 19 inches. Simcoe soils have a surface layer of grayishbrown silt loam and a subsoil of heavy silt loam and silty clay 

loam and are about 37 inches deep over basalt. Onyx soils 

are silt loam alluvial soils more than 60 inches deep. 

About 20 percent of this association is irrigated. Irrigation 

water is diverted mainly from Toppenish and Medicine Creeks 

and other creeks. Among crops grown on this association are 

corn and small grain and grasses and legumes for hay and 

pasture. Among the wildlife species are quail and pheasants. 

Except for the immediate vicinity of White Swan this 

association is sparsely populated. About 70 percent of the 

area is Indian Tribal Land, and 30 percent is deeded land. 

4. Toppenish-Umapine association 

Deep, somewhat poorly drained, medium textured and moder- ately fine textured soils formed in alluvium 

This association is on nearly level and gently sloping, alluvial 

plains dissected by intermittent and perennial streams. The soils 

are somewhat poorly drained and medium textured and 

moderately fine textured. They formed in alluvial deposits. 

The vegetation is mainly big sagebrush, black greasewood, 

rabbitbrush, inland saltgrass, water-tolerant grasses, and sedges. 

Cottonwood 'and willow trees grow along perennial streams. 

Elevations range from 650 to 900 feet. The mean annual 

precipitation is 6 to 9 inches, mean annual air temperature is 

47° to 51° F., and the frost-free season is 130 to 180 days. 

This association makes up about 30 percent of the survey 

area. It is about 40 percent Toppenish soils, 20 percent 

Umapine soils, 15 percent Kittitas soils, and about 25 

percent Ahtanum, Esquatzel, Fiander, Naches, Onyx, Stanfield, 

Track, and Yost soils. 

Toppenish soils have a surface layer of dark-gray silt loam or 

silty clay loam. The subsoil extends to a depth of 46 inches. It is 

stratified, dark-gray, light brownish-gray, and grayishbrown 

silt loam, clay loam, and gravelly clay loam and is 

prominently mottled. It is underlain by very gravelly sandy 

loam. 

Umapine soils are light brownish-gray, grayish-brown, and 

light-gray silt loams more than 60 inches deep. They are saline 

and very strongly alkaline in the upper 30 inches, and they 

are moderately alkaline or mildly alkaline below this depth. 

Kittitas soils have a surface layer of gray, very dark gray, 

and dark grayish-brown silt loam or silty clay loam. This 

layer is underlain by weakly stratified silt loam that extends 

to a depth of more than 60 inches. The soils are generally 

saline and very strongly alkaline in the upper 10 to 24 inches.

About 80 percent of this association is surface irrigated or 

sprinkler irrigated. The rest is severely limited by a high 

water table. Some poorly drained areas are subirrigated or 

flood irrigated. Irrigation water is diverted mainly from the 

Yakima River and in lesser amounts from Toppenish and 

Satus Creeks. In the area north of the Ahtanum Ridge, it is 

diverted from Ahtanum Creek. 

Among the crops grown on this association are asparagus, 

grasses and legumes for hay and pasture, hops, mint, sugar 

beets, and small grain. The association also provides habitat 

for wildlife, mainly ducks, geese, pheasants, and quail. 

About 45 percent of this association is Indian Tribal Land, 

and 55 percent is deeded land. The average farm is about 

120 acres in size. Most farmers reside on their farms, and 

many have facilities for farm laborers. 

5. White Swan association 

Deep, well-drained, medium textured and moderately coarse 

textured soils formed in windblown deposits underlain by lake 

sediments 

This association consists of well-drained, medium textured and 

moderately coarse textured soils. These soils formed in a thin 

mantle of wind-laid deposits over lake sediments. The 

vegetation is black greasewood, big sagebrush, inland 

saltgrass, and bunchgrass. Elevations range from 800 to 1,050 

feet. The mean annual precipitation is 6 to 9 inches, the mean 

annual temperature is 47°

 to 51° F., and the frost-free season is 

130 to 180 days. 

This association makes up about 3 percent of the survey 

area. It is about 80 percent White Swan soils, 15 percent 

Warden soils, and 5 percent Ahtanum, Esquatzel, Kittitas, and

Stanfield soils. 

White Swan soils have a surface layer of grayish-brown silt 

loam. The subsoil is moderately or strongly alkaline, 

grayish-brown or pale-brown silty clay loam. The substratum is 

light grayish-brown, calcareous, weakly stratified silt loam. 

Warden soils have a surface layer of grayish-brown silt 

loam or fine sandy loam. The subsoil is grayish-brown silt 

loam. The substratum is light brownish-gray, calcareous, 

weakly stratified silt loam. 

About 20 percent of this association is irrigated. Irrigation 

water is diverted from creeks and the Yakima River. Both 

surface and sprinkler irrigation is used. Among the crops 

grown on this association are grasses and legumes for hay and 

pasture, small grain, and sugar beets. Among the wildlife 

species are quail, doves, and pheasants. 

This association is sparsely developed and populated. 

About 75 percent is Indian Tribal Land, and 25 percent is 

privately owned. The average farm is about 80 acres in size. 

If irrigation farming of White Swan soils is to be successful, 

the strongly alkaline subsoil must be considered. The soils 
can be deep plowed, leached, and adequately drained. Soil 

amendments, for example, gypsum, are needed. 

6. Warden-Shano association 

Deep, well-drained, medium textured and moderately coarse

textured soils formed in windlain deposits underlain by lake

sediment, or in deep windlain deposits 

This association is mainly on nearly level and gently sloping 

uplands. A few areas along the pronounced drainageways are

steep. The soils are well drained and medium textured and 

moderately coarse textured. They formed in windlain 

deposits and the underlying lake sediment or in silty 

windlain deposits. The vegetation is mainly bunchgrasses 

and big sagebrush. Elevations range from 600 to 1,300 

feet. The mean annual precipitation is 6 to 9 inches, the 

mean annual air temperature is 47°

 to 51° F., and the frostfree season is 130 to 180 days. 

This association makes up about 29 percent of the survey 

area. It is about 60 percent Warden soils, 20 percent Shano 

soils, and 20 percent Esquatzel, Hezel, and Ritzville soils. 

Warden soils have a surface layer of grayish-brown silt 

loam or fine sandy loam. The subsoil is grayish-brown silt 

loam. The substratum is weakly stratified and calcareous, 

light brownish-gray silt loam. Shano soils are brown, grayishbrown, and pale-brown silt loam to a depth of 40 to more than 60 

inches. 

Most of this association is irrigated. Irrigation water is 

diverted mainly from the Yakima River, but in the area 

north of the Ahtanum Ridge it is diverted from Ahtanum 

Creek. The soils are well suited to surface or sprinkler irrigation. The type of irrigation used depends on the crop to be 

grown and the topography. 

Among the crops grown on this association are asparagus, 

corn, grasses and legumes for hay and pasture, hops, mint, 

tree fruits, potatoes, sugar beets, and grapes. The association 

also provides habitat for wildlife, mainly Chinese pheasants, 

quail, and doves. 

About 50 percent of the area is Indian Tribal Land, and 

the rest is privately owned. The average farm is about 160 

acres in size. Most farmers reside on their farms, and many 

have facilities for farm laborers. 

7. Weirman association 

Deep, somewhat excessively drained and well drained, medium 

textured and moderately coarse textured soils formed in recent or 

old alluvium and underlain by very gravelly material 

This association is on the nearly level to gently sloping 

alluvial plain adjacent to the Yakima River. It is dissected in 

places by old flood channels and tributaries to the river. The 

soils are somewhat excessively drained and well drained 

and medium textured to moderately coarse textured. They 

formed in alluvium. The vegetation is big sagebrush, 

bunchgrass, black greasewood, and inland saltgrass. 

Cottonwood and willow trees grow along the stream channels. 

Elevations range from 650 to 950 feet. The mean annual 

precipitation is 6 to 9 inches, the mean annual air 

temperature is 47°

 to 51° F., and the frost-free season is 130 to 

180 days. 

This association makes up about 8 percent of the survey 

area. It is about 65 percent Weirman soils, 10 percent Ashue 

soils, and about 25 percent Esquatzel, Fiander, Toppenish, 

Track, Umapine, and Zillah soils. 

Weirman soils are stratified. The surface layer is grayishbrown silt loam, sandy loam, gravelly sandy loam, and fine 

sandy loam grading to a very gravelly loamy sand at a depth of 

about 20 inches. 

Ashue soils have a surface layer of brown loam or gravelly 

loam. The subsoil is very gravelly sandy clay loam. The 

upper part of the substratum is very gravelly sandy loam. 

The lower part is very gravelly sand below a depth of about 36 

inches. 

About 70 percent of this association is irrigated. Irrigation 

water is diverted from the Yakima River. The soils are well 

suited to sprinkler irrigation or to short runs of surface irrigation. 

Among the crops grown on this association are asparagus, 

corn, grapes, grasses and legumes for hay and pasture, tree 

fruits, and truck crops. The association also provides habitat 

for wildlife, mainly pheasants, quail, doves, and ducks. 

About 70 percent of this association is Indian Tribal Land, and 

30 percent is privately owned. The average farm is about 80 

acres in size. In the vicinity of Wapato many of the smaller 

tracts are planted to truck crops. 

Descriptions of the Soils 

This section describes the soil series and mapping units in the 

Yakima Indian Reservation Irrigated Area. Each soil series is 

described in detail, and then, briefly, each mapping unit in that 

series is described. Unless specifically mentioned otherwise, it is 

to be assumed that what is stated about the soil series applies 

to all the mapping units in that series. Thus, to get full 

information about any one mapping unit, it is necessary to 

read both the description of the mapping unit and the 

description of the soil series to which it belongs. 

An important part of the description of each soil series is the 

soil profile; that is, the sequence of layers from the surface 

downward to rock or other underlying material. The first 

description of this profile, under the series heading, is brief and in 

terms familiar to the layman. The second, in the description 

of the first mapping unit in the series, is much more detailed 

and is for those who need to make thorough and precise studies 

of soils. Color terms are for dry soil unless otherwise stated. The 

profile described is representative of all mapping units in that 

series. If the profile of a given mapping unit differs from the 

one described for the series, these differences are stated in 

describing the mapping unit. 

Following the name of each mapping unit is a symbol in 

parentheses. This symbol identifies the mapping unit on the 

detailed soil map. Listed at the end of each description of a 

mapping unit is the capability unit in which the mapping unit 

has been placed. The page for the description of each capability unit can be found by referring to the "Guide to Mapping 

Units" at the back of this survey. 

The acreage and proportionate extent of each mapping 

unit are shown in table 1. Many of the terms used in describing soils can be found in the Glossary at the end of this 

survey. More detailed information about the terminology and 

methods of soil mapping can be obtained from the Soil Survey 

Manual (4). 

Ahtanum Series 

The Ahtanum series consists of somewhat poorly drained, 

saline-alkali soils that are moderately deep over a lime-silica 
cemented hardpan. These soils formed in mixed old alluvium. 

They are on low old alluvial plains. Slopes are mostly less than 1 

percent, but a few short slopes are as much as 5 percent. The 

native vegetation is principally black greasewood, inland 

saltgrass, and basin wildrye. Elevations range from 700 to 900 feet. 

The mean annual precipitation is 6 to 9 inches, the mean annual 

temperature is 47° to 51° F., and the frost-free season is 130 to 

180 days. These soils are associated with Kittitas, Toppenish, 

and Wahtum soils. 

In a representative profile, the surface layer is grayishbrown, very strongly alkaline silt loam about 10 inches thick. The 

substratum is light brownish-gray silt loam to a depth of 21 

inches. Below this is a pale-brown, lime-silica cemented hardpan 

about 10 inches thick. Below the pan, the substratum is palebrown silt loam to a depth of 50 inches and very pale brown 

loamy sand to a depth of 60 inches. 

Some areas of Ahtanum soils have been drained and are 

irrigated. 

Ahtanum silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes (AhA).This soil is 

in low areas parallel to Toppenish and Ahtanum Creeks or their 

tributaries. In most places the slope is less than 1 percent. A 

representative profile is one-fourth mile 

south of Branch Road and 1 mile west of Brownstown, 

SE1/4NE1/4 sec. 36, T. 11, R. 17 E., W.M. 

Ap1-0 to 4 inches, grayish-brown (10YR 5/2) silt loam, very dark grayish 

brown (10YR 3/2) moist; moderate, thin, platy structure; 

slightly hard, friable, slightly sticky and slightly plastic; many 

roots; common fine pores; violent effervescence; very strongly 

alkaline; abrupt, smooth boundary. 

Ap2-4 to 10 inches, grayish-brown (10YR 5/2) silt loam, very dark 

grayish brown (10YR 3/2) moist; weak, medium, platy structure; 

slightly hard, friable, slightly sticky and slightly plastic; common 

roots; common fine pores; violent effervescence; very strongly 

alkaline; clear, wavy boundary. 

C1-10 to 21 inches, light brownish-gray (10YR 6/2) silt loam, dark grayish 

brown (10YR 4/2) moist; massive; slightly hard, friable, slightly 

sticky and slightly plastic; common roots; many fine pores; violent 

effervescence; strongly alkaline; gradual, wavy boundary. 

C2casim-21 to 31 inches, pale-brown (10YR 6/3) lime-silica cemented 

hardpan, dark brown (10YR 4/3) moist; massive; very hard, very 

firm, slightly sticky and slightly plastic; few roots in cracks; many 

fine pores; violent effervescence; moderately alkaline; abrupt, wavy 

boundary. 

C3-31 to 50 inches, pale-brown (10YR 6/3) silt loam, dark brown 

In the original manuscript, there was a table in this space. 

All tables have been updated and are available at http://soildatamart.nrcs.usda.gov. 
(10YR 4/3) moist; massive; soft, friable, slightly sticky and 

slightly plastic; many fine pores; moderately alkaline; abrupt, 

smooth boundary. 

IIC4-50 to 60 inches, very pale brown (10YR 7/3) loamy sand, yellowish

brown (10YR 5/4) moist; single grained; loose; mildly alkaline. 

The A horizon has value of 4 or 5 dry and 2 or 3 moist and chroma of I or

2. It ranges from 6 to 18 inches in thickness. It is typically very strongly 

alkaline, but in some drained and irrigated areas it is moderately alkaline. The 

C2casim horizon, or hardpan, ranges from 1 inch to more than 12 inches in 

thickness. In some large areas it has been broken and is not continuous. Depth 

to the C2casim horizon ranges from 20 to 40 inches. 

Included with this soil in mapping are small areas of Kittitas, 

Stanfield, and Toppenish soils; areas of poorly drained 

soils; and a few areas where the hardpan is above a depth 

of 20 inches. 

The seasonal high water table is at a depth of 1 to 2 

feet. In cultivated areas the water table has been lowered 

by deep drains to a depth of 3 to more than 5 feet. 

Permeability is moderate above the hardpan and very 

slow within the pan. Runoff is very slow to ponded, and 

the hazard of erosion is none to slight. The soil holds 

about 5 to 9 inches of water that plants can use. Capability 

unit IIw-1 irrigated. 

Ahtanum silt loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes (AhB).Except 

for slope, this soil is similar to Ahtanum silt loam, 0 to 2 

percent slopes. Included in mapping are some poorly 

drained areas that receive excess seepage from more 

elevated areas. Runoff is slow to medium, and the hazard of

erosion is slight to moderate. Capability unit IIw-1 

irrigated. 

Ashue Series 

The Ashue series consists of well-drained soils that 

formed in old alluvium. These soils are on old alluvial 

plains, mostly in the vicinity of the city of Wapato. Slopes are 0 

to 5 percent. The native vegetation is mainly cheatgrass, big 

sagebrush, and rabbitbrush. Elevations range from 700 to 

900 feet. The 

mean annual precipitation is 6 to 9 inches, the mean annual

air temperature is 47°

 to 51° F., and the frost free season 

is 130 to 180 days. These soils are associated with Naches,

Toppenish, Track, and Weirman soils. 

In a representative profile, the surface layer is brown 

loam about 10 inches thick. The subsoil is dark-brown very 

gravelly sandy clay loam about 10 inches thick. The 

substratum is dark yellowish-brown very gravelly sandy

loam to a depth of 36 inches and dark grayish-brown very 

gravelly sand to a depth of 62 inches. The soil is neutral or 

mildly alkaline. 

Most of the acreage of Ashue soils is irrigated (fig. 3). 

Ashue loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes (AsA).-Many areas of this 

soil that were previously gently sloping and undulating have 

been leveled. In most areas, the slope is about 1 percent. 

A representative profile is 200 feet north of Branch Road 

and 1,000 feet west of Lateral B Road, SE1/4SE1/4 sec. 

25, T. 11 N., R. 18 E., W.M. 

Ap1-0 to 4 inches, brown (10YR 5/3) loam, dark brown (10YR 3/3) moist; 

weak, fine, granular structure; hard, friable, slightly sticky and slightly

plastic; many roots; neutral; abrupt, smooth boundary. 

Ap2-4 to 10 inches, brown (10YR 5/3) loam, dark brown (10YR 3/3) moist; 

massive tillage pan; very hard, friable, slightly sticky and slightly plastic;

common fine roots; many fine tubular pores; neutral; gradual, wavy

boundary. 

B2t-10 to 20 inches, dark-brown (7.5YR 4/4) very gravelly sandy clay loam, dark

yellowish brown (10YR 3/4) moist; weak blocky structure; hard, firm, 

sticky and plastic; common fine roots; few fine tubular pores; 80

percent gravel and cobblestones; neutral; gradual, wavy boundary. 

C1-20 to 36 inches, dark yellowish-brown (10YR 4/4) very gravelly sandy loam, 

dark yellowish brown (10YR 3/4) moist; massive; hard, friable, 

nonsticky and slightly plastic; common -me roots; 80 percent gravel and

cobbles; mildly alkaline; abrupt, wavy boundary. 

IIC2-36 to 62 inches, dark grayish-brown (10YR 4/2) very gravelly sand, very dark

grayish brown (10YR 3/2) moist; single grained; loose, nonsticky and

nonplastic; few roots; mildly alkaline. 

Figure 3.-Irrigated young orchard on Ashue gravelly loam. A solid set, overhead sprinkler is used for irrigation. 
The A horizon has value of 4 or 5 dry and 2 or 3 moist and chroma of 2 or

3. It is loam or silt loam. The B2t horizon is very gravelly loam or sandy 

clay loam. The C1 horizon is very gravelly 

loam or sandy loam. 

Included with this soil in mapping are small very gravelly 

areas and areas that have been leveled or smoothed and have 

some gravel and cobbles mixed with the surface layer. Also 

included are a few small saline-alkali areas and small areas 

of Naches, Toppenish, Track, Weirman, and Zillah 

soils. 

This soil is well drained. Permeability is moderately slow in 

the subsoil and the upper part of the substratum and very rapid 

in the lower part of the substratum. Runoff is slow, and the 

hazard of erosion is slight. The soil holds 4 to 6 inches of water 

that plants can use. Capability unit IIIs-1 irrigated. 

Ashue loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes (AsB).-Except for 

slope, this soil is similar to Ashue loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes. It 

is gently undulating and is incised in places by streambeds. 

Runoff is slow to medium, and the hazard of erosion is slight to 

moderate. Capability unit IVe-1 irrigated. 

Ashue gravelly loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes (AuA).This soil 

is similar to Ashue loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, but the surface 

layer is gravelly and in a few areas is cobbly. Runoff is 

slow, and the hazard of erosion is slight. Capability unit IVs-2 

irrigated. 

Ashue gravelly loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes (AuB).Except 

for slope and a gravelly surface layer, this soil is similar to 

Ashue loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes. It is undulating and is 

incised in places by streambeds. Runoff is slow to medium, 

and the hazard of erosion is slight to moderate. Capability 

unit IVe-1 irrigated. 

Esquatzel Series 

The Esquatzel series consists of deep, nearly level to gently 

sloping, well-drained soils that formed in alluvium. These soils 

are on bottom land incised by perennial or intermittent 

streams. The native vegetation is principally big sagebrush, 

rabbitbrush, and bunchgrass. Elevations range from 650 to 

850 feet. The mean annual precipitation is 6 to 9 inches, the 

mean annual temperature is 47° to 51° F., and the frost-free

season is 130 to 180 days. These soils are associated with 

Ritzville, Shano, Umapine, and Warden soils. 

In a representative profile, the surface layer is brown silt 

loam about 9 inches thick. The substratum is brown silt 

loam to a depth of 15 inches and stratified, pale-brown silt 

loam to a depth of 64 inches. 

Most of the acreage of Esquatzel soils is irrigated and 

cropped. 

Esquatzel silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes (EtA).-In most 

places this soil has slopes of about 1 percent. A representative 

profile is approximately 200 feet north of Pierre Road and 

one-half mile west of Pasco Road, SW1/4SE1/4 sec. 1, T. 8 N., R. 

21 E., W.M. 

Ap1-0 to 4 inches, brown (10YR 5/3) silt loam, dark brown 

(10YR 3/3) moist; weak, medium, granular structure; soft, 

friable, slightly plastic; common roots; many fine tubular pores; 

neutral; abrupt, smooth boundary. 

Ap2-4 to 9 inches, brown (10YR 5/3) silt loam, dark brown (10YR 

3/3) moist; weak, coarse, platy structure; soft, friable, slightly 

plastic; common roots; many fine tubular pores; neutral; abrupt, 

smooth boundary. 

C1-9 to 15 inches, brown (10YR 5/3) silt loam, dark brown (10YR 

3/3) moist; weak, medium, subangular blocky structure; soft, 

friable, slightly sticky and slightly plastic; common roots; 

common fine tubular pores; neutral; gradual, wavy boundary. 

C2-15 to 30 inches, pale-brown (10YR 6/3) silt loam, dark brown (10YR 

4/3) moist; massive; soft, friable, slightly sticky and slightly 

plastic; few roots; common fine tubular pores; mildly alkaline; 

abrupt, wavy boundary. 

C3ca-30 to 64 inches, pale-brown (10YR 6/3) silt loam, dark brown 

(10YR. 4/3) moist; massive; soft, friable, slightly sticky and 

slightly plastic; few roots; common fine tubular pores; strong 

effervescence; moderately alkaline. 

The Ap and C1 horizons have value of 4 or 5 dry and 2 or 3 moist and 

chroma of 2 or 3. The C2 and C3 horizons have value of 5 or 6 dry and 3 or 4 

moist and chroma of 2 or 3. In some areas the soil is thinly stratified with 

sandy loam. 

Included with this soil in mapping are small areas of

Onyx, Toppenish, Umapine, and Warden soils and a few 

areas of soils that have gravel at a depth of 30 to 60 inches. 

Also included are soils that are somewhat poorly drained, are 

strongly alkaline, and in places are heavy silt loam. 

In places the water table is at a depth of 3 to 5 feet during the 

irrigation season. Permeability is moderate. Runoff is slow, 

and the hazard of erosion is slight. The soil holds 10 to 13 

inches of water that plants can use. Capability unit I-1 

irrigated. 

Esquatzel silt loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes (EtB).Except 

for slope, this soil is similar to Esquatzel silt loam, 0 to 2 

percent slopes. Many areas are long and narrow and are cut by 

stream channels. Runoff is slow to medium, and the hazard of

erosion is slight to moderate. Capability unit IIe-1 irrigated. 

Esquatzel fine sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes (EsA) .-This 

soil is similar to Esquatzel silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, 

but the surface layer in most areas is 4 to 9 inches thick. Runoff

is slow, and the hazard of water erosion is slight. Soil blowing is 

a slight hazard where the soil is bare of vegetation. Capability 

unit I-1 irrigated. 

Fiander Series 

The Fiander series consists of deep, nearly level, somewhat

poorly drained, saline-alkali soils that formed in alluvium on 

bottom land. The natural vegetation is principally inland 

saltgrass, basin wildrye, and black greasewood. Elevations 

range from 650 to 900 feet. The mean annual precipitation is 6 

to 9 inches, the mean annual air temperature is 47° to 51° F., 

and the frost-free season is 130 to 180 days. These soils are 

associated with Toppenish, Track, and Umapine soils. 

In a representative profile, the surface layer is grayishbrown silt loam about 4 inches thick. The subsoil is brown and 

grayish-brown silty clay loam and heavy silt loam about 24 

inches thick. It is very strongly alkaline and strongly 

alkaline. The substratum is brown silt loam to a depth of 61 

inches. 

Some areas of Fiander soils have been drained and are 

irrigated. 

Fiander silt loam (Fe).-This soil is on alluvial plains 

generally parallel to Satus and Toppenish Creeks and their 

tributaries. In most places the slope is less than 1 percent. A 

representative profile is about 250 feet northeast of State Route 

22 and Marion Drain, NE1/4SW1/4 sec. 29, T. 10 N., R. 21 E., W. 

M. 

A11-0 to 3 inches, grayish-brown (10YR 5/2) silt loam, very dark brown 

(10YR 2/2) moist; weak, thin, platy structure; soft, friable, slightly 

plastic; many roots; slight effervescence; mildly alkaline; abrupt, 

smooth boundary. 

A12-3 to 4 inches, grayish-brown (10YR 5/2) silt loam, very dark grayish 

brown (10YR 3/2) moist; moderate, medium, platy structure; 

slightly hard, firm, slightly sticky and slightly plastic; 

common roots; many fine pores; slight 
effervescence; moderately alkaline; abrupt, broken boundary. 

B21t-4 to 12 inches, grayish-brown (10YR 5/2) silty clay loam, very 

dark grayish brown (10YR 3/2) moist; very dark brown (10YR 

2/2) moist color on interfaces of peds; strong, medium, 

prismatic structure; very hard, very firm, sticky and plastic; 

common roots, mostly matted in the interfaces; very few fine 

pores; thin continuous clay films on peds; strong 

effervescence; very strongly alkaline; gradual, wavy boundary. 

B22tca-12 to 24 inches, brown (10YR 5/3) heavy silt loam, dark brown 

(10YR 3/3) moist; common, medium, faint mottles; moderate, 

medium, subangular blocky structure; hard, firm, sticky and plastic; 

common roots; common fine pores; thin continuous clay films on 

peds; violent effervescence; very strongly alkaline; gradual, wavy 

boundary. 

B3ca-24 to 35 inches, brown (10YR 5/3) heavy silt loam, dark brown 

(10YR 3/3) moist; common, medium, faint mottles; moderate, 

medium, subangular blocky structure; hard, firm, sticky and 

plastic; few roots; common fine pores; disseminated and segregated 

mycelial lime; strong effervescence; strongly alkaline; gradual, 

wavy boundary 

C-35 to 61 inches, brown (10YR 5/3) silt loam, dark brown (10YR

3/3) moist; common, medium, faint mottles; massive; slightly hard, 

friable, sticky and plastic; few roots; common fine pores; about 

3 percent rounded pebbles and cobbles; mildly alkaline. 

The A horizon has value of 4 or 5 dry and 2 or 3 moist and chroma 

of 1 or 2. It is mildly alkaline to very strongly alkaline. The B horizon has value 

of 4 or 5 dry and 2 or 3 moist and chroma of 2 or 3. It ranges from heavy silt 

loam to silty clay loam in texture and from 9 to 45 inches in thickness. The 

structure ranges from strong, medium, prismatic to moderate, medium, 

subangular blocky. Reaction ranges from strongly alkaline to very strongly 

alkaline. The C horizon is mildly alkaline to very strongly alkaline. 

Included with this soil in mapping are small areas of Kittitas, 

Toppenish, and Track soils and a few areas of poorly drained 

soils. 

The seasonal high water table is at a depth of 1 to 2 feet, 

but in places it is within a depth of 1 foot. In irrigated areas the 

water table is lowered to a depth of 3 to more than 5 feet by 

deep drains. Permeability is slow. Runoff is very slow to 

ponded, and the hazard of erosion is none to slight. The soil 

holds 8 to 12 inches of water that plants can use. Capability 

unit IVw-1 irrigated. 

Fiander silty clay loams (Fn).-This soil is similar to 

Fiander silt loam, but the surface layer differs in texture. The soil 

is in low-lying swales and basins. Runoff is very slow to 

ponded, and the hazard of erosion is none to slight. Capability 

unit IVw-1 irrigated. 

Fiander loamy fine sand (Fd).-This soil is similar to 

Fiander silt loam, but the surface layer is windblown hummocky 

loamy fine sand. Slopes are 0 to 5 percent. Runoff is very 

slow, and the hazard of water erosion is none to slight. The 

hazard of soil blowing is high. Capability unit IVw-1 

irrigated. 

Hezel Series 

The Hezel series consists of deep, somewhat excessively 

drained soils that formed in eolian sand over lake sediments. 

These soils are on dunelike terraces. Slopes are 0 to 15 percent. The 

native vegetation is thin stands of Indian ricegrass, 

needleandthread, and rabbitbrush. Elevations range from 650 to 

300 feet. The mean annual precipitation is 6 to 9 inches, 

the mean annual air temperature is 47° to 51° F., and the 

frost-free season is 130 to 180 days. These soils are associated 

with Quincy and Warden soils. 

In a representative profile, the upper 29 inches is grayishbrown 

loamy fine sand, and the next 19 inches is light 

brownish-gray silt loam. Below this, to a depth of 60 inches,

is gray loamy sand thinly stratified with light brownish 

gray silt loam. 

Most of the acreage of Hezel soils is irrigated. 

Hezel loamy fine sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes (HeA).This soil

is on terraces in the vicinity of Satus and Mabton. Slopes are 

about 1 percent, mostly mechanically leveled. A 

representative profile is about 150 feet east of Winnier Road 

and 100 feet south of Spedis Road, NW1/4NW1/4 sec. 33, T. 9 

N., R. 22 E., W. M. 

C1-0 to 11 inches, grayish-brown (10YR 5/3) loamy fine sand, very dark 

grayish brown (10YR 3/2) moist; single grained; loose; many 

roots to a depth of 4 inches and common roots to a depth of 11 

inches; slight effervescence; mildly alkaline; gradual, wavy 

boundary. 

C2-11 to 29 inches, grayish-brown (10YR 5/3) loamy fine sand, very dark 

grayish brown (10YR 3/2) moist; single grained; loose; few 

roots; strong effervescence; mildly alkaline; clear, wavy boundary. 

IIC3ca-29 to 48 inches, light brownish-gray (10YR 6/3) silt loam, dark 

grayish brown (10YR 4/2) moist; massive, some laminated 

layers; hard, firm, slightly sticky and slightly plastic; few roots, 

mostly matted in cracks or fractures; common fine pores; violent

effervescence; some lenses and veins of light-gray (10YR 7/2) free 

lime; strongly alkaline; abrupt, smooth boundary. 

IIC4ca-48 to 60 inches, gray (10YR 6/1) loamy sand, very dark grayish 

brown (10YR 3/2) moist; single grained; violent effervescence; 

several continuous and discontinuous layers less than 2 inches 

thick, similar to IIC3ca horizon; strongly alkaline. 

The upper part of the C horizon, formed in eolian sand, ranges from loamy sand 

to loamy very fine sand and is 15 to 35 inches thick. The extent of

stratification in the IIC3ca horizon varies widely. In places the IIC3ca 

horizon extends to a depth of 60 inches or more. 

Included with this soil in mapping are areas of Quincy and 

Warden soils. Also included are a few small areas of wet 

soils and a few areas of saline-alkali soils. Much of the 

acreage has been leveled, and the leveling has resulted in 

altered soil layers. In many areas the leveled soil is 

calcareous at the surface, and in a few areas leveling cuts in excess 

of 5 feet have exposed old lake sediments. This soil is somewhat 

excessively drained. 

Permeability is moderate. Runoff is very slow, and the 

hazard of water erosion is none to slight. The hazard of soil 

blowing is high where the soil is bare of vegetation. The soil 

holds 5 to 11 inches of water that plants can use. Capability unit 

IVe-2 irrigated. 

Hezel loamy fine sand, 2 to 15 percent slopes (HeD).Except 

for slope, this soil is similar to Hezel loamy fine sand, 0 to 2 

percent slopes. The slope is about 7 percent. The 

topography is mostly rolling. Included in mapping are small areas 

of Quincy and Warden soils and dune land. 

Runoff is slow to medium, and the hazard of water erosion is 

slight to moderate. The hazard of soil blowing is severe where 

the soil is bare of vegetation. The mantle of windblown sand is only 

about 15 inches thick on the southwest exposures and about 33 

inches thick on the northeast exposures. Capability unit IVe-2 

irrigated. 

Kittitas Series 

The Kittitas series consists of deep, somewhat poorly 

drained, saline-alkali soils that formed in alluvium. These 

soils are on low alluvial plains. Slopes are 0 to 2 percent. 

The native vegetation is principally black greasewood and 

inland saltgrass. Elevations range from 700 to 1,000 feet. The 

mean annual precipitation is 6 to 9 inches, the mean 
annual air temperature is 47°

 to 51° F., and the frost, free 

season is 130 to 180 days. These soils are associated with 

Ahtanum, Onyx, Toppenish, and Yost soils. 

In a representative profile, the surface layer is gray, very 

dark gray, and dark grayish-brown silt loam about 18 inches 

thick. It is strongly alkaline and very strongly alkaline. The 

substratum is light brownish-gray and pale-brown, weakly 

stratified heavy silt loam and silt loam. It is moderately 

alkaline. 

Some areas of Kittitas soils have been drained and are 

irrigated. 

Kittitas silt loam (Ks).-This soil is on alluvial plains 

generally parallel to Ahtanum, Satus, or Toppenish Creeks or 

their tributaries. In most places the slope is less than 1 

percent. A representative profile is about 1 mile west of U.S. 

Highway No. 97 and 1,980 feet north of Pump House Road, 

NE1/4SE1/4 sec. 31, T. 10 N., R. 20 E., W.M. 

A11-0 to 2 inches, gray (10YR 5/1) silt loam, black (10YR 2/1) moist; 

weak, thin, platy structure; soft, friable, slightly sticky and 

slightly plastic; many inland saltgrass stolons and common roots; 

slight effervescence; strongly alkaline; clear, smooth boundary. 

A12-2 to 7 inches, very dark gray (10YR 4/1) silt loam, black (10YR

2/1) moist; weak, medium, platy structure; slightly hard, friable, 

slightly sticky and slightly plastic; common roots; common fine 

pores; strong effervescence; very strongly alkaline; gradual, wavy 

boundary. 

A13-7 to 18 inches, dark grayish brown (10YR 4/2) heavy silt loam, 

very dark brown (10YR 2/2) moist; moderate, fine, subangular 

blocky structure that parts to strong, fine, granular structure; 

hard, firm, sticky and plastic; common roots; common fine pores; 

violent effervescence; strongly alkaline; gradual, wavy boundary. 

C1ca-18 to 24 inches, light brownish-gray (10YR 6/2) heavy silt loam, 

dark grayish brown (10YR 4/2) moist; massive; slightly hard, 

friable, sticky and plastic; few roots; many fine pores; violent 

effervescence; some light-gray (10YR 7/2) disseminated lime; some 

black (10Y:R. 2/1), moist, old root channels; moderately alkaline; 

abrupt, wavy boundary. 

C2-24 to 34 inches, pale-brown (10YR 6/3) heavy silt loam, dark brown 

(10YR 4/3) moist; massive; slightly hard, friable, sticky and 

plastic; few roots; many fine and medium pores; slight 

effervescence; moderately alkaline; gradual, wavy boundary. 

C3-34 to 63 inches, pale-brown (10YR 6/3) silt loam, dark brown (10YR 

4/3) moist; massive; slightly hard, friable, slightly sticky and 

slightly plastic; many fine and medium pores to a depth of 53 

inches; water table at a depth of 53 inches; moderately 

alkaline. 

The A horizon has value of 4 or 5 dry and 2 or 3 moist and chroma of 1 or 

2. It ranges from 10 to 24 inches in thickness. It is normally very strongly 

alkaline, but in some drained and irrigated areas it is moderately alkaline. 

Reaction generally decreases with depth. The C horizon has value of 3 or 4

moist and chroma of 2 or 3 moist. 

The Cca horizon is missing in some areas. In places the C horizon has thin 

layers of fine sandy loam and silty clay loam. The soil is generally more than 

60 inches deep, but in places it is underlain by very gravelly sand below a 

depth of 40 inches. 

Included with this soil in mapping are small areas of

Ahtanum, Onyx, and Toppenish soils and some areas of

poorly drained soils. 

The seasonal high water table is at a depth of 1 to 2 feet 

and in a few places is within a depth of 1 foot. In irrigated 

areas the water table is held to a depth of 3 to more than 5 feet 

by deep drains. Permeability is moderate. Runoff is very slow to 

ponded, and the hazard of erosion is none to slight. The soil 

holds 8 to 13 inches of water that plants can use. Capability unit 

IIw-1 irrigated. 

Kittitas silty clay loam (Kt).-This soil is similar to 

Kittitas silt loam, but the surface layer differs in texture and 

is 7 to 12 inches thick. Some faint mottles are generally in

the surface layer. Included in mapping are small areas of

Toppenish silty clay and Yost clay and some areas of poorly

drained soils. Runoff is very slow to ponded, and the hazard of

erosion is none to slight. Capability unit IIw-1 irrigated. 

Logy Series 

The Logy series consists of deep, well-drained soils that 

formed in mixed alluvium. Some loess is in the surface layer in 

places. These soils are on alluvial plains. Slopes are 0 to 5 

percent. The native vegetation is principally big sagebrush.

bitterbrush, lupine, and annual grasses. Elevations range from 

700 to 1,200 feet. The mean annual precipitation is 6 to 9 

inches, the mean annual air temperature is 47° to 51° F., and the 

frost-free season is 130 to 170 days. These soils are associated 

with Onyx and Simcoe soils. 

In a representative profile, the surface layer is dark grayishbrown silt loam about 12 inches thick. The subsoil is dark

grayish-brown gravelly loam about 7 inches thick. The substratum, to a depth of about 39 inches, is dark-brown weakly 

stratified very gravelly sandy loam. Below this, to a depth of 60 

inches, it is brown very gravelly coarse sand. The soil is 

neutral to mildly alkaline. 

Part of the acreage of Logy soils is irrigated. 

Logy silt loam (Lg).-This soil is mostly on the alluvial 

flood plain south and west of White Swan. The slope is

about 2 percent. A representative profile is about threefourths of a mile west of State Route 220 and one-half mile 

south of Pine Cone Road, 3 miles southwest of White Swan,

NE1/4SW1/4NW1/4 sec. 14, T. 10 N., R. 16 E., W.M. 

A11-0 to 2 inches, dark grayish-brown (10YR 4/2) silt loam, very dark 

brown (10YR 2/ 2) moist; weak, fine, granular structure; soft, 

friable, slightly sticky and slightly plastic; many fine roots; 

common fine pores; neutral; abrupt, 

smooth boundary. 

A12-2 to 12 inches, dark grayish-brown (10YR 4/2) silt loam, very dark 

brown (10YR 2/2) moist; weak, fine, granular structure; soft, 

friable, slightly sticky and slightly plastic; common fine roots; 

common fine pores; approximately 5 percent gravel; neutral; 

gradual, wavy boundary. 

B2-12 to 19 inches, dark grayish-brown (10YR 4/2) gravelly loam, very dark 

grayish brown (10YR 3/2) moist; weak, medium, subangular 

blocky structure; soft, friable, slightly sticky and slightly plastic; 

common roots; common fine pores; 40 percent gravel and cobbles;

mildly alkaline; gradual, wavy boundary. 

IIC1-19 to 39 inches, dark-brown (10YR 4/3) very gravelly sandy loam, dark 

brown (10YR 3/3) moist; massive; soft, friable, slightly sticky 

and slightly plastic; few fine roots; 65 percent gravel and cobbles, 

some of which have a light-gray (10YR 7/2) lime silica coating on

the lower side; mildly alkaline; abrupt, wavy boundary. 

IIC2-39 to 60 inches, brown (10YR 5/3) very gravelly coarse sand, 

dark brown (10YR 3/3) moist; single grained; loose; 90 percent 

gravel and cobbles; neutral. 

The A horizon has value of 4 or 5 dry and 2 or 3 moist and chroma of 1 or 

2. It is 4 to 18 inches thick. Reaction is neutral to mildly alkaline. The C 

horizon has value of 4 or 5 dry and 2 or 3 moist and chroma of 2 through 4. 

It is 50 to 90 percent gravel and cobbles. 

Included with this soil in mapping are small areas of Onyx 

and Yakima soils, a few small areas of gravelly and stony 

soils, and a small acreage of lowland that is seasonally flooded. 

This soil is well drained. Permeability is moderate. Runoff is 

slow, and the hazard of erosion is slight. Some areas are 

flooded by runoff early in spring. The soil holds 2 to 5 

inches of water that plants can use. Capability unit IIIs-1 

irrigated. 
Logy cobble silt loam (Lo).-This soil is similar to Logy 

silt loam, but the surface layer is cobbly and gravelly. In many 

areas the soil is dissected by very cobbly and very stony 

intermittent stream channels. It is also dissected by old 

abandoned stream channels filled with cobbles. Included in 

mapping are small areas of Logy, Onyx, and Yakima soils. 

Runoff is slow, and the hazard of erosion is slight. Most areas are 

flooded annually by runoff from higher areas early in spring. 

Capability unit VIw-1 nonirrigated. 

Naches Series 

The Naches series consists of well-drained soils that formed in 

old alluvium. These soils are on old alluvial plains. Slopes are 0 

to 5 percent. The native vegetation is mainly cheatgrass,

bluebunch wheat grass, big sagebrush, and rabbitbrush.

Elevations range from 700 to 900 feet. The mean annual

precipitation is 6 to 9 inches, the mean annual air temperature is 

47° to 51° F., and the frost-free season is 130 to 180 days.

These soils are associated with Ashue, Toppenish, Track, 

and Weirman soils. 

In a representative profile, the surface layer is brown loam

about 10 inches thick. The subsoil is brown sandy clay loam 

about 11 inches thick. The substratum is brown loam and

light brownish-gray fine sandy loam to a depth of 38 inches

and gray very gravelly sand to a depth of 65 inches. The soil is 

mildly alkaline or moderately alkaline. 

Most of the acreage of Naches soils is irrigated. 

Naches loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes (NaA).-Most areas of

this soil have been leveled. Generally the slope is about 1 percent.

A representative profile is about 200 feet north of Fort Road

and 2,000 feet east of Lateral C Road, SE1/4SW1/4 sec. 1, T.

10 N., R. 18 E., W.M. 

Ap1-0 to 5 inches, brown (10YR 5/3) loam, dark brown (10YR. 3/3) moist; 

weak, fine, granular structure; hard, friable, slightly sticky and

slightly plastic; many roots; many fine tubular pores; mildly

alkaline; abrupt, smooth boundary. 

Ap2-5 to 10 inches, brown (10YR 5/3) loam, dark brown (10YR 3/3) moist; 

massive; very hard, firm, slightly sticky and slightly plastic;

many roots matted on the top and in fractures; many fine

tubular pores; mildly alkaline; abrupt, wavy boundary. 

B2t-10 to 21 inches, brown (10YR 5/3) sandy clay loam, dark brown (10YR

3/3) moist; moderate, medium and coarse, prismatic structure; hard,

friable, sticky and plastic; common roots; few fine pores; thin

discontinuous clay films on peds; mildly alkaline; gradual, wavy

boundary. 

C1-21 to 34 inches, brown (10YR 5;'3) loam, dark brown (10YR 3/3) 

moist; massive; slightly hard, friable, slightly sticky and slightly 

plastic; common roots; many fine pores; few pebbles; mildly 

alkaline; abrupt, wavy boundary. 

C2ca-34 to 38 inches, light brownish-gray (10YR 6/2) fine sandy loam, 

dark grayish brown (10YR 4/2) moist; massive; soft, very friable; 

common roots; common fine pores; few pebbles; violent 

effervescence; moderately alkaline; abrupt, wavy boundary. 

IIC3-38 to 65 inches, gray (10YR 5/1) very gravelly sand, very dark

gray (10YR 3/1) moist; single grained; loose; 80 percent gravel; 

moderately alkaline. 

The A horizon has value of 4 or 5 dry and 2 or 3 moist and chroma 

of 2 or 3. It is loam or silt loam. In some areas a well-defined tillage pan, or 

plowpan, has formed. The B2t horizon ranges from heavy silt loam to clay 

loam or sandy clay loam and has moderate blocky or moderate prismatic 

structure. The C1 and C2ca horizons are loam, silt loam, or fine sandy loam 

and in places are gravelly. The IIC3 horizon ranges from sandy loam to 

sand that is 40 to 80 percent gravel. 

Included with this soil in mapping are small very gravelly 

areas and small areas of Ashue, Toppenish, Track, and 

Weirman soils. 

Permeability is moderately slow in the surface layer, the 

subsoil, and the upper part of the substratum and very rapid in 

the lower part of the substratum. Runoff is slow, and the 

hazard of erosion is slight. The soil holds 6 to 8 inches of water 

that plants can use. Capability unit Its-1 irrigated, 

Naches loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes (NaB).-Except for 

slope, this soil is similar to Naches loam, 0 to 2 percent 

slopes. It is gently undulating. Runoff is slow to medium, 

and the hazard of erosion is slight to moderate. Capability 

unit IIe-1 irrigated. 

Onyx Series 

The Onyx series consists of well-drained, deep soils that

formed in recent alluvium. These soils are on bottom land. 

Slopes are 0 to 5 percent. Much of the bottom land is incised 

by perennial or intermittent stream channels. The native 

vegetation is mainly cottonwood, willow, and alder trees. 

Elevations range from 700 to 900 feet. The mean annual 

precipitation is 6 to 9 inches, the mean annual air temperature is 

47°

 to 51° F., and the frost-free season is 130 to 180 days. 

These soils are associated with the Esquatzel, Kittitas, Logy, 

Simcoe, and Yakima soils. 

In a representative profile, the surface layer is grayishbrown silt loam about 6 inches thick. The substratum is 

grayish-brown, dark grayish-brown, and brown, weakly 

stratified silt loam to a depth of 64 inches. It is mildly 

alkaline. 

Most of the acreage of Onyx soils is irrigated. 

Onyx silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes (OnA).-This soil is 

in low areas parallel to Ahtanum, Toppenish, and Satus 

Creeks or their tributaries. In most places the slope is less 

than 1 percent. A representative profile is about 100 feet 

east of Plank Road and 1,400 feet north of Satus Creek, 

NW1/4SE1/4 sec. 5, T. 9 N., R. 21 E., W.M. 

Ap-0 to 6 inches, grayish-brown (10YR 5/2) silt loam, very dark grayish

brown (10YR 3/2) moist; moderate, medium, granular structure; 

slightly hard, friable, slightly sticky and slightly plastic; many 

roots; many fine tubular pores; moderately alkaline; abrupt, 

smooth boundary. 

C1-6 to 22 inches, grayish-brown (10YR 5/2) silt loam, very dark grayish

brown (10YR 3/2) moist; weak, medium, sub angular blocky 

structure; slightly hard, friable, slightly sticky and slightly 

plastic; common roots; common fine pores; mildly alkaline; 

abrupt, smooth boundary. 

C2-22 to 30 inches, dark grayish-brown (10YR 4/2) silt. loam, very dark 

brown (10YR 2/2) moist; weak, fine, granular structure; 

slightly hard, friable, slightly sticky and slightly plastic; 

common roots; common fine pores; mildly alkaline; abrupt, 

smooth boundary. 

C3-30 to 64 inches, brown (10YR 5/3) silt loam, dark brown (10YR 

3/3) moist; massive; slightly hard, friable, slightly sticky and 

slightly plastic; few roots; common fine pores; mildly alkaline. 

The A horizon when moist ranges from dark brown (10YR 2/2) to very dark

grayish brown (10YR 3/2) and from very fine sandy loam to silt loam. It 

is neutral to mildly alkaline. 

Included with this soil in mapping are small areas of 

Esquatzel, Kittitas, Logy, and Zillah soils and small areas of 

calcareous, poorly drained soils. 

During the irrigation season, the water table is at a depth 

of 3 to 5 feet in places. Permeability is moderate. Runoff is 

slow, and the hazard of erosion is slight. The soil holds 11 to 

13 inches of water that plants can use. Capability unit I-1 

irrigated. 

Onyx silt loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes (OnB) .-Except for 

slope, this soil is similar to Onyx silt loam, 0 to 2 percent 

slopes. Most areas are long and narrow and are cut by stream 
channels. Runoff is slow to medium, and the hazard of erosion 

is slight to moderate. In places streambank erosion is a 

severe hazard during periods of high water. Capability unit 

IIe-1 irrigated. 

Quincy Series 

The Quincy series consists of somewhat excessively drained 

soils that formed in deep eolian sand. Relief is ridged, hummocky, and dunelike. Slopes are 0 to 15 percent. The native 

vegetation is a thin stand of Indian ricegrass, needleandthread, and rabbitbrush. Elevations range from 650 to 750 

feet. The mean annual precipitation is 6 to 9 inches, the mean 

annual air temperature is 47°

 to 51° F., and the frost-free 

season is 130 to 180 days. These soils are associated with 

Hezel and Warden soils 

In a representative profile, the soil is grayish-brown loamy 

fine sand to a depth of 50 inches. Below this, to a depth of

62 inches, it is light brownish-gray loamy very fine sand. The 

soil is mildly alkaline to moderately alkaline. 

Most of the acreage of Quincy soils is irrigated. 

Quincy loamy fine sand, 2 to 15 percent slopes (QuD) .-This 

soil is on dunelike terraces west of Mabton and south and 

west of Satus. If the soil is not cultivated, the surface is 

hummocky and blowouts are common. In most places the 

slope is about 5 percent. A representative profile is about 

100 feet east of Bond Road and 1,400 feet south of State 

Route 22, SW1/4NE1/4 sec. 33, T. 9 N., R. 22 E., W.M. 

C 1 l - 0 t o 5 inches, grayish-brown (10YR 5/2) loamy sand, dark grayish brown 

(10YR 4/2) moist; single grained; loose when dry and moist; many roots; 

mildly alkaline; gradual, wavy boundary. 

C2-5 to 16 inches, grayish-brown (10YR 5/2) loamy fine sand, dark grayish brown 

(10YR. 4/2) moist; single grained; loose when dry and moist; common 

roots; mildly alkaline; gradual, wavy boundary. 

C3-16 to 41 inches, grayish-brown (10YR 5/2) loamy fine sand, dark grayish brown 

(10YR 4/2) moist; single grained; loose when dry and moist; few 

roots; mildly alkaline; abrupt, wavy boundary. 

C4-41 to 50 inches, grayish-brown (10YR 5/2) loamy fine sand, dark grayish brown 

(10YR 4/2) moist; single grained; loose when dry and moist; few roots; 

slight effervescence; moderately alkaline. 

C5ca-50 to 62 inches, light brownish-gray(10YR 6/2) loamy very fine sand, 

dark grayish brown (10YR 4/2) moist; single grained; loose when 

dry and moist; few roots; violent effervescence; moderately alkaline. 

The upper 40 inches of this soil is sand, loamy sand, or loamy fine sand. In some areas it 

has a moist value of 3. In some places the soil is noncalcareous throughout, but in 

others it is calcareous throughout. 

Included with this soil in mapping are small areas of Hezel 

and Warden soils and a few small areas of somewhat poorly 

drained and strongly alkaline soils. 

Permeability is rapid. Runoff is slow to medium, and the 

hazard of water erosion is slight to moderate. The hazard of 

soil blowing is severe where the soil is bare of vegetation. 

The soil holds 5 to 7 inches of water that plants can use. 

Capability unit IVe-2 irrigated. 

Quincy loamy fine sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes (QuA ).-

Except for slope, this soil is similar to Quincy loamy fine sand, 

2 to 15 percent slopes. It is on broad ridgetops or on low terraces. 

Runoff is very slow, and the hazard of erosion is none to 

slight. The hazard of soil blowing is severe where the soil is 

bare of vegetation. In places the soil is hummocky, but 

extensive blowouts are uncommon. 

In areas that are leveled and prepared for irrigation the 

original layers have been altered enough to destroy their 

normal sequence. In many places the leveled soils are calcareous to the surface. In a few areas leveling cuts in excess of 5 

feet have exposed variable substratum material, such as old 

lake sediments. Capability unit IVe-2 irrigated. 

Ritzville Series 

The Ritzville series consists of deep, well-drained soils that 

formed in wind-laid material mixed with small amounts of

volcanic ash. These soils are on uplands. Slopes are 0 to 65 

percent. The native vegetation is principally big sagebrush, 

rabbitbrush, and bunchgrasses. Elevations range from 1,000 

to 1,500 feet. The mean annual precipitation is about 9 

inches, the mean annual air temperature is 47°

 to 51° F., and 

the frost-free season is 130 to 180 days. These soils are 

associated with Esquatzel and Shano soils. 

In a representative profile, the surface layer is grayishbrown silt loam 9 inches thick. The subsoil is brown silt loam 

about 24 inches thick. The substratum is brown and palebrown silt loam to a depth of 61 inches. 

Most of the acreage of Ritzville soils is irrigated. 

Ritzville silt loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes (RtB).-This soil 

is on uplands, mainly on the north slopes of Ahtanum Ridge. 

In most places the slope is about 4 percent. A representative 

profile is about 500 feet south of South Ahtanum Road and 

one-half mile east of Pioneer Road, NW1/4NW1/4 sec. 17, T. 

12 N., R. 18 E., W.M. 

Ap-0 to 9 inches, grayish-brown (10YR 5/2) silt loam, very dark grayish 

brown (10YR 3/2) moist; moderate, fine, granular structure; 

slightly hard, friable, slightly sticky and slightly plastic; many 

roots; common fine pores; neutral; abrupt, smooth boundary. 

B21-9 to 26 inches, brown (10YR 5/3) silt loam, dark brown (10YR 3/3) 

moist; weak, coarse, prismatic structure; slightly hard, friable, 

slightly sticky and slightly plastic; common roots; common fine 

pores; neutral; gradual, wavy boundary. 

B22-26 to 33 inches, brown (10YR 5/3) silt loam, dark brown (10YR 3/3) 

moist; massive; slightly hard, friable, sticky and slightly plastic; 

few roots; many fine pores; weakly cemented silt concretions 

(cicadalike nodules) 1/2 inch to 2 inches in length and width; 

neutral; gradual, wavy boundary. 

C1-33 to 40 inches, brown (10YR 5/3) silt loam, dark brown (10YR 3/3) 

moist; massive; soft, friable, slightly sticky and slightly plastic; few 

roots; common fine pores; mildly alkaline; gradual, wavy 

boundary. 

C2-40 to 50 inches, pale-brown (10YR 6/3) silt loam, dark brown (10YR 4/3) 

moist; massive; soft, friable, slightly sticky and slightly plastic; few 

roots; common fine pores; mildly alkaline; gradual, wavy 

boundary. 

C3-50 to 61 inches, pale-brown (10YR 6/3) silt loam, dark brown (10YR 4/3) 

moist; massive; hard, firm, slightly sticky and slightly -plastic; few 

roots; common fine pores; mildly alkaline. 

The A and B horizons have value of 4 or 5 dry and 2 or 3 moist and 

chroma of 2 or 3. The A horizon ranges from very fine sandy loam to silt 

loam in texture and from 6 to 12 inches in thickness. The B horizon ranges 

from 10 to 30 inches in thickness. In places the lower part of the B horizon 

and the C horizon have weakly cemented silt concretions. In places the lower 

part of the C horizon is strongly calcareous, but in most areas it is weakly 

calcareous or noncalcareous. The soil ranges from 40 inches to more than 60 

inches in thickness and is underlain by a cemented hardpan, basalt bedrock, 

or variable unrelated material weathered from the Ellensburg Formation. 

The depth to lime in this soil is more than 43 inches, which is deeper than 

is defined as the range for the series. This difference, however, does not 

significantly alter the use and behavior of the soil. 
Included with this soil in mapping are small areas of

Esquatzel soils, areas of the Ritzville gravelly subsoil variant, and 

a few areas where the slope is less than 2 percent. 

Permeability is moderate. Runoff is slow to medium, and the 

hazard of erosion is slight to moderate. The soil holds 11 to 

13 inches of water that plants can use. Capability unit IIe-1 

irrigated. 

Ritzville silt loam, 5 to 8 percent slopes (RtC).Except for 

slope, this soil is similar to Ritzville silt loam, 2 to 5 percent

slopes. Runoff is medium, and the hazard of erosion is moderate.

Capability unit IIIe-1 irrigated. 

Ritzville silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes (RtD).Except for 

slope, which is generally about 10 percent, this soil is similar 

to Ritzville silt loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes. Runoff is rapid, 

and the hazard of erosion is high. Capability unit IVe-3 

irrigated. 

Ritzville silt loam, 15 to 30 percent slopes (RtE).This soil is 

similar to Ritzville silt loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes, but differs in 

slope and in depth to the substratum. On west exposures the 

depth is 12 to 20 inches, and on north and east exposures 20 to 

40 inches. Included in mapping are areas of Esquatzel soils, 

areas of the Ritzville gravelly subsoil variant, and small areas of

stony and severely eroded soils. Runoff is very rapid, and the 

hazard of erosion is very severe. Capability unit VIe-1 

irrigated. 

Ritzville silt loam, 30 to 65 percent slopes (RtF).This soil is 

similar to Ritzville silt loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes, but differs in 

slope and in depth to the substratum. On west exposures the 

depth is 12 to 20 inches, and on north and east exposures 20 

to 40 inches. Included in mapping are areas of Esquatzel 

soils, areas of the Ritzville gravelly subsoil variant, areas where 

rock crops out, and small areas of stony and severely eroded 

soils. Runoff is very rapid, and the hazard of erosion is very 

severe. Capability unit VIe-1 irrigated. 

Ritzville Series, Gravelly Subsoil Variant 

The Ritzville gravelly subsoil variant consists of deep, welldrained soils that formed in wind-laid material over gravelly or 

stony alluvium, sandstone, or basalt bedrock. These soils are 

on uplands and alluvial fans. Slopes are 5 to 15 percent. The native 

vegetation is principally big sagebrush, rabbitbrush, and 

bunchgrasses. Elevations range from 1,000 to 1,500 feet. The 

mean annual precipitation is about 9 inches, the mean 

annual air temperature is 47° to 51°

 F., and the frost-free 

season is 130 to 1S0 days. These soils are associated with 

Esquatzel and Ritzville soils. 

In a representative profile, the surface layer is grayishbrown silt loam about 9 inches thick. The subsoil is brown silt 

loam about 13 inches thick. The substratum is yellowishbrown 

very cobbly silt loam to a depth of 60 inches. 

Most of the acreage of this soil is irrigated. 

Ritzville silt loam, gravelly subsoil variant, 8 to 15 

percent slopes (RuD ) .-This soil is on uplands and alluvial fans 

on the north slopes of Ahtanum Ridge. In most places the slope 

is about 10 percent. A representative profile is about S00 feet 

south of South Ahtanum Road and 50 feet west of South Wiley 

Road, SE1/4SE1/4 sec. 14, T. 12 N., R. 17 E., W. M, 

Ap1-0 to 6 inches, grayish-brown (10YR 5,/2) silt loam, very dark grayish 

brown (10YR 3/2) moist; moderate, fine, granular structure; 

slightly hard, friable, slightly sticky and slightly plastic; many 

roots; common fine pores; neutral; abrupt, smooth boundary. 

Ap2-6 to 9 inches, grayish-brown (10YR 5/2) silt loam, very dark grayish 

brown (10YR 3/2) moist; weak, coarse, prismatic structure; hard, 

friable, slightly sticky and slightly plastic; common roots; common 

fine pores; neutral; abrupt, smooth boundary. 

B2-9 to 22 inches, brown (10YR 5/3) silt loam, dark brown (10YR. 

3/3) moist; weak, coarse, prismatic structure; slightly hard, friable, 

slightly sticky and slightly plastic; common roots; few fine pores; 

neutral; abrupt, wavy boundary. 

IIC-22 to 60 inches, yellowish-brown (10YR 5/4) very cobbly silt loam, 

brown (10YR 3/3) moist; massive; slightly hard, friable, slightly 

sticky and slightly plastic; common roots matted on stone faces; 

common fine pores; 70 percent gravel, cobbles, and stones; 

neutral. 

 The A and B horizons have value of 4 or 5 dry and 2 or 3 

moist and chroma of 2 or 3 moist or dry. The A horizon ranges from very

fine sandy loam to silt loam. In places the lower part of the B horizon 

has weakly cemented silt concretions. In places the IIC horizon is very 

gravelly silt loam. Depth to the IIC horizon ranges from 15 inches 

to 38 inches. 

Included with this soil in mapping are small areas of

Esquatzel and Ritzville soils and small areas that are gravelly or 

stony on the surface. Also included are small areas where 

basalt is at a depth of 20 to 40 inches and areas of soils that have a 

substratum of sand or one that is cemented by lime and silica. 

Permeability is moderate. Runoff is rapid, and the hazard of

erosion is severe. The soil holds 6 to S inches of water that plants 

can use. Capability unit IVe-3 irrigated. 

Ritzville silt loam gravelly subsoil variant, 5 to 8 percent 

slopes (RuC).-Except for slope, this soil is similar to Ritzville 

silt loam, gravelly subsoil variant, S to 15 percent slopes. Included

in mapping are a few areas where the slope is 2 to 5 percent. 

Runoff is medium, and the hazard of erosion is moderate. 

Capability unit IIIe-1 irrigated. 

Rock Creek Series 

The Rock Creek series consists of well-drained, shallow soils 

that formed in material weathered from basalt mixed with loess. 

These soils are on uplands. Slopes are 0 to 20 percent. The native 

vegetation is mainly buckwheat, phlox, and Sandberg bluegrass, 

but about 50 percent or more of the surface area is bare of

vegetation. Elevations range from 1,000 to 1,400 feet. The 

mean annual precipitation is 9 to 12 inches, the mean annual 

temperature is 47° to 51° F., and the frost-free season is 120 to 

170 days. These soils are associated with Logy and Simcoe soils. 

In a representative profile, the surface layer is reddishbrown very stony loam about 2 inches thick. The subsoil is 

reddish-brown and dark-brown very stony and very cobbly clay 

loam and clay about 12 inches thick. Basalt bedrock is at a 

depth of 14 inches. 

Rock Creek soils are not suitable for cultivation because they 

are too shallow and stony. They are used for grazing and 

wildlife habitat. 

Rock Creek very stony loam, 0 to 20 percent slopes 

(RvE).-This soil is on uplands near Fort Simcoe and 

Medicine Valley. A representative profile is about threefourths of 

a mile east of Ft. Simcoe and 600 feet north of State Route 

3B, SW1/4SE1/4 sec. 16, T. 10 N., R. 16 E., W. M. 

A1-0 to 2 inches, reddish-brown (5YR 5/3) very stony loam, dark reddish 

brown (5YR 3/3) moist; weak, medium, granular structure; slightly 

hard, friable, slightly sticky and slightly plastic; many roots; 

many fine vesicular pores; 30 percent gravel, cobbles, and stones; 

neutral; abrupt, smooth boundary. 
B21t-2 to 7 inches, reddish-brown (5YR 5/4) very stony clay loam, reddish brown

(5YR. 3/4) moist; weak, coarse, platy structure; hard, firm, sticky and plastic;

common roots; many fine vesicular pores; 30 percent gravel, cobbles, and stones;

neutral; gradual, wavy boundary. 

B22t-7 to 10 inches, reddish-brown (5YR 5/4) very cobbly clay loam, reddish brown

(5YR 3/4) moist; massive; hard, firm, sticky and plastic; few matted roots

between stones; 70 percent gravel, cobbles, and stones; neutral; abrupt, wavy

boundary. 

B23t-10 to 14 inches, dark-brown (7.5YR 4/4) very cobbly clay, dark brown (7.5YR 3/4)

moist; massive; extremely hard, firm, very sticky and plastic; 90 percent gravel,

cobbles, and stones; neutral; gradual, wavy boundary. 

R-14 inches, fractured basalt bedrock. 

A11 horizons have value of 4 or 5 dry, chroma of 3 or 4, and hue of 5YR or

7.5YR. The solum is 30 to 90 percent gravel, cobbles, and stones. Depth to

basalt bedrock generally is 8 to 20 inches. 

Included with this soil in mapping are small areas of Logy,

Onyx, and Simcoe soils and soils that are shallow over 

cemented gravel. 

Permeability is moderately slow. Runoff is slow to medium,

and the hazard of erosion is slight to moderate. The soil holds 1 to 

2 inches of water that plants can use. Capability unit VIIs-1 

nonirrigated. 

Shano Series 

The Shano series consists of deep, well-drained soils that

formed in silty wind-laid deposits mixed with small amounts of

volcanic ash. These soils are on uplands. Slopes are 0 to 30 

percent. The native vegetation is principally big sagebrush,

rabbitbrush, and bunchgrasses. Elevations range from 600 to 

1,300 feet. The mean annual precipitation is 6 to 9 inches, the 

mean annual air temperature is 47°

 to 51° F., and the frost-free 

season is 130 to 180 days. These soils are associated with 

Esquatzel and Warden soils. 

In a representative profile, the surface layer is grayishbrown and brown silt loam about 5 inches thick. The subsoil is 

brown silt loam about 13 inches thick. The substratum is palebrown silt loam to a depth of 47 inches. Below this, to a 

depth of 55 inches, it is calcareous, very pale brown silt loam

underlain by a light-gray, lime-silica cemented gravel hardpan. 

Most of the acreage of Shano soils is irrigated. 

Shano silt loam, 5 to 8 percent slopes (ShC).-This soil is on 

uplands. It makes up much of the irrigated area on the lower 

slopes of the Toppenish and Ahtanum Ridges. In most places 

the slope is about 6 percent. A representative profile is about

one-half mile east of Wesley Road and onefourth mile south 

of Evans Road, NE1/4NW1/4 sec. 19, T. 11 N., R. 17 E.,

W.M. 

A11-0 to 2 inches, grayish-brown (10YR 5/2) silt loam, very dark grayish brown (10YR 

3/2) moist; weak, thin, platy structure; soft, friable, slightly sticky and 

slightly plastic; many fine roots; many fine pores; neutral; abrupt, smooth boundary. 

A12-2 to 5 inches, brown (10YR 5/3) silt loam, dark brown (10YR 3/3) moist; 

weak, medium, platy structure; soft, friable, slightly sticky and slightly plastic; 

common roots; few fine pores; neutral; gradual, wavy boundary. 

B2-5 to 18 inches, brown (10YR 5/3) silt loam, dark brown (10YR 3/3) moist; 

weak, coarse, prismatic structure; soft, friable, slightly sticky and slightly 

plastic; few roots in peds, common roots along ped faces; few fine pores; mildly 

alkaline; gradual, wavy boundary. 

C1-18 to 29 inches, pale-brown (10YR 6/3) silt loam, dark brown (10YR 4/3) moist; 

massive; soft, friable, slightly sticky and slightly plastic; few roots; few 

fine pores; mildly alkaline; gradual, wavy boundary.

C2-29 to 47 inches, pale-brown (10YR 6/3) silt loam, dark brown (10YR 4/3) moist; 

massive; slightly hard, friable, slightly sticky and slightly plastic; few 

roots; few fine pores; moderately alkaline; gradual, wavy boundary. 

C3ca-47 to 55 inches, very pale brown (10YR 7/3) silt loam, dark brown (10YR 4/3) moist; 

massive; slightly hard, friable, slightly sticky and slightly plastic; few 

roots; few fine pores; strong effervescence; moderately alkaline; abrupt, wavy

boundary. 

IIC4sim-55 to 60 inches, light-gray (10YR 7/2) lime-silica cemented gravel. 

The A and B horizons have value of 5 or 6 dry and 3 or 4 moist and chroma of 2 or 3. The A

horizon ranges from 3 to 8 inches in thickness, and the B horizon from 10 to 20 inches. The C horizon

has value of 5 through 7 dry and 4 or 5 moist and chroma of 2 or 3. Depth to the calcareous layer

ranges from 20 to 50 inches. In places the C horizon has hard, concentric, cicadalike nodules. 

The soil ranges from 40 inches to more than 60 inches in thickness. It is underlain by a

hardpan, basalt bedrock, or variable unrelated material weathered from the Ellensburg

Formation. 

Included with this soil in mapping are small areas of

Esquatzel, Rock Creek, and Warden soils and a few areas of

saline-alkali soils. 

Permeability is moderate. Runoff is medium, and the hazard of erosion is moderate. The soil holds 11 to 13 inches 

of water that plants can use. Capability unit IIIe-1 irrigated. 

Shano silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes (ShA).-Except for

slope, this soil is similar to Shano silt loam, 5 to 8 percent slopes. 

The slope is generally about 1 percent. Runoff is slow, and the 

hazard of erosion is slight. Capability unit I-1 irrigated. 

Shano silt loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes (ShB).-

Except for slope, this soil is similar to Shano silt loam, 5 to 8 

percent slopes. Runoff is slow to medium, and the hazard of

erosion is slight to moderate. Capability unit IIe-1 irrigated. 

Shano silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes (ShD).-

This soil is similar to Shano silt loam, 5 to 8 percent slopes, 

but it differs in slope and in depth to the substratum. On south 

exposures the depth is 12 to 20 inches and on north exposures 20 

to 35 inches. Runoff is rapid, and the hazard of erosion is 

severe. Capability unit IVe-3 irrigated. 

Shano silt loam, 15 to 30 percent slopes (ShE).-This 

soil is similar to Shano silt loam, 5 to 8 percent slopes, but is 

more sloping and is stony in some areas and severely eroded in 

others. Runoff is very rapid, and the hazard of erosion is 

very severe. Capability unit VIe-1 irrigated. 

Simcoe Series 

The Simcoe series consists of moderately deep, well-drained 

soils that formed in wind-laid silts, volcanic ash, and material 

weathered from basalt. These soils are on low uplands. Slopes are 

0 to 8 percent. The natural vegetation is mainly big 

sagebrush, cheatgrass, bunchgrass, and balsamroot. Elevations 

range from 1,000 to 1,400 feet. The mean annual precipitation 

is 9 to 12 inches, the mean annual temperature is 47°

 to 51° F., 

and the frost-free season is 120 to 170 days. These soils are 

associated with Rock Creek soils. 

In a representative profile, the surface layer is grayishbrown silt loam about 8 inches thick. The subsoil is about 29 

inches thick. The upper 6 inches is grayish-brown heavy silt 

loam, the next 11 inches is brown silty clay loam, and the 

lower 12 inches is light yellowish-brown clay loam. Basalt 

bedrock is at a depth of 37 inches. 

Most of the acreage of Simcoe soils is irrigated. 

Simcoe silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes (SmA).-

This soil is on the more elevated uplands of irrigated areas 

near 
Fort Simcoe. In most places the slope is about 1.5 percent. A 

representative profile is about 2,000 feet north of State

Route 3B and 200 feet east of Toppenish Lateral Canal,

NW1/4NE1/4SE1/4 sec. 15, T. 10 N., R. 16 E., W.M. 

Ap-0 to 8 inches, grayish-brown (10YR 5/2) silt loam, very dark 

grayish brown (10YR 3/2) moist; moderate, fine, granular structure; 

slightly hard, friable, slightly sticky and slightly plastic; many

roots; common fine pores; neutral; abrupt, smooth boundary. 

B21t-8 to 14 inches, grayish-brown (10YR 5/2) heavy silt loam, very

dark grayish brown (10YR 3/2) moist; moderate, coarse, prismatic

structure; hard, friable, sticky and plastic; common roots;

common fine pores; few thin to moderately thick clay films;

neutral; gradual, wavy boundary. 

B22t-14 to 25 inches, brown (10YR 5/3) silty clay loam, dark brown 

(10YR 3/3) moist; weak, coarse, prismatic structure; hard, friable,

sticky and plastic; few roots; common fine pores; neutral;

gradual, wavy boundary. 

B3-25 to 37 inches, light yellowish-brown (10YR 6/4) clay loam, dark 

yellowish brown (10YR 4/4) moist; massive; hard, firm, very sticky 

and very plastic; few roots; few fine pores; neutral; abrupt, wavy 

boundary. 

R-37 inches, basalt bedrock. 

The A horizon has value of 4 or 5 dry and chroma of 2 or 3. It has granular to

subangular blocky structure. The B2 horizon is silt loam or silty clay loam

and has moderate, coarse, prismatic to moderate, blocky structure. Depth to

basalt bedrock is 30 to 40 inches. 

Included with this soil in mapping are small areas of Logy, 

Rock Creek, and Shano soils. Also included are small areas of

soils similar to this Simcoe soil, but more than 40 inches deep 

and a few small areas of saline-alkali soils. 

Permeability is moderately slow. Runoff is slow, and the

hazard of erosion is slight. The soil holds 7 to S inches of

water that plants can use. Capability unit IIs-1 irrigated. 

Simcoe silt loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes (SmB) .Except for

slope, this soil is similar to Simcoe silt loam, 0 to 2 percent 

slopes. Most areas are gently undulating and are incised in 

places by intermittent stream channels. Runoff is slow to 

medium, and the hazard of erosion is slight to moderate. 

Capability unit IIe-1 irrigated. 

Simcoe silt loam, 5 to 8 percent slopes (SmC).-Except for

slope, this soil is similar to Simcoe silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes. 

Most areas are undulating and are incised in places by steep 

intermittent stream channels. Runoff is medium, and the 

hazard of erosion is moderate. Capability unit IIIe-1 irrigated. 

Stanfield Series 

The Stanfield series consists of moderately well drained,

saline-alkali soils that are moderately deep over a silicacemented hardpan. These soils formed in alluvium. They are

on old alluvial plains, locally referred to as second bottoms. 

In most places slopes arc less than 1 percent, but in a few they 

are as much as 5 percent. The native vegetation is principally

black greasewood and inland saltgrass. Many small areas are

bare of vegetation. Elevations range from 700 to 900 feet.

The mean annual precipitation is 6 to 9 inches, the mean

annual temperature is 47° to 51° F., and the frost-free season

is 130 to 180 days. These soils are associated with Esquatzel

and Umapine soils. 

In a representative profile, the soil is pale-brown, strongly 

alkaline and very strongly alkaline silt loam to a depth of 23 

inches. It is underlain by a silica-cemented hardpan. 

Some areas of Stanfield soils have been drained and are 

irrigated. 

Stanfield silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes (StA).-Most 

areas of this soil are adjacent to Plank Road and south of

Satus Creek. In most places the slope is about 1 percent. A 

representative profile is about four-fifths of a mile east of

Plank Road and one-half mile north of West Satus Road, 

SE1/4NW1/4 sec. 9, T. 9 N., R. 21 E., W.M. 

A11-0 to 2 inches, pale-brown (10YR 6/3) silt loam, dark brown (10YR 

3/3) moist; weak, fine, granular structure; soft, friable, slightly 

sticky and slightly plastic; common roots; common fine pores; 

violent effervescence; strongly alkaline; abrupt, smooth boundary. 

A12-2 to 4 inches, pale-brown (10YR 6/3) silt loam, dark brown (10YR 

4/3) moist; moderate, thin, platy structure; slightly hard, friable, 

slightly sticky and slightly plastic; common roots; many fine 

pores; strong effervescence; very strongly alkaline; abrupt, 

smooth boundary. 

C1sa-4 to 15 inches, pale-brown (10YR 6/3) silt loam, dark brown (10YR 

4/3) moist; massive; soft, friable, slightly sticky and slightly 

plastic; common roots; few fine pores; strong effervescence; 

very strongly alkaline; gradual, wavy boundary. 

C2si--15 to 23 inches, pale-brown (10YR 6/3) silt loam, dark brown (10YR 

4/3) moist; massive; weakly to strongly cemented; hard, firm, 

slightly plastic; common roots; few fine pores; some hard 

concretions that have light-gray (10YR 7/2) lime coatings; violent 

effervescence on lime-coated concretions; very strongly alkaline; 

abrupt, wavy boundary. 

C3sim-23 to 60 inches, pale-brown (10YR 6/3) indurated hardpan, dark 

brown (10YR 4/3) moist; massive; some fractures; extremely hard, 

extremely firm; does not dissolve in HC1 or H20; few fine pores; 

some light-gray (10YR 7/2) segregated mycelial lime within the 

cemented hardpan; strongly alkaline. 

The soil material has value of 5 or 6 dry and 2 or 3 moist and chroma of 2 or 

3. The hardpan has similar value and chroma, but hue ranges from 5Y through 

10YR. The pan is 4 inches to many feet thick. Some areas have multiple, 

discontinuous cemented layers over a prominent indurated hardpan. 

Depth to the pan ranges from 20 to 40 inches. 

Included with this soil in mapping are small areas of

Ahtanum, Esquatzel, and Umapine soils and areas where the 

hardpan is above a depth of 20 inches. Also included are some 

areas where the soil is generally bare of vegetation and is covered 

with a white saline-alkali incrustation. 

Generally the seasonal high water table fluctuates between 

depths of 2 and more than 5 feet, but in some irrigated areas it is 

above 2 feet. Permeability is moderate above the hardpan and 

very slow in the pan. Runoff is slow to ponded, and the hazard 

of erosion is slight. The soil holds about 3 to 5 inches of water 

that plants can use. Capability unit IVw-1 irrigated. 

Stanfield silt loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes (StB).-Except for 

slope, this soil is similar to Stanfield silt loam, 0 to 2 percent 

slopes. Included in mapping are some ponded areas and some 

intermittent stream channels. Runoff is slow to medium, and 

the hazard of erosion is slight to moderate. Capability unit 

IVw-1 irrigated. 

Stanfield sandy loam (Sn).-This soil is similar to 

Stanfield silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, but the surface layer 

differs in texture and is 4 to 15 inches thick. Included in mapping 

are a few small areas of loamy fine sands that are windblown 

and hummocky. The hummocks are 4 to 30 inches thick. 

Runoff is slow, and the hazard of water erosion is slight. The 

hazard of soil blowing is moderate. Capability unit IVw-1 

irrigated. 

Toppenish Series 

The Toppenish series consists of deep, somewhat poorly 

drained soils that formed in alluvium. These soils are on old 

alluvial plains. Slopes are 0 to 5 percent. The native vege- 
tation is principally water-tolerant grasses and sedges and 

cottonwood and willow trees. Elevations range from 700 to 900 

feet. The mean annual precipitation is 6 to 9 inches, the mean 

annual air temperature is 47°

 to 51° F., and the frost-free season 

is 130 to 180 days. These soils are associated with Kittitas, 

Naches, Track, and Yost soils. 

In a representative profile, the surface layer is dark-gray 

silt loam about 6 inches thick. The subsoil is about 40 inches 

thick. The upper part is dark-gray clay loam about 11 inches 

thick; the middle part is prominently mottled light-brownish gray 

silt loam about 14 inches thick; and the lower part is 

prominently mottled grayish-brown clay loam and gravelly clay 

loam about 15 inches thick. The substratum is brown very 

gravelly sandy loam to a depth of 62 inches. 

Most areas of Toppenish soil have been drained and are 

irrigated. 

Toppenish silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes (ToA).This soil 

is on alluvial plains somewhat parallel to the lower Toppenish 

and Satus Creeks and the Yakima River. In most places the 

slope is about 1 percent or less. A representative profile is 

about three-fourths of a mile south of State Route 22 and 200 

feet east of Myers Road, NW1/4NW1/4 sec. 23, T. 10 N., R. 

20 E., W.M. 

Ap-0 to 6 inches, dark-gray (10YR 4/1) silt loam, very dark gray (10YR 

3/1) moist; moderate, thin, platy structure; slightly hard, friable, 

slightly sticky and slightly plastic; many roots; common fine 

pores; slight effervescence; moderately alkaline; abrupt, smooth 

boundary. 

B1-6 to 17 inches, dark-gray (10YR 4/1) clay loam, very dark gray 

(10YR 3/1) moist; moderate, medium and coarse, prismatic 

structure; hard, friable, sticky and plastic; common roots; 

common fine pores; slickensides on peds; slight effervescence; 

moderately alkaline; gradual, wavy boundary. 

IIB21g-17 to 31 inches, light brownish-gray (10YR 6/2) silt loam, grayish 

brown (10YR 5/2) moist; common, medium, prominent, 

yellowish-red (5YR 5/6) mottles; moderate, medium, 

subangular blocky structure; hard, friable, slightly sticky and 

slightly plastic; few roots; few medium pores; moderately alkaline; 

gradual, wavy boundary. 

IIIB22g-31 to 42 inches, grayish-brown (10YR 5/2) clay loam, very 

dark grayish brown (10YR 3/2) moist; common, medium, 

prominent, dark-brown (7.5YR 4/4) mottles; moderate, 

medium, subangular blocky structure; hard, friable, sticky and 

plastic; few roots; few medium pores; few pebbles; mildly 

alkaline; gradual, wavy boundary. 

IIIB23g-42 to 46 inches, grayish-brown (10YR 5/2) gravelly clay loam, 

very dark grayish brown (10YR 3/2) moist; many medium, 

prominent, reddish-brown (5YR 4/4) mottles; moderate, 

medium, subangular structure; hard, friable, sticky and plastic; 

few roots; few medium pores; 40 percent gravel; mildly 

alkaline; gradual, wavy boundary. 

IVC-46 to 62 inches, brown (10YR 5/3) very gravelly sandy loam, dark 

brown (10YR 3/3) moist; massive; loose; 80 percent gravel; 

mildly alkaline. 

The A and B1 horizons have value of 4 or 5 dry and 2 or 3 moist and chroma 

of 1 or 2 moist or dry. They are silt loam, silty clay loam, or clay loam. 

The B2g horizon has value of 4 through 6 dry and 3 through 5 moist and 

chroma of 1 or 2 moist or dry. It is silt loam, clay loam, or gravelly clay 

loam. The C horizon has value of 4 through 6 dry and chroma of 1 through 

4 dry. It is sandy loam, sand, or silt loam and is very gravelly in places. 

Included with this soil in mapping are small areas of 

Fiander, Kittitas, Naches, and Track soils, a few areas of 

poorly drained soils, and a few areas of saline-alkali soils. 

Generally the seasonal high water table is at a depth of 1 to 

2 feet, but in places it is within a depth of 1 foot. In irrigated 

areas the water table is maintained at a depth of 3 to 5 feet 

by deep drains. Permeability is moderate. Runoff is very 

slow, and the hazard of erosion is none to slight. 

The soil holds 8 to 10 inches of water that plants can use. 

Capability unit IIw-2 irrigated. 

Toppenish silt loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes (ToB).Except 

for slope, this soil is similar to Toppenish silt loam, 0 to 2 

percent slopes. The dark-colored surface layer and the upper

part of the subsoil are 10 to 15 inches thick. Included in mapping 

are some well-drained areas, some ponded areas, and some 

intermittent stream channels. Runoff is slow to medium, and the 

hazard of erosion is slight to moderate. Individual delineations 

are mostly long and small. Capability unit IIw-2 irrigated. 

Toppenish silty clay loam (Tp).-This soil is similar to 

Toppenish silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, but the darkcolored surface layer and the upper part of the subsoil are clay 

loam or silty clay loam 6 to 12 inches thick. 

Included in mapping are small areas of Kittitas silty clay 

loam and Yost clay. Runoff is very slow, and the hazard of erosion 

is none to slight. The soil provides pasture and wildlife 

habitat, mainly for waterfowl (fig. 4). Capability unit IIw-2 

irrigated. 

Track Series 

The Track series consists of somewhat poorly drained soils that 

formed in alluvium. These soils are on old alluvial plains, mainly 

in the vicinity south of Toppenish. The native vegetation is 

principally water-tolerant grasses and sedges and cottonwood 

and willow trees. Elevations range from 700 to 900 feet. The mean 

annual precipitation is 6 to 9 inches, the mean annual air 

temperature is 47° to 51°

 F., and the frost-free season is 130 to 

180 days. These soils are associated with Ashue, Naches, 

Toppenish, and Weirman soils. 

In a representative profile, the surface layer is dark-gray 

and gray loam about 8 inches thick. The upper part of the 

subsoil is gray loam about 8 inches thick. The lower part is 

gray very gravelly loam about 6 inches thick. It has a few 

prominent mottles. The substratum to a depth of 64 inches is 

grayish-brown very gravelly sand that has a few prominent 

mottles. The soil is calcareous throughout. It is moderately 

alkaline and strongly alkaline. 

Most of the acreage of Track soils has been drained and is 

irrigated. 

Track loam (Tr).-This is the most extensive of the Track 

soils. Areas range from about 50 to 200 acres in size. In most 

places the slope is about 1 percent. A representative profile is 

about 100 feet south of Granger Road and 700 feet east of Track 

Road, SE1/4NE1/4 sec. 30, T. 10 N., R. 21 E., W.M. 

A11-0 to 3 inches, dark-gray (10YR 4/1) loam, very dark gray (10YR 

30) moist; weak, thin, platy structure; soft, friable, slightly 

sticky and slightly plastic; many roots; common fine pores; 

about 2 percent gravel; violent effervescence; moderately 

alkaline; abrupt, smooth boundary. 

A12-3 to 8 inches, gray (10YR 5/1) loam, very dark gray (10YR 3/1) 

moist; moderate, thin, platy structure; slightly hard, friable, 

slightly sticky and slightly plastic; common fine roots; common 

fine pores; about 2 percent gravel; violent effervescence; 

moderately alkaline; abrupt, smooth boundary. 

B21-8 to 16 inches, gray (10YR 5/1) loam, very dark gray (10YR 3/1) 

moist; moderate, medium, angular blocky structure; hard, 

friable, sticky and plastic; few roots; common fine pores; thin 

discontinuous clay films on peds; about 5 percent gravel; 

violent effervescence; moderately alkaline; abrupt, wavy 

boundary. 

IIB22g-16 to 22 inches, gray (10YR 5/1) very gravelly loam, very dark 

grayish brown (10YR 3/2) moist; few, medium, 
Figure 4.-Migratory ducks on Toppenish Creek. The soil is Toppenish silty clay loam. 

prominent, yellowish-red (5YR 5/6) mottles; massive; hard, 

firm, sticky and plastic; few roots; few fine pores; thin 

discontinuous clay films surrounding gravel; about 55 percent 

gravel; strong effervescence; some disseminated and segregated 

lime; some gravel is lime coated on the lower side; strongly 

alkaline; abrupt, wavy boundary. 

IIC1-22 to 64 inches, grayish-brown (10YR 5/2) very gravelly sand, 

very dark grayish brown (10YR 3/2) moist; few, medium, 

prominent, yellowish-red (5YR 5/6) mottles; single grained; loose; 

few fine roots; 70 percent gravel and cobblestones; water table 

at a depth of 46 inches; moderately alkaline. 

The A horizon has value of 4 or 5 dry and 2 or 3 moist and chroma of 1 or 2. 

It ranges from very fine sandy loam to silt loam. It is mildly alkaline to 

strongly alkaline. The B horizon has value of 4 or 5 dry and chroma of 1 or 2 

moist or dry. The IIB and IIC horizons have value of 4 or 5 dry and 3 or 4 

moist and chroma of 1 or 2 moist or dry. They are moderately alkaline to 

strongly alkaline. Depth to the very gravelly sand IIC1 horizon ranges from 

15 to 30 inches. 

Included with this soil in mapping are small areas of

gravelly soils, a few gently sloping long and narrow areas that are 

old intermittent stream channels, and a few areas of salinealkali soils. Also included are small areas of Ashue, 

Toppenish, Weirman, and Zillah soils. 

Generally the seasonal high water table is at a depth of 1 to 

2 feet, but in places it is within a depth of 1 foot. Permeability 

is moderately slow. Runoff is very slow, and the hazard of

erosion is none to slight. In irrigated areas the water table is 

held at a depth of 3 to more than 5 feet by deep open drains. The 

soil holds 4 to 5 inches of water that plants can use. 

Capability unit IIIw-1 irrigated. 

Track gravelly loam (Ts).-This soil is similar to Track 

loam, but the surface layer differs in texture and slopes range 

from 0 to 5 percent. The soil is on old alluvial gravel bars. 

Areas are small in extent and variable in shape. Included in 

mapping are areas where the soil has been altered by deep 

tillage or deep cuts made during land leveling. Runoff is slow 

to medium, and the hazard of erosion is slight to moderate. 

The soil holds 2 to 4 inches of water that plants can use. 

Capability unit IIIw-1 irrigated. 

Track silty clay loam (Tt).-This soil is similar to Track 

loam, but the surface layer differs in texture. The soil is in 

low basins or depressional areas on alluvial plains. In most

places the slope is less than 1 percent. Runoff is very slow, 

and the hazard of erosion is none to slight. The soil holds 4 

to 5 inches of water that plants can use. Capability unit IIIw1 irrigated. 

Umapine Series 

The Umapine series consists of deep, somewhat poorly 

drained, saline-alkali soils that formed in alluvium. These 

soils are on bottom land and low terraces. The native vegetation is principally black greasewood, inland saltgrass, and basin 

wildrye grass. Elevations range from 650 to 900 feet. The 

mean annual precipitation is 6 to 9 inches, the mean annual 

air temperature is 47°

 to 51° F., and the frost-free season is 130 

to 180 days. These soils are associated with Esquatzel, Stanfield, 

and Warden soils. 

In a representative profile, the surface layer is light 

brownish-gray silt loam about 5 inches thick. It is very 

strongly alkaline. The substratum is light brownish-gray, 

light-gray, and grayish-brown silt loam to a depth of 60 

inches. It is very strongly alkaline to mildly alkaline. 

Some areas of Umapine soils have been drained and are 

irrigated (fig. 5). 
Figure 5.-Cattle grazing an irrigated pasture on Umapine silt loam. The soil in the background is nonirrigated Warden silt loam. 

Umapine silt loam (Um).-In most areas this soil has 

slopes of about 1 percent. A representative profile is about 

1,980 feet south of Jensen Road and 300 feet west of U.S. Highway 

No. 97, SW1/4NE1/4 sec. 28, T. 10 N., R. 20 E., W.M. 

A1-0 to 5 inches, light brownish-gray (10YR 6/2) silt loam, dark grayish 

brown (10YR 4/2) moist; weak, thin, platy structure; soft, friable, 

slightly plastic; many roots; many fine pores; violent 

effervescence; very strongly alkaline; abrupt, smooth boundary. 

C1-5 to 22 inches, light brownish-gray (10YR 6/2) silt loam, dark grayish 

brown (10YR 4/2) moist; massive; soft, friable, slightly plastic; 

common roots; many fine pores; violent effervescence; very 

strongly alkaline; abrupt, wavy boundary. 

C2-22 to 29 inches, light brownish-gray (10YR 6/2) silt loam, dark grayish 

brown (10YR 4/2) moist; massive; hard, firm, slightly sticky 

and slightly plastic; common roots; many fine pores; weakly 

cemented concretions that range from to 7 inches in diameter; 

violent effervescence; very strongly alkaline; abrupt, broken 

boundary. 

C3ca-29 to 40 inches, light-gray (10YR 7/2) silt loam, grayish brown 

(10YR 5/2) moist; common, medium, faint mottles; massive; soft, 

friable, slightly sticky and slightly plastic; few roots; many fine 

pores; disseminated and segregated lime; violent effervescence; 

moderately alkaline; abrupt, wavy boundary. 

C4ca-40 to 46 inches, grayish-brown (l0YR 5/2) silt loam, very dark 

grayish brown (10YR 3/2) moist; massive; soft, 

friable, slightly sticky and slightly plastic; few roots; many fine 

pores; violent effervescence; moderately alkaline; abrupt, wavy 

boundary. 

C5-46 to 60 inches, grayish-brown (10YR 5/2) silt loam, very dark 

grayish brown (10YR 3/2) moist; massive; soft, friable, slightly 

sticky and slightly plastic; few roots; many fine pores; mildly 

alkaline. 

The A1 horizon has value of 5 or 6 dry and 3 or 4 moist and 

chroma of 2 or 3. It has a granular, thin, platy or blocky structure. The C1 

and C2 horizons have value of 6 or 7 dry and 4 or 5 moist and chroma of 2 

or 3. The Cca horizon has value of 5 through 7 dry and 3 through 5 moist and 

chroma of 2 or 3. In places, the C horizon is gravelly at a depth of more than 

40 inches. 

Included with this soil in mapping are small areas of

Esquatzel, Stanfield, Toppenish, and Warden soils. Also 

included are areas of soils that are leached of excess salts, small 

areas of well-drained soils, small areas of poorly drained soils, 

small areas where slopes are as much as 5 percent, and small 

areas of soils that have a sandy loam surface layer. 

Generally the seasonal high water table fluctuates between 

depths of 2 and 5 feet, but in places it is within a depth of 2 

feet. In cultivated and irrigated areas the water table is 

held at a depth of 3 to more than 5 feet by deep drains. 

Permeability is moderate. Runoff is slow to ponded, and the 

hazard of erosion is slight. The soil holds 6 to 12 inches of water 

that plants can use. Capability unit IIw-1 irrigated. 
Wahtum Series 

The Wahtum series consists of deep, somewhat poorly 

drained, saline-alkali soils that formed in old alluvium. They are 

on low alluvial terraces and alluvial fans. Slopes are 0 to 5 

percent. The native vegetation is principally black 

greasewood, big sagebrush, inland saltgrass, and basin 

wildrye. Elevations range from 350 to 1,000 feet. The mean 

annual precipitation is 6 to 9 inches, the mean annual temperature is 43° to 52° F., and the frost-free season is 130 to 

130 days. These soils are associated with Ahtanum, Kittitas, 

Onyx, and Simcoe soils. 

In a representative profile, the surface layer is grayishbrown loam about 9 inches thick. The subsoil is dark-brown 

and brown clay or heavy silty clay loam about 11 inches 

thick. The upper part of the substratum is weakly cemented, 

brown silt loam about 4 inches thick. The lower part is 

stratified, grayish-brown sandy loam and very gravelly sandy 

loam to a depth of 60 inches. 

A few areas of Wahtum soils have been drained and are 

irrigated. 

Wahtum loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes (WaA).-This soil 

is on low alluvial terraces and alluvial fans, mainly in the 

Medicine Creek area. A representative profile is about 2,600 feet 

west of Hinman Road and 1,000 feet south of Progress Road, 

SW1/4NW1/4NE1/4 sec. 29, T. 11 N., R. 17 E., W.M. 

A11-0 to 2 inches, grayish-brown (10YR 5/2) loam, very dark grayish 

brown (10YR 3/2) moist; weak, thin, platy structure that parts 

to moderate, fine, granular structure; soft, very friable, slightly 

sticky and slightly plastic; many fine roots; common fine pores; 

moderately alkaline; abrupt, smooth boundary. 

A12-2 to 9 inches, grayish-brown (10YR 5/2) loam, very dark grayish 

brown (10YR 3/2) moist; weak, thick, platy structure that parts to 

weak, fine, granular structure; soft, friable, slightly sticky and 

slightly plastic; common roots; common fine pores; mildly 

alkaline; abrupt, wavy boundary. 

B21t-9 to 14 inches, dark-brown (10YR 4/3) clay, dark brown (10YR 

3/3) moist; strong, medium, prismatic and columnar structure; 

very hard, firm, sticky and plastic; common roots; common fine 

pores; moderately alkaline; abrupt, wavy boundary. 

B22t-14 to 20 inches, brown (10YR 5/3) heavy silty clay loam, dark 

brown (10YR 3/3) moist; massive; very hard, firm, sticky and plastic; 

few fine roots; common fine pores; weakly cemented concretions; 

strong effervescence on lime veins that coat concretions; moderately 

alkaline; abrupt, wavy boundary. 

C1casim-20 to 24 inches, brown (10YR 5/3) silt loam, dark brown (10YR

3/3) moist; massive; very hard, firm; few fine roots; common fine 

pores; weakly cemented; violent effervescence; light-gray (10YR 7/2) 

mycelial lime and lime coatings on embedded concretions; strongly 

alkaline; gradual, wavy boundary. 

C2-24 to 46 inches, grayish-brown (10YR 5/2) sandy loam, very dark 

grayish brown (10YR, 3/2) moist; massive; soft, very friable, slightly 

plastic; few fine roots; violent effervescence; strongly alkaline; 

gradual, wavy boundary. 

IIC3-46 to 60 inches, grayish-brown (10YR 5/2) very gravelly sandy 

loam, very dark grayish brown (10YR 3/2) moist; massive; loose; 

75 percent gravel and cobbles; violent effervescence; lime-silica 

coatings on much of the gravel; strongly alkaline. 

The A horizon has value of 4 or 5 dry and 2 or 3 moist and chroma 

of 1 or 2. It is loam, very fine sandy loam, or silt loam. It ranges from 

moderately alkaline to very strongly alkaline. The B horizon has value of 4 

or 5. It ranges from heavy silty clay loam to clay. It is normally about 10 

inches thick, but ranges from 5 to 20 inches. The structure from a 

depth of 2 to 6 inches is prismatic or columnar. Reaction ranges from 

moderately alkaline to very strongly alkaline. The C horizon ranges from 

weakly cemented to 

indurated. The cementing agents are iron, silica, and lime. The 

solum is generally underlain by stratified alluvium, but in places it 

is underlain by basalt bedrock or material weathered from the 

Ellensburg Formation. 

Included with this soil in mapping are small areas of

Kittitas, Onyx, Simcoe, Stanfield, and White Swan soils and a

few areas of poorly drained soils. 

Generally the seasonal high water table fluctuates between 

depths of 2 and 5 feet, but in places it is within a depth of 2 

feet. During the irrigation season the water table is held at a 

depth of 3 to more than 5 feet by deep drains. Permeability is 

very slow. Runoff is very slow to ponded, and the hazard of erosion 

is none to slight. The soil holds 5 to 9 inches of water that plants 

can use. Capability unit IVw-1 irrigated. 

Wahtum loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes (WaB).-Except for 

slope, this soil is similar to Wahtum loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes. 

Included in mapping are small areas of moderately well drained 

soils and some areas where the soils are ponded. Runoff is slow to 

medium, and the hazard of erosion is slight to moderate. 

Capability unit IVw-1 irrigated. 

Wahtum Series, Dark Variant 

The Wahtum dark variant consists of deep, well-drained, 

saline-alkali soils that formed in old alluvium. These soils are 

on low terraces. Slopes are 0 to 5 percent. The native 

vegetation is principally black greasewood and big sagebrush. 

Elevations range from 700 to 850 feet. The mean annual 

precipitation is 6 to 9 inches, the mean annual air temperature 

is 47° to 51° F., and the frost-free season is 130 to 180 days. 

These soils are associated with Umapine and Warden soils. 

 In a representative profile, the surface layer is gray and

dark-gray silt loam about 5 inches thick. The subsoil is about 26 

inches thick. The upper 3 inches of the subsoil is dark-gray clay 

loam, the next 14 inches is grayish-brown silty clay, and the 

lower 9 inches is grayish-brown silty clay loam. The substratum 

is light brownish-gray and light-gray, stratified silt loam and 

clay loam to a depth of 66 inches. A few areas of the Wahtum 

dark variant are irrigated. 

Wahtum loam, dark variant (Wd ).-This soil is south of 

Toppenish Creek, mainly on the low terraces of Toppenish Ridge. 

In most areas the slope is about 1 percent, but in a few small 

areas it is as much as 5 percent. A representative profile is 

about seven-tenths of a mile east of the intersection of Pumphouse 

Road and U.S. Highway No. 97, NE1/4SE1/4 sec. 33, T. 10 N., 

R. 20 E., W.M. 

A11-0 to 3 inches, gray (10YR 5/1) loam, black (10YR 2/1) moist; 

moderate, thin, platy structure; soft, friable, slightly sticky and 

slightly plastic; few roots; strongly vesicular; slight 

effervescence; moderately alkaline; abrupt, smooth boundary. 

A12-3 to 5 inches, dark-gray (10YR 4/1) loam, black (10YR 2/1) moist; 

weak, thin, platy structure; soft, friable, slightly sticky and 

slightly plastic; few roots; few fine pores; moderately 

alkaline; abrupt, smooth boundary. 

B1ca-5 to 8 inches, dark-gray (10YR 4/1) clay loam, black (10YR 2/1) 

moist; strong, fine, granular structure; individual granules are 

slightly hard, but the horizon entity is soft, friable, sticky and 

plastic; few roots; few fine pores; strong effervescence; strongly 

alkaline; abrupt, smooth boundary. 

B21tca-8 to 22 inches, grayish-brown (10YR 5/2) silty clay, dark grayish 

brown (10YR 3/2) moist; moderate, medium, prismatic structure 

with dark gray (10YR 4/1) coatings on peds; hard, firm, very sticky 

and very plastic; common roots; common fine pores; some 

disseminated and mycelial lime; violent effervescence; very 

strongly alkaline;-

 gradual, wavy boundary. 
B22tca-22 to 31 inches, grayish-brown (10YR 5/2) silty clay loam, 

very dark grayish brown (10YR 3/2) moist; massive; hard, firm, 

sticky and plastic; few roots; common fine pores; some disseminated 

and mycelial lime; violent effervescence; moderately alkaline; 

gradual, wavy boundary. 

C1ca-31 to 45 inches, light brownish-gray (10YR 6/2) silt loam, dark 

grayish brown (10YR 4/2) moist; massive; hard, friable, slightly 

sticky and slightly plastic; few roots; common fine pores and

few coarse pores; some disseminated and mycelial lime; violent 

effervescence; moderately alkaline. 

IIC2-45 to 52 inches, light-gray (10YR 7/2) silt loam, grayish brown 

(10YR 5/2) moist; massive; slightly hard, friable; common fine 

pores; largely volcanic ash; mildly alkaline; abrupt., smooth 

boundary. 

IIIC3-52 to 66 inches, light brownish-gray (10Y R 6/2) clay loam, dark 

grayish brown (10YR 4/2) moist; massive; hard, friable, 

sticky and plastic; few fine and coarse pores; mildly alkaline.

The A horizon ranges from 3 to 12 inches in thickness. It ranges from 

mildly alkaline to strongly alkaline. In places a layer of volcanic ash is 

between the A and B horizon. The IIC2 volcanic ash layer is lacking in 

places. 

Included with this soil in mapping are small areas of 

Umapine and Warden soils. 

Permeability is very slow. Runoff is very slow to ponded, and 

the hazard of erosion is none to slight. The soil holds 8 to 13 

inches of water that plants can use. Capability unit IVs-1. 

Warden Series 

The Warden series consists of deep, well-drained soils that

formed in a mantle of wind-laid material and underlying lake 

sediment. These soils are on uplands. Slopes are 0 to 30 

percent. The native vegetation is principally big sagebrush, 

rabbitbrush, and bunchgrasses. Elevations range from 650 to 

1,000 feet. The mean annual precipitation is 6 to 9 inches, the 

mean annual air temperature is 47° to 51° F., and the frost-free 

season is 130 to 180 days. These soils are associated with Esquatzel 

and Shano soils. 

In a representative profile, the surface layer is grayishbrown silt loam about 12 inches thick. The subsoil is grayishbrown silt loam about 10 inches thick. The substratum is light 

brownish-gray and light-gray, weakly stratified silt loam to a 

depth of 62 inches. It is calcareous. 

Most of the acreage of Warden soils is irrigated. 

Warden silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes (WfA).-This soil 

is on uplands that begin at elevations slightly higher than the 

alluvial plains. In most areas the slope is about 1 percent. A 

representative profile is about 200 feet north of McDonald Road

and 2,100 feet east of Bench Road, SE1/4SW1/4 sec. 32, T. 11 N., 

R. 18 E., W.M.

Ap1-0 to 4 inches, grayish-brown (10YR 5/2) silt loam, dark grayish 

brown (10YR 4/2) moist; weak, medium, subangular blocky 

structure; slightly hard, friable, slightly sticky and slightly 

plastic; many roots; common fine pores; neutral; abrupt, smooth 

boundary. 

Ap2-4 to 12 inches, grayish-brown (10YR 5/2) silt loam, dark grayish 

brown (10YR 4/2) moist; massive; slightly hard, friable, 

slightly sticky and slightly plastic; many roots; common fine 

pores; neutral; abrupt, smooth boundary. 

B2-12 to 22 inches, grayish-brown (10YR 5/2) silt loam, dark grayish 

brown (10YR 4/2) moist; weak, coarse, prismatic structure; soft, 

friable, slightly sticky and slightly plastic; common roots; common 

fine pores; mildly alkaline; abrupt, wavy boundary. 

C1ca-22 to 44 inches, light brownish-gray (2.5Y 6/2) silt loam, dark 

grayish brown (10YR 4/2) moist; massive; slightly hard, friable, 

slightly sticky and slightly plastic; common 

roots; common fine pores; violent effervescence; moderately 

alkaline; gradual, wavy boundary. 

C2ca-44 to 62 inches, light-gray (2.5Y 7/2) silt loam, dark grayish brown 

(2.5Y 4/2) moist; massive and laminated; hard, firm, slightly 

sticky and slightly plastic; few roots; few fine pores; 

disseminated and segregated mycelial lime; violent effervescence; 

moderately alkaline. 

 The A and B horizons have value of 5 or 6 dry and 3 or 4 moist and

chroma of 2 or 3. The C horizon has value of 6 or 7 dry and hue of 2.5Y or

10YR. In places, it is laminated silt loam stratified with fine sandy loam

that is massive or single grained. Depth to free lime ranges from about 18 to 

32 inches. 

Included with this soil in mapping are small areas of

Esquatzel, Shano, and White Swan soils. Also included are a 

few areas of saline-alkali soils and a few areas of somewhat 

poorly drained soils. 

Permeability is moderate. Runoff is slow, and the hazard 

of erosion is slight. The soil holds 10 to 13 inches of water that 

plants can use. 

In areas that have been leveled and prepared for irrigation, 

the original horizons have been altered sufficiently to destroy 

their normal sequence. In many places the leveled soils are 

calcareous at the surface. In a few places leveling cuts in 

excess of 5 feet have exposed old lake sediments. Capability 

unit I-1 irrigated. 

Warden silt loam 2 to 5 percent slopes (WfB).-Except for 

slope, this soil is similar to Warden silt loam, 0 to 2 

percent slopes. Runoff is slow to medium, and the hazard of

erosion is slight to moderate. Capability unit IIe-1 irrigated. 

Warden silt loam, 5 to 8 percent slopes (WfC).-Except 

for slope, this soil is similar to Warden silt loam, 0 to 2 percent

slopes. Runoff is medium, and the hazard of erosion is moderate. 

Capability unit IIIe-1 irrigated. 

Warden silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes (WfD).-This soil 

is similar to Warden silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, but differs 

in slope and in depth to the substratum. On south exposures the 

depth is 10 to 20 inches and on north exposures 20 to 35 inches. 

Included in mapping are a few small areas where the surface 

layer is fine sandy loam. 

Runoff is rapid, and the hazard of erosion is severe. In places 

gullies have formed. Capability unit IVe-3 irrigated. 

Warden silt loam, 15 to 30 percent slopes (WfE).This soil is 

similar to Warden silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, but differs in 

slope and in depth to the substratum. On south exposures the 

depth is 10 to 20 inches and on north exposures 20 to 35 inches. 

Runoff is very rapid, and the hazard of erosion is very 

severe. In places erosion has removed most of the original 

surface layer and formed deep gullies. Most areas are long 

and narrow and are between the alluvial flood plains and the 

gently sloping terraces. Capability unit VIe-1 irrigated. 

Warden fine sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes 

(WeA).-This soil is similar to Warden silt loam, 0 to 2 

percent slopes, but the surface layer differs in texture. Runoff is 

slow, and the hazard of erosion is slight. The hazard of soil 

blowing is slight where the soil is bare of vegetation. 

Capability unit I-1 irrigated. 

Warden fine sandy loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes (WeB).-

This soil is similar to Warden silt loam, 2 to 5 percent 

slopes, but the surface layer differs in texture. Runoff is slow to 

medium, and the hazard of water erosion is slight to moderate. 

The hazard of soil blowing is slight where the soil is bare of

vegetation. Capability unit IIe-1 irrigated. 

Warden fine sandy loam, 5 to 8 percent slopes 

(WeC).-This soil is similar to Warden silt loam, 5 to 8 

percent slopes, but the surface layer differs in texture. Runoff 
is medium, and the hazard of water erosion is moderate. The 

hazard of soil blowing is slight where the soil is bare of vegetation. 

Capability unit IIIe-1 irrigated. 

Weirman Series 

The Weirman series consists of deep, somewhat excessively 

drained soils that are underlain by gravel. These soils formed in 

recent alluvium derived mostly from basalt. They are on low 

alluvial plains. Most of the acreage is dissected by perennial 

streams or old marshy stream channels. The native vegetation is 

mainly big sagebrush and cheatgrass. Cottonwood, willow, 

and alder trees are in areas adjacent to the main stream 

channels. Elevations range from 650 to 950 feet. The mean 

annual precipitation is 6 to 9 inches, the mean annual air 

temperature is 47° to 51° F., and the frost-free season is 130 

to 180 days. These soils are associated with Ashue, Naches, and

Zillah soils. 

In a representative profile, the surface layer is grayishbrown fine sandy loam about 9 inches thick. The substratum is 

brown loamy fine sand to a depth of about 20 inches and 

grayish-brown very gravelly loamy sand to a depth of 60 

inches. These soils are neutral throughout. 

Most of the acreage of Weirman soils is irrigated. 

Weirman fine sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes 

(WoA). This soil is on alluvial flood plains adjacent to the 

Yakima River. In most places the slope is about 1 percent. A 

representative profile is about 150 feet southwest of the 

intersection of Brooks and Weirman Roads, NE1/4NE1/4 sec. 30, 

T. 11 N., R. 20 E., W.M. 

Ap1-0 to 3 inches, grayish-brown (10YR 5/2) fine sandy loam, very dark

grayish brown (10YR 3/ 2) moist; weak, fine, granular structure; 

soft, very friable; many roots; neutral; abrupt, smooth boundary. 

Ap2-3 to 9 inches, grayish-brown (10YR. 5/2) fine sandy loam, very dark

grayish brown (10YR 3/2) moist; massive; soft, very friable; many 

fine roots, common fine pores; neutral; abrupt, smooth boundary. 

C1-9 to 20 inches, brown (10YR.5/3) loamy fine sand, dark brown (10YR 3/3) 

moist; single grained; loose; many roots; common fine pores;

neutral; gradual, wavy boundary. 

IIC2-20 to 43 inches, grayish-brown (10YR 5/2) very gravelly loamy 

sand, dark grayish brown (10YR 4/2) moist; single grained; loose; 

few roots; few fine pores; 75 percent gravel and cobbles; neutral; 

gradual, wavy boundary. 

IIC3-43 to 60 inches, grayish-brown (10YR 5/2) very gravelly loamy sand, 

dark grayish brown (10YR 4/2) moist; common, medium, 

prominent, yellowish-red (5YR 4/6) mottles; single grained; loose; 

75 percent gravel and cobbles; few roots; neutral. 

The A horizon ranges from fine sandy loam to sandy loam in texture and 

from 5 to 9 inches in thickness. The C1 horizon ranges from loam to loamy 

fine sand, and it is gravelly in places. It ranges from 6 to 20 inches in thickness. 

The IIC horizon ranges from very gravelly loamy sand to gravel. In many 

places the IIC 3 horizon is not mottled. 

Included with this soil in mapping are small areas of Zillah, 

Ashue, and Track soils and a few areas of saline-alkali soils. 

During the irrigation season the water table is at a depth of

3 to 5 feet in places. Permeability is very rapid. Runoff is 

slow, and the hazard of erosion is slight. The soil holds 2 to 5 

inches of water that plants can use. Capability unit IIIs-1 

irrigated. 

Weirman fine sandy loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes (WoB).-

Except for slope, this soil is similar to Weirman fine sandy 

loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes. Most areas are somewhat 

undulating and in places include intermittent stream channels 

and small gravelly areas. Runoff is slow to medium, 

and the hazard of erosion is slight to moderate. Capability unit 

IVe-1 irrigated. 

Weirman sandy loam (Wm).-This soil is similar to 

Weirman fine sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, but the 

surface layer differs in texture and the soil is dissected by 

stream channels. Areas adjacent to the Yakima River or its 

tributaries are subject to annual flooding. The old channel areas 

at some distance from the perennial stream channels are 

subject to a high water table during the growing season as a 

result of irrigation. Many of the old channel bottoms are similar 

to the poorly drained Zillah soil. Runoff is slow, and the hazard of

erosion is slight. Capability unit VIw-1 nonirrigated. 

Weirman gravelly sandy loam (Wn).-This soil is similar 

to Weirman fine sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, but the 

surface layer and upper part of the substratum differ in 

texture and the slope ranges from 0 to 5 percent. Included in 

mapping are some areas where the soil is cobbly or very 

gravelly. Runoff is slow to medium, and the hazard of erosion is 

slight to moderate. Capability unit IVs-2 irrigated. 

Weirman silt loam (Wr) .-This soil is similar to Weirman 

fine sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, but the upper 6 to 14 

inches differs in texture. Most areas are between Wapato and 

the Yakima River and extend north and south parallel to the 

river. The soil is associated with Zillah soils. Runoff is slow, and 

the hazard of erosion is slight. The soil holds 3 to 5 inches of

water that plants can use. Capability unit IIs-1 irrigated. 

White Swan Series 

The White Swan series consists of deep, well-drained, 

saline-alkali soils that formed in a thin mantle of loess over 

thick lake deposits. These soils are on terraces mainly in the 

vicinity of White Swan. Slopes are 0 to 8 percent. The native 

vegetation is principally inland saltgrass, black greasewood, basin 

wildrye, and big sagebrush. Elevations range from 850 to 

1,050 feet. The mean annual precipitation is 6 to 9 inches, 

the mean annual air temperature is 47°

 to 51° F., and the frostfree season is 130 to 180 days. These soils are associated with 

Esquatzel, Kittitas, and Warden soils. 

In a representative profile, the surface layer is mildly 

alkaline, grayish-brown silt loam about 3 inches thick. The 

upper 8 inches of the subsoil is moderately alkaline, grayishbrown silty clay loam. The lower 9 inches is calcareous, 

strongly alkaline, pale-brown silty clay loam. The substratum

is laminated, light brownish-gray silt loam to a depth of 60 

inches. It is calcareous and strongly alkaline. 

Some of the acreage of White Swan soils irrigated. 

White Swan silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes (WsA).This 

soil is mainly on low terraces. Slopes are dominantly about 1 

percent. A representative profile is about 1.5 miles west of 

Shaker Road and 50 feet north of Fort Road, SE1/4SW1/4 sec. 

4, T. 10 N., R. 17 E., W.M. 

A1-0 to 3 inches, grayish-brown (10YR 5/2) silt loam, dark grayish brown 

(10YR 4/2) moist; weak, thick, platy stricture; slightly hard, friable, 

slightly sticky and slightly plastic; common roots; many fine 

vesicular pores; mildly alkaline; abrupt, smooth boundary. 

B21t-3 to 11 inches, grayish-brown (10YR 5;/2) silty clay loam, dark grayish 

brown (10YR 4/2) moist; strong, medium, prismatic structure; very 

hard, firm, sticky and plastic; common roots, none or few roots inside 

peds, but in places roots matted on ped interfaces; common fine pores; 

medium continuous clay films on peds; moderately alkaline; 

gradual, wavy boundary. 
B22tca-11 to 20 inches, pale-brown (10YR 6/3) silty clay loam, brown (10YR 5/3) moist; massive; very hard, firm, sticky and plastic; few roots; few fine pores; violent effervescence; few flecks of

disseminated lime; very strongly alkaline; gradual, wavy boundary.

Cca-20 to 60 inches, light brownish-gray (2.5Y 6/2) silt loam, grayish brown 

(2.5Y 5/2) moist; massive; laminar and weakly stratified; slightly

hard, firm, layers very firm in place but friable once disturbed,

slightly sticky and slightly plastic; few roots; common fine pores;

violent effervescence; disseminated and segregated mycelial lime;

strongly alkaline. 

The A horizon has value of 5 or 6 dry and 3 or 4 moist. It is silt loam or 

very fine sandy loam and is mildly alkaline to strongly alkaline. The B 

horizon has value of 5 or 6 dry and 4 or 5 moist, chroma of 2 or 3 dry or

moist, and hue of 2.5Y or 10YR. It is silty clay loam, silty clay, or

clay and is moderately alkaline to very strongly alkaline. The Cca horizon 

has value of 6 or 7 dry, chroma of 2 or 3, and hue of 10YR or 2.5Y. It is

silt loam and has thin layers of very fine sandy loam or fine sandy loam. It is 

moderately alkaline or strongly alkaline. 

Included with this soil in mapping are small areas of

Kittitas, Wahtum, and Warden soils. Permeability is slow.

Runoff is very slow to ponded, and the hazard of erosion is

none to slight. The soil holds 8 to 10 inches of water that

plants can use. Capability unit IVs-1 irrigated. 

White Swan silt loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes (WsB).- Except for slope, this soil is similar to White Swan silt loam, 0 to 

2 percent slopes. Runoff is slow to medium, and the hazard 

of erosion is slight to moderate. Capability unit IVs-1 irrigated.

White Swan silt loam, 5 to 8 percent slopes (WsC).-Except 

for slope, this soil is similar to White Swan silt loam, 0 to 2 

percent slopes. Runoff is medium, and the hazard of erosion is 

moderate. Capability unit IVs-1 irrigated. 

Yakima Series 

The Yakima series consists of deep, well-drained soils that

formed in mixed alluvium. These soils are underlain by very

gravelly coarse sand at a depth of 20 to 40 inches. They are on

alluvial plains. Slopes are 0 to 3 percent. The native vegetation 

is principally big sagebrush, bitterbrush, and annual grasses. 

Elevations range from 700 to 1,200 feet. The mean annual 

precipitation is 6 to 9 inches, the mean annual temperature is 

47°

 to 51° F., and the frost-free season is 120 to 170 days. These

soils are associated with Logy, Onyx, and Simcoe soils. 

In a representative profile, the surface layer is dark 

grayish-brown silt loam about 14 inches thick. The subsoil is 

dark-brown silt loam about 10 inches thick. The upper part of 

the substratum is weakly stratified gravelly silt loam to a depth 

of 35 inches, and the lower part is coarse sand to a depth of 

60 inches. It becomes more gravelly with increasing depth. 

Most of the acreage of Yakima soils is irrigated. 

Yakima silt loam (Ya).-This soil is on the flood plain 

south and southwest of White Swan, NW1/4 sec. 8, T. 10 

N., R. 17 E. In most areas the slope is about 2 percent. 

A11-0 to 2 inches, dark grayish-brown (10YR 4/2) silt loam, very dark brown 

(10YR 2/2) moist; moderate, fine, granular structure; soft, friable, 

slightly sticky and slightly plastic; many roots; common fine pores; 

neutral; abrupt, smooth boundary. 

A12-2 to 14 inches, dark grayish-brown (10YR 4/2) silt loam, very dark 

brown (10YR, 2/2) moist; weak, coarse, prismatic structure; soft, 

friable, slightly sticky and slightly plastic; common roots; 

common fine pores; mildly alkaline; gradual, wavy boundary. 

B2-14 to 24 inches, dark-brown (10YR 4/3) silt loam, very dark grayish 

brown (10YR 3/2) moist; weak, coarse, prismatic structure; soft, 

friable, slightly sticky and slightly plastic; common roots; 

common fine pores; mildly alkaline; gradual, wavy boundary. 

C1-24 to 35 inches, dark-brown (10YR 4/3) gravelly silt loam, dark 

brown (10YR 3/3) moist; massive; soft, friable, slightly 

sticky and slightly plastic; few fine pores; 40 percent gravel 

and cobbles;-

mildly alkaline; abrupt, wavy boundary. 

IIC2-35 to 60 inches, dark-brown (10YR. 4/3) very gravelly coarse 

sand, very dark grayish brown (10YR 3/2) moist; single grained; 

loose; few roots; 70 percent gravel and cobbles; mildly alkaline. 

The A horizon has value of 2 through 5 dry and 2 or 3 moist and chroma of I or 

2. The B horizon has value of 4 or 5 dry and 2 or 3 moist and chroma or 2 or 3. It has weak, coarse, prismatic or weak, subangular blocky structure. The 

gravel content ranges from 0 to 5 percent. The C horizon is stratified and is 50 

to 90 percent gravel and cobbles. The percentage increases with 

increasing depth. 

Included with this soil in mapping are small areas of Logy and 

Onyx soils and a few areas where the soil is gravelly 

and stony. 

In places the water table is at a depth of 3 to 5 feet during 

the irrigation season. Permeability is moderate above the very 

gravelly coarse sand substratum and very rapid in the very 

gravelly coarse sand. Runoff is slow, and the hazard of erosion 

is slight. The soil holds 6 to 8 inches of water that plants can 

use. Capability unit IIs-1 irrigated. 

Yost Series 

The Yost series consists of deep, somewhat poorly drained 

soils that formed in alluvium deposited in lakes or in ponded 

areas. These soils are on nearly level bottom land or in 

basins on the flood plain. Elevation is about 800 feet. The 

native vegetation is principally cattails, sedges, and rushes. The 

mean annual precipitation is 6 to 9 inches, the mean annual 

air temperature is 48°

 to 52° F., and the frost-free season is 130 

to 180 days. These soils are associated with Ahtanum, Kittitas, and 

Toppenish soils. 

In a representative profile, the surface layer is gray clay 

about 41 inches thick. The substratum is light-gray clay to a 

depth of 62 inches. 

Most of the acreage of Yost soils has been drained and is 

irrigated. 

Yost clay (Yo).-This soil is mostly on bottom land or in 

basins on the flood plain southeast of Brownstown. A representative profile is about 50 feet north of McDonald Road 

and 4,200 feet east of Bench Road, SW1/4SE1/4SE1/4 sec. 32, 

T. 11 N., R. 18 E., W.M. 

Ap-0 to 10 inches, gray (10YR 5/1) clay, very dark gray (10YR 3/1) 

moist; strong, fine, angular blocky structure that parts to strong, 

fine and medium, granular structure; very hard, firm, very sticky 

and very plastic; many roots to 2 inches and common roots below 2 

inches; few fine pores; wedge-shaped peds that have pronounced 

slickensides; mildly alkaline; gradual, smooth boundary. 

A12-10 to 21 inches, gray (10YR 5/1) clay, very dark gray (10YR 

3/1) moist; moderate, medium, angular blocky structure; very hard, 

firm, very sticky and very plastic; few roots; wedge-shaped peds 

that have long axis tilted 10 to 60 degrees from horizontal; 

distinct slickensides on peds; slight effervescence; moderately 

alkaline; gradual, wavy boundary. 

A13-21 to 41 inches, gray (10YR 5/1) clay, very dark gray (10YR 

3/1) moist; moderate, medium, angular blocky structure; many 

distinct wedge-shaped peds that have long axis tilted 10 to 60 

degrees from horizontal; distinct slickensides on peds; very hard, 

firm, very sticky and very plastic; few roots; moderately alkaline; 

gradual, wavy boundary. 
C-41 to 62 inches, light-gray (10YR 6/1) clay, dark gray (10YR 4/1) 

moist; massive; very hard, firm, very sticky and very plastic; few 

roots to a depth of 50 inches; mildly alkaline. 

The A horizon has value of 4 or 5 dry and 2 or 3 moist and chroma 

of 1 or 2. It ranges from 20 to more than 40 inches in thickness. The clay 

content ranges from 50 to 65 percent between depths of 10 and 40 inches. 

The clay fraction is dominated by montmorillonite. In most areas under irrigation the soils are wet or moist at all times. In areas not irrigated they 

have cracks 0.4 inch to 2 inches wide and 27 to 39 inches deep that open and

close once each year. 

Included with this soil in mapping are small areas of Kittitas 

and Toppenish soils, a few small areas of soils that are strongly 

alkaline, and a few areas of poorly drained soils. Generally the 

seasonal high water table is at a depth of 1 to 2 feet, but in 

places it is within a depth of 1 foot. Permeability is very slow. 

Runoff is very slow to ponded, and the hazard of erosion is none 

to slight. The soil holds 8 to 10 inches of water that plants can 

use. Capability IIIw-2 irrigated. 

Zillah Series 

The Zillah series consists of deep, somewhat poorly drained soils 

that formed in recent alluvium deposited in ponded areas. 

These soils are on low alluvial plains. Slopes are 0 to 2 percent. 

The native vegetation is mainly willows, cottonwoods, 

sedges, and annual weeds. Elevations range from 600 to 750 

feet. The mean annual precipitation is 6 to 9 inches, the mean 

annual air temperature is 47° to 51° F., and the frost-free 

season is 130 to 180 days. These soils are associated with 

Esquatzel, Naches, Onyx, and Weirman soils. 

In a representative profile, the surface layer is grayishbrown silt loam about 19 inches thick. The substratum is 

light brownish-gray silt loam to a depth of 31 inches, gray silt 

loam that has thin lenses of loamy sand to a depth of 51 inches, 

and gray loamy sand to a depth of 60 inches. 

A few areas of Zillah soils have been drained and are irrigated_ 

Zillah silt loam (Zh).-This soil is in low alluvial areas mainly adjacent to the Yakima River. In most places the 

slope is about 1 percent. A representative profile is about 

1,500 feet west of Winnier Road and. 4,000 feet north of State 

Route 22, SE1/4SW1/4NE1/4 sec. 20, T. 9 N., R. 22 E., W. 

M. 

A11-0 to 2 inches, grayish-brown (10YR 5/2) silt loam, very dark grayish 

brown (10YR 3/2) moist; weak, medium, platy structure that 

parts to weak, fine and medium, granular structure; slightly hard, 

friable, slightly sticky and slightly plastic; many fine roots; 

common fine pores; neutral; abrupt, smooth boundary. 

A12-2 to 19 inches, grayish-brown (10YR 5/2) silt loam, very dark 

grayish brown (10YR 3/2) moist; many, medium, distinct, darkbrown (7.5YR 4/4) mottles; massive; slightly hard, friable, 

slightly sticky and slightly plastic; common roots; common fine 

pores; neutral; gradual, wavy boundary. 

C1-19 to 31 inches, light brownish-gray (10YR 6/2) silt loam, dark 

grayish brown (10YR 4/2) moist; many, medium, distinct, darkbrown (7.5YR 4/4) mottles; massive; slightly hard, friable, 

slightly sticky and slightly plastic; common fine roots; common 

fine pores; neutral; gradual, wavy boundary. 

C2-31 to 51 inches, gray (10YR 6/1) silt loam that has lenses of loamy 

sand 1/2 to 2 inches thick, dark gray (10YR 4/1) moist; many, 

coarse, prominent, dusky-red (2.5YR 3/2) and dark-brown (7.5YR 

3/4) mottles; massive; soft; few roots; neutral; abrupt, wavy 

boundary. 

IIC3-51 to 60 inches, gray (10YR 6/1) loamy sand, dark gray (10YR 

4/1) moist; many, coarse, prominent mottles, 

dusky red (2.5YR 3/2) and dark brown (7.5YR 3/4) 

moist; massive; loose; few fine roots; neutral. 

 The A horizon has value of 4 or 5 dry and 2 or 3 moist and chroma of 1 or 2. 

It ranges from silt loam to very fine sandy loam. It is neutral to 

moderately alkaline. The C horizon has value of 5 or 6 dry and 3 or 4 moist 

and chroma of 1 or 2. It ranges from silt loam to very fine sandy loam 

stratified with loamy sand. 

Included with this soil in mapping are small areas of Ashue, 

Esquatzel, Toppenish, and Weirman soils; a few small areas of

soils that are very gravelly below a depth of 51 inches; and a few 

areas of poorly drained soils. Generally the seasonal high water 

table is at a depth of 1 to 2 feet, but in places it is within a 

depth of 1 foot. In drained and irrigated areas, the seasonal high 

water table can be lowered to a depth of 3 to 5 feet by deep 

drains. Permeability is moderate. Runoff is slow, and the 

hazard of erosion is slight. Some areas are subject to flooding, 

and in places streambank cutting occurs. The soil holds 9 to 

12 inches of water that plants can use. Capability unit IIw-2 

irrigated. 

Zillah silt loam, channeled (Zn).-This soil is similar to 

Zillah silt loam, but it is more coarsely stratified and slopes range 

from 0 to 5 percent. The soil is dissected by intermittent and 

perennial stream channels. Included in mapping are small areas 

of Ashue, Onyx, and Weirman soils. Runoff is slow and 

the hazard of erosion is slight. Most areas of this soil are 

subject to flooding at least once a year. The native vegetation is 

principally willows, cottonwoods, wildrose, blackberries, and 

annual broadleaf weeds. Capability unit VIw-1 nonirrigated. 

Use and Management of the Soils 

This section explains the system of capability classification 

used by the Soil Conservation Service. It describes the capability units into which the soils of the survey area have been 

classified and shows estimated yields of irrigated crops. It also 

explains the use of the soils for windbreaks and gives 

information about soil characteristics significant in engineering. 

Capability Grouping 

Capability grouping shows, in a general way, the suitability of 

soils for most kinds of field crops. The soils are grouped 

according to their limitations when used for field crops, the risk of 

damage when they are used, and the way they respond to 

treatment. The grouping does not take into account major and 

generally expensive landforming that would change slope, depth, 

or other characteristics of the soils; does not take into 

consideration possible but unlikely major reclamation 

projects; and does not apply to rice, cranberries, horticultural 

crops, or other crops requiring special management. 

Those familiar with the capability classification can infer from 

it much about the behavior of soils when used for other 

purposes, but this classification is not a substitute for 

interpretations designed to show suitability and limitations of 

groups of soils for range, for forest trees, or for engineering. 

In the capability system, all kinds of soil are grouped at 

three levels, the capability class, the subclass, and the unit. 

These levels are defined in the paragraphs that follow. 

CAPABILITY CLASSES, the broadest groups, are designated 

by Roman numerals I through VIII. The numerals indicate 

progressively greater limitations and narrower choices for 
practical use, defined as follows: 

Class I soils have few limitations that restrict their use. 

Class II soils have moderate limitations that reduce the 

choice of plants or require moderate conservation 

practices. 

Class III soils have severe limitations that reduce the 

choice of plants, require special conservation practices, 

or both. 

Class IV soils have very severe limitations that reduce 

the choice of plants, require very careful management, or both. 

Class V soils are not likely to erode but have other 

limitations, impractical to remove, that limit their 

use largely to pasture or range, woodland, or wildlife. (There are no class V soils in the Yakima 

Indian Reservation Irrigated Area.) 

Class VI soils have severe limitations that make them 

generally unsuitable for cultivation and limit their use 

largely to pasture or range, woodland, or wildlife. 

Class VII soils have very severe limitations that make 

them unsuitable for cultivation and restrict their use 

largely to pasture or range, woodland, or wildlife. 

Class VIII soils and landforms have limitations that 

preclude their use for commercial production of

plants and restrict their use to recreation, wildlife, or 

water supply, or to esthetic purposes. (There are no 

class VIII soils in the Yakima Indian Reservation 

Irrigated Area.) 

 CAPABILITY SUBCLASSES are soil groups within one 

class;they are designated by adding a small letter, e, w, s, or c, to

the class numeral, for example, IIe. The letter e shows that the 

main limitation is risk of erosion unless close-growing plant 

cover is maintained; w shows that water in or on the soil 

interferes with plant growth or cultivation (in some soils the 

wetness can be partly corrected by artificial drainage) ; s shows 

that the soil is limited mainly because it is shallow droughty, 

or stony; and c, used in only some parts of the United States, 

shows that the chief limitation is climate that is too cold or too dry.

In class I there are no subclasses, because the soils of this 

class have few limitations. Class V can contain, at the most, only 

the subclasses indicated by w, s, and c, because the soils in class 

V are subject to little or no erosion, though they have other 

limitations that restrict their use largely to pasture, range, 

woodland, wildlife, or recreation. 

CAPABILITY UNITS are soil groups within the subclasses. 

The soils in one capability unit are enough alike to be suited to 

the same crops and pasture plants, to require similar 

management, and to have similar productivity and other 

responses to management. Thus, the capability unit is a 

convenient grouping for making many statements about 

management of soils. Capability units are generally designated 

by adding an Arabic numeral to the subclass symbol, for 

example, IIe-4 or IIIe-6. Thus, in one symbol, the Roman 

numeral designates the capability class, or degree of limitation; the small letter indicates the subclass, or kind of

limitation, as defined in the foregoing paragraph; and the 

Arabic numeral specifically identifies the capability unit within 

each subclass. 

On the following pages the capability units in the Yakima 

Indian Reservation Irrigated Area are described and use and 

management of the soils is suggested. 

The soil series represented in each unit are named, but this 

does not mean that all the soils of a given series are in 

the unit. To find the unit in which a given soil has been 

placed, refer to the "Guide to Mapping Units" at the back of

this survey. 

Management by capability units 

Certain practices basic to good soil management apply to 

all capability units. Fundamental among these is the use of a 

soil-conserving cropping system, which consists of the 

selection of a suitable crop rotation and management that 

supplements this rotation in maintaining productivity of the 

soil and in controlling wetness or erosion. The rotation most 

commonly used in the survey area is 1 year of corn, 2 years of

sugar beets, and 3 years of alfalfa. 

Maintaining and improving soil structure and the content of

organic matter are important. Sources of organic matter are 

crop residue, barnyard manure, and sod crops. Regular 

additions of organic matter are ordinarily the most beneficial 

and are needed most if the rotation is intensive or the cultivation continuous. 

Of the 222,930 acres in the survey area, about 190,000 acres is 

irrigated. The safe and uniform distribution of irrigation 

water is most important. For drilled crops, irrigation water is 

generally applied within borders by controlled flooding, 

corrugations, and sprinklers. Furrows and sprinklers are used for 

row crops. Care is required in selecting irrigation grades, length 

of runs, width between borders, frequency and time of applying 

water, and size of flow. Using irrigation water efficiently is 

essential in keeping to a minimum the loss of water through deep 

percolation and runoff and the loss of soil through erosion. 

Where needed and feasible, the soils should be leveled to a 

uniform grade. In some areas not leveled, irrigation should be 

across the slope or on the contour if water is applied in 

corrugations or furrows. 

Drainage is needed on some soils to lower the water table. 

Both tile drains and open ditches are satisfactory. 

The capability units in the Yakima Indian Reservation 

Irrigated Area are described on the following pages. The soils in 

any one unit are similar in the kind of management they 

require and in their response to that management. 

CAPABILITY UNIT I-1 IRRIGATED 

This unit consists of well-drained soils of the Esquatzel, Onyx, 

Shano, and Warden series. Slopes are 0 to 2 percent. These 

soils are more than 60 inches deep. Available water capacity is 

high, and permeability is moderate. Runoff is slow, and the hazard 

of erosion is slight. The frost-free season is 130 to 180 days. 

These are the most productive and the least limited of any 

soils in the survey area. All climatically adapted crops that 

require good drainage do well. Among the irrigated crops 

grown are asparagus, corn, grapes, hops, mint, peas, sugar 

beets, tree fruits, and grasses and legumes for hay, pasture, 

and seed. 

The management needs are application of nitrogen, phosphate, and other fertilizer according to the needs of the crop; 

utilization of all crop residue to maintain and improve 

organic-matter content and soil structure; and timely and 

uniform application of the right amount of irrigation water. 

Corrugations, furrows, borders, controlled flooding, or 

sprinklers can be used for irrigating. 

CAPABILITY UNIT IIe-1 IRRIGATED 

This unit consists of well-drained soils of the Esquatzel, 

Naches, Onyx, Ritzville, Shano, Simcoe, and Warden series. 

Slopes are 2 to 5 percent. All but N -

aches and Simcoe soils are 

more than 60 inches deep. The teaches soil is 20 to 40 inches 
deep over gravel, and the Simcoe soil is 30 to 40 inches deep 

over basalt bedrock or cemented gravel. Available water capacity 

is high in the soils more than 40 inches deep and moderately high 

in the rest. Permeability is moderate or moderately slow. Runoff

is slow to medium, and the hazard of erosion is slight to moderate. 

The frost-free season is 120 to 180 days. 

All climatically adapted crops that require good drainage do 

well. Among the irrigated crops grown are asparagus, corn, 

grain, grapes, hops (fig. 6), mint, peas, sugar beets, tree fruits, 

and grasses and legumes for hay, pasture, and seed. 

The management needs are application of nitrogen, phosphate, and other fertilizer according to the needs of the crop; 

utilization of all crop residue to maintain and improve the 

organic-matter content and soil structure; rotation of crops; 

and timely and uniform application of the right amount of

irrigation water. Corrugations, furrows, or sprinklers can be 

used for irrigating. The hazard of erosion can be minimized 

if runs are short or if irrigation furrows and corrugations are 

laid out across the slope and are held to a gradient of 2 percent 

or less. Land leveling should be closely checked in the soils that 

have a gravelly substratum. Shallow cuts are possible in selected 

areas. 

CAPABILITY UNIT IIw-1 IRRIGATED 

This unit consists of somewhat poorly drained saline and 

very strongly alkaline soils of the Ahtanum, Kittitas, and 

Umapine series. Slopes are dominantly 0 to 2 percent, but 

range to 5 percent. Kittitas and Umapine soils are more than 60 

inches deep. The Ahtanum soil is 20 to 40 inches deep over a 

lime-silica cemented hardpan. Available water capacity is high 

in the Kittitas soil and moderately high to high in Ahtanum 

and Umapine soils. The ability of plants to utilize water is 

affected by the degree to which excess salts have been removed. 

Permeability is moderate in Kittitas and Umapine soils. In the 

Ahtanum soil it is moderate above the hardpan and very slow in 

the pan. Runoff is dominantly slow to ponded, but ranges to 

medium. The hazard of erosion is dominantly none to slight. 

The frost-free season is 130 to 180 days. 

If drained, freed of excessive salts, and irrigated, these soils are 

suited to asparagus, corn, peas, and sugar beets and to grasses 

and legumes for hay and pasture. 

The management needs are drainage; leaching and the 

possible addition of such amendments as gypsum, sulfur, 

sulfuric acid, or ferric sulfate to facilitate leaching; application of

fertilizer according to the needs of the crop; utilization of all 

crop residue to maintain and improve the organic-matter content 

and soil structure; rotation of crops; and timely and uniform 

application of the right amount of irrigation water. Furrows, 

corrugations, borders, flooding, or sprinklers can be used for 

irrigating. Border irrigation and flooding, however, are not

suitable where slopes are 2 to 5 percent. 

Figure 6.-Hops harvested early in September. The soil is Esquatzel silt loam. 
CAPABILITY UNIT III-2 IRRIGATED 

This unit consists of somewhat poorly drained soils of the 

Toppenish and Zillah series. Slopes are dominantly 0 to 2 

percent, but range to 5 percent. These soils are more than 60 

inches deep. Available water capacity is high, and permeability is moderate. Runoff is very slow or slow in most 

areas, but is medium in a few areas where slopes are steeper. 

The hazard of erosion is none to slight in most areas, but is 

moderate in a few areas where slopes are steeper. The frostfree season is 130 to 180 days. 

If drained and irrigated, these soils are suitable for asparagus, 

corn, grain, hops, mint, peas, sugar beets, and grasses and 

legumes for hay and pasture. 

The management needs are drainage, application of fertilizer 

according to the needs of the crop, utilization of all crop 

residue to maintain and improve the organic-matter content 

and soil structure, rotation of crops, and timely and uniform 

application of the right amount of water. Furrows, 

corrugations, borders, flooding, or sprinklers can be used for

irrigating. Border irrigation and flooding, however, are not 

suitable where slopes are 2 to 5 percent. 

CAPABILITY UNIT IIs-1 IRRIGATED 

This unit consists of well-drained to somewhat excessively 

drained soils of the Naches, Simcoe, Weirman, and Yakima 

series. Slopes are 0 to 2 percent. All but Simcoe soils are 20 to 40 

inches deep over very gravelly material that extends to a depth 

of 60 inches or more. Simcoe soils are 30 to 40 inches deep 

over bedrock. Available water capacity is moderately high to high 

in Naches, Simcoe, and Yakima soils and low to moderate in the 

Weirman soil. Permeability is moderate or moderately slow. 

Runoff is slow, and the hazard of erosion is slight. The frostfree season is 120 to 180 days. 

All climatically adapted crops that require good drainage do 

well. Among the irrigated crops grown are asparagus, corn, 

grapes, mint, peas, sugar beets, tree fruits, and grasses and 

legumes for hay and pasture. 

The management needs are application of nitrogen, phosphate, 

and other fertilizer according to the needs of the crop; rotation of

crops; utilization of all crop residue to maintain the organicmatter content and soil structure; and timely and uniform 

application of the right amount of irrigation water. 

Corrugations, furrows, borders, controlled flooding, or sprinklers 

can be used for irrigating. Land leveling should be closely 

checked. Shallow cuts are possible in selected areas. 

CAPABILITY UNIT IIIe-1 IRRIGATED 

This unit consists of well-drained soils of the Ritzville, 

Shano, Simcoe, and Warden series and the Ritzville series, 

gravelly subsoil variant. Slopes are 5 to 8 percent. Ritzville, 

Shano, and Warden soils are more than 60 inches deep. 

Simcoe soils are 30 to 40 inches deep over basalt bedrock or 

cemented gravel. Available water capacity is high in Ritzville, 

Shano, and Warden soils and is moderately high to high in 

Simcoe soils and the Ritzville variant. Permeability is 

moderate in Ritzville, Shano, and Warden soils and is 

moderately slow in Simcoe soils. Runoff is medium, and the hazard 

of erosion is moderate. The frost-free season is 130 to 180 days. 

These soils are suited to small grain and perennial hay and 

pasture crops and to tree fruits and grapes if a cover crop 

can be established to control erosion. 

The management needs are application of nitrogen, 

phosphate, and other fertilizer according to the needs of the 

crop; utilization of all crop residue to control erosion and 

improve organic-matter content; and use of cover crops in 

orchards and vineyards to help control erosion. Corrugations, 

furrows, or sprinklers can be used for irrigating. Corrugations and

furrows should be laid out across the slope and held to a

gradient of 2 percent or less. 

CAPABILITY UNIT IIIw-1 IRRIGATED 

This unit consists of somewhat poorly drained soils of the 

Track series- Slopes are dominantly 0 to 2 percent, but range to 5 

percent. These soils are 15 to 30 inches deep over very gravelly 

sand that extends to a depth of 60 inches or more. Available 

water capacity is low to moderate. Permeability is moderately 

slow. Runoff is very slow to slow, and the hazard of erosion 

is none to slight in most areas. Runoff is medium, and the 

hazard of erosion is moderate in a few areas where slopes are 

steeper. The frost-free season is 130 to 180 days. 

If drained and irrigated, these soils are suited to sweet 

corn, field corn, small grain, peas, and sugar beets and to 

grasses and legumes for hay and pasture. 

The management needs are drainage to keep the water 

table below the root zone of the crops; application of fertilizer

according to the needs of the crop; utilization of crop residue to 

maintain organic-matter content and good soil structure; and 

timely and uniform application of irrigation water. 

Corrugations, furrows, borders, or sprinklers can be used for 

irrigating. Borders, however, are not suitable where slopes are 

2 to 5 percent. Land leveling should be restricted. Shallow cuts 

are possible in selected areas. 

CAPABILITY UNIT III-2 IRRIGATED 

The one soil in this unit is Yost clay, a somewhat poorly 

drained soil more than 60 inches deep. Slopes are 0 to 2 

percent. Available water capacity is high. Permeability is 

very slow. Runoff is ponded to very slow, and the hazard of erosion 

is none to slight. The frost-free season is 130 to 180 days. 

If drained and irrigated, this soil is suited to corn and small 

grain and to grasses and legumes used for hay and pasture. 

The management needs are drainage, application of

fertilizer according to the needs of the crop, utilization of all crop 

residue to maintain and improve the organic-matter content 

and soil structure, rotation of crops, and timely and uniform 

application of the right amount of irrigation water. Corrugations, 

furrows, borders, or sprinklers can be used for irrigating. 

CAPABILITY UNIT IIIs-1 IRRIGATED 

This unit consists of well-drained and somewhat excessively 

drained soils of the Ashue, Logy, and Weirman series. Slopes are 

0 to 2 percent. These soils are 20 to 40 inches deep over very 

gravelly material that extends to a depth of 60 inches or more. 

Available water capacity is low to moderately high. 

Permeability is moderately slow to very rapid. Runoff is 

slow, and the hazard of erosion is slight. The frost-free season 

is 130 to 180 days. 

If irrigated, these soils are suited to corn, small grain, 

grapes, tree fruits, and truck crops and to grasses and 

legumes for hay and pasture. 

The management needs are application of nitrogen, phosphate, 

and other fertilizer according to the needs of the crop, 

utilization of all crop residue to maintain and improve the 

organic-matter content, rotation of crops, and 
timely and uniform application of the right amount of irrigation 

water. Corrugations, furrows, borders, and sprinklers can be used

for irrigating. Land leveling should be closely checked for depth to 

the gravelly material. Shallow cuts are possible in selected areas. 

CAPABILITY UNIT IVe-1 IRRIGATED 

This unit consists of well-drained and somewhat excessively 

drained soils of the Ashue and Weirman series. Slopes are 2 to 

5 percent. These soils are 15 to 30 inches deep over very 

gravelly sandy loam or loamy sand that extends to a depth of

more than 60 inches. Available water capacity is low to 

moderate. Permeability is moderately slow in the Ashue soils 

and very rapid in the Weirman soils. Runoff is slow to 

medium, and the hazard of erosion is slight to moderate. The 

frost-free season is 130 to 180 days. 

These soils are suited to small grain and hay and pasture 

crops and to tree fruits and grapes if a cover crop can be 

established. 

The management needs are application of fertilizer according 

to the needs of the crop; utilization of crop residue to maintain 

organic-matter content and good soil structure, and control of

the flow of irrigation water to prevent soil erosion. These 

soils are best suited to sprinkler irrigation, but corrugations and 

furrows can be used if they are laid out across the slope and held

to a gradient of 2 percent or less. Land leveling should be 

restricted. Shallow cuts are possible in selected areas. 

CAPABILITY UNIT IVe-2 IRRIGATED 

This unit consists of somewhat excessively drained 

soils of the Hezel and Quincy series. Slopes are 0 to 15 percent. 

These soils are sandy and are more than 60 inches deep. 

Available water capacity is moderately high to high. 

Permeability is moderate in the Hezel soils and rapid in the 

Quincy soils. Runoff ranges from very slow to medium, and the 

hazard of water erosion is none to moderate. The hazard of soil 

blowing is severe. The frost-free season is 130 to 180 days. 

Where irrigated, these soils are suited to grasses and 

legumes for hay and pasture if small grain is grown as a cleanup 

crop between seedings. 

The management needs are application of nitrogen, 

phosphate, and other fertilizer according to the needs of the crop; 

minimum tillage; utilization - of all crop residue to maintain the 

organic-matter content; smoothing; and frequent and uniform 

application of the right amount of irrigation water by sprinklers. 

CAPABILITY UNIT IVe-3 IRRIGATED 

This unit consists of well-drained soils of the Ritzville, 

Shano, and Warden series. Slopes are 8 to 15 percent. These 

soils are more than 40 inches deep. Available water capacity is 

high. Permeability is moderate. Runoff is rapid, and the hazard 

of erosion is severe. The frost-free season is 130 to 180 days. 

These soils are suited to perennial grasses and legumes 

used for hay and pasture and to tree fruits and grapes if a 

cover crop can be established. 

The management needs are application of fertilizer according 

to the needs of the crop, use of close-growing crops or cover 

crops in orchards, minimum tillage, utilization of all crop 

residue, and control of the application rate of irrigation water 

to prevent erosion. These soils are best suited to sprinkler 

irrigation. 

CAPABILITY UNIT IVw-1 IRRIGATED 

This unit consists of moderately well drained and somewhat poorly drained soils of the Fiander, Stanfield, and 

Wahtum series. Slopes are 0 to 5 percent. These soils are saline 

arid moderately alkaline to very strongly alkaline. Fiander and 

Wahtum soils are more than 60 inches deep. Stanfield soils 

are 20 to 40 inches deep over a silica-cemented hardpan. 

Available water capacity is low to high. Permeability is slow 

and very slow. Runoff is ponded to medium, and the hazard of

water erosion is none to moderate. The hazard of soil 

blowing is moderate to severe on Fiander loamy fine sand and 

Stanfield sandy loam. The frost-free season is 130 to 180 days. 

If leached, irrigated, and drained, these soils are suited to 

corn, small grain, and sugar beets and to grasses and legumes 

for hay and pasture. 

The management needs are drainage; leaching and the 

possible addition of such amendments as gypsum, sulfur, 

sulfuric acid, or ferric sulfate to facilitate leaching; application of

fertilizer according to the needs of the crops; utilization of all 

crop residue to maintain and improve the organicmatter content 

and soil structure; rotation of crops; and timely and uniform 

application of the right amount of irrigation water. Furrows, 

borders, flooding, or sprinklers can be used for irrigating. 

Borders and flooding, however, are not suitable where slopes 

are 2 to 5 percent. 

CAPABILITY UNIT IVs-1 IRRIGATED 

This unit consists of well-drained soils of the White Swan series 

and of the Wahtum series, dark variant. Slopes are 

dominantly 0 to 5 percent, but range to 8 percent. These soils are 

saline and moderately alkaline to very strongly alkaline. They 

are more than 60 inches deep. Available water capacity is high, 

and permeability is slow or very slow. Runoff is ponded to 

medium, and the hazard of water erosion is none to moderate. The 

frost-free season is 130 to 180 days. 

Concentrated salts and slow or very slow permeability are the 

chief limitations (fig. 7). If leached and irrigated, these soils 

are suited to corn, small grain, and sugar beets and to grasses 

and legumes for hay and pasture. 

The management needs are leaching and the possible addition 

of such amendments as gypsum, sulfur, sulfuric acid, or ferric 

sulfate to facilitate leaching; drainage to prevent buildup of a 

water table under irrigation; application of fertilizer according to 

the needs of the crop; utilization of all crop residue to 

maintain and improve the organic-matter content and soil 

structure; rotation of crops; and timely and uniform application 

of the right amount of irrigation water. Furrows, borders, 

flooding, or sprinklers can be used for irrigating, but borders 

and flooding are not suitable where slopes are 2 to 5 percent. 

Furrows should be laid out across the slope and held to a 

gradient of 2 percent. or less. 

CAPABILITY UNIT IVs-2 IRRIGATED 

This unit consists of well-drained and somewhat excessively 

drained soils of the Ashue and Weirman series. Slopes are 0 to 

5 percent. These soils are gravelly sandy loam and gravelly loam 

10 to 20 inches deep over very gravelly loamy sand or sand. 

Available water capacity is low to moderate. Permeability is 

very rapid in the very gravelly layers. Runoff is slow to 

medium, and the hazard of erosion is slight to moderate. The 

frost-free season is 130 to 180 days. 

If irrigated, these soils are suited to grasses and legumes for 

pasture and hay and to tree fruits and grapes. 
Figure 7.-Experimental deep plowing on White Swan silt loam disseminates concentrated salts. 

The management needs are application of fertilizer according to the needs of the crop and utilization of crop residue 

and cover crops in vineyards and orchards to maintain organicmatter content. These soils are best suited to sprinkler 

irrigation. Furrows can be used if they are laid out on a 2 

percent gradient. Land leveling should be restricted. 

Shallow cuts are possible in selected areas. 

CAPABILITY UNIT VIe-1 IRRIGATED 

This unit consists of well-drained soils of the Ritz- vil1e, Shano, and Warden series. Slopes are dominantly 15 

to 30 percent, but in a small area they range to 65 percent. 

These soils are more than 60 inches deep. Available water 

capacity is high. Permeability is moderate. Runoff is very 

rapid, and the hazard of erosion is very severe. The frostfree season is 130 to 180 days. If irrigated, these soils are 

best suited to pasture or orchards and perennial cover 

crops. 

The management needs are application of fertilizer 

according to the needs of the crop; use of legumes in 

pasture and in cover crop mixtures; limitation of tillage 

to the minimum necessary to establish pasture and orchard 

cover crops; and applying water by sprinklers no faster than it 

can infiltrate the soil. 

CAPABILITY UNIT VIw-1 NONIRRIG ATED 

This unit consists of soils adjacent to perennial or intermittent streams that are subject to seasonal flooding or 

have 

a high water table. These are soils of the Logy, 

Weirman, and Zillah series. Logy and Weirman soils are 

less than 20 inches deep over gravel. Zillah soils are more 

than 60 inches deep. The Logy soils are dry soon after 

the flood season. Available water capacity is low to high. 

Permeability is moderate to very rapid. Runoff is slow, and 

the hazard of erosion is slight. The frost-free season is 120 

to 180 days. 

These soils are best suited to grazing and wildlife. The 

native vegetation is bluebunch wheatgrass, basin wildrye, 

big bluegrass, willows, cottonwoods, and annual weeds 

in moist areas. Big sagebrush, rabbitbrush, and annual 

grasses grow in drier areas. The soils are better suited to 

grasses that tolerate flooding than to other plants. 

CAPABILITY UNIT VIIs-1 NONIRRIGATED 

The one soil in this unit, the well-drained Rock Creek 

very stony loam, 0 to 20 percent slopes, is only 10 to 20 inches 

deep over fractured basalt bedrock. Available water 

capacity is low. Permeability is moderately slow. Runoff is slow 

to medium, and the hazard of erosion is slight to 

moderate. The frost-free season is 120 to 170 days. 

This soil is too stony and too shallow for crops. It is 

best suited to grazing and wildlife. The native vegetation is 

mainly buckwheat, phlox, and Sandberg bluegrass. If the 

vegetation is in excellent condition, the total annual yields 

range from 200 to 300 pounds per acre. 
Estimated Yields 

Table 2 shows estimates of yields for some of the principal irrigated crops grown in the survey area. The estimates

are based on the observation of soil scientists who surveyed

the area and on information furnished by farmers, fertilizer

establishments, food processors, and advisors from the

Bureau of Indian Affairs and Soil Conservation Service

familiar with the soils and the farming in the survey area.

The estimates are averages for a period of years. In any

given year, the yields of any crop can be more or less than the

figure shown. 

In order to obtain the yields shown in table 2, kinds and

amounts of fertilizer are applied according to plant requirements as determined by soil tests, field trials, and experience.

Other suggested management follows. 

For alfalfa hay-Plant adapted varieties; control weeds; use 

insecticides at the right time; manage water efficiently; harvest 4 cuttings per season. 

For asparagus-Control cutworms by chemicals; control

weeds by cultivation, chemicals, and hand hoeing (deep 

cultivation damages the crowns); supervise closely

during harvest; complete harvest about June 20; manage 

water efficiently. 

For corn-Plant crop when soil temperature and moisture

conditions are right; control weeds by cultivation and

herbicides; manage water efficiently; insure proper use and

application of insecticides. 

For hops-Before establishing a new yard, plow down as

much as 30 pounds of zinc in the form of zinc sulfate;

use zinc foliage spray to correct zinc deficiency during

growing season; early in spring remove excess shoots

from root stock and remove all diseased parts of crowns;

use insecticides and fungicides for disease control; manage 

water efficiently, removing all tail water. 

For mint-Prepare seedbed after harvest of a weed-free crop; 

obtain stolons from Verticillium wilt-free fields; control 

weeds by geese (1 goose per acre) and by mechanical means, 

two hoeings if needed; spray for twospotted mite; return all

mint hay to the fields; manage irrigation water efficiently,

removing all tail water. 

For sugar beets-Prepare a proper seedbed; follow mechanical thinning with hand thinning; control weeds by 

herbicides, mechanical cultivation, and hand hoeing 

where needed; manage irrigation water efficiently and if 

furrow irrigation is used, remove all tail water. 

Available nitrogen in excess of 200 pounds per acre 

generally results in a reduction in the yield of su 

gar (sucrose) per acre. 

For winter wheat-Prepare good seedbed and sow seed by 

mid-November; if weed control is needed, spray with 

herbicide in spring; irrigate efficiently before plants are 

under stress. 

Windbreak 

Fields and farmsteads in the survey area commonly need 

protection from strong winds. Well-planned, well-maintained, 

This section was prepared by LAWRENCE L. LENZ, forester, SCS, Yakima, Washington, assisted by JACK RASMUSSEN, soil scientist, SCS 

senior author. 

and irrigated plantings of trees and shrubs provide protection for crops, reduce erosion, provide protection for livestock and buildings, and furnish food and cover for wildlife. 

Shrubs adapted to the area are caragana, bladder senna, 

blueleaf honeysuckle, lilac, multiflora rose, and southernwood. Intermediate trees adapted to the area. are Russianolive, Russian-mulberry, hawthorn, golden willow, blue 

spruce, and Rocky Mountain juniper. Tall trees adapted to the 

area are green ash, black locust, hybrid poplar, Lombardy 

poplar, Scotch pine, ponderosa pine, Austrian pine, Norway

spruce, and Douglas-fir. 

The suitability of shrubs and trees for windbreak plantings 

is governed largely by the salt and alkali content of the soil 

and the depth to the water table. Species that are most 

tolerant to a high salt or alkali content, such as in Ahtanum, 

Fiander, Kittitas, Stanfield, Umapine, and Wahtum dark 

variant soils, for example, are southernwood, Russian-olive, 

hybrid poplar, Lombardy poplar, and Rocky Mountain 

juniper. Species such as blue spruce and Douglas-fir are not 

suited to soils that have a high salt or alkali content. Species 

that are most tolerant to a high water table, as in the Ahtanum, Fiander, Kittitas, Toppenish, Track, Yost, and Zillah 

soils, are golden willow, hybrid poplar, and Lombardy poplar. 

Species that have a low tolerance to a high water table are 

bladder-senna, southernwood, ponderosa pine, and Rocky 

Mountain juniper. 

The farmstead or feedlot windbreak is generally made up of

three or more rows. The field windbreak is made up of one or 

more rows. In a multiple-row windbreak, dense fastgrowing 

shrubs are needed on the windward side, one or more rows of

tall evergreen or deciduous trees in the middle rows, and one 

or more rows of evergreens on the leeward side. 

In multiple-row plantings, caragana and Russian-olive are 

suitable shrubs for most soils in this survey area. Green ash 

and black locust are generally the preferred trees in the 

center rows where height is needed. Austrian pines or Scotch 

pines are commonly the preferred evergreen trees for windbreaks. Douglas-fir, Norway spruce, and Rocky Mountain 

juniper are all well adapted where sufficient moisture is 

provided. For the first year after planting, most evergreens 

require some protection from severe heat and wind. This 

can be provided by standing up a shingle or similar device 

on the south side of the tree. Other species suitable for 

multiple-row plantings are bladder-senna, blueleaf honeysuckle, 

lilac, multiflora. rose, southernwood, hawthorn, ponderosa pine, 

Norway spruce, and blue spruce. All these species, with the 

exception of Norway spruce, are also suitable for two-row 

plantings. 

 Single-row plantings are generally made to provide field

crops protection from soil blowing. One of the most commonly

planted species is Lombardy poplar, which is fast growing

and provides protection at an early age. Other species suitable

for single-row plantings are caragana, multiflora rose,

southernwood, Russian-olive, golden willow, hybrid poplar, and

Douglas-fir. 

 Many factors have to be considered in deciding on the

type of windbreak needed. Among these are the crops to be

grown that need protection, the location of the windbreak, and 

the benefit to wildlife. Where fruit crops are grown and high 

wind is a problem, protection is needed against excessive 

water transpiration and fruit damage. A one-row planting is 

satisfactory. Lombardy poplar is suitable for one-row 

plantings because it grows fast and tall. Windbreaks should 

be planted where
planted where they do not interfere with irrigation tillage 

equipment. 

Many secondary benefits are derived from a windbreak. 

One of the foremost is its use as wildlife habitat. Multiplerow 

windbreaks are a natural habitat for game birds as well as 

songbirds. 

Such shrubs as caragana and bladder-senna and such 

trees as Russian-olive and black locust provide food and 

cover for wildlife. 

Soils to be planted to windbreaks should be fall plowed and

free of weeds before the seedlings are established. Shrubs 

and trees cannot compete with weeds and grass. Clean 

cultivation and irrigation are necessary to assure good survival. 

Protection is needed against livestock, poultry, and fire. 

Use of the Soils in Engineering 

This section is useful to those who need information about 

soils used as structural material or as foundations upon which 

structures are built. Among those who can benefit from this 

information are town and city managers, planning commissions, 

land developers, engineers, contractors, and farmers. 

Among the soil properties that are most important in 

engineering are permeability, shear strength, compaction 

characteristics, soil drainage, shrink-swell potential, grain size, 

plasticity, and soil reaction. Also important are depth to 

water table, depth to bedrock, and soil slope. These 

properties, in various degrees and combinations, affect 

construction and maintenance of roads, airports, pipelines, 

foundations for small buildings, irrigation systems, ponds 

and small dams, and systems for disposal of sewage effluent and 

refuse. 

Information in this section can be helpful to those who 

1. Select potential residential, industrial, commercial, and 

recreational sites. 

2. Evaluate alternative routes for roads, highways, 

pipelines, and underground cables. 

3. Seek sources of gravel, sand, or clay. 

4. Plan farm drainage systems, irrigation systems, 

ponds, terraces, and other structures for controlling 

water and conserving soil. 

5. Correlate performance of structures already built with 

properties of the kinds of soil on which they are built, 

for the purpose of predicting performance of structures 

on the same or similar kinds of soil in other locations. 

6. Predict the trafficability of soils for cross-country 

movement of vehicles and construction equipment. 

7. Develop preliminary estimates pertinent to con 

struction in a particular area. 

Most of the information in this section is presented in 

tables 3 and 4. These tables show, respectively, estimates of 

soil properties significant in engineering and interpretations for 

various engineering uses. 

This information, along with the soil map for identification 

and the information in other sections, allows many interpretations other than those given in tables 3 and 4. It also 

can be used to make other useful maps. The information 

does not eliminate the need for further investigation at sites 

selected for engineering works, especially works that involve 

heavy loads or that require excavations to depths greater 

than those shown in the tables, generally depths greater 

than 6 feet. Also, inspection of sites, especially small ones, 

is needed because many delineated areas of a given soil mapping 

unit may contain small areas of other kinds of soil that have 

strongly contrasting properties and different suitabilities or 

limitations for engineering uses. 

Some terms in this soil survey have special meaning in soil 

science that may be unfamiliar to engineers. The Glossary defines 

many of these terms. 

Engineering classification 

The two systems most commonly used in classifying 

samples of soils for engineering are the AASHO system (1) 

adopted by the American Association of State Highway 

Officials and the Unified system (7) used by the SCS engineers, 

Department of Defense, and others. Both systems are described 

in the PCA Soil Primer (2). 

The AASHO system is used to classify soils according to 

those properties that affect use in highway construction. In this 

system all soil material is classified in one of seven basic groups. 

The groups range from A-1, which consists of soils that have 

the highest bearing strength and are the best soils for subgrade 

foundation, to A-7, which consists of soils that have low 

strength when wet and are the poorest soils for subgrade. 

The Unified system is used to classify soils according to 

their texture and plasticity and their performance as engineering construction material. Soils are grouped in 15 classes. 

There are eight classes of coarse grained soils, identified as GW, 

GP, GM, GC, SW, SP, SM, and SC; six classes of fine grained soils, 

identified as ML, CL, OL, MH, CH, and OH; and one class of

highly organic soils, identified as Pt. GP and GW are clean 

gravels, and GM and GC are gravels that include, 

respectively, an appreciable amount of nonplastic and plastic 

fines. SP and SW are clean sands. SM and SC are sands that 

include fines of silt and clay. ML and CL are silts and clays 

that have a low liquid limit, and MH and CH are silts and 

clays that have a high liquid limit. Soils on the borderline 

between two classes are designated by symbols for both classes; 

for example, ML-CL. 

Table 3 shows the estimated classification of all the soils in the 

survey area according to both systems of classification. 

Estimated properties of soils 

Estimates of soil properties significant in engineering are 

shown in table 3. These estimates are made for typical soil 

profiles, by layers sufficiently different to differ significantly in soil 

engineering. The estimates are based on field observations made 

in the course of mapping, on test data for these and similar 

soils, and on experience with the same kinds of soil in other 

counties. Most soils in the survey area are deep enough over 

bedrock that bedrock does not affect their use. Bedrock is at a 

depth of 10 to 20 inches in the Rock Creek soils and at a depth of 

30 to 40 inches in the Simcoe soils. Following are explanations of 

some of the columns in table 3. 

Depth to seasonal high water table is the distance from the 

surface of the soil to the highest level that ground water 

reaches in the soil in most years. 

Soil texture is described in the standard terms used by the 

United States Department of Agriculture. These terms take 

into account relative percentages of sand, silt, and clay in soil 

material that is less than 2 millimeters in diameter. "Loam," for 

example, is soil material that contains 7 to 27 percent clay, 28 to 

50 percent silt, and less than 52 percent sand. If the soil contains 

gravel or other particles coarser than sand, an appropriate 

modifier is added, as for example, "gravelly 
loamy sand." "Sand," "silt," "clay," and some of the other 

terms used in USDA textural classification are defined in the 

Glossary of this soil survey. 

Permeability is the quality that enables a soil to transmit 

water and air. It is estimated on the basis of those soil 

characteristics observed in the field, particularly structure and 

texture. The estimates in table 3 do not take into account lateral 

seepage or such transient soil features as plowpans and surface 

crusts. 

Available water capacity is the ability of a soil to hold 

water for use by most plants. It is commonly defined as the 

difference between the amount of water in the soil at field 

capacity and the amount at the wilting point of most crop 

plants. 

Reaction is the degree of acidity or alkalinity of a soil, 

expressed in pH values. The pH value and terms used to 

describe soil reaction are explained in the Glossary. 

Shrink-swell potential is the relative change in volume to be 

expected of soil material with changes in moisture content; that 

is, the extent to which the soil shrinks as it dries or swells 

when it is wet. Extent of shrinking and swelling is influenced by 

the amount and kind of clay in the soil. Shrinking and 

swelling of soils causes much damage to building 

foundations, roads, and other structures. A high shrink-swell 

potential indicates a hazard to maintenance of structures built 

in, on, or with material having this rating. 

Susceptibility to frost action is an important consideration in 

engineering, particularly in selecting sites for roads and 

airports. For frost action to occur, water must be in the soil 

and low temperatures must persist long enough for the water to 

freeze. The water may come from a high water table, may be 

capillary water or water held in voids, or may be water that 

infiltrates. Drainage to prevent the accumulation of water in 

soil pores helps to prevent accumulation of ice in the subgrade 

and subbase. 

Risk of corrosion, as used in table 3, pertains to potential 

soil-induced chemical action that dissolves or weakens uncoated steel or concrete. Rate of corrosion on uncoated steel is 

related to such soil properties as drainage, texture, total 

acidity, and electrical conductivity of the soil material. 

Installations of uncoated steel that intersect soil boundaries or 

soil horizons are more susceptible to corrosion than 

installations entirely in one kind of soil or in one soil horizon. A 

rating of low indicates a low probability of soil-induced 

corrosion damage. A rating of high indicates a high probability 

of damage, so that protective measures for steel should be used

to avoid or minimize damage. 

Salinity refers to the amount of soluble salts in the soil (5). It 

is expressed as the electrical conductivity of the saturation 

extract, in mmhos. per centimeter at 25° C. Salinity affects the 

suitability of a soil for crop production, its stability when 

used as construction material, and its corrosiveness to 

uncoated steel and concrete. 

Engineering interpretations 

The estimated interpretations in table 4 are based on the 

engineering properties of soils shown in table 3, on test data for 

nearby or adjoining soils, and on the experience of engineers 

and soil scientists with the soils of the Yakima Indian 

Reservation Irrigated Area. The ratings provided in table 4 

summarize the limitation or suitability of the soils for all listed 

uses except for sewage lagoons, sanitary landfills, shallow 

excavations, and terraces and diversions. These columns in 

table 4 list those soil features not to be overlooked in planning, 

installation, and maintenance. 

Soil limitations are expressed as slight, moderate, and severe. 

Slight means that soil properties are generally favorable for the 

rated use or limitations are minor and easily overcome. Moderate 

means that some soil properties are unfavorable but can be 

overcome or modified by special planning and design. Severe 

means that soil properties are so unfavorable and so difficult to 

correct or overcome that major soil reclamation, special design, 

or intensive maintenance is required. 

Soil suitability is expressed as good, fair, and poor, which

are, respectively, approximately parallel in meaning to the 

terms slight, moderate, and severe. 

Following are explanations of some of the columns in table 

4. 

Topsoil is used in topdressing an area where vegetation is to 

be established and maintained. Characteristics that affect 

In the original manuscript, there was a table in this space. 

All tables have been updated and are available at http://soildatamart.nrcs.usda.gov. 
suitability are mainly the ease of working and spreading the 

soil material, as in preparing a seedbed; the natural fertility 

of the soil material or its response to growing plants when 

fertilizer is applied; and the absence of substances toxic to 

plants. Other characteristics that affect suitability are the 

texture of the soil material and its content of stone fragments. 

Also considered in the suitability rating is damage that can 

result at the area from which topsoil is taken. 

Sand and gravel are used in great quantities in many kinds 

of construction. The ratings in table 4 provide guidance about 

where to look for probable sources. A soil rated as a good or 

fair source of sand or gravel generally has a layer at least 3 

feet thick, the top of which is within a depth of 6 feet. The 

ratings do not take into account thickness of overburden, 

location of the water table, or other factors that affect mining 

of the materials, and they do not indicate the quality of the 

deposit. 

Road fill is soil material used in embankments for roads. 

The suitability ratings reflect the predicted performance of

the soil after it has been placed in an embankment that has 

been properly compacted and provided with adequate 

drainage. The ratings also reflect the relative ease of excavating the material at borrow areas. 

Septic tank filter fields are subsurface systems of tile or 

perforated pipe that distribute effluent from a septic tank 

into natural soil. The soil material from a depth of 1.5 to 6 feet 

is evaluated. The soil properties considered are those that 

affect both absorption of effluent and construction and 

operation of the system. Properties that affect absorption are 

permeability, depth to water table or rock, and susceptibility 

to flooding. Slope is a soil property that affects difficulty of 

layout and construction and also the risk of soil erosion, 

lateral seepage, and downslope flow of effluent. Large rocks or 

boulders increase construction costs. 

Local roads and streets, as rated in table 4, have an all 

weather surface that is expected to carry automobile traffic 

all year. They have a subgrade of underlying soil material; a 

base consisting of gravel, crushed rock, or soil material 

stabilized with lime or cement; and a flexible or rigid 

surface, commonly asphalt or concrete. The roads and 

streets are 

graded to shed water and have routine provisions for drainage. 

They are built mainly from soil at hand, and most cuts and 

fills are less than 6 feet deep. 

 Soil properties that most affect design and construction of, 

roads and streets are load-supporting capacity and stability

of the subgrade and the workability and quantity of cut and fill 

material available. The AASHO and Unified classifications of

the soil material, and also the shrink-swell potential,

indicate traffic-supporting capacity. Wetness and flooding

affect the stability of the material. Slope, depth to hard 

rock,content of stones and rocks, and wetness affect the ease 

of excavation and amount of cut and fill needed to reach 

an even grade. 

Dwellings, as rated in table 4, are no more than three 

stories high and are supported by foundation footings placed in 

undisturbed soil. Features that affect the rating of a soil for 

dwellings are those that relate to capacity to support load and 

resist settlement under load, and those that relate to ease of

excavation. Soil properties that affect the capacity to support 

load are wetness, susceptibility to flooding, density, plasticity, 

texture, and shrink-swell potential. 

Drainage of cropland and pasture is affected by such soil 

properties as permeability, texture, and structure; depth to 

claypan, rock, or other layers that influence rate of water 

movement; depth to water table; slope and stability in 

ditchbanks; susceptibility to stream overflow; salinity or 

alkalinity; and availability of outlets for drainage. 

Irrigation of a soil is affected by such features as slope; 

susceptibility to stream overflow, water erosion, or soil 

blowing; soil texture; content of stones; accumulations of

salts and alkali; depth of root zone; rate of water intake at the 

surface; permeability of soil layers below the surface layer and in 

fragipans or other layers that restrict movement of water; 

amount of water held available to plants; and need for 

drainage, or depth to water table or bedrock. 

Reservoir areas hold water behind a dam or embankment. 

Soils suitable for reservoir areas have low seepage, which is 

related to permeability of the soil and depth to fractured or 

permeable bedrock or other permeable material. 

Embankments and dikes require soil material that is 

In the original manuscript, there was a table in this space. 

All tables have been updated and are available at http://soildatamart.nrcs.usda.gov. 
resistant to seepage and piping and that has favorable 

stability, shrink-swell potential, shear strength, and compactibility. Stones or organic materials in a soil material are 

among factors that are unfavorable. 

Formation and Classification of the 

Soils 

Soil is the product of soil-forming factors acting upon 

material deposited or accumulated by geological processes. 

The five factors of soil formation are climate, plant and 

animal life, relief, parent material, and time. 

Factors of Soil Formation 

Climate and living organisms, particularly vegetation, are 

the active forces of soil formation. Their effect on the parent 

material is modified by relief, by the length of time the 

factors have been active, and by the activities of man. The 

relative importance of each factor differs from place to place. In a 

few places, one factor dominates the properties of a soil, but 

normally the interaction of all five factors determines the kind of

soil that forms. 

Climate 

The climate is arid in the Irrigated Area of the Yakima 

Indian Reservation. Summers are warm and dry, and winters are 

cool and moist. Most of the survey area has an annual 

In the original manuscript, there was a table in this space. 

All tables have been updated and are available at http://soildatamart.nrcs.usda.gov. 
precipitation of 6 to 9 inches. More detailed information

on the climate is given in the section on climate under

"General Nature of the Area." The main climatic factors

that affect soil formation are precipitation and temperature.

They affect soil formation through their influence on

vegetation, weathering, and erosion. 

The vegetation increases in density as the moisture

available for growth increases. In the well-drained soils on

uplands, the amount of water available to plants, as well

as the depth to which the soils are leached, is affected by

total precipitation, temperature, and to some extent,

exposure. On the soils on the low-lying alluvial plains

that have a high water table, vegetation grows more

readily than on the soils on uplands. 

Precipitation affects the rate of weathering because water 

is the medium in which chemical reactions take place and is a 

source of hydrogen, the principal agent of weathering. The 

organic acids produced by decaying vegetation are another and, in 

most soils, more important source of hydrogen. If there is not 

enough water to carry away the end products of chemical 

reactions and if the depth of moisture penetration is limited, 

weathering is slowed and may be temporarily stopped. 

Considering only natural precipitation in this arid area, the 

greatest hazard of water erosion is runoff from adjoining areas of

higher elevations that receive larger amounts of precipitation. 

Erosion resulting from the application of irrigation water is 

in direct proportion to the degree of steepness of the 

topography. 

Soil blowing is also a hazard in this survey area, especially on 

the sandy, droughty soils. 

In the original manuscript, there was a table in this space. 

All tables have been updated and are available at http://soildatamart.nrcs.usda.gov. 
Warden soils have the low accumulation of organic matter 

typical of arid soils. Their subsurface horizon has weak, 

coarse, prismatic structure and high base saturation, and the 

soils are leached of calcium carbonate to a depth of about 22 

inches. Hezel and Quincy soils are typical of the soils of the 

survey area that are sandy, lack soil structure, and are subject to 

soil blowing. 

Plant and animal life 

Organisms that affect the genesis of soils are the plants that 

grow on the soil and the microscopic plants and animals that live 

in the soil. These organisms affect the soil genesis through the 

addition of organic matter and nitrogen, the formation of organic 

acids, and the gains and losses in plant nutrients and changes in 

soil structure and soil porosity. 

The Toppenish soils exemplify the effect of organisms in 

this survey area. The accumulation of organic matter in the 

surface layer is evident in the very dark color of that layer. 

Relief 

The relief or topography of the landform on which the soils 

formed influences the genesis of soil through its effect on drainage, 

erosion, plant cover, and soil temperature. The survey area 

consists of nearly level to steep soils on uplands and nearly 

level soils on bottom land. Most soils on uplands and some 

soils on bottom land are well drained, and in most places they 

are leached to a greater depth than the wetter soils. Some soils 

are wet as a result of a high water table or slow permeability. 

Some soils on the bottom land are somewhat poorly drained and 

have characteristics associated with wetness. Such characteristics 

are the increase in the organic-matter content of the surface 

layer; the red, yellow, and brown mottles indicating oxidized 

forms of iron; and the blue or gray colors characteristic of

reduced compounds. Toppenish, Track, and Zillah soils are 

examples of somewhat poorly drained soils on bottom land.

Many of the somewhat poorly drained soils on the bottom 

land and low terraces are affected by salts and alkali. Here, 

the water table is high or has been high in the past. Excessive 

amounts of salt and alkali accumulate on the surface, where 

ground water rises and evaporates. Among the soils in which this 

action occurs are Ahtanum, Fiander, Kittitas, Stanfield, and 

Umapine soils. 

Parent material 

Parent material is the unconsolidated material from which 

soils form. Its nature determines the mineralogical and 

chemical composition of the soil and, to a large extent, the rate 

at which the soil-forming processes take place. 

The soils in this survey area are young, and profile formation 

has not progressed far enough to hide differences in parent 

material; therefore, parent material and the method of its 

deposition have been used as one means of identifying soils in 

the survey area. 

Soils that formed in loess generally are silt loamy and are well 

drained. Ritzville and Shano are examples of such soils. 

Soils that formed in eolian sand generally are loamy fine 

sands and are somewhat excessively drained. Quincy soil is an 

example. 

Soils that formed in lacustrine sediments generally are silt 

loams, but in places they have layers of loamy fine sand or 

sandy loam. They are generally well drained. Warden soil is an 

example. 

Soils that formed in material weathered from basalt are 

shallow and well drained. Rock Creek soil is an example. 

Soils that formed in alluvium on bottom land vary in 

texture and drainage class from area to area. Esquatzel, Logy, 

Naches, Onyx, Weirman, and Zillah soils are in such areas. 

Time 

The length of time the parent material has been in place 

and exposed to climate and organisms is a most important 

factor in soil formation. The Quincy soil formed on a young land 

surface and has minimal profile development, whereas the Rock 

Creek soil formed on an old land surface and has strongly 

defined horizons. 

As a result of farming in the survey area, man's influence on 

the genesis of the soil has been considerable. Activities causing 

significant changes in the soil started with clearing the land of

its natural vegetation, followed by intensive irrigation 

farming and land leveling. Man's activities will continue to be 

highly significant as a soil-forming factor. 

Soil Properties and Genetic Processes 

No formal studies of the genesis of the soils in this survey 

area have been made. Nevertheless, by studying the typical 

profiles in the section "Descriptions of the Soils" and by 

applying knowledge obtained from research on similar soils 

elsewhere, much can be inferred about the soils. 

Of particular importance are the kind and arrangement of

horizons and the presence of mottles, a hardpan, alkali 

(exchangeable sodium), and calcium carbonate (lime) or other 

salts. 

These properties and the processes responsible for them are 

defined in the paragraphs that follow. 

A1 horizon.-In the well-drained and somewhat excessively 

drained soils in the survey area, the accumulation of organic 

matter, which forms an Al horizon, has been small. Hezel and 

Quincy soils contain so little organic matter that they are not 

considered to have an Al horizon. The reasons for this lack of

organic matter are the small amount of organic residue as a 

result of low precipitation, the generally sparse vegetation, and 

the rapid decomposition of what residue is formed. With few 

exceptions, the organic-matter content of soils in the survey 

area that have not received additional moisture from runoff

or underground sources ranges from less than 1 percent to less 

than 2 percent. 

Onyx soils, though well drained, are more than 2 percent 

organic matter because their parent material was high in 

organic-matter content at the time it was deposited. The 

parent material was derived largely from the surface layer of

higher lying soils. Little or no additional organic matter 

accumulated after deposition. 

The A horizons of soils that formed under impeded drainage are 

about 2 to 5 percent organic matter. A more luxuriant 

vegetation, producing more organic residues, grew on these 

soils during formation than on other soils in the survey area. 

B horizon.-In 16 of the soils in the survey area, a subsoil 

horizon has been altered sufficiently through soil-forming 

processes to be designated as a B horizon. In eight of thesethe Logy, Ritzville, Ritzville gravelly subsoil variant, Shano, 

Toppenish, Track, Warden, and Yakima soilschanges have 

been small. They consist principally of structural development 

and brighter color. In the B horizon of Toppenish and Track 

soils the structure is moderate, and in the other six soils the 

structure is weak. The slightly brighter color of some of the B 

horizons as compared with horizons 
above or below indicates that some iron oxides have been 

released during weathering. 

The B horizon of the eight other soils-the Ashue, Fiander, 

Naches, Rock Creek, Simcoe, Wahtum, Wahtum dark 

variant, and White Swan-contains significantly more clay 

than their A horizon. Their parent material contained 

minerals that weathered to clay, and the material has been 

in place long enough for the clays to have accumulated in 

the subsoil. 

The parent material of the soils that lack a B horizon is 

either resistant to weathering or has not been in place long 

enough for clay, a secondary mineral, to form from the 

primary minerals. In places, the clay has not been moved 

downward by percolating water; it remains flocculated 

because of the presence of salts, including lime. Apparently, 

there has been enough sodium in the parent material from 

which the Fiander, Wahtum, and White Swan soils formed to 

counteract the flocculating effects of the excessive 

amount of salts. Clay movement and deposition in the B 

horizon has taken place in these soils. 

Lime.-Most of the soils in the survey area contain lime 

because their parent material was calcareous or because 

precipitation has been too low for lime that has been liberated 

from weathered minerals to be removed completely from the 

soil. 

In the soil profile descriptions the symbol ca signifies a 

horizon having more lime than the parent material is 

presumed to have had. Thirteen of the soils that have such an 

horizon are the Ahtanum, Esquatzel, Fiander, Hezel, Kittitas, 

Naches, Quincy, Shano, Umapine, Wahtum, Wahtum dark 

variant, Warden, and White Swan soils. 

Ten of the soils are nearly free of lime. The Ashue, Onyx, 

Weirman, Yakima, and Zillah soils formed in alluvium 

derived from surrounding upland soils from which most or all 

of the lime had been removed before redeposition. Yost soils 

formed in noncalcareous lake sediments. Rock Creek and 

Simcoe soils are shallow enough that lime in the parent 

material or liberated during weathering has been leached out 

by percolating water. 

The ca horizon in Ritzville soils is typically at a depth of 30 

to 43 inches. In most places in the survey area, however, 

these soils lack a ca horizon. The reason for this is not clear, 

but it may be that the loess parent material in this survey 

area was lower in carbonates than elsewhere. The fact that the 

ca horizon in Shano soils in this survey area is at a 

greater depth than in Shano soils outside of the survey area 

tends to support this. Ritzville and Shano soils are the only 

two soils in this survey area that formed primarily in loess. 

Mottles and gleyed horizons.-Mottles occur in Fiander, 

Toppenish, Track, Umapine, Weirman, and Zillah soils. Yost 

soils are gleyed, or have dull colors, throughout. The reduction of ferric oxides to ferrous oxides in saturated soils is 

responsible for the mottled color pattern and dull colors. 

Reducing agents derived from decomposing organic matter 

are necessary. 

Ferric oxides are generally a shade of yellow or red 

and are virtually insoluble. Ferrous compounds, which are 

colorless or have dull colors, are soluble. Consequently, ferrous 

compounds are mobile in the soil solution. They may move 

entirely out of a soil in drainage waters. They may move 

short distances where, if the moisture content decreases, 

they become oxidized to the ferric state and precipitate out 

of solution to form bright-colored mottles. 

Some soils, such as Ahtanum, Kittitas, Stanfield, and 

Wahtum, have impeded drainage, but lack mottles or dull 

colors. This is probably because the soils are not wet enough 

to provide an anaerobic environment, which is necessary for

bacterial reduction of ferric iron to ferrous forms. 

Lime-silica cemented hardpan.-Three soils in the survey 

area-Ahtanum, Stanfield, and Wahtum-have a hardpan 

cemented by lime and silica. The hardpan has formed where 

dissolved silica and calcium carbonates have concentrated 

and then precipitated out of solution. The parent material 

was probably high in volcanic glass at one time. Glass 

weathers rapidly, and soluble silicates are released. 

Some question exists as to whether or not the pan in 

Stanfield and Wahtum soils is related to present-day soils. 

One theory is that the pan formed along the edges of old 

lakes before deposition of the material in which the presentday 

soils formed. Another is that the pan resulted from soilforming processes acting on soil material that was 

subsequently eroded away. If the hardpan formed in another 

era, it undoubtedly has been thickened in places by the 

addition of lime and silica from present-day soil material. 

Salts and alkali.-Soluble salts and alkali, or both, have 

accumulated in 10 of the soils in the survey area-the 

Ahtanum, Fiander, Kittitas, Stanfield, Toppenish, Track, 

Umapine, Wahtum, Wahtum dark variant, and White Swan 

soils. This accumulation is the result of ground water that 

contains excessive amounts of dissolved salts and alkali 

accumulating where the water rises near the surface and is 

either evaporated or transpired, leaving behind the salts and 

alkali. Two somewhat poorly drained soils-Yost and Zillahdo 

not contain excessive amounts of salts or alkali. Apparently 

the excess water in these soils was free or nearly free of salt 

or alkali, or the soils were flushed periodically by 

floodwaters from the nearby rivers. The Wahtum dark 

variant and White Swan soils are now considered well drained, 

but had impeded drainage at some time during their 

formation. 

Classification of Soils 

Soils are classified so that we can more easily remember 

their significant characteristics. Classification enables us to 

assemble knowledge about the soils, to see their relationship to 

one another and to the whole environment, and to develop 

principles that help us to understand their behavior and their 

response to manipulation. First through classification, and then 

through use of soil maps, we can apply our knowledge of soils to 

specific fields and other tracts of land. 

The narrow categories of classification, such as those used in 

detailed soil surveys, allow us to organize and apply 

knowledge about soils in managing farms, fields, and woodlands; 

in developing rural areas; in engineering work; and in many 

other ways. Soils are placed in broad classes to facilitate study 

and comparison in large areas, such as countries and 

continents. 

The system of soil classification currently used was adopted 

by the National Cooperative Soil Survey in 1965 (6). Because 

this system is under continual study, readers interested in 

development of the current system should search the latest 

literature available (6). 

The current system of classification has six categories. 

Beginning with the broadest, these categories are the order, 

suborder, great group, subgroup, family, and series. In this 

system the criteria used as a basis for classification are soil 

properties that are observable and measurable. The properties 

are chosen, however, so that the soils of similar genesis, or 

mode of origin, are grouped together. In table 5, the soil 
series represented in the Yakima Indian Reservation Irrigated 

Area are classified according to the current system. Classes 

of the current system are briefly defined in the following 

paragraphs. 

ORDER. Ten soil orders are recognized. The properties 

used to differentiate among soil orders are those that tend to 

give broad climatic groupings of soils. The two exceptions to 

this are the Entisols and Histosols, both of which occur in 

many different climates. Each order is named with a word of

three or four syllables ending in sol (Moll-i-sol). 

SUBORDER. Each order is divided into suborders that are 

based primarily on those soil characteristics that seem to 

produce classes with the greatest genetic similarity. The 

suborders narrow the broad climatic range permitted in the 

orders. The soil properties used to separate suborders are 

mainly those that reflect either the presence or absence of

waterlogging, or soil differences resulting from the climate 

or vegetation. The names of suborders have two syllables. The 

last syllable indicates the order. An example is Aquoll (Aqu, 

meaning water or wet, and oll, from Mollisol). 

GREAT GROUP. Each suborder is divided into great 

groups on the basis of uniformity in the kinds and sequence of

major soil horizons and features. The horizons considered in 

making separations are those in which clay, iron, or humus have 

accumulated; those that have pans that interfere with growth 

of roots, movement of water, or both; and thick, dark-colored

surface horizons. The features considered are the self-mulching 

properties of clay, the soil temperature, the major differences 

in chemical composition (mainly calcium, magnesium, sodium, 

and potassium), and the dark-red and dark-brown colors 

associated with basic rocks. The names of great groups have 

three or four syllables and are made by 

adding a prefix to the name of the suborder. An example is 

Natraquolls (Natr, meaning presence of significant amounts of

exchangeable sodium or of magnesium and sodium, aqu for

wetness or water, and oll from Mollisols). 

SUBGROUP. Great groups are divided into subgroups. One 

represents the central, or typic, segment of the group. Others, 

called intergrades, have properties of the group and also one or 

more properties of another great group, suborder, or order. 

Subgroups may also be made in those situations where soil 

properties intergrade outside of the range of any other great 

group, suborder, or order. The names of subgroups are 

derived by placing one or more adjectives before the name of the 

great group. An example is Typic Natraquolls (a typical 

Natraquoll). 

FAMILY. Soil families are established within a subgroup 

primarily on the basis of properties important to the growth of

plants or on the behavior of soils when used in engineering. 

Among the properties considered are texture, mineralogy, 

reaction, soil temperature, permeability, thickness of horizons, and

consistence. A family name consists of a series of adjectives 

preceding the subgroup name. The adjectives are the class 

names for texture, mineralogy, and so on, that are used as 

family differentiae (see table 5). An example is the fine-silty, 

mixed (calcareous), mesic family of Typic Natraquolls (Natr, 

meaning presence of significant amounts of exchangeable 

sodium or of magnesium and sodium, aqu for wetness or water, 

and oll, from Mollisols). 

General Nature of the Area 

This survey area supports a highly diversified irrigated 

agriculture. Among the commonly grown crops are asparagus, 

In the original manuscript, there was a table in this space. 

All tables have been updated and are available at http://soildatamart.nrcs.usda.gov. 
sweet corn, field corn, grapes, hay and pasture, hops, mint, 

potatoes, sugar beets, tree fruits, and truck crops. Within the 

survey area are undrained soils and saline-alkali soils that 

have not been reclaimed. These soils furnish grazing for 

livestock. Many areas are too steep or too gravelly, stony, or 

rocky to be cropped and are too small to be used for 

grazing. These areas furnish food and cover for some species of

wildlife. 

Farming enterprises support the business and industry of the 

area. Business, in turn, furnishes machinery, fuel and oil, 

fertilizer, insecticides, herbicides, and other items needed by an 

irrigated agriculture. A large cannery and a sugar factory are at 

Toppenish, and many packing sheds and cold storage plants for 

fruits and vegetables are within the area. 

Water for irrigation is supplied through facilities provided by 

the Bureau of Indian Affairs and operated by several irrigation 

districts. It is diverted from the Yakima River and from

Toppenish, Medicine, Simcoe, Satus, and Ahtanum Creeks. The 

source of these streams is in the snowfield of the Cascade 

Mountains. 

Several lakes in the Yakima River system are used to store 

water for use when streamflow decreases in summer. No 

storage facilities are provided along the creeks, and water may 

be in short supply in summer. 

Water is applied to the crops by corrugations, furrows, 

flooding, borders, and sprinklers. Most irrigated soils require 

artificial drainage. Careful control in applying irrigation water is 

needed on steep soils in order to prevent erosion. 

CLIMATE 

 The climate in the survey area is characterized by warm, 

dry summers and cold, moist winters. Table 6 shows 

By EARL L. PHILLIPS, State climatologist, National Weather Ser 

vice, U. S. Department of Commerce. 

temperature and precipitation data. Table 7 shows the 

probability of freezing temperatures in spring and fall, and table 

b shows the estimated growing degree-days above bases 40° and

30° F. 

Among factors influencing the climate are topography, 

distance and direction from the ocean, prevailing westerly 

winds, and the path of weather systems crossing the Pacific 

Ocean. To the east and north, the Rocky Mountains shield 

this survey area from winter cold air masses moving south 

across Canada. Occasionally, air from over the interior of the 

continent spills over the Rockies or enters the inland basin 

through the north-south valleys that separate ranges in the 

southern part of British Columbia. 

To the west, the Cascade Mountains form a barrier to the

easterly movement of moist air from over the Pacific Ocean. Most 

of the air masses crossing this survey area have moved in from 

the ocean, where the surface is warmer in winter and cooler in 

summer than the land surface. This maritime air has a moderating

influence throughout the year. The prevailing flow of air into 

the State in fall and winter is from the southwest. 

Orographic lifting and cooling of the moist air, at approximately 

3°

 F. with each 1,000-foot increase in elevation as it rises along the 

western slope of the Cascade Mountains, results in heavy 

precipitation on the windward slope and near the crest. 

Air descending along the eastern slope becomes warmer and

drier, increasing 4° F. or more in temperature with each 

1,000-foot drop. The cooling and warming of the air as it 

crosses the mountains results in warmer, drier air on the lee slope 

than at similar elevations on the windward slope. This produces a 

sharp reduction in precipitation as the elevation decreases in 

an easterly direction from the summit. For example, within a

short distance of 10 miles, annual precipitation decreases from 

90 inches or more at the crest of the 

In the original manuscript, there was a table in this space. 

All tables have been updated and are available at http://soildatamart.nrcs.usda.gov. 
Cascade Mountains to 48 inches at Bumping Lake at an 

elevation of 3,440 feet, and to 26 inches at Rimrock Dam at 

an elevation of 2,730 feet and 15 miles east of the summit. 

Within the next 15 miles it decreases to 8 inches at White 

Swan at an elevation of 974 feet. Approximately 50 percent 

of the precipitation falls in October through January, and 75 

percent in October through March. Total rainfall for the two 

driest months is less than 5 percent of the annual total. 

Average snowfall in the survey area ranges from 10 to 20 

inches, and depths on the ground from 5 to 15 inches. Snow 

can be expected after the first of December. It remains on the 

ground for periods of a few days to 6 weeks between the 

middle of December and the last of February. 

The prevailing direction of the wind is from the west, but the 

higher velocities are most frequently from the southwest. The 

average velocity ranges from 6 miles per hour in winter to 9 

miles per hour in summer. The diurnal variation in wind is 

small in winter, but in summer an increase in velocity from the 

west occurs late in the afternoon. 

Table 9 shows estimated evapotranspiration. Evapotranspiration is the combined process by which water is transferred from the earth's surface to the atmosphere by 

evaporation of liquid or solid water and by transpiration from 

plants. Potential evapotranspiration, or the maximum amount 

of moisture which, if available, could be removed under

existing temperatures, is 25 to 30 inches. Assuming that soils 

have a water-storage capacity of 6 inches, computations are 

shown in table 9 of the actual evapotranspiration that occurs 

when precipitation and temperature are normal. Estimated 

annual amounts are 6 to 8 inches. Potential 

evapotranspiration exceeds actual evapotranspiration by 

approximately 20 inches. 

Literature Cited 

(1) American Association of State Highway Officials. 1961. Standard 

specifications for highway materials and methods of sampling and 

testing. Ed. 8, 2 v., illus. (2) Portland Cement Association. 1962. PCA soil primer. 52 pp., illus. 

(3) Simonson, Roy W. 1962. Soil classification in the United States. 

Sci. 137: 1027-1034, illus. 

(4) United States Department of Agriculture. 1951. Soil survey manual. U.S. Dept. Agr. Handb. No. 18, 503 pp., illus. 

(5) -1954. Diagnosis and improvement of saline and alkali soils. U.S. Dept. 

Agr. Handb. No. 60, 160 pp., illus. 

(6) - 1960. Soil classification, a comprehensive system, 7th approximation. 

265 pp., illus. [Supplements issued in March 1967 and in September 1968]

 (7) Waterways Experiment Station, Corps of Engineers. 1953. The unified

soil classification system. Tech. Memo 3-357, 2 v., illus. [Revised June 

1957] 

Glossary 

Aggregate, soil. Many fine particles held in a single mass or cluster. 

Natural soil aggregates, such as crumbs, blocks, or prisms, are called 

pods. Clods are aggregates produced by tillage or logging. 

Alkali soil. Generally, a highly alkaline soil. Specifically, an alkali soil has so 

high a degree of alkalinity (pH 8.5 or higher) or so high a percentage of

exchangeable sodium (15 percent or more of the total 

exchangeable bases), or both, that the growth of most crop plants is 

low from this cause. 

Alluvium. Soil material, such as sand, silt, or clay, that has been 

deposited on land by streams. 

Ash, volcanic. Consists of small particles of solid or porous fragments of

obsidian or pumice, which looks like coarse ashes, ejected in 

volcanic activity. 

Available water capacity (also termed available moisture capacity). The 

capacity of soils to hold water available for use by most plants. It is 

commonly defined as the difference between the amount of soil 

water at field capacity and the amount at wilting point. The ratings 

are low, less than 3.75 inches; moderate, 3.75 to 5 inches; moderately 

high, 5 to 7.5 inches; high, more than 7.5 inches. Soils of low available 

water capacity require frequent but light irrigation, using a large head 

of irrigation water and short runs. Soils of high available water capacity 

can be irrigated less frequently with large quantities of water, using a 

smaller head and longer runs. 

Blowout. An area from which soil material has been removed by wind. 

Such an area appears as a nearly barren, shallow depression with a flat 

or irregular floor consisting of a resistant layer, or accumulation of pebbly 

or wet soil lying just above a water table. 

Bottom land. Low land formed by alluvial deposits along a stream or in 

a lake basin; a flood plain. 

Calcareous soil. A soil containing enough calcium carbonate (often with 

magnesium carbonate) to effervesce (fizz) visibly when treated with 

cold, dilute hydrochloric acid. 

Clay. As a soil separate, the mineral soil particles less than 0.002 millimeter in diameter. As a soil textural class, soil material that is 40 percent or 

more clay, less than 45 percent sand, and less than 40 percent silt. 

Crop rotation. The growing of different crops in recurring succession in 

the same field. 

Concretions. Grains, pellets, or nodules of various sizes, shapes, and 

colors consisting of concentrations of compounds, or of soil grains 

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All tables have been updated and are available at http://soildatamart.nrcs.usda.gov. 
cemented together. The composition of some concretions is unlike that 

of the surrounding soil. Calcium carbonate and iron oxide are 

examples of material commonly found in concretions. 

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 

Loose.-Noncoherent when dry or moist; does not hold together in a mass. 

 Friable.-When moist, crushes easily under gentle pressure between thumb and

forefinger and can be pressed together into a lump. 

Firm.-When moist, crushes under moderate pressure between thumb and 

forefinger, but resistance is distinctly noticeable. 

Plastic.-When wet, readily deformed by moderate pressure but can be pressed into a lump; will form a "wire" when rolled between thumb and forefinger. 

Sticky.-When wet, adheres to other material, and tends to stretch 

somewhat and pull apart, rather than to pull free from other material. 

Hard.-When dry, moderately resistant to pressure; can be broken with 

difficulty between thumb and forefinger. Soft-When dry, breaks into powder or individual grains under very slight 

pressure. 

Cemented.-Hard and brittle; little affected by moistening. 

Cover crop. A close-growing crop grown primarily to improve and to

protect the soil between periods of regular crop production; or a crop grown 

between trees and vines in orchards and vineyards. Drainage class

(natural). Refers to the conditions of frequency and 

duration of periods of saturation or partial saturation that existed 

during the development of the soil, as opposed to altered drainage, 

which is commonly the result of artificial drainage or irrigation 

but may be caused by the sudden deepening of channels or the blocking 

of drainage outlets. Seven different classes of natural soil drainage 

are recognized. 

Excessively drained soils are commonly very porous and rapidly 

permeable and have a low water-holding capacity. 

Somewhat excessively drained soils are also very permeable and are 

free from mottling throughout their profile. 

Well-drained soils are nearly free from mottling and are commonly of 

intermediate texture. 

Moderately well drained soils commonly have a slowly permeable layer in 

or immediately beneath the solum. They have uniform color in the A 

and upper B horizons and mottling in the lower B and the C horizons. 

Somewhat poorly drained soils are wet for significant periods but not all the 

time, and some soils commonly have mottling at a depth below 6 to 

16 inches. 

Poorly drained soils are wet for long periods and are light gray and generally 

mottled from the surface downward, although mottling may be absent 

or nearly so in some soils. 

Very poorly drained soils are wet nearly all the time. They have a 

dark-gray or black surface layer and are gray or light gray, with or 

without mottling, in the deeper parts of the profile. 

Erosion. The wearing away of the land surface by wind (sandblast), 

running water, and other geological agents. 

In the original manuscript, there was a table in this space. 

All tables have been updated and are available at http://soildatamart.nrcs.usda.gov. 

In the original manuscript, there was a table in this space. 

All tables have been updated and are available at http://soildatamart.nrcs.usda.gov. 
Erosion hazard. Susceptibility to wind or water erosion. The terms used

in this survey are slight, moderate, severe, and very severe. These terms 

are relative and apply only in relation to other soils of the Yakima 

Indian Reservation Irrigated Area. 

Gravel. Rounded and semirounded fragments of rocks 1/8 inch to 3 inches in 

diameter. A single piece is a pebble. Gravelly soils contain 15 to 50 

percent gravel, by volume. 

Horizon, soil. A layer of soil, approximately parallel to the surface, that has 

distinct characteristics produced by soil-forming processes. These are 

the major horizons: 

O horizon.-The layer of organic matter on the surface of a 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 one in which living organisms are most 

active and therefore is marked by the accumulation of humus. 

The horizon may have lost one or more of soluble salts, clay, and

sesquioxides (iron and aluminum oxides). 

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 also has distinctive characteristics caused (1) 

by accumulation of clay, sesquioxides, humus, or some 

combination of these; (2) by prismatic or blocky structure; (3) by 

redder or stronger colors than the A horizon; or (4) by some 

combination of these. Combined A and B horizons are usually 

called the solum, or true soil. If a soil lacks a B horizon, the A 

horizon alone is the solum. 

C horizon.-The weathered rock material immediately beneath the 

solum. In most soils this material is presumed to be like that 

from which the overlying horizons were formed. If the material is 

known to be different from that in the solum, a Roman numeral 

precedes the letter C. 

R layer.-Consolidated rock beneath the soil. The rock usually 

underlies a C horizon but may be immediately beneath an A or B 

horizon. 

Loess. Fine-grained material, dominantly of silt-sized particles, that has 

been deposited by wind. 

Lacustrine deposit (geology). Material deposited in lake water and 

exposed by lowering of the water level or by elevation of the 

lakebed. 

Mottling, soil. Irregularly marked with spots of different colors that vary in 

number and size. Mottling in soils usually indicates poor aeration and

lack of drainage. Descriptive terms are as follows: abundance few, 

common, and many; size-fine, medium, and coarse; and contrast

faint, distinct, and prominent. The size measurements are these: fine, 

less than 5 millimeters (about 0.2 inch) in diameter along the greatest 

dimension; medium, ranging from 5 millimeters to 15 millimeters 

(about 0.2 to 0.6 inch) in diameter along the greatest dimension; and

coarse, more than 15 millimeters (about 0.6 inch) in diameter along the greatest dimension. 

Parent material. Disintegrated and partly weathered rock from which soil 

has formed. 

Ped. An individual natural soil aggregate, such as a crumb, a prism, or a 

block, in contrast to a clod. 

Perched water table. A layer of saturation in the soil, separated from the 

true ground water table and held above it by a layer of very slowly 

permeable or impervious material. 

Permeability, soil. The quality of a soil that enables water and air to move 

through it. Terms used to describe permeability are 

Inches per hour 

Very slow ------------------------Less than 0.06 

Slow ------------------------------0.06 to 0.2 

Moderately slow ----------------0.2 to 0.6 

Moderate ------------------------0.6 to 2.0 

Moderately rapid ---------------2.0 to 6.0 

Rapid-----------------------------6.0 to 20 

Very rapid -----------------------More than 20 

Profile, soil. A vertical section of the soil through all its horizons 

and extending into the parent material. 

Reaction, soil. The degree of acidity or alkalinity of a soil, expressed in pH

values. A soil that tests to pH 7.0 is precisely neutral in reaction 

because it is neither acid nor alkaline. An acid, or "sour," soil is one that 

gives an acid reaction; an alkaline soil is one that is alkaline in reaction. 

In words, the degrees of acidity or alkalinity are expressed thus: 

pH pH 

Extremely acid----Below 4.5 Neutral -------------------6.6 to 7.3 

Very strongly acid-4.5 to 5.0 Mildly alkaline --------- 7.4 to 7.8 

Strongly acid -------- 5.1 to 5.5 Moderately alkaline---7.9 to 8.4 

Medium acid -------- 5.6 to 6.0 Strongly alkaline ------- 8.5 to 9.0 

Slightly acid -------- 6.1 to 6.5 Very strongly alkaline-9.1 and 

higher 

Runoff. The rate at which water is removed by flow over the surface of the 

soil. The rapidity of runoff and the amount of water removed are closely 

related to slope and are also affected by factors, such as texture, 

structure, and porosity of the surface soil; the vegetative covering; and 

the prevailing climate. Relative degrees of runoff are as follows: 

Ponded.-None of the water added to the soil escapes as runoff. 

Removal is by movement through the soil or by evaporation. 

Very slow.-Surface water flows away so slowly that free water lies on 

the surface for long periods or enters immediately into the soil. 

Very little of the water is removed by runoff. 

Slow.-Surface water flows away so slowly that free water covers the 

soil for significant periods or enters the soil so rapidly that only 

a small amount is removed as runoff. 

Medium.-Surface water flows away at such a rate that a moderate 

In the original manuscript, there was a table in this space. 

All tables have been updated and are available at http://soildatamart.nrcs.usda.gov. 
proportion of the water enters the soil profile, and free water lies on the 

surface for only short periods. The loss of water over the surface does 

not reduce seriously the supply available for plants. 

Rapid.-A large proportion of the water moves rapidly over the surface of the 

soil, and a small part moves through the soil profile. 

Very rapid.-A very large part of the water moves rapidly over the 

surface of the soil, and a very small part goes through the profile. 

Saline-alkali soil. A soil that contains a harmful concentration of salts 

and either a high degree of alkalinity or a large amount of

exchangeable sodium, or both. 

Series, soil. A group of soils developed from a particular type of parent

material and having genetic horizons that, except for texture of the

surface layer, are similar in differentiating characteristics and in

arrangement in the profile. 

Structure, soil. The arrangement of primary soil particles into

compound particles or clusters that are separated from adjoining

aggregates and have properties unlike those of an equal mass of

unaggregated primary soil particles. The principal forms of soil structure are-platy (laminated), prismatic (vertical axis of aggregates longer than horizontal), columnar (prisms with rounded 

tops), blocky (angular or subangular), and granular. Structureless soils 

are either single grained (each grain by itself, as in dune sand) or massive (the particles adhering together without any regular cleavage, 

as in many claypans and hardpans). 

Subsoil. Technically, the B horizon; roughly, the part of the solum below 

plow depth. 

Substratum. Technically, the part of the soil below the solum. 

Surface soil. The soil ordinarily moved in tillage, or its equivalent in 

uncultivated soil, about 5 to 8 inches in thickness. The plowed layer.

Texture, soil. The relative proportions of sand, silt, and clay particles in a mass of soil. The basic textural classes, in order of increasing proportion of

fine particles, are sand, loamy sand, sandy loam, loam, silt loam, silt, 

sandy clay loam, clay loam, silty clay loam, sandy clay, silty clay, and 

clay. The sand, loamy sand, and sandy loam classes may be further 

divided by specifying "coarse," "fine," or "very fine." 

Variant, soil. A soil having properties sufficiently different from those of

other known soils to suggest establishing a new soil series, but a soil of such

limited known area that creation of a new series is not believed to be 

justified.