Sorne Peat Deposits in Washington 

ancl Southeastern Aroostook 

Cotlnties, Maine 

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY BULLETIN 1317-C 
Some Peat Deposits in Washington 

and Southeastern Aroostook 

Counties, Maine 

By CORNELIA C. CAMERON 

STUDIES I N P E A T 

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY BULLETIN 1317-C 

The use of physical characteristics of peat 

and physiographic forms of the deposits 

as guides to peat resources 

UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE, WASHINGTON 1975 
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 

STANLEY K. HATHAWAY, Secretary 

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 

V. E. McKelvey, Director 

Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data 

Cameron, Cornelia Clermont, 1911-

Some peat deposits in Washington and southeastern Aroostook Counties, Maine. 

(Studies in peat) (Geological Survey bulletin ; [1317-C]) 

Bibliography: p. 

Supt. of Docs. no.: I 19.3:1317c 

1. Peat-Maine. I. Title. II. Series. III. Series: United States. Geological Survey. 

Bulletin ; 1317-C. 

QE75.B9 no. 1317-C [TN840.U5] 557.3'08s 74-20683 [553'.21'0974142] 

For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U. S. Government Printing Office 

Washington, D.C. 20402 

Stock Number 024-001-02664-3 
CONTENTS 

Page 

Abstract ------------------------------------------------------- C1 

Introduction ---------------------------------------------------- 1 

General nature and use of peat ------------------------------- 1 

Scope of report and acknowledgments -------------------------- 2 

Previous studies --------------------------------------------- 3 

Composition and physical properties of peat ------------------------ 3 

Water-holding capacity _ ------ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ ___ _ _ ___ _ _ __ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ ___ 6 

Organic and ash content ------------------------------------- 6 

Fiber content ----------------------------------------------- 7 

In situ pH of natural peats ---------------------------------- 7 

Commercial classication of peat ----------------------------------- 7 

Vegetation, clima~, geology, and physiography of eastern Maine peat 

deposits ------------------------------------------------------ 10 

Heaths ---------------------------------------------------- 10 Clima~ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 11 

Regional geology and physiographic history -------------------- 11 

Evolution of the peat deposit---------------------------------- 12 

Basic physiographic forms of the deposits ---------------------- 13 

Stratigraphy ----------------------------------------------- 19 

Resources ------------------------------------------------------ 19 

Peat mining ---------------------------------------------------- 23 

Impact on environment -------------------------------------- 23 

Outlook for the area -------------------------------------------- 23 

References cited ------------------------------------------------ 26 

FIGURE 1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

5. 

6. 

ILLUSTRATIONS 

Page 

Map of study area showing location of selec~d peat deposits __ -- ______ ----------- __ ------ _________ ---- _ _ C5 

Diagrammatic maps and cross sections showing development of the composite type of peat deposit based on a 

gradual change of surface and ground water regimes __ 14 

Diagrammatic maps and cross sections of the physiographic 

forms of peat deposits ----------------------------- 16 

Contour map and diagrammatic profile sections of Runaway Pond Heath --------------------------------- 21 

Map of Thousand Acre Bog -------------------------- 22 

Profile sections of Thousand Acre Bog ---------------- 24 

III 
IV CONTENTS 

TABLES 

Page 

TABLE 1. Size, physiographic form, and location of peat deposits 

of ~aine --------------------------------------- C31 

2. Typical section and analytical data (physical properties) 

for peat deposits of Maine ------------------------- 35 

3. Size, physiographic form, location, and drainage of nonanalyzed Maine peat deposits of commercial quality ___ 39 
STUDIES IN PEAT 

SOME PEAT DEPOSITS IN WASHINGTON AND 

SOUTHEASTERN AROOSTOOK COUNTIES, MAINE 

By CoRNELIA C. CAMERON 

ABSTRACT 

Peat resources of 78 undeveloped deposits investigated in Washington and 

southeastern Aroostook Counties, Maine, are estimated to amount to 30,785,000 

short tons of air-dried moss peat of good quality, as defined by the recent 

ASTM (American Society for Testing Materials) peat classification. About 

half the deposits individually cover 100 acres or more, and 3 deposits each 

cover more than 1,000 acres. Thicknesses are as great as 25 feet; most average at least 5 feet thick. Representative samples from 57 of these deposits 

showed water-holding capacity as high as 4,920 percent. The organic content 

is generally greater than 90 percent (or, conversely, less than 10 percent ash), 

and more than half the deposits have a fiber content greater than 66 2/3 percent. Except for a few deposits in Aroostook County, the deposits have an in 

situ pH of less than 5.0. 

The peat deposits occur in five basic physiographic forms: (1) Valleys occupied by streams; (2) closed basins with or without remnants of the initial 

ponds; (3) plateaulike domes on gentle clay, sand, or gravel surfaces; (4) 

domes and secondary ponds; and ( 5) coalesced domes. Moss peat, the type 

which has most commercial potential, occupies the upper parts of heath-covered domes of the last three physiographic forms; it lies above the regional 

water table and stratigraphically above the upper surface of the original 

water body associated with each deposit. Sediments of the original water body 

are derived from a variety of plants which either lived in the water or were 

deposited there along with varied amounts of clay; these peats have much less 

commercial potential. 

A study of the relationship between the hydrology and the basic physiographic 

forms of peat deposits and a study of the reestablishment of flora in formerly 

exploited bogs in Washington County may afford clues useful in determining 

the least ecologically damaging methods of mining moss peat in individual 

deposits. 

INTRODUCTION 

GENERAL NATURE AND USE OF PEAT 

Peat is a light- to dark-brown or black residuum formed by the 

partial decay and disintegration of plants that grew in marshes 

Cl 
C2 STUDIES IN PEAT 

and swamps or in damp places such as heaths. It may be (1) 

fibrous, matted material composed of mosses, ferns, grasses, 

rushes, reeds, sedges, and woody material from trees and shrubs; 

(2) finely divided plant so decomposed that its biological identity 

is lost; or ( 3) nonfibrous, plastic, collodial, and macerated material deposited at the bottom of lakes or other bodies of water. 

Peat has been burned as a low-rank fuel throughout history, but 

only in the last two decades has it been used widely as a soil 

conditioner and horticultural material. In 1972, 103 operations in 

22 states produced 576,712 short tons of air-dried peat for nonfuel use, an increase of 12 percent over the production reported 

in 1970. Commercial sales of 1972 were valued at $7,112,000; the 

average value per short ton was $11.72. An additional 310,491 

short tons, valued at $17,173,000, was imported in 1972, chiefly 

from Canada, an increase of 5 percent over 1971 imports (Sheridan, 1974). 

Because of the growing demand for peat along the Atlantic 

seaboard, an investigation of peat resources was extended from 

northeastern Pennsylvania and southeastern New York (Cameron, 1970 a, b) to eastern Maine between lat 44°27' and 46°30' 

N. The area investigated includes Washington County and southeastern Aroostook County (fig. 1). Physiographically, the study 

area is a bedrock-controlled glacial terrane stretching westward 

and northward from the strongly indented coast along the Bay 

of Fundy. Culturally, the area includes potato farms in the northeast, fishing communities along the coast, and forested uplands 

elsewhere which are largely suited for the pulp and lumber industry and for fishing, hunting, and other recreational activities. 

Peat occurs in numerous swamps, marshes, and heaths throughout 

the area. 

SCOPE OF REPORT AND ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 

The purpose of this report is to provide information for use in 

the exploitation of peat deposits in eastern Maine and of similar 

deposits elsewhere. Fifty-seven undeveloped but representative 

peat deposits were investigated by hand-auger holes along paceand-compass traverses across swamps, marshes, and heaths. 

Holes were augered using a Davis sampler and a Macaulay peat 

borer; peat samples were collected to determine thickness and 

stratigraphy of the deposits and the configuration of the depression in which the deposits lie. The amount of peat was estimated 

from auger-hole data and from the surface area measured on 

topographic and air-photo maps. In calculating tonnage (table 
PEAT DEPOSITS OF EASTERN MAINE C3 

1), 1 acre-foot of peat in place was considered equivalent to 200 

short tons of air-dried peat. Samples from the deposits were 

analyzed by the U.S. Geological Survey for moisture, ash, organic 

content, water-holding capacity, fiber size (exceeding 0.15 mm), 

and acidity. An additional 21 deposits, from which samples were 

not analyzed, are included in the study. 

The help of several people is gratefully acknowledged. Mr. 

Glen Jordan, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Machias, Maine, 

loaned aerial photographs, and Mr. Milford Savage, Island Falls, 

Maine, and Mr. Ted Lougee, Smyrna Mills, Maine, gave logistical 

support during the study of several heaths in Aroostook County. 

Thanks are especially due Richard S. Rhodes, James K. Watson, 

and Joseph C. Sarnecki who gave valuable support as field assistants. 

PREVIOUS STUDIES 

Attention was directed to the economic potential of Maine's 

peat deposits by Bastin and Davis (1909), who considered the 

deposits a source of fuel; they investigated 22 localities in Washington and southeastern Aroostook Counties. Soper and Osbon 

(1922) included this area in their study, listing an estimated 

420,000 short tons of air-dried peat at 7 localities in Aroostook 

County and 6,519,000 short tons at 24 localities in Washington 

County. Finally, as late as 1944, use of peat primarily as a fuel 

was considered by the Maine Geological Survey (Trefethen and 

Bradford, 1944), although at this time large bogs in Washington 

County at Centerville, Jonesport, Sullivan, Franklin, and Deblois 

were being mined by hand labor for agricultural and horticultural purposes. 

COMPOSITION AND PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF PEAT 

The properties and composition of peat vary considerably in 

different deposits and even in different parts of the same deposit 

because peat is derived from different types of vegetation and 

is accumulated and preserved under varying conditions. The 

commercial characteristics and properties of peat differ widely, 

and the Cooperative Extension Service at Michigan State University (Lucas and others, 1966) has published a guide for users. 

The principal factors that determine the commercial value are 

water-holding capacity, organic and ash content, fiber content, 

and acidity. The American Society for Testing Materials (1969) 

has published standard methods of testing each of these factors 

(ASTM Committee D-29 on peat, mosses, humus, and related 
~ I "f '-- , 47o(_ ~ 1 ARO~STOOK '1 vi-

~aJ l" + / COUNT~ 

46°1-

I 

45° 

44° 

43° 

v .1----:-1 I 

.J 

I 

I 

r0 M I 

' l 

I 

l 

~t"Mad Lake ~AREA THIS REPORT Of l 

;!/.,...,. 

0 100 MILES I I I I I I I I 

0 100 KILOMETRES 

I 

0 

w::.. 

r:n. 

~ 

q 

t:l 

Jo-.1 

t_:rj 

r:n. 

Jo-.1 

z 

1-0 

t_:rj 

> 

~ 
68° 0 40 KILOMETRES 

EXPLANATION 

.1 0 

Unexploited deposit, augered 

and analyzed 

Number corresponds to that in tables 1 and 2 

)1(6 

Unexploited deposit, augered 

but not analyzed 

Number corresponds to that in tables 1 and S 

X' 

Mine currently operated 

40 MILES 

FIGURE 1.-Study area showing location of selected peat deposits, Washington and southeastern Aroostook Counties, Maine. 

I-t! 

t?:l 

> 1-3 

t1 

t?:l 

I-t! 

0 

00 

1-4 

1-3 

r.n. 

0 

"xj 

t?:l 

> r.n. 

1-3 

t?:l 

~ 

z 

~ 

> 1-4 

z 

t?:l 

0 

01 
C6 STUDIES IN PEAT 

products, effective September 20, 1971, in the annual book of 

ASTM standards.1 

WATER-HOLDING CAPACITY 

Peat as a soil conditioner and horticultural material must have 

the ability to behave like a sponge-to reabsorb water after initial 

drying. Water-holding capacity, which is measured in percentage 

by weight, depends upon botanical character, the degree of decomposition, and the degree of drying to which the peat has 

been subjected. Moss peat will hold water 15 to 50 times its own 

dry weight. A good grade of reed-sedge peat will hold water 10 

to 20 times its own dry weight. Humus, which is highly decomposed peat, will hold considerably less water. Peat generally tends 

to reabsorb less water when oven-dried than when it is dried in 

the open air. 

Water-holding capacity of representative peat samples from a 

depth of 5 feet in each of the 57 sampled deposits ranged from 

300 to 4,920 percent (table 2). Samples from only 3 deposits had 

water-holding capacities of less than 1,000 percent; samples from 

17 deposits had capacities ranging from 1,000 to 2,000 percent; 

samples from 12 deposits had capacities ranging from 2,000 to 

3,000 percent; samples from another 17 deposits had capacities 

ranging from 3,000 to 4,000 percent; and samples from 8 deposits had capacities greater than 4,000 percent. 

ORGANIC AND ASH CONTENT 

Regulations established by the Federal Trade Commission in 

1950 make it unlawful to label a product "peat" unless 75 percent 

of the material by dry weight is organic. In practice, organic content is equal to the loss in weight when dry peat is heated to 

550°C; the solids remaining constitute the ash. 

The organic content in samples from a depth of 5 feet in the 

57 Maine deposits ranged from 78 to 99 percent (table 2). In 

37 of the deposits the organic content at this depth ranged from 

95 to 99 percent; in 17 of the deposits it ranged from 90 to 94 

percent; and in only 3 of the deposits did it fall below 90 percent. 

1 The following reprints may be obtained from the American Society for Testing Materials, 

1916 Race St., Philadelphia, PA 19103: 

ASTM D2980-71, Standard method of test for volume weights, water-holding capacity, and 

air capacity of water saturated peat materials. 

ASTM D2954-71, Standard method of test for moisture, ash, and organic matter of peat 

materials. 

ASTM D2976-71, ~tandard method of test for pH of peat materials. 

ASTM D2977-71, Standard method of test for size range of peat materials. 
PEAT DEPOSITS OF EASTERN MAINE C7 

FIBER CONTENT 

Fiber content refers to the proportion of stem, leaf, or other 

plant fragments that make up peat. Because peat with a high 

percentage of fibers more than 0.15 millimetres long tends to have 

high water-holding capacity (a desirable characteristic) and because fiber content influences weight per unit volume (a basis for 

determining the market value of peat), the standard classification 

of peats, mosses, humus, and related products which was adopted 

in 1969 and described in ASTM D2607-69 is based largely on 

fiber content. 

Thirty-two of the 57 deposits contained samples having fiber 

content (table 2) greater than 662;3 percent; 22 deposits contained samples having fiber content between 33lj3 and 662;3 percent, and the remaining 3 deposits contained samples having fiber 

content less than 33lfa percent. 

IN SITU pH OF NATURAL PEATS 

In situ pH of natural peat is normally acidic and ranges from 

3.2 to 7.5. Very acid peats have a pH from 3.2 to 4.2, acid peats 

have a pH from 4.2 to 5.0, and peats having a pH between 5.0 and 

7.0 are low in acidity. Peat having a pH of less than 5.0 is calcium 

deficient; that having a pH above 5.0 is calcium sufficient, which 

includes alkaline peats having a pH as great as 7.5. Most of the 

Maine deposits are calcium deficient (table 2). The calcium-sufficient peat which is present is largely restricted to the Aroostok 

County deposits in the limestone belt. 

COMMERCIAL CLASSIFICATION OF PEAT 

Because peat is formed from many kinds of plant material 

under a wide range of conditions, the different varieties are suitable for particular uses. Many different modes of classification 

have, therefore, been proposed. The most practical classifications 

are based on the following factors: ( 1) Physical or chemical 

characteristics such as texture, organic and mineral composition, 

and water content; (2) soil-like nature of peat and the vegetation 

that grows upon it; (3) origin, mainly by the type of vegetation 

represented; (4) environment of formation; and (5) marketable 

uses, such as fuel, as a source of chemical and other manufactured products, and as a soil conditioner. 

For statistical purposes, the U.S. Bureau of Mines classifies peat 

into three general types: moss peat, reed-sedge peat, and peat 

humus. 
C8 STUDIES IN PEAT 

Moss peat is formed principally from sphagnum, hypnum, and 

other mosses. Sphagnum moss peat is light tan to brown, light in 

weight, porous, high in water-holding capacity, high in acidity, 

and low in nitrogen content; "top moss" is the living part of the 

sphagnum plant and should not be confused with moss peat which 

has aged and partially decomposed. Hypnum moss peat is darker 

brown, ·of low acidity, and physically similar to reed-sedge peat. 

Reed-.sedge peat is formed principally from reeds, sedges, marsh 

grasses, cattails, and associated plants. Fibrous, partially decomposed reed-sedge peat is brown to reddish brown, but more 

decomposed peats are darker. The water-holding capacity and 

the nitrogen content of reed-sedge peat are of medium values. 

Peat humus is derived from peat so decomposed that the original plant remains are not identifiable. It is dark brown to black, 

has low water-holding capacity, and has medium to high nitrogen 

content. 

Most peat produced commercially in the United States and peat 

in most of the unexploited deposits in southeastern New York are 

either reed-sedge or humus type. Peat of any type may contain 

a considerable amount of woody materi·al. 

In addition to the three major types of peat defined above, other 

materials high in organic matter should be mentioned. Sedimentary peat is derived from such aquatic organisms as algae, 

plankton, pond weeds, and organic material washed into the 

water body. It occurs in the bottom of lakes and ponds and in 

the lower levels of most peat deposits. Such peat usually contains 

considerable mineral impurities, and in this report it is referred 

to as peaty clay or clayey peat, depending upon the organic content. It is too fine for most soil improvement purposes and 

shrinks and swells greatly with varying moisture content; some 

have a sheetlike structure and harden upon drying. Muck is 

highly weathered peat that has been modified greatly by soil 

micro-organisms and is usually granular .in structure. It has low 

water-holding capacity and is poorly suited for soil-improvement purposes. 

Use of peat as a soil conditioner and as a horticultural material prompted the U.S. Bureau of Mines to devise specifications 

governing the purchase of peat by the Federal Government. 

Federal Specifications Q-P-166e, dated May 10, 1961, cover four 

general types of peat for agricultural use and include the following specifications : 
PEAT DEPOSITS OF EASTERN MAINE 

Moisture content as normally marketed, 

percentage by weight -------- Maximum ash content, 

percentage by weight ________ 

Acidity 11 

---------------------

Minimum water-holding 

capacity at 1 gravity on oven-dry basis, percentage 

by weight ----------------- 1 Maximum. 

Sphagnum moss 

peat 

35-45 

10 

3.2-4.5 

800 

Other 

moss 

peat 

1 55 

20 

3.2-7.0 

400 

11 The approximate pH shall be specified by the purchaser. 

Humus 

peat 

1 55 

20 

4.0-7.5 

200 

C9 

Reedsedge 

peat 

1 50 

15 

4.0-7.5 

400 

The need for a more specific classification has been recognized 

by the peat industry, ~and the ASTM Committee on Peat consequently proposed a standard classification. According to the ASTM 

Committee D-29 (ASTM D2607-69), the term "peat" may be 

used commercially only with respect to organic matter of geological origin, except lignite or other coal. Peat forms mainly 

from dead-plant rerna;ins through the agency of water in the absence of air; i~t occurs in a bog, swampland, or marsh and has an 

ash content not exceeding 25 percent on a dry-weight basis. The 

classification below is based on five major peat types determined 

by kind of plant material and fiber content. Fiber is defined as 

plant material retained on a No. 100 (ASTM) sieve (that is, 

0.15 mm or larger) and includes stems, leaves, or fragments of 

bog plants but no wood particles larger than 0.5 inch (12.7 mm) 

in greatest dimensions; it excludes inorganic fragments such as 

shells, stones, sand, and gravel. Percentages of fiber are based 

on oven-dry weight ·at 105°C, not on volume. 

Sphagnum moss peat (peat moss) .-The oven-dried peat contains a minimum of 662;3 percent sphagnum moss fiber of the 

tota.J content by weight. These fibers are stems and leaves of 

sphagnum in which the fibrous and cellular structure is recognizable. 

Hypnum moss peat.-The oven-dried peat contains a minimum 

of 331/a percent fiber content by weight, of which hypnum moss 

fibers compose more than 50 percent. These fibers ·are stems and 

leaves of various hypnum mosses in which the fibrous and 

cellular structure .is recognizable. 

Reed-sedge peat.-The oven-dried peat contains a minimum of 

331/3 percent fiber by weight, of which reed-sedge and other 

nonmoss fibers compose more than 50 percent. 

Peat humus.-The oven-dried peat contains less than 331/a percent fiber by weight. 
ClO STUDIES IN PEAT 

Other peat.-This covers all forms of peat not herein classified. 

According to this AS TM classification, 32 of the 57 Maine deposits contained sphagnum moss peat, 22 deposits contained peat 

composed of moss and other plant fragments, and the remaining 

3 deposits contained peat humus. 

VEGETATION, CLIMATE, GEOLOGY, AND PHYSIOGRAPHY 

OF EASTERN MAINE PEAT DEPOSITS 

HEATHS 

Peat deposits in eastern Maine may be recognized by their 

covering of low shrubs and scattered trees. Hooths, as they are 

called locally, are generally surrounded by trees of normal height. 

The heath family (Ericac.eae) includes the common leather leaf 

(Chamaedaphne calyculata), lambkill (Kalmia angustifolia), pale 

laurel (Kalmia polifolia), bog rosemary (Andromeda glaucophylla), Labrador tea (Ledum groenlandicum) ; rhodora (Rhododendron canadense), hoary alder (Alnus incana), winrterberry 

(!lex verticillata), and sweetgale (Myria gale) are commonly 

associated with the heath shrubs. The most conspicuous herbaceous flowering plants include cranberries (Vaccinium oxycocus 

and V. Macrocarpon), p.itcher plant (Saracenia purpurea), sundew (Drosera rotundifolia), cotton grasses (Eriophorum spp.), 

sedges (such as Carex, Scirpus, and Rhynchospora), and orchids 

(such as Pogonia, Calopogon, Calypso, and Arethusa). Several 

mosses, such as ·sphagnums (Sphagnum spp.) and haircaps 

(Polytrichum spp.), are abundant. Lichens are abundant, especially reindeer moss ( Cladonia rangiferina) and red-tipped moss 

(Cladonia c'ristatella). Stunted forms of black spruce (Picea 

mariana) and tamarack (Larix laricina) occur on the hea.th 

generally, but white pine (Pinus strobus) and arbor-vitae or 

northern white cedar (Thuja occidentalis) may grow on the 

driest parts of the heath. 

This rather definite and restricted group of plants is typical 

of the heath or raised-bog type of peat deposit; it rtolera.tes the 

conditions which promote the continuous growth of sphagnum 

moss which is, in turn, responsible for the development of the 

convex surface of the heath. Lack of drainage and consequent lack 

of oxygen permit accumulation of organic acids. Not only does the 

soil become low in nutrients, but the acidic water is toxic to most 

plants. A ring of tall trees grows at the margin of the heath 

because drainage is better. The forest encroaches on the heath as 

surface dminage improves. Thus, some heaths have been changed 
PEAT DEPOSITS OF EASTERN MAINE C11 

to forest, which becomes the vegetative cover of the pe31t deposit. 

Excellent botanical descriptions of Denbow Heath (deposit 42, 

fig. 1) and deposits 39 and 40 near South Trescott and Boot Cove, 

Washington County, given by Hugo Osvald (1970, p. 48-55) 

illustrate the vegetation of coastal and inland bogs in the area 

of study. Coastal bogs differ from inland bogs in that they have 

much greater dwarf-shrub communities with bottom-layer lichens. 

CLIMATE 

Peat accumulates in many climates. Temperature is not a limiting factor; just as plants grow from the Arctic·s to the Tropics, 

peat deposits also form. The peat bogs of northern latitudes have 

long been studied and exploited, but the g:reat peat deposits of 

Florida (Davis, 1946) are not as well known. High temperature 

is important in stimulating plant growth, but it also increases the 

rB~te of dec·ay. Moisture is the most critical climatic factor in 

promoting plant growth and inhibiting decay, and thus it largely 

controls the formation of peat. The anaerobic conditions in the 

lower parts of nearly stagnant ponds, swamps, and marshes provide maximum opportunity for preservation (W·aksman, 1942, 

and Waksman and Stevens, 1929, 1932). In cool areas of high 

rainfall and humidity, and consequently low evaporation, deposits 

.of sphagnum moss may accumulate and form peat on flat or 

sloping land, as along the coast of Maine; under these conditions 

some peat deposits have been built up more than 20 feet above 

the surrounding area. 

The climate of Washington County and southeastern Aroostook 

County is characterized by summer temperature averages of less 

than 70°F, mean annual precipitaJtion .of 40 inches inland to 48 

inches along the coast, and humidity averages of 70 to 80 percent. The most favorable period for peat development was during 

the cooler and more moist conditions following the melting of 

glacial ice; today, the most favorable climate for growth of 

sphagnum moss is in the coastal fog belt. 

REGIONAL GEOLOGY AND PHYSIOGRAPHIC HISTORY 

The bedrock of the study area consists of a folded and faulted 

complex of metamorphic and igneous rocks of Ordovician, Silurian, ·and Devonian age. Marble, largely restricted to eastern 

Aroostock County, has weathered to a soil that is favorable to 

large-scale potato culture and has furnished large quantities of 

lime to the glacial drift. The entire area was severely dissected 

by streams prior to glaciation. 
C12 STUDIES IN PEAT 

The last ice sheet to cover these bedrock hills stood along the 

present Maine coast approximately 13,500 years ago. Ground and 

recessional moraines assodated with kames and eskers formed at 

thi's time, and the multitude of ponds and lakes on the poorly 

drained deglaciated surface became potential peat-forming sites. 

Deglaciation of coasta'l Maine was followed by widespread marine 

invasion starting between 12,100 and 12,800 years B.P. (Borns 

and Calkin, 1970). During the early stage of transgression, sea 

level was 180 feet lower than present sea level. At maximum, the 

marine invasion reached a level of 400 feet above the present sea 

level. Radiocarbon ages of the deepest portion of bogs in small 

kettles on former islands within the marine limit indicate an 

average timelag of 800 years between deglaciation and the onset 

of the earliest organic growth. This means that an peat in the 

study area is younger than 12,700 years B.P. The deposits rest 

on either marine or fresh-water clay and snt. 

EVOLUTION OF THE PEAT DEPOSIT 

The most common type of peat deposit in the United States is 

rthe filled-basin type. The built-up or raised-bog deposit on flat or 

gentle slopes is more common in northern Europe than in America. 

The third or composite type, consisting of built-up deposits underlain by peat of the filled-basin type, is common in southern 

Canada and northern United States, especially in Maine. 

Development of a typical Maine deposit (fig. 2) begins with 

deposition over the inorganic gray bottom clay of floating types 

of plants such as algae and pond weeds that lived in rthe shallow 

water (fig. 2, stage 1). This organic sediment is an amorphous 

material with high colloidal content. It fills the depression to a 

depth permitting growth of ~ooted plants such ·as pond lilies and 

bulrushes (fig. 2, stage 2). As vegetal remains accumulate and 

pond area decrea.ses (fig. 2, stage 3), water of the vestigial pond 

is eventually replaced by grass, reeds, sedge, and moss, and the 

deposit grows upward and outward beyond the margin of the 

original water body; the water table also r~ises (fig. 2, stage 4). 

As soon as sphagnum moss dominates the vegetation, the convex 

surface, or dome, with perched water table begins to develop (fig. 

2. stage 5). 

Peat growth within a basin displaces its own volume of water 

until it reaches the level at which inflow and outflow are balanced. 

Further peat growth creates a reservoir which holds a VJolume of 

water against drainage. There are two types of peat reservoirs. 

The first, composed of sedimentary organic material and reed-
PEAT DEPOSITS OF EASTERN MAINE C13 

sedge peat, acts as a physical barrier to ground water, causing 

the water to back up. In this process of lateral paludification, the 

peat moss in the original basin, acting as a dam, produces newly 

flooded areas, in which more peat can develop. In suitable topography this peat can grow in thickness on bedrock or soil surface 

beyond the margin of the original pond or lake. The second type 

of peat reservoir, composed of moss peat in the raised bog, acts 

as a second reservoir above the regional level of the groundwater, 

producing a perched water table which is held against gravity 

within the peat moss by capillarity. This process is vertical paludification and is responsible for development of the domed sphagnum 

peat deposits so common in Washington and southeastern Aroostook Counties. 

The terrestrialization of a shallow lake having inflow and outflow streams illustrates the hydrologic regime typical of the Maine 

deposits (fig. 2). Five stages of evolution are recognized (Bellamy, 1968). During stage 1 water from the inflowing stream 

moves over and through the developing peat deposit and leaves 

at the outlet. Movement is chiefly over the peat if much allochthonous material is being brought into the lake; the abundant 

oxygen decomposes the organic material to form a heavy peat. 

However, if the rate of flow is low, less allochthonous material 

collects, less oxidation or decomposition occurs, and the water 

flow is directed largely below a floating mass of relatively light 

peat. The accrual of peat (stage 2) tends to canalize the main 

flow of water. Continued peat growth (stage 3) diverts the 

stream to the margin of the filled lake. The water supply to the 

deposit is restricted to rain falling directly on the surface and to 

seepage from the surrounding catchment. Portions of the deposit 

lying in the main-drainage tracts within the basin, however, may 

be subject to a slow continuous flow of ground and (or) surface 

water. Further accrual of peat (stage 4) leaves large areas of 

the deposit surface unaffected by moving water but subject to 

inundation when the water level of the basin rises during periods 

of rainfall. Because of continued peat growth, the deposit or bog 

surface rises above the effect of the vertical oscillations of the 

ground water. The convex surface or dome so produced possesses 

its own water table fed by rain falling directly on it (stage 5). 

BASIC PHYSIOGRAPHIC FORMS OF THE DEPOSITS 

David J. Bellamy of Durham University, England, introduced 

(1972) the concept of templates for interpreting mires in terms 

of conservation and exploitation. He defined templates for peat 
C14 STUDIES IN PEAT 

Stage 1. Stream flows into pond filling with clay and vegetative remains 

A 

Peat composed of 

A aquatic plants 

Water 

Stage 2. Organic material rises as .. islands" around and through which water eireula~ 

Outlet 

streambed 

Stage 3. Marsh plants accumulate blocking inlet except during periods of high water 

FIGURE 2.-Diagrammatic maps and cross sections of five stages in the development of the composite type of peat deposit based on a gradual change 

of surface and ground water regimes. 
PEAT DEPOSITS OF EASTERN MAINE C15 

A B Present 

water tabl~ 

Form~r position of 

water table 

A B 

c D 

Stage 4. F ... "tber aeeumulation raises marsh slightly above level of original pond 

su...-faee. Water table rises to surface only during periods of heavy rainfall 

B 

D 

Heath-covered dome 

of sphagnum moss peat 

Stage 5. Moss plants become dominant and a heath-covered dome forms in which 

capillarity produceB a perched water table 

FIGURE 2.-Continued. 

formation as places where water collects on its way down from 

the catchment to the sea. By this definition, templates are all forms 

of natural basins from valley heads to those in deltaic flood plains. 

Although it is difficult to apply the European system of classifying 

mires to the Maine peat deposits in raised and composite bogs, 

the idea of grouping them into basic forms with common physiographic features and origins is useful. Accordingly, five basic 

forms of peat deposits, which more or less resemble European 

mires, are recognized in the area of study. Diagrams of each form 
Cl6 STUDIES IN PEAT 

Peat composed -~~"\d':,...,.....,.....,...--A!-~~~~ ofmarsh and 

forest plants 

(A) Valley occupied by stream 

A B 

(B) Closed basin. Remnant of the initial pond may or may not be present 

(C) Plateaulike dome on gentle surface of clay, sand, or gravel. 

FIGURE 3.-Diagrammatic maps and cross sections of the physiographic forms 

of peat deposits. 

are shown in figure 3. Location, physiographic form, and size of 

all deposits in the study area are given by quadrangle in tables 1 

and 3. 
PEAT DEPOSITS OF EASTERN MAINE C17 

(D) Domes and ponds. Ponds are secondary, developing on moss peat 

(E) Coalesced domes over deposit occupying several basins 

FIGURE 3.-Continued. 

The deposit shown in figure 3A lies in a valley occupied by a 

stream which flows over peat c.omposed chiefly of marsh and 

forest plants. The peat developed over sediments deposited in 

the initial pond or ponds located in dammed parts of the valley. 

One or more heath-covered domes of moss peat may extend along 

the stream. Water is brought into the deposit by the stream. 

Ground water also enters the deposit as seepage along the valley 

walls .above the basal clay aquiclude, and moves toward the 

stream and down the valley. Eighteen of the seventy-eight deposits studied generally have this physiographic form. They range 

in size from 30 to 320 acres, have maximum thickness of 7 to 21 

feet, and contain an estimated 20,000 to 640,000 short tons of 

commercial-quality air-dried peat, chiefly sphagnum moss and 

other peat (ASTM classification). 

The deposit shown in figure 3B lies in a closed basin. Floating 

mats of moss peat extend over open water of the vestigial lake 
C18 STUDIES IN PEAT 

or pond. The vegetation cover is heath surrounded by tall forest 

grading inward to stunted trees and bushes. Water enters the 

deposit as rainfall and as seepage along the basin walls above the 

basal clay aquiclude. Most of the deposits in the study area which 

have this physiographic form occur in sink holes in the limestone 

belt of the potato region in eastern Aroostook County, and they 

are composed of thin layers of moss peat over marl and associated 

sediments. They are very small-only 10 to 15 acres in extentand have a maximum depth of 7 to 12 feet and contain 10,000 to 

15,000 short tons of commercial-quality sphagnum moss peat. 

The deposit shown in figure 3C lies on a gentle surface of sand, 

gravel, or clay in the form of a broad moss peat dome or plateau. 

Surface drainage has been diverted around the deposit, and 

growth of the deposit is sustained by rainfall and ground water 

entering from below, chiefly through the sand and gravel. The 

heath-covered dome or plateau is invaded by trees from the sloping edge. Half of all the deposits studied have this physiographic 

form. Although the range in size and thickness is great, all the 

deposits of this form contain less than 500,000 short tons of 

commercial-quality air-dried peat classified as sphagnum moss 

and other peat (ASTM classification). This common broad-dome 

or plateau form is typified by Runaway Pond Heath in Washington County (deposit 50 on fig. 1; fig. 4). 

When developed on any of the foundations described above, 

large moss-peat plateaus form undulating surfaces due to subsurface water and rainwater moving down the slope or toward 

depressions made by compaction under snow drifts. Water gathers 

in these depressions, which are made larger by oxidation and 

which frequently are arranged in concentric bands (fig. 3D). 

Ponds such as these characterize thick deposits of moss peat. 

Deposit 11 in Aroostook County and deposits 27, 42, and 43 in 

Washington County all exhibit this form (fig. 3D) and are among 

the largest deposits in the area of study. Three of the above deposits range in area from 1,125 to 4,000 acres, are as much as 

20 feet thick, and contain 2,250,000 to 8,000,000 short tons of 

air-dried peat, most of which is sphagnum-moss peat. The fourth 

deposit covers 32 acres, is as much as 25 feet thick, and contains 

640,000 short tons of peat. 

The most complex peat deposits in the area are those in which 

the domes of moss peat coalesce over divides which separate basins that contain peat developed above and below the original pond 

surfaces (fig. 3E). The divides covered by the moss peat are 

most likely areas of ground-water exchange between the deposit 
PEAT DEPOSITS OF EASTERN MAINE C19 

and the country rock. Fourteen of the studied deposits have this 

physiographic form, some of which are combined with other 

forms, as in deposits 14 (table 3), 11, 27, 42, and 43 (table 1). 

Thousand Acre Bog (deposit 11 of table 1) in Aroostook County 

(figs. 5, 6) is typical of the dome-and-pond and coalesced-dome 

forms shown in figures 3D and 3E respectively. 

STRATIGRAPHY 

Physiographic forms reflect the stratigraphy of a peat deposit 

and quality factors, especially ash content (see table 2), reflect 

the deposit. For purposes of discussion, the deposit may be divided 

into two parts, ( 1) that part below the level of the original pond 

surface and (2) that part above the level. In the ideal section, the 

basal zone of part 1 is clay and peaty clay containing more than 

50 percent ash. Ash content in the overlying clayey peat ranges 

from greater than 25 percent to less than 25 percent, depending 

on the pond environment. Algae and pond weeds living in clear 

water produce peat with low ash content; a clayey peat layer low 

in ash may be produced in a pond obliterated by floating mats of 

marsh and moss vegetation which continually sink and mix with 

pond sediments until the level of the original pond is reached. 

The basal zone of part 2 usually contains less than 25 percent 

ash, unless a period of oxidation and decay has interrupted plant 

growth, and consists of a variety of plants such as marsh, perhaps 

forest growth, moss, and heath plants. Because moss becomes the 

dominant plant type as the dome increases in height, ash content decreases to less than 2 percent, the percent of fibers that are 

0.15 mm long increases to greater than 662h, and water-holding 

capacity increases to several thousand percent. However, as soon 

as oxidation begins to destroy peat, a layer of humus develops at 

the surface, especially near the margin of the dome where oxygenated water moves most freely. As humus develops, ash content increases, fibers become shorter, water-holding capacity decreases, and forest invades the heath from the margin and migrates toward the center of the dome. 

RESOURCES 

The resources of peat in the 19 deposits that were augered and 

analyzed in southeastern Aroostook County are estimated to be 

about 5,100,000 short tons; in the 38 deposits augered and analyzed in Washington County, resources are estimated to be 

about 20,041,000 short tons (table 1). The location, size, and 

quality of each of these deposits are given in table 1. Twenty-one 
C20 STUDIES IN PEAT 

FEET A 16 c 12 

8 

4 

0 

-4 

-8 

16 I 

12 

8 

4 

0 

-4 

16 D E 

12 

8 

4 

0 

-4 

16 H c 12 

8 

4 

0 

-4 

0 1000 FEET 

I I 

I I 

I 

0 300 METRES 

FIGURE 4.-Contour map and diagrammatic profile sections of Runaway Pond 

Heath (deposit 50 in fig. 1) . Map shows location of lines of traverse and 

sections, as well as auger hole sites (solid dots). Contour lines (in feet 

above sea level) within the Heath boundary indicate shape of the dome. 

Zero elevation on the sections is approximate base of sphagnum peat. 

additional deposits, augered but not analyzed, contain an estimated 5,257,000 short tons and are described in table 3. Estimates 

are for air-dried peat on a basis of 200 short tons of peat per acre-
44"'44'30" 

PEAT DEPOSITS OF EASTERN MAINE 

EXPLANATION 

• 

Auger bole site 

A-----B 

Line of cross section 

0 

I 

0 

1000 FEET 

I 

I 

300 METRES 

FIGURE 4.-Continued. 

C21 

Temporary 

bench mark 

Xs3 

foot in place. In addition to the number of deposits examined, it is 

estimated that there are at least as many more deposits of similar 

size and quality elsewhere in the study area and in other parts 
C22 STUDIES IN PEAT 

0 5000 FEET 

~I ~~'~,--~~~~,--~~~ 

0 1000 METRES 

68°22' 

EXPLANATION 

Boundary of peat deposit 

Heath vegetation ----on peat 

Forest on peat 

Open water 

D • • • D' Section and auger hole location 

FIGURE 5.-Map of Thousand Acre Bog (deposit 11 in fig. 1) showing location of lines of traverse and auger hole sites. Profile sections are shown in 

figure 6. 

of eastern Maine; in effect, the resources calculated above can 

be doubled. 

Size of the peat deposits in the study area ranges from less 

than 100 to 4,000 acres; almost half cover 100 acres or more. 

Thickness of commercial-quality peat in these deposits reach a 

maximum of 25 feet, and most average at least 5 feet. Much is 

moss peat, with sphagnum predominating in the upper parts of 

the deposit. Moss peat rests on peat that is classified as "other 

peat" in the ASTM classification. Peat classed as "reed-sedge" is 

practically absent in the area of study. 
PEAT DEPOSITS OF EASTERN MAINE C23 

PEAT MINING 

Maine produced 2,903 short tons of air-dried peat in 1972 at 

four plants, two of which are near Jonesport in Washington 

County, and sold 2,083 packaged short tons at an average price 

of $47.60 per short ton (Sheridan, 1974). Both production and 

sales doubled those of 1970, when 1,223 short tons of air-dried 

peat was produced and 1,000 short tons was sold at an average 

price of $39.00 per short ton (Sheridan, 1972). 

Moss peat is cut into blocks which are stacked and dried in 

the field or in a kiln. Until very recently mining was by hand. 

Today modern machinery clears the surface of the deposit; cuts 

and stacks the peat blocks; and hauls, shreds, and bags the product, which is then di~";tributed by truck. 

IMPACT ON ENVIRONMENT 

Exploitation during the past 75 years has made little impact 

on the vegetation of Denbow Heath (deposit 42) and other heaths 

in Washington County described by Osvald (1970). This is because sphagnum moss peat was removed from the domes, which 

are above the regional water tables, and the remaining heath 

plants regenerated new peat. Deposits most suitable for exploitation today are the plateaulike-dome, dome-and-pond, and coalesced-dome physiographic forms (see figs. 3 C, D, and E, 4-6) in 

which the peat of best quality lies above the regional water table. 

Streams have been diverted around these deposits in the manner 

diagrammed in figure 2. 

As long as regional ground-water tables are little changed, 

which can be accomplished by keeping drainage ditches at minimum depth, and as long as some patches of heath are left undisturbed, peat mining might not cause permanent change. However, 

since the advent of modern machinery for rapid clearing of the 

heath surface and for ditching, preliminary studies of drainage, 

of the physiographic form of the deposit, and of its biology are 

imperative in order to prevent unnecessary damage. 

OUTLOOK FOR THE AREA 

Transportation and marketing are the chief factors which will 

influence the long-range outlook for the area. Interstate 95, constructed as far north as Houlton, links southeastern Aroostook 

County to the excellent road network of the eastern United States. 

In addition, the large pulp companies have changed from the use 

of streams to the use of trucks for log transport; thus roads are 
C24 STUDIES IN PEAT 

12 

8 

4 

0 

-4 

B 16 

12 

8 

4 

0 

-4 

c C' 20 

16 

12 

8 

4 

0 

-4 

D n' 20 

16 

12 

8 

4 

0 

-4 

E 16 

12 

8 

0 

-4 

0 5000 FEET 

0 lOOOMETRES 

FIGURE 6.-Profile sections of Thousand Acre Bog. See figure 5 for location 

of sections. Zero elevation is approximate base of sphagnum peat. 
PEAT DEPOSITS OF EASTERN MAINE C25 

FEET F F' 16 

12 

8 

4 

0 

-4 

G' 

12 

8 

4 

0 

-4 

-8 

H H I 

20 

16 

12 

8 

4 

0 

-4 

I [' 20 

4 

0 

-4 

J J' 20 

16 

12 

8 

4 

0 

-4 

-8 

0 5000FEET 

FIGURE 6.-Continued. 

provided which make new areas accessible for peat exploration 

and possible exploitation. 

Decarlo (1971) forecasts that the national demand for peat in 
C26 STUDIES IN PEAT 

the year 2000 will reach 1,200,000 to 2,400,000 short tons, compared to 917,169 short tons used in 1972. Although most peat is 

presently used for agricultural and horticultural purposes, technology is introducing new uses as environmental control. For example, D'Hennezel and Coupal (1972) showed that moss peat, 

because of its very high water-holding capacity, can be used on 

a large scale in combating pollution caused by oil spills from offshore drilling, freighters, and barges. Sheridan (1974) stated that 

Finland has begun production of oil-absorbent compressed peat in 

170-litre packs for sale to oil companies and port authorities. He 

also reported research in Switzerland on the use of peat as a filter 

for decontamination of radioactively contaminated water. Research conducted at Sherbrooke in Quebec, Canada, revealed the 

high efficiency of moss peat in the filtration of pigments and dyes 

in wastes from textile plants and in the filtration of mercury and 

other metals in wastes from industrial plants. 

The future for a peat industry in eastern Maine is bright in that 

good-quality moss-peat deposits are available and are increasingly 

accessible by a developing road network which includes the eastern 

United States market with its growing demand for peat and peat 

products. 

REFERENCES CITED 

American Society for Testing Materials, 1969, D2607-69, standard classification of peats, mosses, humus, and related products: 1916 Race St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19103, 1 p. 

Bastin, E. S., and Davis, C. A., 1909, Peat deposits of Maine: U.S. Geol. Survey Bull. 376, 125 p. 

Bellamy, D. J ., 1968, An ecological approach to the classification of European 

mires: Internat. Peat Cong., 3rd., Quebec, Canada, Proc., p. 74-79. · 

-- 1972, Templates of peat formation: Internat. Peat Cong., 4th, Otaniemi, 

Finland, Proc., v. 1, p. 7-18. 

Borns, H. W., Jr., and Calkin, P. E., 1970, Quaternary history of northwestern 

Maine, in New England Intercollegiate Geol. Conf., 62nd ann. mtg., 

Rangeley, Me., Oct. 2-4, 1970, Guidebook for field trips in the Rangeley 

Lakes-Dead River basin region, western Maine: [Syracuse, N.Y., Syracuse 

Univ., Dept. Geol.], variously paged. 

Cameron, C. C., 1970a, Peat deposits in northeastern Pennsylvania: U.S. Geol. 

Survey Bull. 1317-A, 90 p. 

-- 1970b, Peat deposits of southeastern New York: U.S. Geol. Survey Bull. 

1317-B, 32 p. 

Davis, J. H., Jr., 1946, The peat deposits of Florida, their occurrence, development, and uses: Florida Geol. Survey Bull. 30, 247 p. 

Decarlo, J. A., 1971, Peat, in Mineral facts and problems: U.S. Bureau of 

Mines, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C., p. 137-146. 

D'Hennezel, F., and Coupal, B., 1972, Peat Moss-a natural absorbent for oil 

spills: Canadian Mining and Metall. Bull., vol. 65, no. 717, p. 51-53. 
PEAT DEPOSITS OF EASTERN MAINE C27 

Lucas, R. E., Rieke, P. E., and Farnham, R. S., 1966, Peats for soil improvement and soil mixes: Michigan State Univ. Coop. Ext. Service, Ext. Bull. 

no. 516, Farm Sci. Ser., 11 p. 

Osvald, Hugo, 1970, Vegetation and stratigraphy of peatlands in North 

America: Nova Acta Regiae Societatis Scientarum Upsaliensis Ser. V :C. 

vol. 1, 96 p. 

Sheridan, E. T., 1972, Peat, in U.S. Bureau of Mines minerals yearbook 1970, 

v. 1: Washington, D.C., U.S. Government Printing Office, p. 803-810. 

--- 1974, Peat, in U.S. Bureau of Mines minerals yearbook 1972, v. 1: 

Washington, D.C., U.S. Government Printing Office, p. 897-904. 

Soper, E. K., and Osbon, C. C., 192'2, The occurrences and uses of peat in the 

United States: U.S. Geol. Survey Bull. 728, 207 p. 

Trefethen, J. M., and Bradford, R. B., 1944, Domestic fuel possibilities of 

Maine peat: Maine Geol. Survey Bull. 1, 47 p. 

Waksman, S. A., 1942, The peats of New Jersey and their utilization: New 

Jersey Dept. Conserv. and Devel., Geol. Ser. Bull. 55, pt. A, 155 p. 

Waksman, S. A., and Stevens, K. R., 1929, 1932, Contribution to the chemical 

composition of peat, V-The role of microorganisms in peat function and 

decomposition: Soil Science, v. 28, p. 315-340; v. 32, p. 95-113. 

TABLES 1-3 

TABLE 1.-Size, physiographic form, and location of peat deposits of Maine 

[Deposits 1-19 are in southeastern Aroostook County; deposits 2~57 a.re in Washington County) 

Deposit 

No. 

(fig. 

1) 

Quadrangle 

(15' unless otherwise 

noted) 

Location 

within 

quadrangle 

Physiographic form of deposit 

(fig. 3) 

Surface 

area of deposit 

(:acres) 

Deposits containing more than 2,000,000 tons of peat 

43 ____ Cherryfield __________ Bog crossed by Pleasant River, 

T. 18 MD and Columbia Tp. 27 ____ Calais ______________ Meddybemps Heath, Alexander and 

Cooper Tps. 1L ___ Sherman ____________ Thousand Acre Bog, Crystal and 

Sherman Tps. 

D and E 

D and E 

D and E 

4,000 

2,080 

1,125 

Deposits containing 500,000 to 2,000,000 tons of peat 

2L ___ Vanceboro __________ Bog north of Sussie Hill, Vanceboro E 700 

Tp. 42 ____ Tunk Lake __________ Denbow Heath on Washington-Han- D and E 320 

cock County Line. 

17 ____ Mattawamkeag Lake _Bog adjacent to Orcutt Brook, Glen- A 320 

wood Tp. 

Deposits containing 100,000 to 500,000 tons of peat 

25 ____ Big Lake -----------Bog at west side of Crawford Lake, C 245 

Crawford Tp. 16 ____ Mattawamkeag Lake _Bog at south edge of Caribou Lake, A 240 

Island Falls Tp. 2 ____ 0xbow ______________ Bog at Houlton Brook deadwater, C 215 

T.9, R. 5. 

24 ____ Big Lake -----------Bog at north end of Crawford Lake, A 340 

Plantation No. 21 Tp. 46 ____ Columbia Falls, 7%' _Marst Heath, Columbia Falls Tp ---- C 180 

44 ____ Cherryfield, 7%' -----Heath 1.0 mile south of Unionville, C 100 

Steuben Tp. 

26 ____ Calais --------------Bog 1.0 mile east of South Princeton, C 260 

Princeton Tp. 1 Estimated according to 1 acre-foot. of peat in place being equivalent to 200 short tons of air-dried peat. 

Thickness of peat 

(feet) 

Maxim,um Average 

20 

20 

20 

13 

23 

21 

21 

25 

13 

6 

10 

15 

13 

10 

15 

10 

7 

10 

10 

10 

10 

10 

5 

9 

9 

5 

Estimated 

short tons (air-dried) 1 

8,000,000 

6,240,000 

2,250,000 

980,000 

640,000 

640,000 

490,000 

480,000 

430,000 

340,000 

324,000 

270,000 

260,000 

""d 

tz:.j 

> 1-:3 

t:j 

tz:.j 

""d 

0 

rn 

~ 

1-:3 

rn 

0 

l'%j 

tz:.j 

> rn 

1-:3 

tz:.j 

~ 

z 

a:: 

> 

~ 

z 

tz:.j 

0 

co 

..... 
Deposit 

No. 

(fig. 

1) 

Quadrangle 

(15' unless 

otherwise 

noted) 

TABLE 1.-Size, physiographic form, and location of peat deposits of Maine-Continued 

Location 

within 

quadrangle 

Physiographic 

form of 

deposit 

(fig. 3) 

Surface 

area of 

deposit 

(acres) 

Thickness of peat 

(feet) 

Maxim.um Average 

Deposits containing 100,000 to 500,000 tons of peat-Continued 

28 ____ Wesley _____________ Joe Hanscom Heath, T. 19 ED ------ C 120 23 10 

3L ___ Gardiner Lake ______ Bog at The Commons adjacent to Rte. E 160 12 7 

191, west of Lake Cathance. 

23 ____ Big Lake -----------Elighah Brown Heath, Plantation No. C 100 21 10 

21 Tp. 

20 ____ Danforth -----------Webber Bog, Brookton Tp ---------- C 200 7 5 

4 ____ Howe Brook --------Bog at Upper Deadwater on Howe E 135 12 7 

Brook, St. Croix Tp. 8 ____ Jsland Falls _________ Bog at Mud Lake, Moro Tp. on county A 90 17 10 

border. 

45 ____ Harrington, 7%' _____ Heath south of Harrington and west C 120 8 7 

of Rte. 1A. 

13 ____ Mattawamkeag Lake _Bog a.t north edge of Caribou Lake, C 80 15 10 

Island Falls Tp. L ___ Oxbow ______________ Bog along Blackwater River no·rth of C 150 9 5 

Cranberry Pond. 

18 ____ Amity --------------Coffin Bog, Linneus Tp ------------- C 65 15 10 

35 ____ Gardiner Lake _______ Bog adjacent to Hammond Pond at E 70 18 7 

north end of Gardiner Lake, Marion 

Tp. 29 ____ Wesley _____________ Bog adjacent to East Machias River A 120 13 5 

north of Oak Point Meadow, T. 18 

ED. 

52 ____ Machias, 7%' ________ Heath 0.5 mile west of Larrabee Cove, C 100 15 6 

MachiasJX>rt Tp. 32 ____ Gardiner Lake ______ Bog west of Rte. 191 at south end of C 60 13 10 

Rocky Lake Ridge, E:ast Machias 

Tp. 30_ ---Wesley _____________ Bog at Oak Point Meadow, T. 18 ED _ A 100 8 5 

54 ____ Machias Bay, 7%' ___ Heath 1.5 mile south of Huntley C 100 9 5 

Creek, Cutler Tp. . 15 ____ Mattawamkeag Lake _Saucier Bog, Island Falls Tp -------- C 50 15 10 

(i 

C/o:) 

1:\:) 

Estimated 

short tons (air-dried) 1 

240,000 

224,000 

200,000 

200,000 00. 

189,000 1-3 

c::: 

18Q-,OOO tj 

~ 

t_:l:j 

168,000 00. 

~ 

160,000 z 

'"0 

150,000 t_:l:j 

> 1-3 

130,000 

126,000 

120,000 

120,000 

120,000 

100,000 

100,000 

100,000 
Deposits containing 50,000 to 100,000 tons of peat 

3 ____ 0xoow -------------Bog at Smith Pond, T. 8, R. 5 WELS 

6 ____ Howe Brook --------Bog at Smith Brook Pond, Dudley Tp. 

19 ____ Amity --------------Bog in northwest corner of Orient Tp. 

50 ____ Machias, 7%' -------Runaway Pond Heath, East Machias 

and Marshfield Tps. 48 ____ Addison, 7%' _______ Heath on east quadrangle boundary 

south of Rte. 187. 

39 ____ West Lubec, 7%' ____ Heath west of Balch Head and south 

of South Trescott. 

47 ____ Columbia Falls, 7%' _Heath south of Pecky Brook, Centerville Tp. 49 ____ Whitneyville, 7%' ___ Heath north of Rte. 1, Whitneyville 

Tp. 5L ___ Machias, 7%' _______ Heath 0.3 mile north of Great Cove, 

Rogue Bluffs Tp. 

E 

A 

c 

c 

c 

c 

c 

c 

c 

70 

90 

90 

90 

40 

70 

65 

40 

55 

Deposits containing 10,000 to 50,000 tons of peat 

37 ____ Pembroke, 7%' ______ Bog at southeast end of Leighton 

Neck between Youngs Cove and 

Long Cove. 

4L ___ Lubec, 7%' _________ Bog north of Carrying Place Cove between mainland and west Quoddy 

Head. 

36 ____ Pernbroke, 7%' ------Bog 0.4 mile east of Ayers junction, 

Pembroke Tp. 

38 ____ Whiting, 7%' -------Bog west of Rte. 1 at junction of 

Orange River and Reynolds Brook. 

5 ____ Howe Brook --------Bog at Lower Deadwater on Howe 

Brook, St. Croix Tp. 

53 ____ Machias Bay, 7%' ---Heath northeast of Enoch Hill, Whiting Tp. 57 ____ Great Wass Island, Heath east of Norton point, Beals Tp. 7%'. 

22----Wabassus Lake ______ Bog 0.5 mile south of junction of 

Little River and South Brook, T. 27 

ED. 

c 

c 

c 

c 

E 

A 

c 

c 

30 

30 

50 

40 

38 

60 

25 

20 

1 Estimated according to 1 acre-foot of peat in place being equivalent to 200 short tons of air-dried peat. 

10 

7 

9 

10 

18 

15 

6 

9 

8 

9 

15 

5 

9 

9 

9 

11 

17 

7 

5 

5 

5 

9 

5 

5 

7 

5 

7 

7 

4 

5 

5 

3 

7 

7 

98,000 

90,000 

90,000 

90,000 

72,000 

70,000 

65,000 

56,000 

55,000 

42,000 

42,000 

40,000 

40,000 

38,000 

36,000 

35,000 

28,000 

'"d 

t_%j 

> 8 

tj 

t_%j 

'"d 

0 

r:n 

1-4 

8 

r:n 

0 

l'%j 

t_%j 

> r:n 

8 

t_%j 

~ 

z 

a:: 

> 1-4 

z 

t_%j 

0 

c.o 

c.o 
TABLE 1.-Size, physiographic form, and location of peat deposits of Maine-Continued 

Deposit 

No. 

(fig. 

1) 

Quadrangle 

(15' unless 

otherwise 

noted) 

Location 

within 

quadrangle 

Physiographic 

form of 

deposit 

(fig.3) 

Surface 

area of 

deposit 

(acres) 

Deposits containing 10,000 to 50,000 tons of peat-Continued 

34 ____ Gardiner Lake ______ Bog along Roeky Brook at southeast 

end of Patrick Lake, Marion Tp. 33 ____ Gardiner Lake ______ Bog along Maine Central Railroad on 

east side of Southern Inlet, T. 18 

ED. 

55 ____ Rouge Bluffs, 7%' ___ Heath west of Rogue Bluffs Road, 

Rogue Bluffs Tp. 12 ____ Sherman ____________ Bog along Gulliver Brook, T. 2, R. 4 

w. 

14 ____ Mattawamkeag Lake _Bog between Sly Brook and Mud 

Pond, Island Falls Tp. 7 ____ Bridgewater ________ Bog at Gentle Lake, Monticello Tp __ 

56 ____ Roruge Bluffs, 7%' ___ Heath between Black Head and John 

Mountain, Rogue Bluffs Tp. 40 ____ Great Wass Island, Heath between Boot Cove and Baileys 

7% '. Mistake. 

g ____ Houlton ____________ Edge of pond 0.4 mile south-southweSit 

of Littleton Station, Littleton Tp. 

10 ____ Houlton ------------Edge of pond 1.2 miles southwest of 

Starkey Corner, Littleton Tp. 

A 

c 

c 

A 

A 

B 

c 

c 

B 

B 

20 

35 

25 

20 

30 

15 

15 

15 

10 

10 

1 Estimated according to 1 acre-foot of peat in place being equivalent to 200 short tons of air-dried peat. 

Thickness of peat 

(feet) 

Maximlum Average 

12 

12 

9 

7 

7 

12 

9 

12 

7 

7 

7 

5 

5 

5 

5 

5 

5 

5 

5 

5 

l.2 

~ 

~ 

Estimated 

short tons ( air-drid) 1 

28,000 

25,000 00 

t-3 

c:: 

25,000 t:J 

1-4 

t%j 

20,000 00 

1-4 

20,000 z 

"tt 

15,000 t%j 

15,000 > t-3 

15,000 

10,000 

10,000 
PEAT DEPOSITS OF EASTERN MAINE C35 

TABLE 2.-Typicalsection and analytical data (physical properties) for peat 

deposits of Maine 

Deposit 

No. 

(fig. 1) 

Typielal 

section, 

cumulative 

thickness 

in feet 

Ash (per- cent dry 

weight) 

Aroostook County 

1. Peat, 0-9 --------------- Clayey peat, 9-12 --------- Gray clay, 12+ -----------

2. Peat, 0-13 ---------------- Clayey peat, 13-17 --------- Gray clay, 17 + ----------- 3. Peat, 0-10 --------------- Clayey peat, 10-16 -------- Gray clay and gravel, 16+--

4. Sphagnum moss peat, 0-7 __ 

Peat, '/-12 --------------- Clayey peat, 13-27 -------- Peaty clay, 27-30 --------- Gray clay, 30+ -----------

5. Peat, 0-7 ----------------- Clayey peat, 7-10 --------- Gray clay, 10-14 ---------

Gravel, 14+ -------------

6. Peat, 0-7 ---------------- Clayey peat, 7-12 --------- Gray clay, 12+ --------- 7. Sphagnum moss peat, 0-5 __ 

Peat, 5-12 --------------- Clayey peat, 12-16 -------- Clay, sand, gravel, 16+ __ _ 

8. Peat, 0-10 --------------- Clayey peat, 10-15 -------- Gray clay, 15+ ----------

9. Peat, 0-7 ----------------- Gravel, 7 + --------------- 10. Sphagnum moss peat, 0-9 __ 

Marl, 9-21 --------------- Gray clay, 21+ ----------- 11. Sphagnum moss peat, 0-17 __ 

Peat, 17-18 --------------- Clayey peat, 18-20 -------- Gray clay, 20+ -----------

12. Peat, 0-7 ---------------- Clayey peat, 7-9 ---------- Gray clay, 9+ ------------ 13. Sphagnum moss peat, 0-7 __ 

Peat, 7-12 ---------------- Clayey peat, 12-15 -------- Gray clay, 15+ ----------

14. Peat, 0-7 ---------------- Clayey peat, 7-8 ---------- Gray clay, 8+ ------------

15. Peat, 0-17 ---------------- Clayey peat, 17-21 -------- Gray clay, 21+ -----------

16. Sphagnum moss peat, 0-7 __ 

Peat, 7-25 --------------- Clayey peat, 25-30 -------- Peaty clay, 30-33 ---------

12.2 

5.9 

2.3 

2.6 

4.3 

37.3 

8.0 

39.2 

7.4 

8.5 

8.2 

21.9 

7.3 

3.8 

5.8 

5.6 

6.9 

2.5 

5.3 

Waterholding 

capacity 

(percent) 

1,890 

2,930 

2,428 

2,162 

1,708 

1,479 

1,253 

1,318 

2,987 

1,026 

1,286 

3,435 

1,956 

2,638 

1,065 

2,181 

2,178 

Fiber> 

0.15 mm (percent) 

57.8 

56.0 

92.6 

47.4 

57.4 

64.7 

73.6 

63.4 

66.9 

67.0 

70.0 

56.5 

72.8 

45.2 

55.0 

69.2 

pH 

5.4 

6.0 

4.1 

4.8 

5.4 

4.6 

5.6 

6.0 

4.8 

5.7 

6.1 

5.0 

5.6 

5.0 

5.8 

4.6 

5.0 
C36 STUDIES IN PEAT 

TABLE 2.-Typicalsection and analytical data (physical properties) for peat 

deposits of Maine-Continued 

Deposit 

No. 

(fig. 1) 

Typical 

section, 

cumulative 

thickness 

in feet 

Ash (per- cent dry 

weight) 

Waterholding 

capacity 

(percent) 

Aroostook County-Continued 

17. Sphagnum moss peat, 0-9 __ 

Peat, 9-21 --------------- Clayey peat, 21-24 --------

Gray clay, 24+ -----------

18. Peat, 0-15 --------------- Clayey peat, 15-17 --------

Sand, 17 + --------------- 19. Sphagnum moss pe2t, 0-5 __ 

Peat, 5-9 ---------------- Gray clay, 9+ ------------

3.2 

3.4 

3.0 

Washington County 

20. Sphagnum moss peat, 0-4 __ 

1,631 

1,654 

3,699 

Fiber> 

0.15 mm (percent) 

91.7 

48.1 

66.8 

pH 

5.4 

4.1 

4.3 

Peat, 4-7 ---------------- 16.0 880 36.3 4.7 

Gray clay, 7+ ------------

21. Peat, 0-13 --------------- 4.0 1.,540 49.2 5.0 

Sand and gravel, 13+ ____ _ 

22. Sphagnum moss peat, 0-1L_ 3.0 4,700 72.4 4.0 

Peat, 11-17 ------------ __ 1.0 2,310 53.3 4.1 

Peaty clay, 17-21 --------- 23. Sphagnum moss peat, 0-7 __ 0.6 3,460 66.8 3.8 

Peat, 7-11 --------------- 1.0 1,980 52.3 3.8 

Clayey peat, 11-13 --------

Sand, 13+ ---------------

24. Peat, 0-6 ----------------- <10.0 >1,000 >33.4 

Sand, 6+ ---------------- 25. Sphagnum moss peat, 0-16__ 1.0 3,620 67.2 4.0 

Peat, 16--20 --------------- Peaty clay, 20-21 --------- Gray clay, 21+ -----------

26. Sphagnum moss peat, 0-7 __ 1.0 4,000 75.0 3.7 

Peat, 7-13 ---------------- 3.7 1,120 46.3 4.9 

Gray clay and sand 13 + __ _ 27. Sphagnum moss peat, 0-1L_ 0.9 3,000 73.5 3.9 

Peat, 11-20 --------------- 3.0 1,130 4.3 

Clayey peat, 20-25 --------

Silty clay, 23+ -----------

28. Sphagnum moss peat, 0-17 __ 0.7 4,220 72.6 4.2 

Clayey peat, '17-23 --------

Gray clay, 23+ -----------

29. Peat, 0-9 ---------------- 1.0 2,770 56.6 3.8 

Clayey peat, 9-13 --------- Gray silt, 13+ ------------

30. Peat, 0-8 ----------------- <10.0 >1,000 >33.4 

Peaty clay, 8-9 ----------- Gray clay 9+ ------------

31. Peat, 0-9 ---------------- 1.0 2,670 64.2 3.8 

Clayey peat, 9-12 ---------

Sand, 12+ ---------------

32. Sphagnum moss peat, 0-8__ 4.0 3,920 79.8 4.0 

Peat, 8-10 --------------- 3.0 640 34.2 4.0 

Silt, 10+ -----------------
PEAT DEPOSITS OF EASTERN MAINE C37 

TABLE 2.-Typicalsection and analytical data (physical properties) for peat 

deposits of Maine-Continued 

Deposit 

No. 

(fig. 1) 

Typical 

section, 

cumulative 

thickness 

in feet 

Ash (per- cent dry 

weight) 

Waterholding 

capacity 

(percent) 

Washington County-Continued 

33. Sphagnum moss peat, 0-10 __ 

Peat, 10-12 --------------- Peaty clay, 12-17 --------- Gray clay, 17 + ----------- a4. Peat, 0-12 ---------------- Peaty clay, 12-16 --------- Gray clay, 16+ ----------- 35. Sphagnum moss peat, 0-12 __ 

Peat, 12-16 ---------------- Clayey peat, 16-18 -------- Gray clay, 18+ ----------- 36. Peat, 0-5 ----------------- Gray clay, 5+ ------------ 37. Sphagnum moss peat, 0-9 __ 

Peaty clay, 9-10 ---------- Gray clay, 10+ ----------- 38. Sphagnum moss peat, 0-4 __ 

Peat, 4-9 ft -------------- Clayey peat -------------- 39. Sphagnum moss peat, 0-7 __ 

Peat. 7-15 --------------- Gray clay, 15+ ----------- 40. Sphagnum moss peat; 0-11 __ 

Peat, 11-12 -------------- Gray silty clay, 12+ 

41. Peat, 0-15 ---------------- Peaty clay, 17-19+ 

42. Sphagnum moss peat, 0-13 __ 

Peat, 13-23 -------------- Clayey sand, 23+ --------- 43. Sphagnum moss peat, 0-8 __ 

Peat, 8-15 ---------------- Peat, slightly clay, 15-18 __ _ 

Peaty clay, 18-19 ---------

Silt, 19+ ----------------- 44. Sphagnum moss peat, 0-ll __ 

Peat, 11-15 -------------- Peaty clay, 15-16 --------- Gray clay, 16+ ----------- 45. Sphagnum moss peat, 0-8 __ 

Peaty clay, 8-9 ----------

Tan clay, 9+ ------------ 46. Sphagnum moss peat, 0-7 __ 

Peat humus, 7-10 ---------

Silty clay ----------------

47. Peat, 0-6 ---------------- Gray clay, 6+ ------------ 48. Sphagnum moss peat, 0-18 __ 

Gray clay, 18+ ----------

49. Peat, 0-9 ---------------- Gray clay, 9+ ------------

60. Peat, 0-7 ----------------- Clayey peat, 7-8 ---------- Peaty clay and gray 

clay 8+ ---------------

2.0 

5.5 

1.0 

7.0 

2.0 

1.0 

63.0 

2.0 

6.0 

3.5 

0.6 

1.0 

2.0 

0.5 

1.5 

4.0 

74.0 

1.0 

1.0 

2.0 

2.0 

10.0 

6.0 

3.0 

1.0 

2.8 

3,300 

1,790 

3,780 

840 

3,290 

2,680 

300 

4,500 

2,270 

2,620 

3,000 

3,360 

2,820 

4,120 

1,855 

1,010 

4,830 

3,010 

3,650 

3,750 

800 

930 

3,110 

1,660 

1,670 

Fiber> 

0.15 mm (percent) 

66.2 

51.4 

66.5 

44.5 

83.9 

62.4 

11.9 

70.9 

48.2 

74.0 

42.0 

71.6 

99.2 

54.9 

36.7 

76.3 

49.3 

72.7 

68.8 

30.8 

42.6 

68.8 

52.6 

54.1 

pH 

3.9 

4.5 

3.7 

4.5 

4.0 

4.6 

5.3 

4.1 

4.9 

4.8 

4.3 

4.2 

4.1 

4.4 

4.6 

3.7 

5.0 

3.8 

4.6 

5.3 

4.6 

4.8 

3.9 

4.5 
C38 STUDIES IN PEAT 

TABLE 2.-Typical section and analytical data (physical properties) for peat 

deposits of Maine-Continued 

Deposit 

No. 

(fig. 1) 

Typical 

section 

cumulative 

thickness 

in feet 

Ash (per- cent dry 

weight) 

Waterholding 

capacity 

(percent) 

Washington County-Continued 

51. Sphagnum moss peat, 0-8 __ 

Peaty clay, 8-8 ----------- Gray clay 9+ ------------ 62. Sphagnum moss peat, 0-8 __ 

Peat, 8-15 ---------------- Gray clay, 15+ ----------- Humus, 0-3 -------------- 63. Sphagnum moss peat, 3-7 __ 

Peat humus, 7-9 ----------

Silt, 9+ ----------------- 54, Sphagnum moss peat, 0-7 __ 

Peat humus, 7-9 ----------

Silt, 9+ ------------------ 55, Sphagnum moss peat, 0-9 __ 

Peaty clay, 9-16 ---------- Fine sand, 10+ -----------

66. Peat, 0-9 ----------------- Peaty clay, 9-10 ----------

Sand, 10+ ---------------

57, Peat, 0-5 -----------------

Peat, 5-11 --------------- Clayey peat, 11-14 -------- Gray clay and sand, 14+ __ 

2.0 

1.0 

3.0 

3.0 

19.0 

3.0 

19.0 

1.0 

2.0 

28.0 

2.0 

3.0 

36.0 

3,130 

2,570 

1,420 

4,920 

650 

4,920 

650 

3,760 

1,820 

480 

3,510 

1,900 

920 

Fiber> 

0.16 mm) 

(percent) 

68.1 

75.8 

47.4 

70.1 

20.6 

70.1 

20.6 

71.7 

55.9 

33.0 

60.3 

47.8 

21.7 

pH 

4.2 

4.0 

4.4 

9.8 

5.5 

9.8 

5.5 

4.2 

3.6 

4.0 

4.1 

4.1 

4.1 
TABLE 3.-Size, physiographic form, location, and drainage of nonanalyzed Maine peat deposits of commercial quality 

[Deposits 1-20 are in Washington County;deposit 21 is in Aa-oostook County] 

De- Surface Thickness of Physio- posit Location Estimated 

No. Quadrangle within area of peat (feet) short tons Drainage graphic 

(fig. (15') quadrangle deposit (air-dried)l form 

1) (acres) Maximum Average (fig. 3) 

5 ____ VVabassus Lake ___ Bog south of Dead Stream 900 20 8 1,536,000 Controlled by E Jotj 

east of Fourth Machias lake dam. t.%.1 

Lake. > 

2L ___ VVytopitlock Bog along deadwater on 755 15 10 1,455,000 Good on domes __ E 1-3 ------ Macwahoc Stream, T. 1, tj 

R. 4. t.%.1 

Jotj 4 ____ VVabassus Lake ___ Bog north of Dead Stream 280 20 8 448,000 Controlled by E 0 

east of Fourth Machias lake dam. 00 

~ Lake. 1-3 

7 ________ do ----------- Bog at southeast end of 200 15 7 80,000 Good on domed A 00 

Second Machias Lake, T. heath. 0 

37 MD. l:r:j 

14 ____ Big Lake --------- Bog along lower reaches of 160 15 7 224,000 Fair on partly A and E t.%.1 

Dog Brook and west side of drowned dome. > Brown Cove, Princeton Tp. 00 

16 ________ do ----------- Bog along Clifford Stream 260 15 4 208,000 Controlled by A 1-3 

t.%.1 north of East Arm of stream dam. ~ 

Clifford Lake. z 

13 ________ do ----------- Sawtelle Heath, north of 100 15 10 200,000 Fair to good c a= Rte.l. near center. 

19 ____ Tug Mountain ____ > Bog on west side of Old 100 15 10 200,000 Good on domed c ~ 

Stream north of Canaan heath. z 

dam, T. 31 MD. t.%.1 

1 ____ VVabassus Lake ___ Bog north of Dark Cove 90 22 10 180,000 Good on domed c 

Mountain, T. 5 ND. heath. 

18 ____ Tug Mountain ---- Bog along Pembroke Stream 140 10 6 168,000 Fair on low A 

deadwater north of Rte. 9, dome. 

T. 31 MD. 

1. Estimated according to 1 acre-foot of peat in place being equivalent to 200 tons of air-dried peat. C'.) 

co 

c.o 
TABLE 3.-Size, physiographic form, location, and drainage of nonanalyzed Maine peat deposits of commercial quality-Continued 0 

~ 

0 

De- Surface Thickness of Physio- posit Quadrangle Location area of peat (feet) Estimated graphic No. within short tons Drainage 

(fig. (15') quadrangle deposit (air-dried) 1 form 

1) (acres) Maximum Average (fig. 3) 

9 ____ Big Lake --------- Bog between Musquash Stream 120 6 5 120,000 Good on domed E 

and Cass Cove, Grand Lake heath. 

Plantation Tp. 

* l2 ________ do ----------- Bog between Greenland Cove 100 6 5 100,000 Good on domed E c and Jimmy Libby Cove, heath. ~ 

G) Princeton Tp. A 0 6 ____ Wabassus Lake ___ Bog south of Second Machias 45 22 10 90,000 Good on dome at < Lake along Machias River, south end. 00 fl1 T. 37 MD. t-3 ::u 

z c::: 17 ____ Big Lake --------- Bog along Beaverdam Stream 60 15 7 84,000 Good on domed A s: ~ fl1 near quadrangle boundary, heath. z T. 26 ED. -t.%J -f 8 ________ do ----------- Bog between mouth of Grand 40 10 8 64,000 Fair on domed E 00 "'D 

:!! 

z Lake 

River 

Stream 

Bluff, T. 

and 

27 

Little 

ED. 

heath. -

z 

::! 10 ________ do ----------- Bog on west side of Lewy 40 10 8 64,000 Largely drowned c ""d z t.%J G) Lake, Indian Tp. heath. > 0 l5 ________ do ----------- Bog south of Morrison Point 40 10 8 64,000 Fair on partly E t-3 , 

, on Pocomoonshine Lake. drowned dome. 

n 2 ____ Wabassus Lake--- Bog north of Fourth Machias 30 22 10 60,000 Good on domed E" 

!!! Lake, T. 5 ND. heath. 

lO 1L ___ Big Lake --------- Bog west of Long Lake 50 6 5 50,000 Dome is too low c -.J campground, Indian Tp. to permit good Ul drainage. 0 

I 3 ____ Wabassus Lake --- Bog adjacent to Fourth 30 7 5 30,000 Controlled by A 

Ul Lake Stream 0.5 mile east lake dam. m of outlet, T. 5 ND. Ul 20 ____ Wesley ----------- Bog on southwest side of First 5 13 10 3,000 Dome partly I 

~ Chain Lake, northwest drowned by c -.J 

m corner of Wesley Tp. high lake level. 

':::-

~ 1 Estimated according to 1 acre-foot of peat in place being equivalent to 200 tons of air-dried peat.