United States

Department of

Agriculture

Natural

Resources

Conservation

Service

In cooperation with the

Oregon Agricultural

Experiment Station Soil Survey of

Sherman County,

Oregon

General Soil Map

The general soil map, which is the color map preceding the detailed soil maps, shows the survey area divided

into groups of associated soils called general soil map units. This map is useful in planning the use and

management of large areas.

To find information about your area of interest, locate that area on the map,

identify the name of the map unit in the area on the color-coded map

legend, then refer to the section General Soil Map Units for a

general description of the soils in your area.

Detailed Soil Maps

The detailed soil maps follow the

general soil map. These maps

can be useful in planning the use

and management of small areas.

To find information about your

area of interest, locate that area

on the Index to Map Sheets,

which precedes the soil maps.

Note the number of the map

sheet and turn to that sheet.

Locate your area of interest on

the map sheet. Note the map

units symbols that are in that

area. Turn to the Contents, which

lists the map units by symbol and

name and shows the page where

each map unit is described.

The Contents shows which table has data on a specific land use for each detailed soil map unit. Also see the

Contents for sections of this publication that may address your specific needs.

3

How to Use This Soil Survey
4

Additional information about the Nation’s natural resources is available on the Natural

Resources Conservation Service home page on the World Wide Web. The address is http://

www.nrcs.usda.gov (click on “Technical Resources”).

This soil survey is a publication of the National Cooperative Soil Survey, a joint effort

of the United States Department of Agriculture and other Federal agencies, State

agencies including the Agricultural Experiment Stations, and local agencies. The Natural

Resources Conservation Service (formerly the Soil Conservation Service) has

leadership for the Federal part of the National Cooperative Soil Survey.

Major fieldwork for this soil survey was completed in 1992. Soil names and

descriptions were approved in 1992. Unless otherwise indicated, statements in this

publication refer to conditions in the survey area in 1992. This survey was made

cooperatively by the Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Oregon

Agricultural Experiment Station. The survey is part of the technical assistance furnished

to the Sherman County Soil and Water Conservation District.

Since the publication of this survey, more information on soil properties may have

been collected, new interpretations developed, or existing interpretive criteria modified.

The most current soil information and interpretations for this survey are in the Field

Office Technical Guide (FOTG) at the local office of the Natural Resources Conservation

Service. The soil maps in this publication may exist in digital form in a full quadrangle

format. The digitizing of the maps is in accordance with the Soil Survey Geographic

(SSURGO) database standards. During the digitizing process, changes or corrections to

the maps may have occurred. These changes or corrections improve the matching of

this survey to adjacent surveys and correct previous errors or omissions of map unit

symbols or lines. If digital SSURGO-certified maps exist for this survey, they are

considered the official maps for the survey area and are part of the FOTG at the local

office of the Natural Resources Conservation Service.

Soil maps in this survey may be copied without permission. Enlargement of these

maps, however, could cause misunderstanding of the detail of mapping. If enlarged,

maps do not show the small areas of contrasting soils that could have been shown at a

larger scale.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs

and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability,

political beliefs, sexual orientation, or marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases

apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for

communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should

contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD).

To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights,

Room 326W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC,

20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity

provider and employer.

Cover: Wheat in an area of Walla Walla silt loam, 1 to 7 percent slopes (photograph by Evan

Schneider).
5

Contents

Cover ....................................................................... 1

How to Use This Soil Survey .................................. 3

Contents .................................................................. 5

Foreword ................................................................. 7

General Nature of the County .................................... 9

History and Development ...................................... 9

Physiography, Relief, and Drainage .................... 10

Geology .............................................................. 10

Climate ............................................................... 10

How This Survey Was Made .................................... 11

General Soil Map Units ......................................... 13

Soil Descriptions ..................................................... 13

Soils on Mesas ................................................... 13

1. Wato-Anders ............................................ 13

2. Walla Walla-Anderly .................................. 13

3. Mikkalo-Ritzville ....................................... 14

4. Condon-Cantala ....................................... 15

Soils in Canyons................................................. 15

5. Lickskillet-Nansene .................................. 15

6. Wrentham-Lickskillet-Rock Outcrop ......... 16

Detailed Soil Map Units ........................................ 17

Soil Descriptions ..................................................... 18

1B—Anderly silt loam, 1 to 7 percent slopes ...... 18

1C—Anderly silt loam, 7 to 15 percent

slopes .......................................................... 19

2D—Anderly silt loam, 15 to 35 percent north

slopes .......................................................... 19

3D—Anderly silt loam, 15 to 35 percent south

slopes .......................................................... 19

4B—Anders very fine sandy loam, 3 to 7

percent slopes .............................................. 20

4C—Anders very fine sandy loam, 7 to 15

percent slopes .............................................. 20

5D—Anders very fine sandy loam, 15 to 35

percent south slopes .................................... 21

6C—Bakeoven very stony loam, 2 to 20

percent slopes .............................................. 21

7B—Cantala silt loam, 1 to 7 percent slopes ...... 21

7C—Cantala silt loam, 7 to 15 percent slopes .... 22

8B—Condon silt loam, 1 to 7 percent slopes ...... 22

8C—Condon silt loam, 7 to 15 percent slopes .... 22

9D—Condon silt loam, 15 to 35 percent north

slopes .......................................................... 23

10C—Condon-Bakeoven complex, 2 to 20

percent slopes .............................................. 23

11A—Endersby fine sandy loam, 0 to 3 percent

slopes .......................................................... 24

12A—Endersby-Hermiston complex, 0 to 3

percent slopes .............................................. 24

13A—Hermiston silt loam, 0 to 3 percent

slopes .......................................................... 25

14C—Kuhl very stony very fine sandy loam,

3 to 20 percent slopes .................................. 25

15D—Kuhl-Rock outcrop complex, 20 to 40

percent north slopes..................................... 26

16D—Lickskillet very stony loam, 7 to 40

percent south slopes .................................... 26

17C—Lickskillet-Bakeoven complex, 2 to 20

percent slopes .............................................. 27

18E—Lickskillet-Rock outcrop complex, 40 to 70

percent south slopes .................................... 27

19B—Mikkalo silt loam, 2 to 7 percent slopes .... 28

19C—Mikkalo silt loam, 7 to 15 percent

slopes .......................................................... 28

20D—Mikkalo silt loam, 15 to 35 percent north

slopes .......................................................... 28

21E—Nansene-Rock outcrop complex, 35 to 70

percent north slopes..................................... 29

22A—Pedigo silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes ...... 29

23C—Quincy loamy fine sand, 5 to 25 percent

slopes .......................................................... 30

24B—Ritzville silt loam, 2 to 7 percent slopes .... 30

24C—Ritzville silt loam, 7 to 15 percent

slopes .......................................................... 31

25A—Riverwash ................................................. 31

26E—Rock outcrop............................................. 31

27E—Rock outcrop-Rubble land-Lickskillet

complex, 50 to 80 percent south slopes ....... 31

28C—Sagemoor silt loam, 5 to 20 percent

slopes .......................................................... 32

29D—Sagemoor silt loam, 20 to 40 percent

north slopes ................................................. 32

30D—Sagemoor silt loam, 20 to 40 percent

south slopes................................................. 33

31B—Walla Walla silt loam, 1 to 7 percent

slopes .......................................................... 33

31C—Walla Walla silt loam, 7 to 15 percent

slopes .......................................................... 33

32D—Walla Walla silt loam, 15 to 35 percent

north slopes ................................................. 34
6

33D—Walla Walla silt loam, 15 to 35 percent

south slopes................................................. 34

34B—Wato very fine sandy loam, 3 to 7

percent slopes .............................................. 35

34C—Wato very fine sandy loam, 7 to 15

percent slopes .............................................. 35

35D—Wato very fine sandy loam, 15 to 35

percent north slopes..................................... 35

36D—Wato very fine sandy loam, 15 to 35

percent south slopes .................................... 36

37E—Wrentham-Rock outcrop complex,

35 to 70 percent north slopes ....................... 36

38A—Xerolls, silty, 0 to 3 percent slopes ........... 37

Use and Management of the Soils ....................... 39

Crops and Pasture .............................................. 39

Yields per Acre ............................................... 41

Land Capability Classification ......................... 42

Prime Farmland .............................................. 43

Rangeland........................................................... 43

Windbreaks and Environmental Plantings ........... 45

Engineering ......................................................... 46

Building Site Development.............................. 47

Sanitary Facilities ........................................... 48

Construction Materials .................................... 49

Water Management......................................... 50

Soil Properties ...................................................... 51

Engineering Index Properties .............................. 51

Physical and Chemical Properties ...................... 52

Soil and Water Features ...................................... 53

Classification of the Soils..................................... 55

Taxonomic Units and Their Morphology ................... 55

Anderly Series .................................................... 55

Anders Series ..................................................... 56

Bakeoven Series ................................................ 56

Cantala Series .................................................... 57

Condon Series .................................................... 57

Endersby Series ................................................. 58

Hermiston Series ................................................ 58

Kuhl Series ......................................................... 59

Lickskillet Series ................................................ 59

Mikkalo Series .................................................... 60

Nansene Series .................................................. 60

Pedigo Series ..................................................... 61

Quincy Series ..................................................... 62

Ritzville Series.................................................... 62

Sagemoor Series ................................................ 63

Walla Walla Series .............................................. 63

Wato Series ........................................................ 64

Wrentham Series ................................................ 65

Xerolls, Silty ....................................................... 65

Formation of the Soils .......................................... 67

Parent Material.................................................... 67

Climate ............................................................... 68

Living Organisms ................................................ 68

Topography ......................................................... 68

Time ................................................................... 68

Morphology of the Soils ...................................... 69

References ............................................................. 71

Glossary ................................................................ 73

Tables .................................................................... 83

Table 1.—Temperature and Precipitation ............. 84

Table 2.—Freeze Dates in Spring and Fall ........... 85

Table 3.—Growing Season .................................. 85

Table 4.—Acreage and Proportionate Extent

of the Soils ................................................... 86

Table 5.—Land Capability Classes and Yields

per Acre of Crops and Pasture .................... 87

Table 6.—Rangeland Productivity and

Characteristic Plant Communities ................ 90

Table 7.—Windbreaks and Environmental

Plantings ...................................................... 93

Table 8.—Building Site Development .................. 96

Table 9.—Sanitary Facilities .............................. 100

Table 10.—Construction Materials ..................... 104

Table 11.—Water Management ......................... 108

Table 12.—Engineering Index Properties .......... 112

Table 13.—Physical and Chemical Properties

of the Soils ................................................. 117

Table 14.—Soil and Water Features .................. 120

Table 15.—Classification of the Soils ................ 122

Issued 1999
7

This soil survey contains information that affects land use planning in this survey

area. It contains predictions of soil behavior for selected land uses. The survey also

highlights soil limitations, improvements needed to overcome the limitations, and the

impact of selected land uses on the environment.

This soil survey is designed for many different users. Farmers, ranchers, and

agronomists can use it to evaluate the potential of the soil and the management needed

for maximum food and fiber production. Planners, community officials, engineers,

developers, builders, and home buyers can use the survey to plan land use, select sites

for construction, and identify special practices needed to ensure proper performance.

Conservationists, teachers, students, and specialists in recreation, wildlife

management, waste disposal, and pollution control can use the survey to help them

understand, protect, and enhance the environment.

Various land use regulations of Federal, State, and local governments may impose

special restrictions on land use or land treatment. The information in this report is

intended to identify soil properties that are used in making various land use or land

treatment decisions. Statements made in this report are intended to help the land users

identify and reduce the effects of soil limitations that affect various land uses. The

landowner or user is responsible for identifying and complying with existing laws and

regulations.

Great differences in soil properties can occur within short distances. Some soils are

seasonally wet or subject to flooding. Some are shallow to bedrock. Some are too

unstable to be used as a foundation for buildings or roads. Clayey or wet soils are poorly

suited to use as septic tank absorption fields. A high water table makes a soil poorly

suited to basements or underground installations.

These and many other soil properties that affect land use are described in this soil

survey. Broad areas of soils are shown on the general soil map. The location of each soil

is shown on the detailed soil maps. Each soil in the survey area is described.

Information on specific uses is given for each soil. Help in using this publication and

additional information are available at the local office of the Natural Resources

Conservation Service or the Cooperative Extension Service.

Bob Graham

State Conservationist

Natural Resources Conservation Service

Foreword
8

Location of Sherman County in Oregon.
9

Soil Survey of

Sherman County, Oregon

By Gerald D. Macdonald, James M. Lamkin, and Roger H. Borine, Natural Resources

Conservation Service

Fieldwork by James M. Lamkin and Roger H. Borine, Natural Resources Conservation

Service

United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service,

in cooperation with the Oregon Agricultural Experiment Station

SHERMAN COUNTY is in the north-central part of

Oregon. It has a total area of about 827 square miles,

or about 532,000 acres. The county is bounded on the

north by the Columbia River, on the west by the

Deschutes River, on the east by the John Day River,

and on the south by Wasco County.

Sherman County has a population of about 1,800,

most of whom live in Kent, Grass Valley, Moro, and

Wasco. Moro, which is in the central part, is the county

seat.

A branch of the Burlington Northern Railroad

extends from Biggs, on the main line along the

Columbia River, to Kent, near the southern border of

the county. U.S. Highway 97 runs from north to south

through the central part of the county.

The economy of the county is dependent mainly on

agriculture. The main crop is irrigated small grain.

Nearly all of the grain is shipped by rail.

This soil survey updates the survey of Sherman

County, Oregon, published in 1964 (6).

General Nature of the County

This section gives general information about the

county. It discusses history and development;

physiography, relief, and drainage; geology; and

climate.

History and Development

The first person to explore what is now Sherman

County was Major Enoch Steen. Major Steen left The

Dalles on May 19, 1860, to explore southeastern

Oregon at the request of General William Harney,

who wanted to develop a road to the Northwest.

The first settlement in the county was established in

1860, when William Graham crossed to the east bank

of the Deschutes River to tend the bridge and to

establish a hotel. This was almost 20 years after

settlers had begun traveling across the county in

covered wagons on the last leg of their long trip from

the East and 10 years after stagelines had crossed the

county on the trip from The Dalles to Umatilla Landing,

where pack outfits and freighters’ wagons left for mines

in Idaho.

Stockmen gradually moved into the area during the

1860’s and 1870’s. Most of them raised horses to sell

to settlers in the Willamette Valley. Cattle had limited

value until the completion of the intercontinental

railroad. With the railroad in place, cattle could be

transported to markets great distances away; thus, the

great western cattle drives began.

A railroad built along the Columbia River around

1880 brought emigrants from Europe and the former

Confederate States to the area. By 1885 most of the
10 Soil Survey

available land was settled and was being used for

farming and livestock production.

The county government was established in 1889,

when Sherman County was separated from Wasco

County. The population of the county peaked at 4,242

in 1910. It has declined since to about 1,800 at

present.

Physiography, Relief, and Drainage

Sherman County is entirely within the Columbia

Plateau major land resource area. The soils of the

Columbia Plateau area are on gently sloping mesas

and ridgetops and very steep canyonsides. This area is

characterized by basalt flows overlain by an

accumulation of loess. Elevation ranges from 170 feet

along the Columbia River to about 3,000 feet in the

southern part of the county.

Gordon Ridge, 2 miles north of Moro, separates the

western half of the county into two major drainage

areas. The tributaries in the northwestern part of the

county, between Moro and Wasco, drain to the

northwest into the Columbia River. The tributaries south

of Gordon Ridge and west of Moro, Grass Valley, and

Kent drain to the west and southwest into the

Deschutes River. The tributaries in the eastern half of

the county drain to the east into the John Day River.

The tributaries of all of these rivers flow through deep,

V-shaped canyons.

Geology

The soils of Sherman County have been influenced

by two major geologic formations—the Yakima

Formation of the Columbia River Group of the Miocene

and the Shutler Formation of the Pliocene.

The Yakima Formation is most prominent in the

county, occurring dominantly south of Gordon Ridge

and DeMoss Springs and extending south to the

Wasco County line. It consists of basalt and andesite

flows and breccia that are about 13 to 16 million years

old. It is part of a widespread series of flows that

extend from Astoria, in the western part of Oregon,

east into Idaho and north into Washington. These lava

flows typically are 25 to 100 feet thick and consist of

fine-grained, dark gray basalt. The exposed upper part

of these flows normally is oxidized and partially

weathered so that shades of red and brown are

common. The red and brown colors of the Bakeoven

and Lickskillet soils are the result of this weathering of

iron-bearing minerals. The lava flows have

interbedding of Paleosols, boulders, volcanic ash,

and cinders.

The Shutler Formation occurs dominantly north of

Gordon Ridge and DeMoss Springs and extends

north to the Columbia River. It consists of

interbedded basalt flows and ashflow tuff that are

about 4.0 to 9.7 million years old and typically are 1

foot to 3 feet thick. The base of this formation

consists of water-worked gravel and cobbles, several

layers of sand and silt, volcanic ash, and diatomite

separated by or coated with caliche. Erosional

remnants indicate that the Shutler Formation once

covered a much larger area but has since been

eroded. The Anderly, Anders, Walla Walla, and Wato

soils typically are underlain by the Shutler Formation.

These soils have concentrations of calcium

carbonates in the few inches above the caliche.

Ten percent of the county reflects a unique geologic

feature that occurs under glacial influence and is

referred to as patterned ground, locally known as

“Biscuit Scabland.” The main climatic significance of

the soil patterns on this surface is that frozen ground

apparently existed in front of the continental glacier

during glacial invasion. It appears that a regular pattern

of polygonal fractures formed as a result of contraction

during periods of subfreezing temperatures in ground

frozen to a uniform depth. Ice wedges probably formed

in these fractures when the temperature fluctuated but

generally remained below freezing (3). Then as the

climate became warmer and the front of the continental

glacier retreated northward, the ice wedges began to

melt. The runoff could have caused the erosion and

modification of the polygons. Frost heaving probably

mixed the genetically formed horizons. The removal of

large amounts of mineral soil during the formation of

the mounds is obvious from the scabland that

surrounds the mounds. The soils of the scabland

formed mainly in remnants of material not removed

during the thawing of the ice wedges and in material

more recently washed from the mounds. CondonBakeoven complex, 2 to 20 percent slopes, is an

example.

Climate

By the Natural Resources Conservation Service, Water and

Climate Center, Portland, Oregon.

The temperature and precipitation data in this

section was recorded at Moro, Oregon, and the

thunderstorm, relative humidity, percent sunshine,

and wind data were estimated from data recorded at

the first order station at Pendleton, Oregon.

Table 1 gives data on temperature and

precipitation for the survey area as recorded at Moro

in the period 1961 to 1990. Table 2 shows probable
Sherman County, Oregon 11

dates of the first freeze in fall and the last freeze in

spring. Table 3 provides data on the length of the

growing season.

In winter, the average temperature is 32.9 degrees

F and the average daily minimum temperature is 25.9

degrees. The lowest temperature on record, which

occurred at Moro on February 2, 1950, is -23 degrees.

In summer, the average temperature is 65.4 degrees

and the average daily maximum temperature is 79.0

degrees. The highest temperature on record, which

occurred at Moro on July 27, 1939, is 111 degrees.

Growing degree days are shown in table 1. They are

equivalent to “heat units.” During the month, growing

degree days accumulate by the amount that the

average temperature each day exceeds a base

temperature (40 degrees F). The normal monthly

accumulation is used to schedule single or successive

plantings of a crop between the last freeze in spring

and the first freeze in fall.

The total annual precipitation is about 11.11 inches.

Of this, about 2.65 inches, or 24 percent, usually falls

in May through September. The growing season for

most crops falls within this period. The heaviest 1-day

rainfall during the period of record was 1.67 inches at

Moro on January 9, 1953. Thunderstorms occur on

about 10 days each year, and most occur in June.

The average seasonal snowfall is 18.9 inches. The

greatest snow depth at any one time during the period

of record was 20 inches recorded on February 4, 1950.

On an average, 27 days per year have at least 1 inch

of snow on the ground. The heaviest 1-day snowfall on

record was 12 inches recorded on February 5, 1948.

The average relative humidity in midafternoon is

about 48 percent. Humidity is higher at night, and the

average at dawn is about 70 percent. The sun shines

80 percent of the time in summer and 30 percent in

winter. The prevailing wind is from the west. Average

windspeed is highest, 9.9 miles per hour, in April.

How This Survey Was Made

Roger Borine, soil scientist, Natural Resources Conservation

Service, helped to prepare this section.

This survey was made to provide information

about the soils and miscellaneous areas in the

survey area. The information includes a description of

the soils and miscellaneous areas and their location

and a discussion of their suitability and limitations.

Prior to publishing the Sherman County, Oregon, soil

survey in 1964 (6), soil scientists observed the

steepness, length, and shape of the slopes; the

general pattern of drainage; the kinds of crops and

native plants; and the kinds of bedrock. They dug

many holes to study the soil profile, which is the

sequence of natural layers, or horizons, in a soil. The

profile extends from the surface down into the

unconsolidated material in which the soil formed.

The unconsolidated material is devoid of roots and

other living organisms and has not been changed by

other biological activity.

A review of the 1964 Sherman County soil survey

was conducted in 1986. The soil map and soil

descriptions and interpretations were reviewed for

technical accuracy. Transects were made in

representative areas throughout the county to

determine accuracy of existing soil map units with

respect to soil series, phases, and composition. The

existing soil map units were evaluated according to the

current standards of the National Cooperative Soil

Survey.

It was determined that the soil series were

consistent with current criteria and standards. The

series were then assigned to taxonomic classes. Soil

phase criteria, such as slope, were adjusted only

minimally to better fit the features of the landscape.

Soil map unit composition and delineations were

determined to be accurate by conducting field

evaluation.

The soil map unit delineations were transferred

from the photomosaic of the 1964 survey to

orthophoto quadrangles by using photointerpretation

and stereoscopic techniques, considering topographic

features, and taking advantage of professional

experience. Placement of the lines on the

orthophoto quadrangles was verified by conducting

field evaluation. Soil map unit descriptions were

revised to reflect changes in the names and

phases.

The soils and miscellaneous areas in the survey

area are in an orderly pattern that is related to the

geology, landforms, relief, climate, and natural

vegetation of the area. Each kind of soil and

miscellaneous area is associated with a particular

kind of landform or with a segment of the landform.

By observing the soils and miscellaneous areas in

the survey area and relating their position to specific

segments of the landform, a soil scientist develops a

concept or model of how they were formed. Thus,

during mapping, this model enables the soil scientist to

predict with a considerable degree of accuracy the

kind of soil or miscellaneous area at a specific

location on the landscape.

Commonly, individual soils on the landscape

merge into one another as their characteristics

gradually change. To construct an accurate soil map,

however, soil scientists must determine the
12

boundaries between the soils. They can observe only

a limited number of soil profiles. Nevertheless, these

observations, supplemented by an understanding of

the soil-vegetation-landscape relationship, are

sufficient to verify predictions of the kinds of soil in

an area and to determine the boundaries.

Soil scientists recorded the characteristics of the

soil profiles that they studied. They noted color,

texture, size and shape of soil aggregates, kind and

amount of rock fragments, distribution of plant roots,

reaction, and other features that enable them to

identify soils. After completing the review of the survey

area, the soil scientists assigned the soils to

taxonomic classes (units). Taxonomic classes are

concepts. Each taxonomic class has a set of soil

characteristics with precisely defined limits. The

classes are used as a basis for comparison to classify

soils systematically. Soil taxonomy, the system of

taxonomic classification used in the United States, is

based mainly on the kind and character of soil

properties and the arrangement of horizons within the

profile. After the soil scientists classified and named

the soils in the survey area, they compared the

individual soils with similar soils in the same

taxonomic class in other areas so that they could

confirm data and assemble additional data based on

experience and research.

While a soil survey is in progress, samples of

some of the soils in the area generally are collected

for laboratory analyses and for engineering tests. Soil

scientists interpret the data from these analyses and

tests as well as the field-observed characteristics and

the soil properties to determine the expected behavior

of the soils under different uses. Interpretations for all

of the soils are field tested through observation of the

soils in different uses and under different levels of

management. Some interpretations are modified to fit

local conditions, and some new interpretations are

developed to meet local needs. Data are assembled

from other sources, such as research information,

production records, and field experience of specialists.

For example, data on crop yields under defined levels

of management are assembled from farm records on

the same kinds of soil.

Predictions about soil behavior are based not only

on soil properties but also on such variables as climate

and biological activity. Soil conditions are predictable

over long periods of time, but they are not predictable

from year to year. For example, soil scientists can

predict with a fairly high degree of accuracy that a

given soil will have a high water table within certain

depths in most years, but they cannot predict that a

high water table will always be at a specific level in the

soil on a specific date.
13

The general soil map shows broad areas that have a

distinctive pattern of soils, relief, and drainage. Each

map unit on the general soil map is a unique natural

landscape. Typically, it consists of one or more major

soils or miscellaneous areas and some minor soils or

miscellaneous areas. It is named for the major soils or

miscellaneous areas. The components of one map unit

can occur in another but in a different pattern.

The general soil map can be used to compare the

suitability of large areas for general land uses. Areas of

suitable soils can be identified on the map. Likewise,

areas where the soils are not suitable can be identified.

Because of its small scale, the map is not suitable

for planning the management of a farm or field or for

selecting a site for a road or building or other structure.

The soils in any one map unit differ from place to place

in slope, depth, drainage, and other characteristics that

affect management.

Soil Descriptions

Soils on Mesas

1. Wato-Anders

Very deep and moderately deep, well drained very fine

sandy loam that formed in loess over basalt in a 12- to

13-inch precipitation zone; on mesas

This map unit is in the northwestern part of the

survey area. The native vegetation in areas not

cultivated is mainly bluebunch wheatgrass, Idaho

fescue, needleandthread, and Sandberg bluegrass.

Elevation ranges from 200 to 2,000 feet. Slopes range

from 3 to 35 percent. The mean annual precipitation is

12 to 13 inches, the mean annual air temperature is 49

to 51 degrees F, and the frost-free period is 110 to 150

days.

This map unit makes up about 3 percent of the

survey area. It is about 82 percent Wato soils and 10

percent Anders soils. The rest is soils of minor extent.

Wato soils are very deep and well drained. The

surface layer is very dark brown very fine sandy loam.

The subsoil is dark brown very fine sandy loam.

Anders soils are moderately deep and well drained.

The surface layer is very dark grayish brown very fine

sandy loam. The subsoil is dark brown very fine sandy

loam, silt loam, or gravelly silt loam.

Of minor extent in this unit are very deep Quincy

soils on dunes and terraces adjacent to the Columbia

River and its tributaries.

The soils in this unit are used mainly for wheat and

barley grown in a grain-summer fallow system and for

alfalfa hay. Areas too steep for cultivation are used for

livestock grazing and as wildlife habitat.

Small populations of mule deer use areas of this

unit that have an abundance of grasses, forbs, and

shrubs and cultivated areas that produce food such as

green winter wheat, grain stubble, and alfalfa hay.

Adjacent brushy draws and canyons generally provide

water and cover. Distribution of the deer is largely

dependent on the sources of water.

The gently sloping to strongly sloping areas of this

unit provide food and cover for upland game birds such

as ring-necked pheasant and valley quail. These birds

use the grain stubble for food and the brushy fence

rows and draws for cover. The steeper areas and the

areas along streams provide suitable habitat for chukar

and Hungarian partridge. Because this unit is near the

Columbia River, habitat for abundant varieties of

waterfowl is provided by perennial streams, stock

ponds, and reservoirs. Canadian geese occasionally

feed in the upland wheatfields.

2. Walla Walla-Anderly

Very deep to moderately deep, well drained silt loam

that formed in loess over basalt in a 12- to 13-inch

precipitation zone; on mesas

This map unit is on mesas in the north-central part

of the survey area (see fig. 1, next page). The native

vegetation in areas not cultivated is mainly bluebunch

wheatgrass, Idaho fescue, and Sandberg bluegrass.

Elevation ranges from 500 to 2,000 feet. Slopes range

from 1 to 35 percent. The mean annual precipitation is

12 to 13 inches, the mean annual air temperature is 49

to 51 degrees F, and the frost-free period is 110 to 150

days.

General Soil Map Units
14 Soil Survey

Figure 1.—Typical area of general soil map unit 2.

This map unit makes up about 33 percent of the

survey area. It is about 73 percent Walla Walla soils

and 22 percent Anderly soils. The rest is soils of

minor extent.

Walla Walla soils are very deep or deep and are well

drained. The surface layer is very dark brown silt loam.

The subsoil is dark brown silt loam.

Anderly soils are moderately deep and well drained.

The surface layer is very dark grayish brown silt loam.

The subsoil is dark brown silt loam.

Of minor extent in this unit are very deep Endersby

soils on terraces, very deep Hermiston soils on flood

plains, and shallow Kuhl soils on north-facing

canyonsides.

The soils in this unit are used mainly for wheat and

barley grown in a grain-summer fallow system, for

alfalfa hay, and as pasture. Areas too steep for

cultivation are used for livestock grazing and as wildlife

habitat.

This unit provides food and cover for mule deer and

small populations of elk and antelope. These large

game animals extensively use areas of this unit that

have an abundance of grasses, forbs, and shrubs and

cultivated areas that produce food such as green

winter wheat, grain stubble, irrigated alfalfa, and

pasture grasses. Adjacent brushy draws and canyons

generally provide water and cover. Distribution of the

animals is largely dependent on the sources of water.

The gently sloping to strongly sloping areas of this

unit provide food and cover for upland game birds such

as ring-necked pheasant and valley quail. These birds

use the grain stubble for food and the brushy fence

rows and draws for cover. The steeper areas and the

areas along streams provide suitable habitat for

chukar and Hungarian partridge. A few waterfowl use

the perennial streams, stock ponds, and reservoirs in

fall and winter. Canadian geese occasionally feed in

the upland wheatfields.

3. Mikkalo-Ritzville

Moderately deep and deep, well drained silt loam that

formed in loess over basalt in a 9- to 11-inch

precipitation zone; on mesas

This map unit is in the northeastern corner of the

survey area, above the John Day River. The native

vegetation in areas not cultivated is mainly bluebunch

wheatgrass, Idaho fescue, Sandberg bluegrass, and

basin big sagebrush. Elevation ranges from 1,000 to

2,000 feet. Slopes range from 2 to 35 percent. The

mean annual precipitation is 9 to 11 inches, the mean

annual air temperature is 49 to 51 degrees F, and the

frost-free period is 110 to 150 days.

This map unit makes up about 3 percent of the

survey area. It is about 56 percent Mikkalo soils and

38 percent Ritzville soils. The rest is soils of minor

extent.

Mikkalo soils are moderately deep and well drained.

The surface layer is very dark grayish brown silt loam.

The subsoil is dark brown, calcareous silt loam.

Ritzville soils are deep and well drained. The surface

layer is dark brown silt loam. The subsoil is dark

yellowish brown, calcareous silt loam.

Of minor extent in this unit are shallow Lickskillet

soils on south-facing slopes of canyons and deep

Nansene soils on north-facing slopes of canyons.

The soils in this unit are used mainly for wheat and

barley grown in a grain-summer fallow system. Areas

too steep for cultivation are used for livestock grazing

and as wildlife habitat.

This unit provides food and cover for antelope, elk,

and mule deer. These large game animals extensively

use areas of this unit that have an abundance of

grasses, forbs, and shrubs and cultivated areas that

produce food such as green winter wheat and grain

stubble. Adjacent brushy draws and canyons generally

provide water and cover. Distribution of the animals is

largely dependent on the sources of water.

The gently sloping to strongly sloping areas of this

unit provide food and cover for upland game birds such

as ring-necked pheasant and valley quail. These birds

use the grain stubble for food and the brushy fence

rows and draws for cover. The steeper areas and the

areas along streams provide suitable habitat for

chukar and Hungarian partridge. A few waterfowl use
Sherman County, Oregon 15

the perennial streams, stock ponds, and reservoirs in

fall and winter. Canadian geese occasionally feed in

the upland wheatfields.

4. Condon-Cantala

Moderately deep and very deep, well drained silt

loam that formed in loess over basalt in an 11- to 12-

inch precipitation zone; on mesas

This map unit is in the south-central part of the

survey area. The native vegetation in areas not

cultivated is mainly bluebunch wheatgrass, Idaho

fescue, needleandthread, Sandberg bluegrass, stiff

sagebrush, and basin wildrye. Elevation ranges from

200 to 2,600 feet. Slopes range from 1 to 35 percent.

The mean annual precipitation is 11 to 12 inches, the

mean annual air temperature is 48 to 50 degrees F, and

the frost-free period is 100 to 150 days.

This map unit makes up about 34 percent of the

survey area. It is about 70 percent Condon soils and 8

percent Cantala soils. The rest is soils of minor extent.

Condon soils are moderately deep and well drained.

The surface layer is very dark grayish brown silt loam.

The subsoil is dark brown silt loam.

Cantala soils are very deep and well drained. The

surface layer is very dark grayish brown silt loam. The

subsoil is dark brown silt loam.

Of minor extent in this unit are very deep Hermiston

and Pedigo soils on flood plains, very deep Endersby

soils on terraces, and very shallow Bakeoven soils on

mesas.

The soils in this unit are used mainly for wheat and

barley grown in a grain-summer fallow system. Areas

too steep for cultivation are used for livestock grazing

and as wildlife habitat.

This unit provides food and cover for antelope, elk,

and mule deer. These large game animals extensively

use areas of this unit that have an abundance of

grasses, forbs, and shrubs and cultivated areas that

produce food such as green winter wheat and grain

stubble. Adjacent brushy draws and canyons

generally provide water and cover. Distribution of the

animals is largely dependent on the sources of water.

The gently sloping to strongly sloping areas of this

unit provide food and cover for upland game birds such

as ring-necked pheasant and valley quail. These birds

use the grain stubble for food and the brushy fence

rows and draws for cover. The steeper areas and the

areas along streams provide suitable habitat for chukar

and Hungarian partridge. A few waterfowl use the

perennial streams, stock ponds, and reservoirs in fall

and winter. Canadian geese occasionally feed in the

upland wheatfields.

Soils in Canyons

5. Lickskillet-Nansene

Shallow and deep, well drained very stony loam and

silt loam that formed in residuum derived from basalt

and in loess over basalt in a 12- to 13-inch

precipitation zone; in canyons

This map unit is adjacent to the Deschutes and

John Day Rivers, in the northern part of the survey

area (fig. 2). The native vegetation is mainly

bluebunch wheatgrass, Idaho fescue, Sandberg

bluegrass, basin big sagebrush, and stiff sagebrush.

Elevation ranges from 200 to 2,600 feet. Slopes range

from 2 to 80 percent. The mean annual precipitation

is 12 to 13 inches, the mean air annual temperature

is 49 to 51 degrees F, and the frost-free period is 110

to 150 days.

days.

Figure 2.—Typical area of general soil map unit 5 on

canyonsides along the Deschutes River.

This map unit makes up about 12 percent of the

survey area. It is about 45 percent Lickskillet soils

and 12 percent Nansene soils. The rest is soils of

minor extent.

Lickskillet soils are shallow and well drained. The

surface layer is very dark grayish brown very stony

loam. The upper part of the subsoil is dark brown very

gravelly loam, and the lower part is dark brown very

gravelly clay loam, very gravelly loam, or very

cobbly loam. These soils are on south-facing

canyonsides.
16

Nansene soils are deep and well drained. The

surface layer and subsoil are very dark brown silt

loam. The substratum is dark brown silt loam. These

soils are on north-facing canyonsides.

Of minor extent in this unit are very shallow

Bakeoven soils on ridgetops and benches of canyons,

very deep Sagemoor soils on dissected terraces, and

moderately deep Wrentham soils on north-facing

canyonsides.

The soils in this unit are used mainly for livestock

grazing and as wildlife habitat.

The steep and very steep areas of this unit and the

adjacent drainageways provide food and cover for

chukar, Hungarian partridge, mule deer, and elk.

This unit provides cover for ring-necked pheasant

and valley quail that feed in the adjacent upland

wheatfields. A few waterfowl use the Deschutes and

John Day Rivers in fall and winter.

6. Wrentham-Lickskillet-Rock Outcrop

Moderately deep and shallow, well drained silt loam

and very stony loam that formed in loess over basalt

and in residuum derived from basalt in an 11- to 12-

inch precipitation zone; in canyons

This map unit is adjacent to the Deschutes and

John Day Rivers, in the southern part of the survey

area. The native vegetation is mainly bluebunch

wheatgrass, Idaho fescue, Sandberg bluegrass, basin

big sagebrush, and stiff sagebrush. Elevation ranges

from 500 to 2,800 feet. Slopes range from 7 to 80

percent. The mean annual precipitation is 11 to 12

inches, the mean annual air temperature is 48 to 50

degrees F, and the frost-free period is 100 to 150

days.

This map unit makes up about 15 percent of the

survey area. It is about 30 percent Wrentham soils, 30

percent Lickskillet soils, and 26 percent Rock outcrop.

The rest is soils of minor extent.

Wrentham soils are moderately deep and well

drained. The surface layer is very dark brown silt loam.

The subsoil is dark brown extremely cobbly silt loam.

These soils are on north-facing canyonsides.

Lickskillet soils are shallow and well drained. The

surface layer is very dark grayish brown very stony

loam. The upper part of the subsoil is dark brown very

gravelly loam, and the lower part is dark brown very

gravelly clay loam, very gravelly loam, or very cobbly

loam. These soils are on south-facing canyonsides.

Rock outcrop consists of areas of exposed bedrock

on the shoulders and convex side slopes of very steep

canyons.

Of minor extent in this unit are very deep Sagemoor

soils on dissected terraces.

The soils in this unit are used mainly for livestock

grazing and as wildlife habitat.

The steep and very steep areas of this unit and the

adjacent drainageways provide food and cover for

chukar, Hungarian partridge, mule deer, and elk.

This unit provides cover for ring-necked pheasant

and valley quail that feed in the adjacent upland

wheatfields. A few waterfowl use the Deschutes and

John Day Rivers in fall and winter.
17

The map units delineated on the detailed maps

represent the soils or miscellaneous areas in the

survey area. The map unit descriptions in this section,

along with the maps, can be used to determine the

suitability and potential of a unit for specific uses. They

also can be used to plan the management needed for

those uses. More information about each map unit is

given under the heading “Use and Management of the

Soils.”

A map unit delineation on a map represents an area

dominated by one or more major kinds of soil or

miscellaneous areas. A map unit is identified and

named according to the taxonomic classification of the

dominant soils or miscellaneous areas. Within a

taxonomic class there are precisely defined limits for

the properties of the soils. On the landscape, however,

the soils and miscellaneous areas are natural

phenomena, and they have the characteristic variability

of all natural phenomena. Thus, the range of some

observed properties may extend beyond the limits

defined for a taxonomic class. Areas of soils of a

single taxonomic class rarely, if ever, can be mapped

without including areas of other taxonomic classes.

Consequently, every map unit is made up of the soils

or miscellaneous areas for which it is named and some

“included” areas that belong to other taxonomic

classes.

Most included soils have properties similar to those

of the dominant soil or soils in the map unit, and thus

they do not affect use and management. These are

called noncontrasting, or similar, inclusions. They may

or may not be mentioned in the map unit description.

Other included soils and miscellaneous areas,

however, have properties and behavioral

characteristics divergent enough to affect use or to

require different management. These are called

contrasting, or dissimilar, inclusions. They generally are

in small areas and could not be mapped separately

because of the scale used. Some small areas of

strongly contrasting soils or miscellaneous areas are

identified by a special symbol on the maps. The

included areas of contrasting soils or miscellaneous

areas are mentioned in the map unit descriptions. A

few included areas may not have been observed, and

consequently they are not mentioned in the

descriptions, especially where the pattern was so

complex that it was impractical to make enough

observations to identify all the soils and miscellaneous

areas on the landscape.

The presence of included areas in a map unit in no

way diminishes the usefulness or accuracy of the data.

The objective of mapping is not to delineate pure

taxonomic classes but rather to separate the

landscape into landforms or landform segments that

have similar use and management requirements. The

delineation of such segments on the map provides

sufficient information for the development of resource

plans, but if intensive use of small areas is planned,

onsite investigation is needed to define and locate the

soils and miscellaneous areas.

An identifying symbol precedes the map unit name

in the map unit descriptions. Each description includes

general facts about the unit and gives the principal

hazards and limitations to be considered in planning for

specific uses.

Soils that have profiles that are almost alike make

up a soil series. Except for differences in texture of the

surface layer, all the soils of a series have major

horizons that are similar in composition, thickness, and

arrangement.

Soils of one series can differ in texture of the

surface layer, slope, stoniness, salinity, degree of

erosion, and other characteristics that affect their use.

On the basis of such differences, a soil series is

divided into soil phases. Most of the areas shown on

the detailed soil maps are phases of soil series. The

name of a soil phase commonly indicates a feature

that affects use or management. For example, Walla

Walla silt loam, 1 to 7 percent slopes, is a phase of the

Walla Walla series.

Some map units are made up of two or more major

soils or miscellaneous areas. These map units are

complexes.

A complex consists of two or more soils or

miscellaneous areas in such an intricate pattern or in

such small areas that they cannot be shown separately

on the maps. The pattern and proportion of the soils or

miscellaneous areas are somewhat similar in all areas.

Lickskillet-Bakeoven complex, 2 to 20 percent slopes,

is an example.

Detailed Soil Map Units
18 Soil Survey

This survey includes miscellaneous areas.

Such areas have little or no soil material and

support little or no vegetation. Rock outcrop is an

example.

Table 4 gives the acreage and proportionate extent

of each map unit. Other tables (see “Contents”) give

properties of the soils and the limitations,

capabilities, and potentials for many uses. The

Glossary defines many of the terms used in

describing the soils or miscellaneous areas.

In the map unit descriptions that follow, a

semitabular format is used. In this format a boldface

heading (for example, Composition) is used to

identify the kind of information grouped directly below

it. Introducing each item of information under the

heading is an italicized term or phrase (for example,

Landscape position:) that identifies or describes the

information. Many of the boldface headings and

introductory terms or phrases are self-explanatory;

however, some of them need further explanation.

These explanations are provided in the following

paragraphs, generally in the order in which they are

used in the map unit descriptions.

Composition is given for the components identified

in the name of the map unit as well as for the

contrasting inclusions.

Inclusions are areas of components (soils or

miscellaneous areas) that differ from the components

for which the unit is named. Inclusions can be either

similar or contrasting. Similar inclusions are

components that differ from the components for which

the unit is named but that for purposes of use and

management can be considered to be the same as the

named components. Note that in the “Composition”

paragraph a single percentage is provided for a named

soil and the similar inclusions because their use and

management are similar.

Contrasting inclusions are components that differ

sufficiently from the components for which the unit is

named that they would have different use and

management if they were extensive enough to be

managed separately. For most uses, contrasting

inclusions have limited effect on use and management.

Inclusions generally are in small areas, and they could

not be mapped separately because of the scale used.

Some small areas of strongly contrasting inclusions

are identified by a special symbol on the detailed soil

maps. A few inclusions may not have been observed,

and consequently they are not mentioned in the

descriptions, especially where the pattern was so

complex that it was impractical to make enough

observations to identify all the inclusions on the

landscape.

Landscape position refers to the dominant position

or positions on the landform or landforms on which

the component is located. In naming landscape

positions, an effort has been made to give the

specific position of the component rather than a

general position that could encompass other

components. For some landforms, such as nearly

level stream terraces, distinctive landscape positions

cannot be described and thus are not given.

Landform refers to the dominant three-dimensional

part or parts of the land surface on which the

component is located. In naming landforms, an effort

has been made to name the specific landform on which

the component occurs. In some instances, however,

the component may occur on more than one landform.

Typical profile is a vertical, two-dimensional section

of the soil extending from the surface to a restrictive

layer or to a depth of 60 inches or more.

Permeability is the quality of the soil that enables

water to move downward through the profile.

Permeability is measured as the number of inches per

hour that water moves downward through the saturated

soil.

Available water capacity is the capacity of the soil

to hold water available for use by most plants. It

commonly is expressed as inches of water per inch of

soil (see “Glossary”).

Major uses are the dominant uses at the time the

major part of the fieldwork for this survey was

completed.

Soil Descriptions

1B—Anderly silt loam, 1 to 7 percent

slopes

Composition

Anderly soil and similar inclusions—85 percent

Contrasting inclusions—15 percent

Setting

Landscape position: Benches, ridgetops

Landform: Mesas

Parent material: Loess over basalt

Elevation: 1,000 to 2,000 feet

Native plants: Idaho fescue, bluebunch

wheatgrass

Climatic factors:

Mean annual precipitation—12 to 13 inches

Mean annual air temperature—49 to 51

degrees F

Frost-free period—110 to 150 days
Sherman County, Oregon 19

Typical Profile

0 to 10 inches: Very dark grayish brown silt loam

10 to 30 inches: Dark brown silt loam

30 inches: Basalt

Soil Properties and Qualities

Depth: Bedrock at a depth of 20 to 40 inches

Drainage class: Well drained

Permeability: Moderate

Available water capacity: 5 to 8 inches

Contrasting Inclusions

• Walla Walla soils

Major Uses

Dryland farming, livestock grazing

1C—Anderly silt loam, 7 to 15 percent

slopes

Composition

Anderly soil and similar inclusions—85 percent

Contrasting inclusions—15 percent

Setting

Landscape position: Benches, ridgetops

Landform: Mesas

Parent material: Loess over basalt

Elevation: 1,000 to 2,000 feet

Native plants: Idaho fescue, bluebunch wheatgrass

Climatic factors:

Mean annual precipitation—12 to 13 inches

Mean annual air temperature—49 to 51

degrees F

Frost-free period—110 to 150 days

Typical Profile

0 to 10 inches: Very dark grayish brown silt loam

10 to 30 inches: Dark brown silt loam

30 inches: Basalt

Soil Properties and Qualities

Depth: Bedrock at a depth of 20 to 40 inches

Drainage class: Well drained

Permeability: Moderate

Available water capacity: 5 to 8 inches

Contrasting Inclusions

• Walla Walla soils

Major Uses

Dryland farming, livestock grazing

2D—Anderly silt loam, 15 to 35 percent

north slopes

Composition

Anderly soil and similar inclusions—85 percent

Contrasting inclusions—15 percent

Setting

Landscape position: North-facing side slopes

Landform: Canyons

Parent material: Loess over basalt

Elevation: 1,000 to 2,000 feet

Native plants: Idaho fescue, bluebunch wheatgrass

Climatic factors:

Mean annual precipitation—12 to 13 inches

Mean annual air temperature—49 to 51

degrees F

Frost-free period—110 to 150 days

Typical Profile

0 to 10 inches: Very dark grayish brown silt

loam

10 to 30 inches: Dark brown silt loam

30 inches: Basalt

Soil Properties and Qualities

Depth: Bedrock at a depth of 20 to 40 inches

Drainage class: Well drained

Permeability: Moderate

Available water capacity: 5 to 8 inches

Contrasting Inclusions

• Kuhl, Nansene, and Walla Walla soils

Major Use

Livestock grazing

3D—Anderly silt loam, 15 to 35 percent

south slopes

Composition

Anderly soil and similar inclusions—85 percent

Contrasting inclusions—15 percent

Setting

Landscape position: South-facing side slopes

Landform: Canyons

Parent material: Loess over basalt

Elevation: 1,000 to 2,000 feet

Native plants: Bluebunch wheatgrass, Sandberg

bluegrass
20 Soil Survey

Climatic factors:

Mean annual precipitation—12 to 13 inches

Mean annual air temperature—49 to 51

degrees F

Frost-free period—110 to 150 days

Typical Profile

0 to 10 inches: Very dark grayish brown silt

loam

10 to 30 inches: Dark brown silt loam

30 inches: Basalt

Soil Properties and Qualities

Depth: Bedrock at a depth of 20 to 40 inches

Drainage class: Well drained

Permeability: Moderate

Available water capacity: 5 to 8 inches

Contrasting Inclusions

• Bakeoven, Lickskillet, and Walla Walla

soils

Major Use

Livestock grazing

4B—Anders very fine sandy loam, 3 to 7

percent slopes

Composition

Anders soil and similar inclusions—85 percent

Contrasting inclusions—15 percent

Setting

Landscape position: Benches, ridgetops

Landform: Mesas

Parent material: Loess over basalt

Elevation: 1,000 to 2,000 feet

Native plants: Needleandthread, bluebunch

wheatgrass

Climatic factors:

Mean annual precipitation—12 to 13 inches

Mean annual air temperature—49 to 51

degrees F

Frost-free period—110 to 150 days

Typical Profile

0 to 13 inches: Very dark grayish brown very fine

sandy loam

13 to 33 inches: Dark brown very fine sandy loam

33 inches: Basalt

Soil Properties and Qualities

Depth: Bedrock at a depth of 20 to 40 inches

Drainage class: Well drained

Permeability: Moderate

Available water capacity: 4 to 7 inches

Contrasting Inclusions

• Wato soils

Major Uses

Dryland farming, livestock grazing

4C—Anders very fine sandy loam, 7 to 15

percent slopes

Composition

Anders soil and similar inclusions—85 percent

Contrasting inclusions—15 percent

Setting

Landscape position: Benches, ridgetops

Landform: Mesas

Parent material: Loess over basalt

Elevation: 1,000 to 2,000 feet

Native plants: Needleandthread, bluebunch wheatgrass

Climatic factors:

Mean annual precipitation—12 to 13 inches

Mean annual air temperature—49 to 51

degrees F

Frost-free period—110 to 150 days

Typical Profile

0 to 13 inches: Very dark grayish brown very fine sandy

loam

13 to 33 inches: Dark brown very fine sandy loam

33 inches: Basalt

Soil Properties and Qualities

Depth: Bedrock at a depth of 20 to 40 inches

Drainage class: Well drained

Permeability: Moderate

Available water capacity: 4 to 7 inches

Contrasting Inclusions

• Wato soils

Major Uses

Dryland farming, livestock grazing
Sherman County, Oregon 21

5D—Anders very fine sandy loam, 15 to

35 percent south slopes

Composition

Anders soil and similar inclusions—85 percent

Contrasting inclusions—15 percent

Setting

Landscape position: South-facing side slopes

Landform: Canyons

Parent material: Loess over basalt

Elevation: 1,000 to 2,000 feet

Native plants: Bluebunch wheatgrass, Sandberg

bluegrass

Climatic factors:

Mean annual precipitation—12 to 13 inches

Mean annual air temperature—49 to 51

degrees F

Frost-free period—110 to 150 days

Typical Profile

0 to 13 inches: Very dark grayish brown very fine sandy

loam

13 to 33 inches: Dark brown very fine sandy loam

33 inches: Basalt

Soil Properties and Qualities

Depth: Bedrock at a depth of 20 to 40 inches

Drainage class: Well drained

Permeability: Moderate

Available water capacity: 4 to 7 inches

Contrasting Inclusions

• Bakeoven, Lickskillet, and Wato soils

Major Use

Livestock grazing

6C—Bakeoven very stony loam, 2 to 20

percent slopes

Composition

Bakeoven soil and similar inclusions—85 percent

Contrasting inclusions—15 percent

Setting

Landscape position: Benches, ridgetops

Landform: Mesas

Parent material: Kind—residuum; source—basalt

Elevation: 2,000 to 2,600 feet

Native plants: Stiff sagebrush, Sandberg bluegrass,

bluebunch wheatgrass

Climatic factors:

Mean annual precipitation—11 to 12 inches

Mean annual air temperature—48 to 50

degrees F

Frost-free period—100 to 150 days

Typical Profile

0 to 2 inches: Dark brown very stony loam

2 to 7 inches: Dark yellowish brown very cobbly

loam

7 inches: Basalt

Soil Properties and Qualities

Depth: Bedrock at a depth of less than 10 inches

Drainage class: Well drained

Permeability: Moderately slow

Available water capacity: 1 to 2 inches

Contrasting Inclusions

• Anderly, Condon, and Lickskillet soils

• Rock outcrop

Major Use

Livestock grazing

7B—Cantala silt loam, 1 to 7 percent

slopes

Composition

Cantala soil and similar inclusions—85 percent

Contrasting inclusions—15 percent

Setting

Landscape position: Benches, ridgetops

Landform: Mesas

Parent material: Loess

Elevation: 2,000 to 2,600 feet

Native plants: Idaho fescue, bluebunch wheatgrass

Climatic factors:

Mean annual precipitation—11 to 12 inches

Mean annual air temperature—48 to 50

degrees F

Frost-free period—100 to 150 days

Typical Profile

0 to 15 inches: Very dark grayish brown silt loam

15 to 60 inches: Dark brown silt loam
22 Soil Survey

Soil Properties and Qualities

Depth: Bedrock at a depth of more than 60 inches

Drainage class: Well drained

Permeability: Moderate

Available water capacity: 11 to 13 inches

Contrasting Inclusions

• Bakeoven and Condon soils

Major Uses

Dryland farming, livestock grazing

7C—Cantala silt loam, 7 to 15 percent

slopes

Composition

Cantala soil and similar inclusions—85 percent

Contrasting inclusions—15 percent

Setting

Landscape position: Benches, ridgetops

Landform: Mesas

Parent material: Loess

Elevation: 2,000 to 2,600 feet

Native plants: Idaho fescue, bluebunch wheatgrass

Climatic factors:

Mean annual precipitation—11 to 12 inches

Mean annual air temperature—48 to 50

degrees F

Frost-free period—100 to 150 days

Typical Profile

0 to 15 inches: Very dark grayish brown silt loam

15 to 60 inches: Dark brown silt loam

Soil Properties and Qualities

Depth: Bedrock at a depth of more than 60 inches

Drainage class: Well drained

Permeability: Moderate

Available water capacity: 11 to 13 inches

Contrasting Inclusions

• Bakeoven and Condon soils

Major Uses

Dryland farming, livestock grazing

8B—Condon silt loam, 1 to 7 percent

slopes

Composition

Condon soil and similar inclusions—85 percent

Contrasting inclusions—15 percent

Setting

Landscape position: Benches, ridgetops

Landform: Mesas

Parent material: Loess over basalt

Elevation: 2,000 to 2,600 feet

Native plants: Idaho fescue, bluegrass wheatgrass

Climatic factors:

Mean annual precipitation—11 to 12 inches

Mean annual air temperature—48 to 50

degrees F

Frost-free period—100 to 150 days

Typical Profile

0 to 12 inches: Very dark grayish brown silt

loam

12 to 30 inches: Dark brown silt loam

30 inches: Basalt

Soil Properties and Qualities

Depth: Bedrock at a depth of 20 to 40 inches

Drainage class: Well drained

Permeability: Moderate

Available water capacity: 4 to 7 inches

Contrasting Inclusions

• Bakeoven and Cantala soils

Major Uses

Dryland farming, livestock grazing

8C—Condon silt loam, 7 to 15 percent

slopes

Composition

Condon soil and similar inclusions—85 percent

Contrasting inclusions—15 percent

Setting

Landscape position: Benches, ridgetops
Sherman County, Oregon 23

Landform: Mesas

Parent material: Loess over basalt

Elevation: 2,000 to 2,600 feet

Native plants: Idaho fescue, bluebunch

wheatgrass

Climatic factors:

Mean annual precipitation—11 to 12 inches

Mean annual air temperature—48 to 50

degrees F

Frost-free period—100 to 150 days

Typical Profile

0 to 12 inches: Very dark grayish brown silt

loam

12 to 30 inches: Dark brown silt loam

30 inches: Basalt

Soil Properties and Qualities

Depth: Bedrock at a depth of 20 to 40 inches

Drainage class: Well drained

Permeability: Moderate

Available water capacity: 4 to 7 inches

Contrasting Inclusions

• Bakeoven and Cantala soils

Major Uses

Dryland farming, livestock grazing

9D—Condon silt loam, 15 to 35 percent

north slopes

Composition

Condon soil and similar inclusions—85 percent

Contrasting inclusions—15 percent

Setting

Landscape position: North-facing side slopes

Landform: Canyons

Parent material: Loess over basalt

Elevation: 2,000 to 2,600 feet

Native plants: Idaho fescue, bluebunch wheatgrass

Climatic factors:

Mean annual precipitation—11 to 12 inches

Mean annual air temperature—48 to 50

degrees F

Frost-free period—100 to 150 days

Typical Profile

0 to 12 inches: Very dark grayish brown silt loam

12 to 30 inches: Dark brown silt loam

30 inches: Basalt

Soil Properties and Qualities

Depth: Bedrock at a depth of 20 to 40 inches

Drainage class: Well drained

Permeability: Moderate

Available water capacity: 4 to 7 inches

Contrasting Inclusions

• Cantala, Nansene, and Wrentham soils

Major Use

Livestock grazing

10C—Condon-Bakeoven complex, 2 to 20

percent slopes

Composition

Condon soil and similar inclusions—50 percent

Bakeoven soil and similar inclusions—40 percent

Contrasting inclusions—10 percent

Setting

Landscape position: Condon soil—mounds on benches

and ridgetops; Bakeoven soil—intermounds on

benches and ridgetops

Landform: Mesas

Parent material: Condon soil—loess over basalt;

Bakeoven soil—residuum derived from basalt

Elevation: 2,000 to 2,600 feet

Native plants: Idaho fescue, bluebunch wheatgrass,

Sandberg bluegrass, stiff sagebrush

Climatic factors:

Mean annual precipitation—11 to 12 inches

Mean annual air temperature—48 to 50

degrees F

Frost-free period—100 to 150 days

Characteristics of the Condon Soil

Typical Profile

0 to 12 inches: Very dark grayish brown silt loam

12 to 30 inches: Dark brown silt loam

30 inches: Basalt
24 Soil Survey

Properties and Qualities

Depth: Bedrock at a depth of 20 to 40 inches

Drainage class: Well drained

Permeability: Moderate

Available water capacity: 4 to 7 inches

Characteristics of the Bakeoven Soil

Typical Profile

0 to 2 inches: Dark brown very stony loam

2 to 7 inches: Dark yellowish brown very cobbly

loam

7 inches: Basalt

Properties and Qualities

Depth: Bedrock at a depth of 4 to 10 inches

Drainage class: Well drained

Permeability: Moderately slow

Available water capacity: 1 to 2 inches

Contrasting Inclusions

• Cantala and Lickskillet soils

• Rock outcrop

Major Use

Livestock grazing

11A—Endersby fine sandy loam, 0 to 3

percent slopes

Composition

Endersby soil and similar inclusions—85 percent

Contrasting inclusions—15 percent

Setting

Landform: Terraces

Parent material: Alluvium

Elevation: 200 to 2,000 feet

Native plants: Basin wildrye, needleandthread,

bluebunch wheatgrass

Climatic factors:

Mean annual precipitation—11 to 12 inches

Mean annual air temperature—48 to 50

degrees F

Frost-free period—100 to 150 days

Typical Profile

0 to 16 inches: Very dark grayish brown fine sandy

loam

16 to 31 inches: Very dark grayish brown fine sandy

loam

31 to 40 inches: Very dark grayish brown very gravelly

sand

40 to 60 inches: Stratified silt loam, sandy loam, and

loamy sand

Soil Properties and Qualities

Depth: Bedrock at a depth of more than 60 inches

Drainage class: Somewhat excessively drained

Permeability: Moderately rapid

Available water capacity: 5 to 8 inches

Flooding: Rare

Contrasting Inclusions

• Condon, Hermiston, and Walla Walla soils

• Riverwash

Major Uses

Dryland farming, irrigated hay and pasture, livestock

grazing

12A—Endersby-Hermiston complex, 0 to

3 percent slopes

Composition

Endersby soil and similar inclusions—55 percent

Hermiston soil and similar inclusions—35 percent

Contrasting inclusions—10 percent

Setting

Landform: Endersby soil—terraces; Hermiston soil—

flood plains

Parent material: Alluvium

Elevation: 200 to 2,000 feet

Native plants: Basin wildrye, needleandthread,

bluebunch wheatgrass

Climatic factors:

Mean annual precipitation—11 to 12 inches

Mean annual air temperature—48 to 50

degrees F

Frost-free period—100 to 150 days

Characteristics of the Endersby Soil

Typical Profile

0 to 16 inches: Very dark grayish brown fine sandy

loam

16 to 31 inches: Very dark grayish brown fine sandy

loam

31 to 40 inches: Very dark grayish brown very gravelly

sand

40 to 60 inches: Very dark grayish brown and black

extremely gravelly sand

Properties and Qualities

Depth: Bedrock at a depth of more than 60 inches
Sherman County, Oregon 25

Drainage class: Somewhat excessively drained

Permeability: Moderately rapid

Available water capacity: 5 to 8 inches

Flooding: Rare

Characteristics of the Hermiston Soil

Typical Profile

0 to 21 inches: Dark brown silt loam

21 to 37 inches: Dark grayish brown and dark brown,

calcareous very fine sandy loam

37 to 60 inches: Dark brown silt loam

Properties and Qualities

Depth: Bedrock at a depth of more than 60

inches

Drainage class: Well drained

Permeability: Moderate

Available water capacity: 9 to 12 inches

Flooding: Rare

Contrasting Inclusions

• Condon and Walla Walla soils

• Riverwash

Major Uses

Dryland farming, irrigated hay and pasture, livestock

grazing

13A—Hermiston silt loam, 0 to 3 percent

slopes

Composition

Hermiston soil and similar inclusions—85 percent

Contrasting inclusions—15 percent

Setting

Landform: Flood plains

Parent material: Alluvium

Elevation: 200 to 2,000 feet

Native plants: Basin wildrye

Climatic factors:

Mean annual precipitation—11 to 12 inches

Mean annual air temperature—48 to 50

degrees F

Frost-free period—100 to 150 days

Typical Profile

0 to 21 inches: Dark brown silt loam

21 to 37 inches: Dark grayish brown and dark brown,

calcareous very fine sandy loam

37 to 60 inches: Dark brown silt loam

Soil Properties and Qualities

Depth: Bedrock at a depth of more than 60 inches

Drainage class: Well drained

Permeability: Moderate

Available water capacity: 9 to 12 inches

Flooding: Rare

Contrasting Inclusions

• Condon, Endersby, and Walla Walla soils

• Riverwash

Major Uses

Dryland farming, irrigated hay and pasture, livestock

grazing

14C—Kuhl very stony very fine sandy

loam, 3 to 20 percent slopes

Composition

Kuhl soil and similar inclusions—85 percent

Contrasting inclusions—15 percent

Setting

Landscape position: Side slopes

Landform: Canyons

Parent material: Loess over basalt

Elevation: 500 to 1,500 feet

Native plants: Idaho fescue, bluebunch

wheatgrass

Climatic factors:

Mean annual precipitation—12 to 13 inches

Mean annual air temperature—49 to 51

degrees F

Frost-free period—110 to 150 days

Typical Profile

0 to 5 inches: Very dark grayish brown very stony very

fine sandy loam

5 to 17 inches: Dark brown stony silt loam

17 inches: Basalt

Soil Properties and Qualities

Depth: Bedrock at a depth of 10 to 20 inches

Drainage class: Well drained

Permeability: Moderate

Available water capacity: 1 to 3 inches

Contrasting Inclusions

• Anderly, Anders, Bakeoven, and Nansene

soils

• Rock outcrop
26 Soil Survey

Major Use

Livestock grazing

15D—Kuhl-Rock outcrop complex, 20 to

40 percent north slopes

Composition

Kuhl soil and similar inclusions—50 percent

Rock outcrop—35 percent

Contrasting inclusions—15 percent

Setting

Landscape position: North-facing side slopes

Landform: Canyons

Parent material: Loess over basalt

Elevation: 500 to 1,500 feet

Native plants: Idaho fescue, bluebunch

wheatgrass

Climatic factors:

Mean annual precipitation—12 to 13 inches

Mean annual air temperature—49 to 51

degrees F

Frost-free period—110 to 150 days

Characteristics of the Kuhl Soil

Typical Profile

0 to 5 inches: Very dark grayish brown very stony very

fine sandy loam

5 to 17 inches: Dark brown stony silt loam

17 inches: Basalt

Properties and Qualities

Depth: Bedrock at a depth of 10 to 20 inches

Drainage class: Well drained

Permeability: Moderate

Available water capacity: 1 to 3 inches

Characteristics of the Rock Outcrop

Kind of material: Exposed bedrock, typically

basalt

Contrasting Inclusions

• Anderly, Anders, and Nansene soils

• Lickskillet and Bakeoven soils on south-facing

slopes

Major Use

Livestock grazing

16D—Lickskillet very stony loam, 7 to 40

percent south slopes

Composition

Lickskillet soil and similar inclusions—85 percent

Contrasting inclusions—15 percent

Setting

Landscape position: South-facing side slopes

Landform: Canyons

Parent material: Kind—residuum; source—basalt

Elevation: 200 to 2,800 feet

Native plants: Bluebunch wheatgrass, Sandberg

bluegrass

Climatic factors:

Mean annual precipitation—11 to 13 inches

Mean annual air temperature—48 to 51

degrees F

Frost-free period—100 to 150 days

Typical Profile

0 to 9 inches: Very dark grayish brown very stony

loam

9 to 13 inches: Dark brown very gravelly loam

13 to 19 inches: Dark brown very gravelly clay

loam

19 inches: Basalt

Soil Properties and Qualities

Depth: Bedrock at a depth of 12 to 20 inches

Drainage class: Well drained

Permeability: Moderately slow

Available water capacity: 1 to 3 inches

Contrasting Inclusions

• Bakeoven and Kuhl soils

• Wrentham and Nansene soils on north-facing

slopes

• Rock outcrop

Major Use

Livestock grazing
Sherman County, Oregon 27

17C—Lickskillet-Bakeoven complex, 2 to

20 percent slopes

Composition

Lickskillet soil and similar inclusions—50 percent

Bakeoven soil and similar inclusions—40 percent

Contrasting inclusions—10 percent

Setting

Landscape position: Ridgetops

Landform: Canyons

Parent material: Kind—residuum; source—basalt

Elevation: 2,000 to 2,600 feet

Native plants: Bluebunch wheatgrass, Sandberg

bluegrass, stiff sagebrush

Climatic factors:

Mean annual precipitation—11 to 13 inches

Mean annual air temperature—48 to 51

degrees F

Frost-free period—100 to 150 days

Characteristics of the Lickskillet Soil

Typical Profile

0 to 9 inches: Very dark grayish brown very stony

loam

9 to 13 inches: Dark brown very gravelly loam

13 to 19 inches: Dark brown very gravelly clay loam

19 inches: Basalt

Properties and Qualities

Depth: Bedrock at a depth of 12 to 20 inches

Drainage class: Well drained

Permeability: Moderately slow

Available water capacity: 1 to 3 inches

Characteristics of the Bakeoven Soil

Typical Profile

0 to 2 inches: Dark brown very stony loam

2 to 7 inches: Dark yellowish brown very cobbly loam

7 inches: Basalt

Properties and Qualities

Depth: Bedrock at a depth of 4 to 10 inches

Drainage class: Well drained

Permeability: Moderately slow

Available water capacity: 1 to 2 inches

Contrasting Inclusions

• Anderly, Condon, and Kuhl soils

• Rock outcrop

Major Use

Livestock grazing

18E—Lickskillet-Rock outcrop complex,

40 to 70 percent south slopes

Composition

Lickskillet soil and similar inclusions—50 percent

Rock outcrop—40 percent

Contrasting inclusions—10 percent

Setting

Landscape position: South-facing side slopes

Landform: Canyons

Parent material: Kind—residuum; source—basalt

Elevation: 200 to 2,800 feet

Native plants: Bluebunch wheatgrass, Sandberg

bluegrass

Climatic factors:

Mean annual precipitation—11 to 13 inches

Mean annual air temperature—48 to 51

degrees F

Frost-free period—100 to 150 days

Characteristics of the Lickskillet Soil

Typical Profile

0 to 9 inches: Very dark grayish brown very stony loam

9 to 13 inches: Dark brown very gravelly loam

13 to 19 inches: Dark brown very gravelly clay

loam

19 inches: Basalt

Properties and Qualities

Depth: Bedrock at a depth of 12 to 20 inches

Drainage class: Well drained

Permeability: Moderately slow

Available water capacity: 1 to 3 inches

Characteristics of the Rock Outcrop

Kind of material: Exposed bedrock, typically

basalt
28 Soil Survey

Contrasting Inclusions

• Bakeoven and Kuhl soils

• Wrentham and Nansene soils on north-facing slopes

Major Use

Livestock grazing

19B—Mikkalo silt loam, 2 to 7 percent

slopes

Composition

Mikkalo soil and similar inclusions—85 percent

Contrasting inclusions—15 percent

Setting

Landscape position: Benches, ridgetops

Landform: Mesas

Parent material: Loess over basalt

Elevation: 1,000 to 2,000 feet

Native plants: Basin big sagebrush, bluebunch

wheatgrass, Sandberg bluegrass

Climatic factors:

Mean annual precipitation—9 to 11 inches

Mean annual air temperature—49 to 51

degrees F

Frost-free period—110 to 150 days

Typical Profile

0 to 12 inches: Very dark grayish brown and dark brown

silt loam

12 to 27 inches: Dark brown, calcareous silt loam

27 inches: Basalt

Soil Properties and Qualities

Depth: Bedrock at a depth of 20 to 40 inches

Drainage class: Well drained

Permeability: Moderate

Available water capacity: 4 to 7 inches

Contrasting Inclusions

• Anderly, Kuhl, and Ritzville soils

Major Uses

Dryland farming, livestock grazing

19C—Mikkalo silt loam, 7 to 15 percent

slopes

Composition

Mikkalo soil and similar inclusions—85 percent

Contrasting inclusions—15 percent

Setting

Landscape position: Benches, ridgetops

Landform: Mesas

Parent material: Loess over basalt

Elevation: 1,000 to 2,000 feet

Native plants: Basin big sagebrush, bluebunch

wheatgrass, Sandberg bluegrass

Climatic factors:

Mean annual precipitation—9 to 11 inches

Mean annual air temperature—49 to 51

degrees F

Frost-free period—110 to 150 days

Typical Profile

0 to 12 inches: Very dark grayish brown and

dark brown silt loam

12 to 27 inches: Dark brown, calcareous silt loam

27 inches: Basalt

Soil Properties and Qualities

Depth: Bedrock at a depth of 20 to 40 inches

Drainage class: Well drained

Permeability: Moderate

Available water capacity: 4 to 7 inches

Contrasting Inclusions

• Anderly, Kuhl, Nansene, and Ritzville soils

Major Uses

Dryland farming, livestock grazing

20D—Mikkalo silt loam, 15 to 35 percent

north slopes

Composition

Mikkalo soil and similar inclusions—85 percent

Contrasting inclusions—15 percent
Sherman County, Oregon 29

Setting

Landscape position: North-facing side slopes

Landform: Canyons

Parent material: Loess over basalt

Elevation: 1,000 to 2,000 feet

Native plants: Idaho fescue, bluebunch

wheatgrass

Climatic factors:

Mean annual precipitation—9 to 11 inches

Mean annual air temperature—49 to 51

degrees F

Frost-free period—110 to 150 days

Typical Profile

0 to 12 inches: Very dark grayish brown and dark brown

silt loam

12 to 27 inches: Dark brown, calcareous silt loam

27 inches: Basalt

Soil Properties and Qualities

Depth: Bedrock at a depth of 20 to 40 inches

Drainage class: Well drained

Permeability: Moderate

Available water capacity: 4 to 7 inches

Contrasting Inclusions

• Anderly, Kuhl, Nansene, and Ritzville soils

Major Use

Livestock grazing

21E—Nansene-Rock outcrop complex, 35

to 70 percent north slopes

Composition

Nansene soil and similar inclusions—50 percent

Rock outcrop—40 percent

Contrasting inclusions—10 percent

Setting

Landscape position: North-facing side slopes

Landform: Canyons

Parent material: Loess over basalt

Elevation: 200 to 2,600 feet

Native plants: Idaho fescue, bluebunch wheatgrass

Climatic factors:

Mean annual precipitation—12 to 13 inches

Mean annual air temperature—49 to 51

degrees F

Frost-free period—110 to 150 days

Characteristics of the Nansene Soil

Typical Profile

0 to 37 inches: Very dark brown silt loam

37 to 54 inches: Dark brown silt loam

54 inches: Basalt

Properties and Qualities

Depth: Bedrock at a depth of 40 to 60 inches

Drainage class: Well drained

Permeability: Moderate

Available water capacity: 7 to 12 inches

Characteristics of the Rock Outcrop

Kind of material: Exposed bedrock, typically basalt

Contrasting Inclusions

• Anderly and Kuhl soils

• Lickskillet soils on south-facing slopes

Major Use

Livestock grazing

22A—Pedigo silt loam, 0 to 3 percent

slopes

Composition

Pedigo soil and similar inclusions—90 percent

Contrasting inclusions—10 percent

Setting

Landform: Flood plains

Parent material: Alluvium

Elevation: 1,000 to 2,300 feet

Native plants: Black greasewood, basin wildrye,

inland saltgrass

Climatic factors:

Mean annual precipitation—11 to 12 inches
30 Soil Survey

Mean annual air temperature—48 to 50

degrees F

Frost-free period—100 to 150 days

Typical Profile

0 to 7 inches: Dark brown and very dark brown silt

loam

7 to 35 inches: Black to dark gray silt loam

35 to 60 inches: Dark brown very fine sandy loam

Soil Properties and Qualities

Depth: Bedrock at a depth of more than 60 inches

Drainage class: Somewhat poorly drained

Depth to water table: 30 to 42 inches in January

through April

Permeability: Moderate

Available water capacity: 10 to 12 inches

Frequency of flooding: Frequent in November

through May

Contrasting Inclusions

• Hermiston and Endersby soils

Major Uses

Irrigated hay and pasture, livestock grazing

23C—Quincy loamy fine sand, 5 to 25

percent slopes

Composition

Quincy soil and similar inclusions—90 percent

Contrasting inclusions—10 percent

Setting

Landform: Terraces, dunes

Parent material: Eolian sand

Elevation: 200 to 400 feet

Native plants: Antelope bitterbrush, needleandthread,

Indian ricegrass

Climatic factors:

Mean annual precipitation—12 to 13 inches

Mean annual air temperature—49 to 51

degrees F

Frost-free period—110 to 150 days

Typical Profile

0 to 15 inches: Dark brown loamy fine sand

15 to 60 inches: Very dark grayish brown loamy fine

sand

Soil Properties and Qualities

Depth: Bedrock at a depth of more than 60 inches

Drainage class: Excessively drained

Permeability: Rapid

Available water capacity: 4 to 6 inches

Contrasting Inclusions

• Wato soils

• Dunes

• Rock outcrop

Major Use

Livestock grazing

24B—Ritzville silt loam, 2 to 7 percent

slopes

Composition

Ritzville soil and similar inclusions—85 percent

Contrasting inclusions—15 percent

Setting

Landscape position: Benches, ridgetops

Landform: Mesas

Parent material: Loess over basalt

Elevation: 1,000 to 2,000 feet

Native plants: Basin big sagebrush, bluebunch

wheatgrass, Sandberg bluegrass

Climatic factors:

Mean annual precipitation—9 to 11 inches

Mean annual air temperature—49 to 51

degrees F

Frost-free period—110 to 150 days

Typical Profile

0 to 26 inches: Dark brown silt loam

26 to 45 inches: Dark yellowish brown and brown,

calcareous silt loam

45 inches: Basalt

Soil Properties and Qualities

Depth: Bedrock at a depth of 40 to 60 inches

Drainage class: Well drained

Permeability: Moderate

Available water capacity: 7 to 12 inches

Contrasting Inclusions

• Lickskillet and Mikkalo soils
Sherman County, Oregon 31

Major Uses

Dryland farming, livestock grazing

24C—Ritzville silt loam, 7 to 15 percent

slopes

Composition

Ritzville soil and similar inclusions—85 percent

Contrasting inclusions—15 percent

Setting

Landscape position: Benches, ridgetops

Landform: Mesas

Parent material: Loess over basalt

Elevation: 1,000 to 2,000 feet

Native plants: Basin big sagebrush, bluebunch

wheatgrass, Sandberg bluegrass

Climatic factors:

Mean annual precipitation—9 to 11 inches

Mean annual air temperature—49 to 51

degrees F

Frost-free period—110 to 150 days

Typical Profile

0 to 26 inches: Dark brown silt loam

26 to 45 inches: Dark yellowish brown and brown,

calcareous silt loam

45 inches: Basalt

Soil Properties and Qualities

Depth: Bedrock at a depth of 40 to 60 inches

Drainage class: Well drained

Permeability: Moderate

Available water capacity: 7 to 12 inches

Contrasting Inclusions

• Lickskillet and Mikkalo soils

Major Uses

Dryland farming, livestock grazing

25A—Riverwash

Composition

Riverwash—85 percent

Contrasting inclusions—15 percent

Setting

Landform: Flood plains

Slope range: 0 to 2 percent

Parent material: Alluvium

Elevation: 200 to 2,500 feet

Climatic factors:

Mean annual precipitation—11 to 13 inches

Mean annual air temperature—48 to 51 degrees F

Frost-free period—100 to 150 days

Characteristics of the Riverwash

Kind of material: Deposits of gravel and soil material

that do not support vegetation and are subject to

inundation and deposition annually

Frequency of flooding: Frequent in November

through May

Contrasting Inclusions

• Endersby and Hermiston soils

26E—Rock outcrop

Composition

Rock outcrop—90 percent

Contrasting inclusions—10 percent

Setting

Landscape position: Convex side slopes and shoulders

Landform: Canyons

Parent material: Basalt

Elevation: 200 to 2,800 feet

Climatic factors:

Mean annual precipitation—9 to 13 inches

Mean annual air temperature—48 to 51 degrees F

Frost-free period—100 to 150 days

Characteristics of the Rock Outcrop

Kind of material: Exposed bedrock, typically basalt

Contrasting Inclusions

• Lickskillet soils on south-facing slopes

• Kuhl, Nansene, and Wrentham soils on north-facing

slopes

27E—Rock outcrop-Rubble landLickskillet complex, 50 to 80 percent

south slopes

Composition

Rock outcrop—50 percent

Rubble land—25 percent
32 Soil Survey

Lickskillet soil and similar inclusions—20 percent

Contrasting inclusions—5 percent

Setting

Landscape position: South-facing side slopes

Landform: Canyons

Parent material: Kind—residuum; source—basalt

Elevation: 200 to 2,800 feet

Native plants: Bluebunch wheatgrass, Sandberg

bluegrass

Climatic factors:

Mean annual precipitation—11 to 13 inches

Mean annual air temperature—48 to 51

degrees F

Frost-free period—100 to 150 days

Characteristics of the Rock Outcrop

Kind of material: Exposed bedrock, typically

basalt

Characteristics of the Rubble Land

Kind of material: Deposits of unconsolidated rock

fragments, typically at base of rimrock

Characteristics of the Lickskillet Soil

Typical Profile

0 to 9 inches: Very dark grayish brown very

stony loam

9 to 13 inches: Dark brown very gravelly loam

13 to 19 inches: Dark brown very gravelly clay

loam

19 inches: Basalt

Properties and Qualities

Depth: Bedrock at a depth of 12 to 20 inches

Drainage class: Well drained

Permeability: Moderately slow

Available water capacity: 1 to 3 inches

Contrasting Inclusions

• Bakeoven and Kuhl soils

Major Use

Wildlife habitat

28C—Sagemoor silt loam, 5 to 20 percent

slopes

Composition

Sagemoor soil and similar inclusions—85 percent

Contrasting inclusions—15 percent

Setting

Landscape position: Side slopes

Landform: Dissected terraces

Parent material: Lacustrine deposits

Elevation: 300 to 1,500 feet

Native plants: Basin big sagebrush, bluebunch

wheatgrass, Sandberg bluegrass

Climatic factors:

Mean annual precipitation—12 to 13 inches

Mean annual air temperature—49 to 51

degrees F

Frost-free period—110 to 150 days

Typical Profile

0 to 4 inches: Dark brown silt loam

4 to 24 inches: Dark brown and brown silt

loam

24 to 84 inches: Brown, calcareous silt loam

Soil Properties and Qualities

Depth: Bedrock at a depth of more than 60

inches

Drainage class: Well drained

Permeability: Moderate

Available water capacity: 11 to 13 inches

Contrasting Inclusions

• Endersby, Hermiston, and Lickskillet soils

Major Use

Livestock grazing

29D—Sagemoor silt loam, 20 to 40 percent

north slopes

Composition

Sagemoor soil and similar inclusions—85 percent

Contrasting inclusions—15 percent

Setting

Landscape position: North-facing side slopes

Landform: Dissected terraces

Parent material: Lacustrine deposits

Elevation: 300 to 1,500 feet

Native plants: Basin big sagebrush, bluebunch

wheatgrass, Sandberg bluegrass

Climatic factors:

Mean annual precipitation—12 to 13 inches

Mean annual air temperature—49 to 51

degrees F

Frost-free period—110 to 150 days
Sherman County, Oregon 33

Typical Profile

0 to 4 inches: Dark brown silt loam

4 to 24 inches: Dark brown and brown silt loam

24 to 84 inches: Brown, calcareous silt loam

Soil Properties and Qualities

Depth: Bedrock at a depth of more than 60 inches

Drainage class: Well drained

Permeability: Moderate

Available water capacity: 11 to 13 inches

Contrasting Inclusions

• Nansene and Wrentham soils

• Rock outcrop

Major Use

Livestock grazing

30D—Sagemoor silt loam, 20 to 40 percent

south slopes

Composition

Sagemoor soil and similar inclusions—85 percent

Contrasting inclusions—15 percent

Setting

Landscape position: South-facing side slopes

Landform: Dissected terraces

Parent material: Lacustrine deposits

Elevation: 300 to 1,500 feet

Native plants: Bluebunch wheatgrass, Sandberg

bluegrass

Climatic factors:

Mean annual precipitation—12 to 13 inches

Mean annual air temperature—49 to 51

degrees F

Frost-free period—110 to 150 days

Typical Profile

0 to 4 inches: Dark brown silt loam

4 to 24 inches: Brown silt loam

24 to 84 inches: Brown, calcareous silt loam

Soil Properties and Qualities

Depth: Bedrock at a depth of more than 60 inches

Drainage class: Well drained

Permeability: Moderate

Available water capacity: 11 to 13 inches

Contrasting Inclusions

• Lickskillet soils

• Rock outcrop

Major Use

Livestock grazing

31B—Walla Walla silt loam, 1 to 7 percent

slopes

Composition

Walla Walla soil and similar inclusions—85 percent

Contrasting inclusions—15 percent

Setting

Landscape position: Benches, ridgetops

Landform: Mesas

Parent material: Loess

Elevation: 1,000 to 2,000 feet

Native plants: Idaho fescue, bluebunch wheatgrass,

Sandberg bluegrass

Climatic factors:

Mean annual precipitation—12 to 13 inches

Mean annual air temperature—49 to 51

degrees F

Frost-free period—110 to 150 days

Typical Profile

0 to 17 inches: Very dark brown silt loam

17 to 60 inches: Dark brown silt loam

Soil Properties and Qualities

Depth: Bedrock at a depth of more than 60 inches

Drainage class: Well drained

Permeability: Moderate

Available water capacity: 11 to 13 inches

Contrasting Inclusions

• Ritzville and Wato soils

Major Uses

Dryland farming, livestock grazing

31C—Walla Walla silt loam, 7 to 15 percent

slopes

Composition

Walla Walla soil and similar inclusions—85 percent

Contrasting inclusions—15 percent

Setting

Landscape position: Benches, ridgetops

Landform: Mesas
34 Soil Survey

Parent material: Loess

Elevation: 1,000 to 2,000 feet

Native plants: Idaho fescue, bluebunch wheatgrass,

Sandberg bluegrass

Climatic factors:

Mean annual precipitation—12 to 13 inches

Mean annual air temperature—49 to 51 degrees F

Frost-free period—110 to 150 days

Typical Profile

0 to 17 inches: Very dark brown silt loam

17 to 60 inches: Dark brown silt loam

Soil Properties and Qualities

Depth: Bedrock at a depth of more than 60 inches

Drainage class: Well drained

Permeability: Moderate

Available water capacity: 11 to 13 inches

Contrasting Inclusions

• Ritzville and Wato soils

Major Uses

Dryland farming, livestock grazing

32D—Walla Walla silt loam, 15 to 35

percent north slopes

Composition

Walla Walla soil and similar inclusions—85 percent

Contrasting inclusions—15 percent

Setting

Landscape position: North-facing side slopes

Landform: Canyons

Parent material: Loess

Elevation: 1,000 to 2,000 feet

Native plants: Idaho fescue, bluebunch wheatgrass

Climatic factors:

Mean annual precipitation—12 to 13 inches

Mean annual air temperature—49 to 51

degrees F

Frost-free period—110 to 150 days

Typical Profile

0 to 17 inches: Very dark brown silt loam

17 to 60 inches: Dark brown silt loam

Soil Properties and Qualities

Depth: Bedrock at a depth of more than 60 inches

Drainage class: Well drained

Permeability: Moderate

Available water capacity: 11 to 13 inches

Contrasting Inclusions

• Ritzville, Wato, and Wrentham soils

Major Use

Livestock grazing

33D—Walla Walla silt loam, 15 to 35

percent south slopes

Composition

Walla Walla soil and similar inclusions—85 percent

Contrasting inclusions—15 percent

Setting

Landscape position: South-facing side slopes

Landform: Canyons

Parent material: Loess

Elevation: 1,000 to 2,000 feet

Native plants: Bluebunch wheatgrass, Sandberg

bluegrass

Climatic factors:

Mean annual precipitation—12 to 13 inches

Mean annual air temperature—49 to 51 degrees F

Frost-free period—110 to 150 days

Typical Profile

0 to 15 inches: Very dark brown silt loam

15 to 52 inches: Dark brown silt loam

52 inches: Basalt

Soil Properties and Qualities

Depth: Bedrock at a depth of 40 to 60 inches

Drainage class: Well drained

Permeability: Moderate

Available water capacity: 7 to 12 inches

Contrasting Inclusions

• Lickskillet, Ritzville, and Wato soils

Major Use

Livestock grazing
Sherman County, Oregon 35

34B—Wato very fine sandy loam, 3 to 7

percent slopes

Composition

Wato soil and similar inclusions—85 percent

Contrasting inclusions—15 percent

Setting

Landscape position: Benches, ridgetops

Landform: Mesas

Parent material: Loess

Elevation: 200 to 2,000 feet

Native plants: Needleandthread, bluebunch

wheatgrass

Climatic factors:

Mean annual precipitation—12 to 13 inches

Mean annual air temperature—49 to 51 degrees F

Frost-free period—110 to 150 days

Typical Profile

0 to 13 inches: Very dark brown very fine sandy loam

13 to 60 inches: Dark brown very fine sandy loam

Soil Properties and Qualities

Depth: Bedrock at a depth of more than 60 inches

Drainage class: Well drained

Permeability: Moderately rapid

Available water capacity: 7 to 12 inches

Contrasting Inclusions

• Anders and Walla Walla soils

Major Uses

Dryland farming, livestock grazing

34C—Wato very fine sandy loam, 7 to 15

percent slopes

Composition

Wato soil and similar inclusions—85 percent

Contrasting inclusions—15 percent

Setting

Landscape position: Benches, ridgetops

Landform: Mesas

Parent material: Loess

Elevation: 200 to 2,000 feet

Native plants: Needleandthread, bluebunch wheatgrass

Climatic factors:

Mean annual precipitation—12 to 13 inches

Mean annual air temperature—49 to 51 degrees F

Frost-free period—110 to 150 days

Typical Profile

0 to 13 inches: Very dark brown very fine sandy

loam

13 to 60 inches: Dark brown very fine sandy loam

Soil Properties and Qualities

Depth: Bedrock at a depth of more than 60 inches

Drainage class: Well drained

Permeability: Moderately rapid

Available water capacity: 7 to 12 inches

Contrasting Inclusions

• Anders, Kuhl, and Walla Walla soils

Major Uses

Dryland farming, livestock grazing

35D—Wato very fine sandy loam, 15 to 35

percent north slopes

Composition

Wato soil and similar inclusions—85 percent

Contrasting inclusions—15 percent

Setting

Landscape position: North-facing side slopes

Landform: Canyons

Parent material: Loess

Elevation: 200 to 2,000 feet

Native plants: Idaho fescue, bluebunch wheatgrass

Climatic factors:

Mean annual precipitation—12 to 13 inches

Mean annual air temperature—49 to 51

degrees F

Frost-free period—110 to 150 days

Typical Profile

0 to 13 inches: Very dark brown very fine sandy loam

13 to 60 inches: Dark brown very fine sandy loam
36 Soil Survey

Soil Properties and Qualities

Depth: Bedrock at a depth of more than 60 inches

Drainage class: Well drained

Permeability: Moderately rapid

Available water capacity: 7 to 12 inches

Contrasting Inclusions

• Anders, Kuhl, Nansene, and Walla Walla soils

Major Use

Livestock grazing

36D—Wato very fine sandy loam, 15 to 35

percent south slopes

Composition

Wato soil and similar inclusions—85 percent

Contrasting inclusions—15 percent

Setting

Landscape position: South-facing side slopes

Landform: Canyons

Parent material: Loess

Elevation: 200 to 2,000 feet

Native plants: Bluebunch wheatgrass, Sandberg

bluegrass

Climatic factors:

Mean annual precipitation—12 to 13 inches

Mean annual air temperature—49 to 51

degrees F

Frost-free period—110 to 150 days

Typical Profile

0 to 13 inches: Very dark brown very fine sandy

loam

13 to 60 inches: Dark brown very fine sandy loam

Soil Properties and Qualities

Depth: Bedrock at a depth of more than 60 inches

Drainage class: Well drained

Permeability: Moderately rapid

Available water capacity: 7 to 12 inches

Contrasting Inclusions

• Anders, Lickskillet, and Walla Walla soils

• Rock outcrop

Major Use

Livestock grazing

37E—Wrentham-Rock outcrop complex,

35 to 70 percent north slopes

Composition

Wrentham soil and similar inclusions—50 percent

Rock outcrop—40 percent

Contrasting inclusions—10 percent

Setting

Landscape position: North-facing side slopes

Landform: Canyons

Parent material: Loess over basalt

Elevation: 200 to 2,800 feet

Native plants: Idaho fescue, bluebunch

wheatgrass

Climatic factors:

Mean annual precipitation—11 to 13 inches

Mean annual air temperature—48 to 51

degrees F

Frost-free period—100 to 150 days

Characteristics of the Wrentham Soil

Typical Profile

0 to 12 inches: Very dark brown silt loam

12 to 17 inches: Dark brown silt loam

17 to 32 inches: Dark brown extremely cobbly silt loam

32 inches: Basalt

Properties and Qualities

Depth: Bedrock at a depth of 20 to 40 inches

Drainage class: Well drained

Permeability: Moderate

Available water capacity: 3 to 6 inches

Characteristics of the Rock Outcrop

Kind of material: Exposed bedrock, typically

basalt

Contrasting Inclusions

• Kuhl soils

• Lickskillet and Bakeoven soils on south-facing

slopes
Sherman County, Oregon 37

Major Use

Livestock grazing

38A—Xerolls, silty, 0 to 3 percent slopes

Composition

Xerolls and similar inclusions—90 percent

Contrasting inclusions—10 percent

Setting

Landscape position: Basins

Landform: Mesas

Parent material: Lacustrine sediment

Elevation: 2,550 to 2,600 feet

Native plants: Basin wildrye

Climatic factors:

Mean annual precipitation—11 to 12 inches

Mean annual air temperature—48 to 50 degrees F

Frost-free period—100 to 150 days

Representative Profile

0 to 11 inches: Very dark brown silt loam

11 to 40 inches: Dark brown silty clay loam

40 to 60 inches: Dark yellowish brown fine sandy

loam

Soil Properties and Qualities

Depth: Bedrock at a depth of more than 60 inches

Drainage class: Somewhat poorly drained

Depth to water table: 12 to 36 inches in winter and

spring

Permeability: Moderately slow

Available water capacity: 9 to 12 inches

Periods of ponding: Rare to frequent during snowmelt in

spring

Contrasting Inclusions

• Cantala soils

Major Use

Dryland farming

39

This soil survey is an inventory and evaluation of

the soils in the survey area. It can be used to adjust

land uses to the limitations and potentials of natural

resources and the environment. Also, it can help to

prevent soil-related failures in land uses.

In preparing a soil survey, soil scientists,

conservationists, engineers, and others collect

extensive field data about the nature and behavioral

characteristics of the soils. They collect data on

erosion, droughtiness, flooding, and other factors that

affect various soil uses and management. Field

experience and collected data on soil properties and

performance are used as a basis in predicting soil

behavior.

Information in this section can be used to plan the

use and management of soils for crops and pasture;

as rangeland; as sites for buildings, sanitary

facilities, highways and other transportation systems,

and parks and other recreational facilities; and for

wildlife habitat. It can be used to identify the

potentials and limitations of each soil for specific land

uses and to help prevent construction failures caused

by unfavorable soil properties.

Planners and others using soil survey information

can evaluate the effect of specific land uses on

productivity and on the environment in all or part of

the survey area. The survey can help planners to

maintain or create a land use pattern in harmony with

the natural soil.

Contractors can use this survey to locate sources

of sand and gravel, roadfill, and topsoil. They can use

it to identify areas where bedrock, wetness, or very

firm soil layers can cause difficulty in excavation.

Health officials, highway officials, engineers, and

others may also find this survey useful. The survey

can help them plan the safe disposal of wastes and

locate sites for pavements, sidewalks, campgrounds,

playgrounds, lawns, and trees and shrubs.

Crops and Pasture

General management needed for crops and pasture

is suggested in this section. The estimated yields of

the main crops, hay, and pasture plants are listed for

each soil in table 5, the system of land capability

classification used by the Natural Resources

Conservation Service is explained, and prime farmland

is described.

Sherman County has approximately 324,140 acres

of land that has soil characteristics and climatic

conditions favorable for crop production. About

300,000 acres is used for nonirrigated crops, mainly

small grain.

The dominant nonirrigated crop rotation used in the

county is a grain-fallow system. Winter wheat and

spring barley are grown most commonly. The soil is

kept free of vegetation, or fallowed, during one

growing season to store soil moisture and control

weeds prior to planting small grain in fall or spring.

This rotation system is used in areas of Anderly,

Anders, Cantala, Condon, Mikkalo, Ritzville, Walla

Walla, and Wato soils that do not receive adequate

rainfall to grow crops annually. Erosion by water and

wind and inadequate moisture for plant growth are

limitations in areas where a grain-fallow system is

used.

The majority of the soils used for nonirrigated

crops are silt loam and are very susceptible to sheet,

rill, and ephemeral gully erosion caused by runoff.

The hazard of water erosion is greatest in winter in

areas where winter wheat is planted in a frozen soil

that has been fallowed. Subfreezing temperatures

freeze the soil surface. Rainfall or snowmelt cannot

infiltrate these soils; thus, it runs off and detaches

soil particles causing serious erosion and loss of

topsoil. It is common for several cycles of freezing

and thawing to occur during a normal winter in

Sherman County. Soils that are particularly subject to

runoff and erosion caused by freezing and thawing

are those of the Anderly, Anders, Cantala, Condon,

Mikkalo, Ritzville, Walla Walla, and Wato series that

have slopes of more than 10 percent.

Soil quality and the potential soil productivity are

reduced as organic matter and plant nutrients are lost

through erosion. Soil structure and tilth also

deteriorate, reducing the water infiltration rate and

moisture holding capacity of the soil. The severity of

the erosion determines how much of the potential soil

Use and Management of the Soils
40 Soil Survey

productivity is lost and for how long. It takes many

years to rebuild a soil and its productivity even if the

best soil-building crop rotations are used.

Poor management and lack of conservation

practices can increase the potential for soil erosion

from runoff on soils that are subject to freezing and

thawing. Practices that increase the potential for

runoff and erosion include removing crop residue

after harvest by excessive grazing, mechanical

means, or burning and burying all residue below the

soil surface by tilling. These practices eliminate the

protective cover provided by crop residue.

Year-round management of crop residue to reduce

runoff and erosion involves several practices. The

main goal of these practices is to leave as much

plant material as possible on the soil surface

throughout the year. Using tillage operations during

the fallow season that leave residue on the soil

surface and incorporate residue into the upper 4

inches of the soil provides a protective cover that

reduces soil erosion and prevents loss of soil

moisture. Nonselective herbicides commonly are

used to control weeds and reduce the number of

tillage operations needed. This reduces the deep

burial of residue and allows more residue to be left on

the soil surface after seeding small grain in fall. The

residue reduces soil particle detachment by water

and helps to filter out sediment from the runoff

(fig. 3).

Figure 3.—Crop residue management in an area used for winter

wheat.

Organic matter from crop residue is an important

source of nitrogen, phosphorus, and other nutrients

needed by plants. It also maintains or increases the

water infiltration rate, water holding capacity, and soil

tilth. Poor soil tilth combined with excessive tillage

when the soils are wet can result in soil compaction,

which reduces water infiltration and restricts plant

growth. Mulch tillage systems that limit the number of

operations and leave residue on or near the soil

surface can maintain or improve the health of the

soil.

In addition to crop residue management, additional

conservation practices are needed in many areas to

reduce water erosion. In areas that have long slopes

or where runoff concentrates, structural practices

such as use of terraces, diversions, and grassed

waterways may be needed. Other suitable practices

may include tilling on the contour, seeding, and

stripcropping.

Terraces and diversions are constructed across

the slope to reduce the length of the slope, thereby

redirecting runoff, trapping sediment, and reducing

erosion (fig. 4). Terraces are most practical in areas

of soils that have uniform slopes, and they are most

effective in reducing erosion in areas that have

slopes of less than 12 percent.

Figure 4.—Newly constructed level terraces in an area of Walla

Walla silt loam, 7 to 15 percent slopes.

Level and gradient terraces are constructed on the

nonirrigated cropland in the area. Level terraces are

preferred and generally are more effective on deep

soils such as those of the Cantala, Walla Walla (see

fig. 5, next page), and Wato series. Gradient terraces

generally are constructed on moderately deep soils

such as those of the Anderly, Anders, and Condon

soils.

Grassed waterways are effective in reducing

erosion and sedimentation in areas of concentrated

runoff (see fig. 6, next page). These waterways can

be established in areas where there is a natural or

constructed channel and a suitable outlet. Adapted

vegetation, usually sod-forming grasses, is planted to
Sherman County, Oregon 41

reduce the velocity of the runoff and to make the soil

more resistant to erosion. The grasses also act as a

filter, thus reducing the amount of sediment carried

by runoff.

Figure 5.—Nearly level terraces in an area of Walla Walla silt

loam, 7 to 15 percent slopes.

Figure 6.—Grassed waterway in an area of Walla Walla soil.

Contour tillage and seeding create ridges or

furrows across the slope to redirect runoff and

reduce erosion. These practices are best suited to

soils that have smooth, uniform slopes. The more

gently sloping areas of the Condon and Walla Walla

soils are examples.

Stripcropping consists of planting alternate strips

of fall grain with strips of fallowed crop residue to

provide alternating protected and erosion-prone strips

across the slope. Stripcropping reduces water

erosion by trapping sediment in the protected strips.

It also conserves moisture by trapping snow in the

fallowed strips in winter. The moisture infiltrates the soil

and is available for plant growth.

Areas that have steep slopes, particularly those

that have slopes of more than 25 percent, are highly

susceptible to water erosion. These include the

steeper areas of the Anderly, Condon, Mikkalo, Walla

Walla, and Wato soils. These areas may need to be

planted to permanent vegetation to reduce runoff and

erosion.

On moderately deep soils, such as those of the

Anderly, Anders, and Condon series, where the soil

profile commonly is filled by the precipitation

received in one season, annual cropping may reduce

soil erosion. When precipitation is higher than normal,

some deep soils can be cropped 2 or 3 years in a

row followed by a year of fallow.

In the drier areas of the Anderly, Cantala, Condon,

and Walla Walla soils, wind erosion can be a

limitation at planting time early in spring and fall in

areas used as fallow. Mulch tillage systems that keep

a cover of residue on the soil surface are effective in

reducing soil detachment by wind. Stripcropping with

alternating strips of stubble and small grain

perpendicular to the prevailing wind also reduces

wind erosion.

Soils, such as those of the Endersby, Hermiston,

and Pedigo series, that are on flood plains and

terraces where annual precipitation is supplemented

by subsurface water commonly are used to grow

permanent grass or grass-legume pasture. Proper

management includes balancing livestock

populations with the available forage and timing

the grazing period to meet the physiological needs

of the plants and the nutritional needs of the

animals.

To maintain crop production and quality, a nutrient

management program is needed on all soils in the

county. This includes management of crop residue,

crop rotation, and application of fertilizer to maintain,

supplement, or replace the soils’ supply of elements

required for plant nutrition. Elements that affect plant

growth throughout the nonirrigated cropland include

nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur. Nutrient

management should be based on the results of soil

tests, realistic crop yield goals, and the objectives of

the operator. The local office of the County Extension

Service can assist in determining the kind and

amount of plant nutrients to apply.

Yields per Acre

The average yields per acre that can be expected

of the principal crops under a high level of

management are shown in table 5. Yields for

nonirrigated winter wheat and barley are based on a
42 Soil Survey

rotation of cropping one year and then fallowing one

year; therefore, the expected yields are for a two-year

period. In any given year when crops are grown,

yields may be higher or lower than those indicated in

the table because of variations in rainfall and other

climatic factors. The land capability classification of

each map unit or soil component also is shown in the

table.

The yields are based mainly on the experience and

records of farmers, conservationists, and extension

agents. Available yield data from nearby counties and

results of field trials and demonstrations are also

considered.

The management needed to obtain the indicated

yields of the various crops depends on the kind of

soil and the crop. Management can include drainage,

erosion control, and protection from flooding; the

proper planting and seeding rates; suitable highyielding crop varieties; appropriate and timely tillage;

control of weeds, plant diseases, and harmful

insects; favorable soil reaction and optimum levels

of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and trace

elements for each crop; effective use of crop residue;

and harvesting that ensures the smallest possible

loss.

For yields of irrigated crops, it is assumed that the

irrigation system is adapted to the soils and to the

crops grown, that good-quality irrigation water is

uniformly applied as needed, and that tillage is kept

to a minimum.

The estimated yields reflect the productive

capacity of each soil for each of the principal crops.

Yields are likely to increase as new production

technology is developed. The productivity of a given

soil compared with that of other soils, however, is not

likely to change.

Land Capability Classification

Land capability classification shows, in a general

way, the suitability of soils for most kinds of field

crops. Crops that require special management are

excluded. The soils are grouped according to their

limitations for field crops, the risk of damage if they

are used for crops, and the way they respond to

management. The criteria used in grouping the soils

do not include major and generally expensive

landforming that would change slope, depth, or other

characteristics of the soils, nor do they include

possible but unlikely major reclamation projects.

Capability classification is not a substitute for

interpretations designed to show suitability and

limitations of groups of soils for rangeland, for

woodland, and for engineering purposes.

In the capability system, soils are generally

grouped at three levels—capability class, subclass,

and unit. Only class and subclass are used in this

survey.

Capability classes, the broadest groups, are

designated by numerals I through VIII. The numerals

indicate progressively greater limitations and

narrower choices for practical use. The classes are

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 that require moderate

conservation practices.

Class III soils have severe limitations that reduce

the choice of plants or that require special

conservation practices, or both.

Class IV soils have very severe limitations that

reduce the choice of plants or that 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.

Class VI soils have severe limitations that make

them generally unsuitable for cultivation.

Class VII soils have very severe limitations that

make them unsuitable for cultivation.

Class VIII soils and miscellaneous areas have

limitations that nearly preclude their use for

commercial crop production.

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 hazard is the 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 very cold or very

dry.

In class I there are no subclasses because the

soils of this class have few limitations. Class V

contains only the subclasses indicated by w, s, or c

because the soils in class V are subject to little or no

erosion. They have other limitations that restrict their

use to pasture, rangeland, woodland, wildlife habitat,

or recreation.
Sherman County, Oregon 43

The capability classification of each map unit is

given in table 5.

Prime Farmland

Prime farmland is one of several kinds of important

farmland defined by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

It is of major importance in meeting the Nation’s shortand long-range needs for food and fiber. Because the

supply of high-quality farmland is limited, the U.S.

Department of Agriculture recognizes that responsible

levels of government, as well as individuals, should

encourage and facilitate the wise use of our Nation’s

prime farmland.

Prime farmland, as defined by the U.S. Department

of Agriculture, is land that has the best combination

of physical and chemical characteristics for

producing food, feed, forage, fiber, and oilseed crops

and is available for these uses. It could be cultivated

land, pastureland, forest land, or other land, but it is

not urban or built-up land or water areas. The soil

qualities, growing season, and moisture supply are

those needed for the soil to economically produce

sustained high yields of crops when proper

management, including water management, and

acceptable farming methods are applied. In general,

prime farmland has an adequate and dependable

supply of moisture from precipitation or irrigation, a

favorable temperature and growing season,

acceptable acidity or alkalinity, an acceptable salt

and sodium content, and few or no rocks. It is

permeable to water and air. It is not excessively

erodible or saturated with water for long periods, and

it either is not frequently flooded during the growing

season or is protected from flooding. The slope

ranges mainly from 0 to 7 percent. More detailed

information about the criteria for prime farmland is

available at the local office of the Natural Resources

Conservation Service.

About 210,000 acres, or nearly 40 percent, of the

county would meet the requirements for prime

farmland if an adequate and dependable supply of

irrigation water were available.

A recent trend in land use in some parts of the

survey area has been the loss of some prime

farmland to industrial and urban uses. The loss of

prime farmland to other uses puts pressure on

marginal lands, which generally are more erodible,

droughty, and less productive and cannot be easily

cultivated.

The map units in the survey area that are

considered prime farmland are listed at the end of

this section. This list does not constitute a

recommendation for a particular land use. On some

soils included in the list, measures that overcome a

hazard or limitation, such as flooding, wetness, and

droughtiness, are needed. Onsite evaluation is

needed to determine whether or not the hazard or

limitation has been overcome by corrective

measures. The extent of each listed map unit is

shown in table 4. The location is shown on the

detailed soil maps at the back of this publication. The

soil qualities that affect use and management are

described under the heading “Detailed Soil Map

Units.”

The map units that meet the requirements for

prime farmland if irrigated are:

1B Anderly silt loam, 1 to 7 percent slopes

4B Anders very fine sandy loam, 3 to 7 percent

slopes

7B Cantala silt loam, 1 to 7 percent slopes

8B Condon silt loam, 1 to 7 percent slopes

11A Endersby fine sandy loam, 0 to 3 percent

 slopes

12A Endersby-Hermiston complex, 0 to 3 percent

slopes

13A Hermiston silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes

19B Mikkalo silt loam, 2 to 7 percent slopes

22A Pedigo silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes

24B Ritzville silt loam, 2 to 7 percent slopes

31B Walla Walla silt loam, 1 to 7 percent slopes

34B Wato very fine sandy loam, 3 to 7 percent

slopes

38A Xerolls, silty, 0 to 3 percent slopes

Rangeland

About 225,000 acres, or 42 percent, of Sherman

County is rangeland. Bluebunch wheatgrass, Idaho

fescue, and Sandberg bluegrass comprise about 90

percent of the potential native plant community.

Natural plant communities that meet their potential

for grazing are common because a cropping system

of wheat and summer fallow is used in many areas

and cultivation is deferred every other year.

Productivity of the rangeland can be maintained or

improved by using management that is effective for

specific kinds of soil and plant communities (see fig.

7, next page).

About 163,000 acres, or 72 percent, of the

rangeland in the county needs to be improved. Of

this, about 80,000 acres, or 35 percent, is in poor
44 Soil Survey

condition and plant cover needs to be reestablished.

About 83,000 acres, or 37 percent, is in fair condition

and can be improved through proper grazing

management. This can be accomplished by using a

deferred grazing system and by maintaining the

proper season of use.

Figure 7.—Area of Condon soil that has been seeded to improve

the range.

The forage on the private rangeland of some

ranches is supplemented by forage from Federal

rangeland available under a permit system. In fall and

winter, grain stubble and hay are used to supplement

forage from rangeland.

In areas that have similar climate and topography,

differences in the kind and amount of vegetation

produced on rangeland are closely related to the kind

of soil. Effective management is based on the

relationship between the soils and vegetation and

water.

Table 6 shows, for each soil that supports

rangeland vegetation suitable for grazing, the range

site; the total annual production of vegetation in

favorable, normal, and unfavorable years; the

characteristic vegetation; and the average

percentage of each species. An explanation of the

column headings in the table follows.

A range site is a distinctive kind of rangeland that

produces a characteristic natural plant community

that differs from natural plant communities on other

range sites in kind, amount, and proportion of range

plants. The relationship between soils and vegetation

was ascertained during this survey; thus, range sites

generally can be determined directly from the soil

map. Soil properties that affect moisture supply and

plant nutrients have the greatest influence on the

productivity of range plants. Soil reaction, salt

content, and a seasonal high water table are also

important.

Total production is the amount of vegetation that

can be expected to grow annually on well managed

rangeland that is supporting the potential natural

plant community. It includes all vegetation, whether or

not it is palatable to grazing animals. It includes the

current year’s growth of leaves, twigs, and fruits of

woody plants. It does not include the increase in

stem diameter of trees and shrubs. It is expressed in

pounds per acre of air-dry vegetation for favorable,

normal, and unfavorable years. In a favorable year,

the amount and distribution of precipitation and the

temperatures make growing conditions substantially

better than average. In a normal year, growing

conditions are about average. In an unfavorable year,

growing conditions are well below average, generally

because of low available soil moisture.

Dry weight is the total annual yield per acre of airdry vegetation. Yields are adjusted to a common

percent of air-dry moisture content. The relationship

of green weight to air-dry weight varies according to

such factors as exposure, amount of shade, recent

rains, and unseasonable dry periods.

Characteristic vegetation—the grasses, forbs, and

shrubs that make up most of the potential natural

plant community on each soil—is listed by common

name. Under composition, the expected percentage

of the total annual production is given for each

species making up the characteristic vegetation. The

amount that can be used as forage depends on the

kinds of grazing animals and on the grazing season.

Range management requires a knowledge of the

kinds of soil and of the potential natural plant

community. It also requires an evaluation of the

present range condition. Range condition is

determined by comparing the present plant

community with the potential natural plant community

on a particular range site. The more closely the

existing community resembles the potential

community, the better the range condition. Range

condition is an ecological rating only.

The objective in range management is to control

grazing so that the plants growing on a site are about

the same in kind and amount as the potential natural

plant community for that site. Such management

generally results in the optimum production of

vegetation, control of undesirable brush species,

conservation of water, and control of erosion.

Sometimes, however, a range condition somewhat

below the potential meets grazing needs, provides

wildlife habitat, and protects soil and water

resources.
Sherman County, Oregon 45

Windbreaks and Environmental Plantings

By Craig Ziegler, forester, Natural Resources Conservation

Service.

Wind can be a serious environmental and

economic concern. It can cause soil erosion, crop

damage, safety hazards, and energy loss.

Windbreaks offer landowners an effective way to

reduce the effects of uncontrolled wind.

Field windbreaks protect crops, reduce soil

erosion, and control blowing snow. These windbreaks

are narrow plantings made at right angles to the

prevailing wind and at specific intervals across a

field. Significant increases in yields can be expected

from crops protected by properly designed and

maintained field windbreaks. Many environmental

changes occur on the leeward side of windbreaks,

including reduced windspeed, decreased

transpiration by plants, increased humidity,

decreased evaporation, and increased soil moisture.

Farmstead windbreaks protect livestock, buildings,

and yards from wind and snow. They also protect fruit

trees and gardens and furnish habitat for wildlife.

Several rows of low- and high-growing shrubs and

trees provide the best protection.

Environmental plantings help to beautify and

screen houses and other buildings and to abate

noise. The plants, mostly evergreen shrubs and

trees, are closely spaced.

For windbreaks to be effective, the species of

trees or shrubs selected must be adapted to the

soils. Permeability, available water capacity, fertility,

and depth are soil characteristics that greatly effect

the growth of trees and shrubs.

In this county, moisture is the main limitation to the

survival of trees and shrubs. Properly preparing the

site prior to planting and controlling competing

vegetation after planting are essential when

establishing new windbreaks. Replanting during the

first 3 to 5 years may be necessary to ensure the

establishment of fully stocked, effective windbreaks.

Permanent irrigation by drip systems or other

irrigation methods can be used to overcome moisture

deficits. Irrigation is needed for healthier, denser, and

faster growing windbreaks.

Weed control is very important for newly planted

windbreaks. If weeds are not controlled, seedling

mortality could be very high or early growth rates of

planted seedlings could be substantially reduced.

Weeds can be controlled by mechanical means or by

applying herbicides. Synthetic weed barriers can also

be used. These barriers are laid down after the tree

or shrub seedlings are planted. They provide weed

control within the rows for at least 3 to 5 years. The

barriers also act as good mulch, which aids in

conserving moisture and reducing extremes in soil

temperature.

Each tree or shrub species has certain climatic

and physiographic limits. Within these limits, trees or

shrubs can be well suited or poorly suited to use as

windbreaks because of specific soil characteristics.

Windbreak suitability groups can be used as a guide

for selecting the most suitable species for different

kinds of soils and for predicting the growth and

effectiveness of windbreaks. These groups can be

helpful in selecting plants for windbreaks;

recreational, wildlife, ornamental, and environmental

plantings; reforestation; and critical area plantings.

All of the soils in the county have been grouped

according to their suitability for growing trees and

shrubs. These groups are described in the following

paragraphs.

Conservation Tree/Shrub Group 1.The soils in this

group are deep or very deep and are loamy (less

than 35 percent clay). They are somewhat poorly

drained, moderately well drained, or well drained. The

water table during the growing season is at a depth of

36 inches or more. The available water capacity is

7.5 inches or more. The upper 12 inches of these

soils does not have free carbonates, has reaction

(pH) of as high as 7.8, and is nonsaline. Xerolls are

in this group.

Conservation Tree/Shrub Group 3. The soils in this

group are deep or very deep and are moderately well

drained or well drained. Most of the soils are loamy

(less than 35 percent clay), but some are clayey with

a loamy surface mantle more than 20 inches thick.

The soils in this group do not have a seasonal high

water table within a depth of 36 inches of the surface.

The available water capacity is 7.5 inches or more.

The upper 12 inches of these soils does not have

free carbonates, has reaction (pH) of as high as 7.8,

and is nonsaline. Cantala, Nansene, Walla Walla, and

Wato soils are in this group.

Conservation Tree/Shrub Group 5. The soils in this

group are deep or very deep and are loamy to loamyskeletal. They are somewhat poorly drained,

moderately well drained, or well drained. These soils

may be subject to flooding. The water table during the

growing season is at a depth of 36 inches or more.

The available water capacity is 4.0 to 7.5 inches. The

upper 12 inches of these soils does not have free

carbonates, has reaction (pH) of as high as 7.8, and

is nonsaline. Endersby soils are in this group.

Conservation Tree/Shrub Group 5K. The soils in

this group are deep or very deep and are loamy to
46 Soil Survey

loamy-skeletal. They are somewhat poorly drained,

moderately well drained, or well drained. These soils

may be subject to flooding. The water table during the

growing season is at a depth of 36 inches or more.

The available water capacity is 4.0 to 7.5 inches.

These soils have 5 to 15 percent free carbonates at a

depth of 20 to 40 inches, have reaction (pH) of 7.8 to

8.4, and are nonsaline. Ritzville and Sagemoor soils

are in this group.

Conservation Tree/Shrub Group 6D. The soils in

this group are moderately deep and are loamy,

clayey-skeletal, or loamy-skeletal. They are

moderately well drained, well drained, or somewhat

excessively drained. These soils may be subject to

flooding. The water table during the growing season is

at a depth of 36 inches or more. The available water

capacity is 4 inches or more. The upper 12 inches of

these soils does not have free carbonates, has

reaction (pH) of as high as 7.8, and is nonsaline.

Anderly, Anders, Condon, and Wrentham soils are in

this group.

Conservation Tree/Shrub Group 6G. The soils in

this group are moderately deep to very deep and are

loamy, clayey-skeletal, or loamy-skeletal over sand

and gravel. These soils are moderately well drained,

well drained, or somewhat excessively drained. The

available water capacity is more than 4 inches. The

upper 12 inches of these soils does not have free

carbonates, has reaction (pH) of as high as 7.8, and

has electrical conductivity of less than 2 millimhos

per centimeter. Endersby soils are in this group.

Conservation Tree/Shrub Group 6DK. The soils in

this group are moderately deep and are loamy,

clayey-skeletal, or loamy-skeletal over an impervious

layer. They are moderately well drained, well drained,

or somewhat excessively drained. The available

water capacity is more than 4 inches. These soils

have 5 to 15 percent free carbonates at a depth of 20

to 40 inches, have reaction (pH) of 7.8 to 8.4, and are

nonsaline. Mikkalo soils are in this group.

Conservation Tree/Shrub Group 7. The soils in this

group are deep or very deep and are sandy

throughout (includes arenic and gross arenic

subgroups). These soils are well drained, somewhat

excessively drained, or excessively drained. The

water table during the growing season is at a depth of

36 inches or more. The available water capacity is 2

inches or more. The upper 12 inches of these soils

does not have free carbonates, has reaction (pH) of

as high as 7.8, and is nonsaline. Quincy soils are in

this group.

Conservation Tree/Shrub Group 8. The soils in this

group are deep or very deep, loamy, and moderately

well drained or well drained. The available water

capacity is more than 7.5 inches. These soils have 5

to 15 percent free carbonates at a depth of 20 to 30

inches, have reaction (pH) of 7.8 to 8.4, and have

electrical conductivity of less than 4 millimhos per

centimeter. Hermiston soils are in this group.

Conservation Tree/Shrub Group 9W. The soils in

this group are moderately deep to very deep. They

have a water table at a depth of 18 to 60 inches and

are subject to flooding or ponding. They are

moderately well drained, somewhat poorly drained, or

poorly drained. Electrical conductivity in the upper 12

inches is 4 to 16 millimhos per centimeter. Pedigo

soils are in this group.

Conservation Tree/Shrub Group 10. The soils in

this group have one or more characteristics, such as

depth, texture, drainage, available water capacity, or

salts, that severely limit the planting, survival, and

growth of trees and shrubs. Examples include very

shallow and shallow soils, soils that have a very low

available water capacity (less than 2 inches), very

poorly drained or poorly drained soils that are

saturated or ponded throughout the growing season,

and soils that contain toxic salts. The soils in this

group generally are not suitable for farmstead,

feedlot, or field windbreaks; however, onsite

investigation may reveal that trees and shrubs can be

planted with the use of special treatment such as

irrigation and leaching of salts. The species selected

for planting should be suited to the altered soil

conditions. Bakeoven, Kuhl, and Lickskillet soils are

in this group.

Table 7 shows the height that locally grown trees

and shrubs are expected to reach in 20 years on

various soils. The estimates in the table are based on

measurements and observation of established

plantings that have been given adequate care. They

can be used as a guide in planning windbreaks and

screens. Additional information on planning

windbreaks and screens and planting and caring for

trees and shrubs can be obtained from the local

office of the Natural Resources Conservation

Service or of the Cooperative Extension Service or

from a commercial nursery.

Engineering

This section provides information for planning land

uses related to urban development and to water

management. Soils are rated for various uses, and

the most limiting features are identified. Ratings are

given for building site development, sanitary facilities,

construction materials, and water management. The
Sherman County, Oregon 47

ratings are based on observed performance of the

soils and on the estimated data and test data in the

“Soil Properties” section.

Information in this section is intended for land use

planning, for evaluating land use alternatives, and for

planning site investigations prior to design and

construction. The information, however, has

limitations. For example, estimates and other data

generally apply only to that part of the soil within a

depth of 5 or 6 feet. Because of the map scale, small

areas of different soils may be included within the

mapped areas of a specific soil.

The information is not site specific and does not

eliminate the need for onsite investigation of the soils

or for testing and analysis by personnel experienced

in the design and construction of engineering works.

Government ordinances and regulations that

restrict certain land uses or impose specific design

criteria were not considered in preparing the

information in this section. Local ordinances and

regulations should be considered in planning, in site

selection, and in design.

Soil properties, site features, and observed

performance were considered in determining the

ratings in this section. During the fieldwork for this

soil survey, determinations were made about grainsize distribution, liquid limit, plasticity index, soil

reaction, depth to bedrock, hardness of bedrock

within 5 or 6 feet of the surface, soil wetness, depth

to a seasonal high water table, slope, likelihood of

flooding, natural soil structure aggregation, and soil

density. Data were collected about kinds of clay

minerals, mineralogy of the sand and silt fractions,

and the kinds of adsorbed cations. Estimates were

made for erodibility, permeability, corrosivity, shrinkswell potential, available water capacity, and other

behavioral characteristics affecting engineering uses.

This information can be used to evaluate the

potential of areas for residential, commercial,

industrial, and recreational uses; make preliminary

estimates of construction conditions; evaluate

alternative routes for roads, streets, highways,

pipelines, and underground cables; evaluate

alternative sites for sanitary landfills, septic tank

absorption fields, and sewage lagoons; plan detailed

onsite investigations of soils and geology; locate

potential sources of gravel, sand, earthfill, and

topsoil; plan drainage systems, irrigation systems,

ponds, terraces, and other structures for soil and

water conservation; and predict performance of

proposed small structures and pavements by

comparing the performance of existing similar

structures on the same or similar soils.

The information in the tables, along with the soil

maps, the soil descriptions, and other data provided

in this survey, can be used to make additional

interpretations.

Some of the terms used in this soil survey have a

special meaning in soil science and are defined in the

Glossary.

Building Site Development

Table 8 shows the degree and kind of soil limitations

that affect shallow excavations, dwellings with and

without basements, and local roads and streets. The

limitations are considered slight if soil properties and

site features are generally favorable for the indicated

use and limitations are minor and easily overcome;

moderate if soil properties or site features are not

favorable for the indicated use and special planning,

design, or maintenance is needed to overcome or

minimize the limitations; and severe if soil properties or

site features are so unfavorable or so difficult to

overcome that special design, significant increases in

construction costs, and possibly increased

maintenance are required. Special feasibility studies

may be required where the soil limitations are severe.

Shallow excavations are trenches or holes dug to a

maximum depth of 5 or 6 feet for basements, graves,

utility lines, open ditches, and other purposes. The

ratings are based on soil properties, site features, and

observed performance of the soils. The ease of

digging, filling, and compacting is affected by the depth

to bedrock, a cemented pan, or a very firm dense

layer; stone content; soil texture; and slope. The time of

the year that excavations can be made is affected by

the depth to a seasonal high water table and the

susceptibility of the soil to flooding. The resistance of

the excavation walls or banks to sloughing or caving is

affected by soil texture and depth to the water table.

Dwellings are structures built on shallow foundations

on undisturbed soil. The load limit is the same as that

for single-family dwellings no higher than three stories.

Ratings are made for dwellings with basements, and

for dwellings without basements. The ratings are based

on soil properties, site features, and observed

performance of the soils. A high water table, flooding,

shrinking and swelling, and organic layers can cause

the movement of footings. A high water table, depth to

bedrock or to a cemented pan, large stones, slope, and

flooding affect the ease of excavation and

construction. Landscaping and grading that require cuts

and fills of more than 5 or 6 feet are not considered.

Local roads and streets have an all-weather

surface and carry automobile and light truck traffic all

year. They have a subgrade of cut or fill soil material;
48 Soil Survey

a base of gravel, crushed rock, or stabilized soil

material; and a flexible or rigid surface. Cuts and fills

are generally limited to less than 6 feet. The ratings

are based on soil properties, site features, and

observed performance of the soils. Depth to bedrock

or to a cemented pan, a high water table, flooding,

large stones, and slope affect the ease of excavating

and grading. Soil strength (as inferred from the

engineering classification of the soil), shrink-swell

potential, frost action potential, and depth to a high

water table affect the traffic-supporting capacity.

Sanitary Facilities

Table 9 shows the degree and kind of soil

limitations that affect septic tank absorption fields

and sanitary landfills. The limitations are considered

slight if soil properties and site features are generally

favorable for the indicated use and limitations are

minor and easily overcome; moderate if soil

properties or site features are not favorable for the

indicated use and special planning, design, or

maintenance is needed to overcome or minimize the

limitations; and severe if soil properties or site

features are so unfavorable or so difficult to

overcome that special design, significant increases

in construction costs, and possibly increased

maintenance are required.

The table also shows the suitability of the soils for

use as daily cover for landfill. A rating of good

indicates that soil properties and site features are

favorable for the use and good performance and low

maintenance can be expected; fair indicates that soil

properties and site features are moderately favorable

for the use and one or more soil properties or site

features make the soil less desirable than the soils

rated good; and poor indicates that one or more soil

properties or site features are unfavorable for the use

and overcoming the unfavorable properties requires

special design, extra maintenance, or costly

alteration.

Septic tank absorption fields are areas in which

effluent from a septic tank is distributed into the soil

through subsurface tiles or perforated pipe. Only that

part of the soil between depths of 24 and 72 inches is

evaluated. The ratings are based on soil properties,

site features, and observed performance of the soils.

Permeability, a high water table, depth to bedrock or

to a cemented pan, and flooding affect absorption of

the effluent. Large stones and bedrock or a cemented

pan interfere with installation.

Unsatisfactory performance of septic tank

absorption fields, including excessively slow

absorption of effluent, surfacing of effluent, and

hillside seepage, can affect public health. Ground

water can be polluted if highly permeable sand and

gravel or fractured bedrock is less than 4 feet below

the base of the absorption field, if slope is excessive,

or if the water table is near the surface. There must

be unsaturated soil material beneath the absorption

field to filter the effluent effectively. Many local

ordinances require that this material be of a certain

thickness.

Sanitary landfills are areas where solid waste is

disposed of by burying it in soil. There are two types

of landfill—trench and area. In a trench landfill, the

waste is placed in a trench. It is spread, compacted,

and covered daily with a thin layer of soil excavated

at the site. In an area landfill, the waste is placed in

successive layers on the surface of the soil. The

waste is spread, compacted, and covered daily with

a thin layer of soil from a source away from the site.

Both types of landfill must be able to bear heavy

vehicular traffic. Both types involve a risk of groundwater pollution. Ease of excavation and revegetation

should be considered.

The ratings in the table are based on soil

properties, site features, and observed performance

of the soils. Permeability, depth to bedrock or to a

cemented pan, a high water table, slope, and flooding

affect both types of landfill. Texture, stones and

boulders, highly organic layers, soil reaction, and

content of salts and sodium affect trench landfills.

Unless otherwise stated, the ratings apply only to

that part of the soil within a depth of about 6 feet. For

deeper trenches, a limitation rated slight or moderate

may not be valid. Onsite investigation is needed.

Daily cover for landfill is the soil material that is

used to cover compacted solid waste in an area

sanitary landfill. The soil material is obtained offsite,

transported to the landfill, and spread over the waste.

Soil texture, wetness, coarse fragments, and slope

affect the ease of removing and spreading the

material during wet and dry periods. Loamy or silty

soils that are free of large stones or excess gravel

are the best cover for a landfill. Clayey soils are

sticky or cloddy and are difficult to spread; sandy

soils are subject to wind erosion.

After soil material has been removed, the soil

material remaining in the borrow area must be thick

enough over bedrock, a cemented pan, or the water

table to permit revegetation. The soil material used as

the final cover for a landfill should be suitable for

plants. The surface layer generally has the best

workability, more organic matter, and the best potential

for plants. Material from the surface layer should be

stockpiled for use as the final cover.
Sherman County, Oregon 49

Construction Materials

Table 10 gives information about the soils as a

source of roadfill, sand, gravel, and topsoil. The soils

are rated good, fair, or poor as a source of roadfill

and topsoil. They are rated as a probable or

improbable source of sand and gravel. The ratings

are based on soil properties and site features that

affect the removal of the soil and its use as

construction material. Normal compaction, minor

processing, and other standard construction

practices are assumed. Each soil is evaluated to a

depth of 5 or 6 feet.

Roadfill is soil material that is excavated in one

place and used in road embankments in another

place. In this table, the soils are rated as a source of

roadfill for low embankments, generally less than 6

feet high and less exacting in design than higher

embankments.

The ratings are for the soil material below the

surface layer to a depth of 5 or 6 feet. It is assumed

that soil layers will be mixed during excavating and

spreading. Many soils have layers of contrasting

suitability within their profile. The table showing

engineering index properties provides detailed

information about each soil layer. This information can

help to determine the suitability of each layer for use

as roadfill. The performance of soil after it is

stabilized with lime or cement is not considered in

the ratings.

The ratings are based on soil properties, site

features, and observed performance of the soils. The

thickness of suitable material is a major

consideration. The ease of excavation is affected by

large stones, a high water table, and slope. How well

the soil performs in place after it has been

compacted and drained is determined by its strength

(as inferred from the engineering classification of the

soil) and shrink-swell potential.

Soils rated good contain significant amounts of

sand or gravel or both. They have at least 5 feet of

suitable material, a low shrink-swell potential, few

cobbles and stones, and slopes of 15 percent or less.

Depth to the water table is more than 3 feet. Soils

rated fair are more than 35 percent silt- and claysized particles and have a plasticity index of less

than 10. They have a moderate shrink-swell potential,

slopes of 15 to 25 percent, or many stones. Depth to

the water table is 1 to 3 feet. Soils rated poor have a

plasticity index of more than 10, a high shrink-swell

potential, many stones, or slopes of more than 25

percent. They are wet and have a water table at a

depth of less than 1 foot. They may have layers of

suitable material, but the material is less than 3 feet

thick.

Sand and gravel are natural aggregates suitable

for commercial use with a minimum of processing.

They are used in many kinds of construction.

Specifications for each use vary widely. In the table,

only the probability of finding material in suitable

quantity is evaluated. The suitability of the material

for specific purposes is not evaluated, nor are factors

that affect excavation of the material.

The properties used to evaluate the soil as a

source of sand or gravel are gradation of grain sizes

(as indicated by the engineering classification of the

soil), the thickness of suitable material, and the

content of rock fragments. Kinds of rock, acidity, and

stratification are given in the soil series descriptions.

Gradation of grain sizes is given in the table on

engineering index properties.

A soil rated as a probable source has a layer of

clean sand or gravel or a layer of sand or gravel that

is up to 12 percent silty fines. This material must be

at least 3 feet thick and less than 50 percent, by

weight, large stones. All other soils are rated as an

improbable source. Coarse fragments of soft

bedrock, such as shale and siltstone, are not

considered to be sand and gravel.

Topsoil is used to cover an area so that vegetation

can be established and maintained. The upper 40

inches of a soil is evaluated for use as topsoil. Also

evaluated is the reclamation potential of the borrow

area.

Plant growth is affected by toxic material and by

such properties as soil reaction, available water

capacity, and fertility. The ease of excavating,

loading, and spreading is affected by rock fragments,

slope, a water table, soil texture, and thickness of

suitable material. Reclamation of the borrow area is

affected by slope, a water table, rock fragments,

bedrock, and toxic material.

Soils rated good have friable, loamy material to a

depth of at least 40 inches. They are free of stones

and cobbles, have little or no gravel, and have slopes

of less than 8 percent. They are low in content of

soluble salts, are naturally fertile or respond well to

fertilizer, and are not so wet that excavation is

difficult.

Soils rated fair are sandy soils, loamy soils that

have a relatively high content of clay, soils that have

only 20 to 40 inches of suitable material, soils that

have an appreciable amount of gravel, stones, or

soluble salts, or soils that have slopes of 8 to 15

percent. The soils are not so wet that excavation is

difficult.
50

Soils rated poor are very sandy or clayey, have

less than 20 inches of suitable material, have a large

amount of gravel, stones, or soluble salts, have

slopes of more than 15 percent, or have a seasonal

high water table at or near the surface.

The surface layer of most soils is generally

preferred for topsoil because of its organic matter

content. Organic matter greatly increases the

absorption and retention of moisture and nutrients for

plant growth.

Water Management

Table 11 gives information on the soil properties and

site features that affect water management. The degree

and kind of soil limitations are given for pond reservoir

areas; embankments, dikes, and levees; and aquiferfed excavated ponds. The limitations are considered

slight if soil properties and site features are generally

favorable for the indicated use and limitations are

minor and are easily overcome; moderate if soil

properties or site features are not favorable for the

indicated use and special planning, design, or

maintenance is needed to overcome or minimize the

limitations; and severe if soil properties or site features

are so unfavorable or so difficult to overcome that

special design, significant increase in construction

costs, and possibly increased maintenance are

required.

This table also gives for each soil the restrictive

features that affect irrigation, terraces and diversions,

and grassed waterways.

Pond reservoir areas hold water behind a dam or

embankment. Soils best suited to this use have low

seepage potential in the upper 60 inches. The

seepage potential is determined by the permeability

of the soil and the depth to fractured bedrock or other

permeable material. Excessive slope can affect the

storage capacity of the reservoir area.

Embankments, dikes, and levees are raised

structures of soil material, generally less than 20 feet

high, constructed to impound water or to protect land

against overflow. In this table, the soils are rated as a

source of material for embankment fill. The ratings

apply to the soil material below the surface layer to a

depth of about 5 feet. It is assumed that soil layers

will be uniformly mixed and compacted during

construction.

The ratings do not indicate the ability of the natural

soil to support an embankment. Soil properties to a

depth even greater than the height of the

embankment can affect performance and safety of

the embankment. Generally, deeper onsite

investigation is needed to determine these properties.

Soil material in embankments must be resistant to

seepage, piping, and erosion and have favorable

compaction characteristics. Unfavorable features

include less than 5 feet of suitable material and a

high content of stones or boulders, organic matter, or

salts or sodium. A high water table affects the

amount of usable material. It also affects trafficability.

Aquifer-fed excavated ponds are pits or dugouts

that extend to a ground-water aquifer or to a depth

below a permanent water table. Excluded are ponds

that are fed only by surface runoff and embankment

ponds that impound water 3 feet or more above the

original surface. Excavated ponds are affected by

depth to a permanent water table, permeability of the

aquifer, and quality of the water as inferred from the

salinity of the soil. Depth to bedrock and the content

of large stones affect the ease of excavation.

Irrigation is the controlled application of water to

supplement rainfall and support plant growth. The

design and management of an irrigation system are

affected by depth to the water table, the need for

drainage, flooding, available water capacity, intake

rate, permeability, erosion hazard, and slope. The

construction of a system is affected by large stones

and depth to bedrock or to a cemented pan. The

performance of a system is affected by the depth of

the root zone, the amount of salts or sodium, and soil

reaction.

Terraces and diversions are embankments or a

combination of channels and ridges constructed

across a slope to control erosion and conserve

moisture by intercepting runoff. Slope, wetness, large

stones, and depth to bedrock or to a cemented pan

affect the construction of terraces and diversions. A

restricted rooting depth, a severe hazard of wind

erosion or water erosion, an excessively coarse

texture, and restricted permeability adversely affect

maintenance.

Grassed waterways are natural or constructed

channels, generally broad and shallow, that

conduct surface water to outlets at a nonerosive

velocity. Large stones, wetness, slope, and depth to

bedrock or to a cemented pan affect the construction

of grassed waterways. A hazard of wind erosion,

low available water capacity, restricted rooting

depth, toxic substances such as salts and sodium,

and restricted permeability adversely affect the

growth and maintenance of the grass after

construction.
51

Data relating to soil properties are collected during

the course of the soil survey. The estimates of soil

and water features, listed in tables, are explained on

the following pages.

Soil properties are determined by field examination

of the soils and by laboratory testing of some

benchmark soils. Established standard procedures

are followed. During the survey, shallow borings are

made and examined to identify and classify the soils

and to delineate them on the soil maps.

Estimates of soil properties are based on field

examinations, on laboratory tests of samples from

the survey area, and on laboratory tests of samples

of similar soils in nearby areas. Tests verify field

observations, verify properties that cannot be

estimated accurately by field observation, and help to

characterize key soils.

The estimates of soil properties shown in the

tables include the range of grain-size distribution and

Atterberg limits, the engineering classification, and

the physical and chemical properties of the major

layers of each soil. Pertinent soil and water features

also are given.

Engineering Index Properties

Table 12 gives estimates of the engineering

classification and of the range of index properties for

the major layers of each soil in the survey area. Most

soils have layers of contrasting properties within the

upper 5 or 6 feet.

Depth to the upper and lower boundaries of each

layer is indicated. The range in depth and information

on other properties of each layer are given for each

soil series under the heading “Taxonomic Units and

Their Morphology.”

Texture is given in the standard terms used by the

U.S. Department of Agriculture. These terms are

defined according to percentages of sand, silt, and

clay in the fraction of the soil that is less than 2

millimeters in diameter. “Loam,” for example, is soil

that is 7 to 27 percent clay, 28 to 50 percent silt, and

less than 52 percent sand. If the content of particles

coarser than sand is as much as about 15 percent,

an appropriate modifier is added, for example,

“gravelly.” Textural terms are defined in the Glossary.

Classification of the soils is determined according

to the Unified soil classification system (2) and the

system adopted by the American Association of

State Highway and Transportation Officials (1).

The Unified system classifies soils according to

properties that affect their use as construction

material. Soils are classified according to grain-size

distribution of the fraction less than 3 inches in

diameter and according to plasticity index, liquid limit,

and organic matter content. Sandy and gravelly soils

are identified as GW, GP, GM, GC, SW, SP, SM, and

SC; silty and clayey soils as ML, CL, OL, MH, CH,

and OH; and highly organic soils as PT. Soils

exhibiting engineering properties of two groups can

have a dual classification, for example, CL-ML.

The AASHTO system classifies soils according to

those properties that affect roadway construction and

maintenance. In this system, the fraction of a mineral

soil that is less than 3 inches in diameter is classified

in one of seven groups from A-1 through A-7 on the

basis of grain-size distribution, liquid limit, and

plasticity index. Soils in group A-1 are coarse grained

and low in content of fines (silt and clay). At the other

extreme, soils in group A-7 are fine grained. Highly

organic soils are classified in group A-8 on the basis

of visual inspection.

Rock fragments 3 to 10 inches in diameter are

indicated as a percentage of the total soil on a dryweight basis. The percentages are estimates

determined mainly by converting volume percentage

in the field to weight percentage.

Percentage (of soil particles) passing designated

sieves is the percentage of the soil fraction less than

3 inches in diameter based on an ovendry weight.

The sieves, numbers 4, 10, 40, and 200 (USA

Standard Series), have openings of 4.76, 2.00, 0.420,

and 0.074 millimeters, respectively. Estimates are

based on field examination.

Liquid limit and plasticity index (Atterberg limits)

indicate the plasticity characteristics of a soil. The

estimates are based on field examination.

The estimates of grain-size distribution, liquid

Soil Properties
52 Soil Survey

limit, and plasticity index are generally rounded to the

nearest 5 percent. Thus, if the ranges of gradation

and Atterberg limits extend a marginal amount (1 or 2

percentage points) across classification boundaries,

the classification in the marginal zone is omitted in

the table.

Physical and Chemical Properties

Table 13 shows estimates of some characteristics

and features that affect soil behavior. These

estimates are given for the major layers of each soil

in the survey area. The estimates are based on field

observations and on test data for these and similar

soils.

Clay as a soil separate consists of mineral soil

particles that are less than 0.002 millimeter in

diameter. In this table, the estimated clay content of

each major soil layer is given as a percentage, by

weight, of the soil material that is less than 2

millimeters in diameter.

The amount and kind of clay greatly affect the

fertility and physical condition of the soil. They

determine the ability of the soil to adsorb cations and

to retain moisture. They influence shrink-swell

potential, permeability, plasticity, the ease of soil

dispersion, and other soil properties. The amount and

kind of clay in a soil also affect tillage and

earthmoving operations.

Moist bulk density is the weight of soil (ovendry)

per unit volume. Volume is measured when the soil is

at field moisture capacity, that is, the moisture

content at 1/3-bar moisture tension. Weight is

determined after drying the soil at 105 degrees C. In

this table, the estimated moist bulk density of each

major soil horizon is expressed in grams per cubic

centimeter of soil material that is less than 2

millimeters in diameter. Bulk density data are used to

compute shrink-swell potential, available water

capacity, total pore space, and other soil properties.

The moist bulk density of a soil indicates the pore

space available for water and roots. A bulk density of

more than 1.6 can restrict water storage and root

penetration. Moist bulk density is influenced by

texture, kind of clay, content of organic matter, and

soil structure.

Permeability refers to the ability of a soil to

transmit water or air. The estimates indicate the rate

of downward movement of water when the soil is

saturated. They are based on soil characteristics

observed in the field, particularly structure, porosity,

and texture. Permeability is considered in the design

of soil drainage systems and septic tank absorption

fields.

Available water capacity refers to the quantity of

water that the soil is capable of storing for use by

plants. The capacity for water storage is given in

inches of water per inch of soil for each major soil

layer. The capacity varies, depending on soil

properties that affect the retention of water and the

depth of the root zone. The most important properties

are the content of organic matter, soil texture, bulk

density, and soil structure. Available water capacity is

an important factor in the choice of plants or crops to

be grown and in the design and management of

irrigation systems. Available water capacity is not an

estimate of the quantity of water actually available to

plants at any given time.

Soil reaction is a measure of acidity or alkalinity

and is expressed as a range in pH values. The range

in pH of each major horizon is based on many field

tests. Soil reaction is important in selecting crops

and other plants, in evaluating soil amendments for

fertility and stabilization, and in determining the risk

of corrosion.

Shrink-swell potential is the potential for volume

change in a soil with a loss or gain in moisture.

Volume change occurs mainly because of the

interaction of clay minerals with water and varies with

the amount and type of clay minerals in the soil. The

size of the load on the soil and the magnitude of the

change in soil moisture content influence the amount

of swelling of soils in place. Laboratory

measurements of swelling of undisturbed clods were

made for many soils. For others, swelling was

estimated on the basis of the kind and amount of clay

minerals in the soil and on measurements of similar

soils.

If the shrink-swell potential is rated moderate to

very high, shrinking and swelling can cause damage

to buildings, roads, and other structures. Special

design is often needed.

Shrink-swell potential classes are based on the

change in length of an unconfined clod as moisture

content is increased from air-dry to field capacity.

The classes are low, a change of less than 3 percent;

moderate, 3 to 6 percent; high, more than 6 percent;

and very high, greater than 9 percent.

Erosion factor K indicates the susceptibility of a

soil to sheet and rill erosion by water. Factor K is one

of six factors used in the Universal Soil Loss

Equation (USLE) to predict the average annual rate of

soil loss by sheet and rill erosion in tons per acre per

year. The estimates are based primarily on

percentage of silt, sand, rock fragments, and organic

matter (up to 4 percent) and on soil structure and

permeability. Values of K range from 0.02 to 0.64.

Other factors being equal, the higher the value, the
Sherman County, Oregon 53

more susceptible the soil is to sheet and rill erosion

by water.

Erosion factor T is an estimate of the maximum

average annual rate of soil erosion by wind or water

that can occur without affecting crop productivity

over a sustained period. The rate is in tons per acre

per year.

Wind erodibility groups are made up of soils that

have similar properties affecting their resistance to

wind erosion in cultivated areas. The groups indicate

the susceptibility of soil to wind erosion. The soils

assigned to group 1 are the most susceptible to wind

erosion, and those assigned to group 8 are the least

susceptible. The groups are as follows:

1. Coarse sands, sands, fine sands, and very

fine sands.

2. Loamy coarse sands, loamy sands, loamy fine

sands, loamy very fine sands, ash material, and

sapric soil material.

3. Coarse sandy loams, sandy loams, fine sandy

loams, and very fine sandy loams.

4L. Calcareous loams, silt loams, clay loams,

and silty clay loams.

4. Clays, silty clays, noncalcareous clay loams,

and silty clay loams that are more than 35 percent

clay.

5. Noncalcareous loams and silt loams that are

less than 20 percent clay and sandy clay loams,

sandy clays, and hemic soil material.

6. Noncalcareous loams and silt loams that are

more than 20 percent clay and noncalcareous clay

loams that are less than 35 percent clay.

7. Silts, noncalcareous silty clay loams that are

less than 35 percent clay, and fibric soil material.

8. Soils that are not subject to wind erosion

because of coarse fragments on the surface or

because of surface wetness.

Organic matter is the plant and animal residue in

the soil at various stages of decomposition. In the

table, the estimated content of organic matter is

expressed as a percentage, by weight, of the soil

material that is less than 2 millimeters in diameter.

The content of organic matter in a soil can be

maintained or increased by returning crop residue to

the soil. Organic matter affects the available water

capacity, infiltration rate, and tilth. It is a source of

nitrogen and other nutrients for crops.

Soil and Water Features

Table 14 gives estimates of various soil and water

features. The estimates are used in land use planning

that involves engineering considerations.

Hydrologic soil groups are based on estimates of

runoff potential. Soils are assigned to one of four

groups according to the rate of water infiltration when

the soils are not protected by vegetation, are

thoroughly wet, and receive precipitation from longduration storms.

The four hydrologic soil groups are:

Group A. Soils having a high infiltration rate (low

runoff potential) when thoroughly wet. These consist

mainly of deep, well drained to excessively drained

sands or gravelly sands. These soils have a high rate

of water transmission.

Group B. Soils having a moderate infiltration rate

when thoroughly wet. These consist chiefly of

moderately deep or deep, moderately well drained or

well drained soils that have moderately fine texture to

moderately coarse texture. These soils have a

moderate rate of water transmission.

Group C. Soils having a slow infiltration rate when

thoroughly wet. These consist chiefly of soils having

a layer that impedes the downward movement of

water or soils of moderately fine texture or fine

texture. These soils have a slow rate of water

transmission.

Group D. Soils having a very slow infiltration rate

(high runoff potential) when thoroughly wet. These

consist chiefly of clays that have a high shrink-swell

potential, soils that have a high water table, soils that

have a claypan or clay layer at or near the surface,

and soils that are shallow over nearly impervious

material. These soils have a very slow rate of water

transmission.

Depth to bedrock is given if bedrock is within a

depth of 5 feet. The depth is based on many soil

borings and on observations during soil mapping. The

rock is either soft or hard. If the rock is soft or

fractured, excavations can be made with trenching

machines, backhoes, or small rippers. If the rock is

hard or massive, blasting or special equipment

generally is needed for excavation.

Potential frost action is the likelihood of upward or

lateral expansion of the soil caused by the formation

of segregated ice lenses (frost heave) and the

subsequent collapse of the soil and loss of strength

on thawing. Frost action occurs when moisture

moves into the freezing zone of the soil. Temperature,

texture, density, permeability, content of organic

matter, and depth to the water table are the most

important factors considered in evaluating the

potential for frost action. It is assumed that the soil is

not insulated by vegetation or snow and is not

artificially drained. Silty and highly structured, clayey

soils that have a high water table in winter are the

most susceptible to frost action. Well drained, very

gravelly, or very sandy soils are the least
54

susceptible. Frost heave and low soil strength during

thawing cause damage mainly to pavements and

other rigid structures.

Risk of corrosion pertains to potential soil-induced

electrochemical or chemical action that dissolves or

weakens uncoated steel or concrete. The rate of

corrosion of uncoated steel is related to such

factors as soil moisture, particle-size distribution,

acidity, and electrical conductivity of the soil.

The rate of corrosion of concrete is based mainly on

the sulfate and sodium content, texture, moisture

content, and acidity of the soil. Special site

examination and design may be needed if the

combination of factors results in a severe hazard of

corrosion. The steel in installations that intersect

soil boundaries or soil layers is more susceptible

to corrosion than steel in installations that are

entirely within one kind of soil or within one soil

layer.

For uncoated steel, the risk of corrosion,

expressed as low, moderate, or high, is based on soil

drainage class, total acidity, electrical resistivity near

field capacity, and electrical conductivity of the

saturation extract.

For concrete, the risk of corrosion is also

expressed as low, moderate, or high. It is based on

soil texture, acidity, and amount of sulfates in the

saturation extract.
55

The system of soil classification used by the

National Cooperative Soil Survey has six categories

(4, 7). Beginning with the broadest, these categories

are the order, suborder, great group, subgroup, family,

and series. Classification is based on soil properties

observed in the field or inferred from those

observations or from laboratory measurements. Table

15 shows the classification of the soils in the survey

area. The categories are defined in the following

paragraphs.

ORDER. Eleven soil orders are recognized. The

differences among orders reflect the dominant soilforming processes and the degree of soil formation.

Each order is identified by a word ending in sol. An

example is Mollisol.

SUBORDER. Each order is divided into suborders

primarily on the basis of properties that influence soil

genesis and are important to plant growth or

properties that reflect the most important variables

within the orders. The last syllable in the name of a

suborder indicates the order. An example is Xeroll

(Xer, meaning dry, plus oll, from Mollisol).

GREAT GROUP. Each suborder is divided into

great groups on the basis of close similarities in kind,

arrangement, and degree of development of

pedogenic horizons; soil moisture and temperature

regimes; type of saturation; and base status. Each

great group is identified by the name of a suborder

and by a prefix that indicates a property of the soil.

An example is Haploxerolls (Haplo, meaning minimal

horizonation, plus Xeroll, the suborder of the

Mollisols that has a Xeric moisture regime).

SUBGROUP. Each great group has a typic

subgroup. Other subgroups are intergrades or

extragrades. The typic subgroup is the central

concept of the great group; it is not necessarily the

most extensive. Intergrades are transitions to other

orders, suborders, or great groups. Extragrades have

some properties that are not representative of the

great group but do not indicate transitions to any

other taxonomic class. Each subgroup is identified by

one or more adjectives preceding the name of the

great group. The adjective Typic identifies the

subgroup that typifies the great group. An example is

Typic Haploxerolls.

FAMILY. Families are established within a

subgroup on the basis of physical and chemical

properties and other characteristics that affect

management. Generally, the properties are those of

horizons below plow depth where there is much

biological activity. Among the properties and

characteristics considered are particle size, mineral

content, soil temperature regime, soil depth, and

reaction. A family name consists of the name of a

subgroup preceded by terms that indicate soil

properties. An example is coarse-silty, mixed, mesic

Typic Haploxerolls.

SERIES. The series consists of soils within a

family that have horizons similar in color, texture,

structure, reaction, consistence, mineral and

chemical composition, and arrangement in the profile.

Taxonomic Units and Their

Morphology

In this section, each taxonomic unit recognized in

the survey area is described. Characteristics of the

soil and the material in which it formed are identified

for each unit. A pedon, a small three-dimensional

area of soil, that is typical of the unit in the survey

area is described. The detailed description of each

soil horizon follows standards in the “Soil Survey

Manual” (5). Many of the technical terms used in the

descriptions are defined in “Soil Taxonomy” (7) and in

“Keys to Soil Taxonomy” (4). Unless otherwise

indicated, colors in the descriptions are for moist soil.

Following the pedon description is the range of

important characteristics of the soils in the unit.

The map units of each taxonomic unit are

described in the section “Detailed Soil Map Units.”

Anderly Series

The Anderly series consists of moderately deep,

well drained soils on mesas and canyons. The soils

formed in loess over basalt. Slopes are 1 to 35

percent. The mean annual precipitation is about 13

inches, and the mean annual air temperature is about

50 degrees F.

Classification of the Soils
56 Soil Survey

Typical pedon of Anderly silt loam, 1 to 7 percent

slopes; about 400 feet east of county road, 1,800 feet

east and 550 feet north of the southwest corner of

sec. 3, T. 1 S., R. 17 E.

Ap1—0 to 8 inches; very dark grayish brown (10YR

3/2) silt loam, grayish brown (10YR 5/2) dry;

weak fine granular structure; slightly hard, friable,

slightly sticky and slightly plastic; many very fine

roots; many very fine interstitial pores; neutral

(pH 6.6); abrupt smooth boundary.

Ap2—8 to 10 inches; very dark grayish brown (10YR

3/2) silt loam, grayish brown (10YR 5/2) dry;

weak thick platy structure parting to weak fine

granular; slightly hard, friable, slightly sticky and

slightly plastic; many very fine roots; many very

fine tubular pores; neutral (pH 6.8); abrupt

smooth boundary.

Bw1—10 to 18 inches; dark brown (10YR 3/3) silt

loam, brown (10YR 5/3) dry; weak coarse

prismatic structure; slightly hard, friable, slightly

sticky and slightly plastic; many very fine roots;

many very fine and fine tubular pores; neutral

(pH 7.0); clear smooth boundary.

Bw2—18 to 30 inches; dark brown (10YR 4/3) silt

loam, pale brown (10YR 6/3) dry; weak coarse

prismatic structure parting to weak medium

subangular blocky; slightly hard, friable, slightly

sticky and slightly plastic; many very fine roots;

many very fine tubular pores; neutral (pH 7.2);

abrupt wavy boundary.

2R—30 inches; basalt.

The depth to bedrock ranges from 20 to 40 inches.

The Ap horizon has value of 2 or 3 when moist and

4 or 5 when dry, and it has chroma of 2 or 3 when

moist or dry.

The Bw horizon has value of 3 or 4 when moist

and 5 or 6 when dry, and it has chroma of 2 or 3

when moist or dry. It is neutral or mildly alkaline.

Anders Series

The Anders series consists of moderately deep,

well drained soils on mesas and canyons. The soils

formed in loess over basalt. Slopes are 3 to 35

percent. The mean annual precipitation is about 13

inches, and the mean annual air temperature is about

50 degrees F.

Typical pedon of Anders very fine sandy loam, 3 to

7 percent slopes; about 200 feet south of county

road, 2,400 feet north and 1,350 feet east of the

southwest corner of sec. 12, T. 2 N., R. 16 E.

Ap—0 to 8 inches; very dark grayish brown (10YR

3/2) very fine sandy loam, grayish brown (10YR

5/2) dry; massive; slightly hard, friable, nonsticky

and nonplastic; few very fine roots; few very fine

interstitial pores; neutral (pH 6.6); abrupt smooth

boundary.

A—8 to 13 inches; very dark grayish brown (10YR

3/2) very fine sandy loam, brown (10YR 5/3) dry;

weak very fine subangular blocky structure;

slightly hard, friable, nonsticky and nonplastic;

few very fine roots; few very fine and fine

interstitial pores; neutral (pH 6.8); clear smooth

boundary.

Bw—13 to 33 inches; dark brown (10YR 4/3) very

fine sandy loam, yellowish brown (10YR 5/4) dry;

weak fine subangular blocky structure; slightly

hard, friable, nonsticky and nonplastic; few very

fine roots; common very fine and fine interstitial

pores; neutral (pH 7.0); abrupt smooth boundary.

2R—33 inches; basalt.

The depth to bedrock ranges from 20 to 40 inches.

The A horizon has value of 2 or 3 when moist and

4 or 5 when dry, and it has chroma of 2 or 3 when

moist or dry. It is neutral or mildly alkaline.

The Bw horizon has value of 3 or 4 when moist

and 5 or 6 when dry, and it has chroma of 3 or 4

when moist or dry. The horizon is very fine sandy

loam, silt loam, or gravelly silt loam. It is neutral to

moderately alkaline.

Bakeoven Series

The Bakeoven series consists of very shallow,

well drained soils on mesas. The soils formed in

residuum derived from basalt. Slopes are 2 to 20

percent. The mean annual precipitation is about 12

inches, and the mean annual air temperature is about

50 degrees F.

Typical profile of Bakeoven very stony loam, 2 to

20 percent slopes; about 1,250 feet west and 1,350

feet north of the southeast quarter corner of sec. 6,

T. 4 S., R. 15 E.

A—0 to 2 inches; dark brown (7.5YR 3/2) very

stony loam, brown (7.5YR 5/3) dry; weak thin

platy structure parting to weak fine granular;

slightly hard, friable, slightly sticky and slightly

plastic; many very fine roots and few fine roots;

many fine interstitial pores; 20 percent gravel,

15 percent cobbles, and 20 percent stones;

slightly acid (pH 6.5); abrupt smooth

boundary.
Sherman County, Oregon 57

Bw1—2 to 5 inches; dark brown (10YR 3/3) very

cobbly loam, brown (7.5YR 5/3) dry; weak thin

platy structure parting to weak fine and medium

granular; slightly hard, friable, sticky and plastic;

many very fine roots and few fine roots; common

fine interstitial and tubular pores; 20 percent

gravel, 20 percent cobbles, and 10 percent

stones; neutral (pH 6.8); abrupt smooth boundary.

Bw2—5 to 7 inches; dark yellowish brown (10YR 3/4)

very cobbly loam, yellowish brown (10YR 5/4)

dry; moderate fine subangular blocky structure;

hard, firm, sticky and plastic; many very fine

roots and few fine roots; few fine tubular pores;

20 percent gravel, 30 percent cobbles, and 5

percent stones; neutral (pH 6.9); abrupt wavy

boundary.

R—7 inches; basalt.

The depth to bedrock ranges from 4 to 10 inches.

The profile has hue of 7.5YR or 10YR.

The A horizon has value of 2 or 3 when moist and

4 or 5 when dry, and it has chroma of 2 or 3 when

moist and 2 to 4 when dry. The horizon is slightly acid

to mildly alkaline.

The Bw horizon has value of 2 or 3 when moist

and 4 or 5 when dry, and it has chroma of 2 or 3

when moist and 2 to 4 when dry. The horizon is very

gravelly clay loam, very gravelly loam, or very

cobbly loam. It is neutral or mildly alkaline.

Cantala Series

The Cantala series consists of very deep, well

drained soils on mesas. The soils formed in loess.

Slopes are 1 to 15 percent. The mean annual

precipitation is about 11 inches, and the mean annual

air temperature is about 49 degrees F.

Typical pedon of Cantala silt loam, 1 to 7 percent

slopes; about 150 feet north of county road, 550 feet

east and 150 feet north of the southwest corner of

sec. 30, T. 2 S., R. 17 E.

Ap—0 to 9 inches; very dark grayish brown

(10YR 3/2) silt loam, grayish brown (10YR 5/2)

dry; massive; slightly hard, friable, slightly sticky

and slightly plastic; few very fine roots; few very

fine vesicular pores; neutral (pH 6.6); abrupt

smooth boundary.

A—9 to 15 inches; very dark grayish brown

(10YR 3/2) silt loam, grayish brown (10YR 5/2)

dry; weak very fine subangular blocky structure;

slightly hard, friable, slightly sticky and slightly

plastic; few very fine roots; many very fine

vesicular pores; neutral (pH 6.6); gradual smooth

boundary.

Bw1—15 to 31 inches; dark brown (10YR 3/3) silt

loam, brown (10YR 5/3) dry; weak fine

subangular blocky structure; slightly hard, friable,

slightly sticky and slightly plastic; few very fine

roots; many very fine and fine pores; neutral (pH

6.9); gradual smooth boundary.

Bw2—31 to 60 inches; dark brown (10YR 4/3) silt

loam, brown (10YR 5/3) dry; moderate fine

subangular blocky structure; slightly hard, friable,

slightly sticky and slightly plastic; many very fine

and fine pores; neutral (pH 7.1); abrupt wavy

boundary.

2R—60 inches; basalt.

The depth to bedrock is more than 60 inches. The

content of organic matter is less than 1 percent

below a depth of 15 inches.

The A horizon has value of 2 or 3 when moist and

4 or 5 when dry, and it has chroma of 2 or 3 when

moist or dry.

The Bw horizon has value of 3 or 4 when moist

and 5 or 6 when dry, and it has chroma of 3 or 4

when moist or dry.

Condon Series

The Condon series consists of moderately deep,

well drained soils on mesas and canyons. The soils

formed in loess over basalt. Slopes are 1 to 35

percent. The mean annual precipitation is about 11

inches, and the mean annual air temperature is about

49 degrees F.

Typical pedon of Condon silt loam, 1 to 7 percent

slopes; 2,400 feet north and 150 feet west of the

southeast corner of sec. 5, T. 3 S., R. 17 E.

A1—0 to 3 inches; very dark grayish brown

(10YR 3/2) silt loam, grayish brown (10YR 5/2)

dry; weak medium platy structure parting to weak

medium granular; slightly hard, friable, slightly

sticky and slightly plastic; many very fine and

fine roots; common fine interstitial pores; neutral

(pH 6.6); abrupt smooth boundary.

A2—3 to 12 inches; very dark grayish brown

(10YR 3/2) silt loam, grayish brown (10YR 5/2)

dry; weak coarse prismatic structure parting to

weak medium and coarse subangular blocky;

slightly hard, friable, slightly sticky and slightly

plastic; many very fine roots; common fine

tubular pores; neutral (pH 6.7); clear smooth

boundary.
58 Soil Survey

Bw1—12 to 19 inches; dark brown (10YR 3/3) silt

loam, brown (10YR 5/3) dry; weak coarse

prismatic structure parting to weak medium and

coarse subangular blocky; slightly hard, friable,

slightly sticky and slightly plastic; many very fine

roots; common fine tubular pores; neutral (pH

6.8); gradual smooth boundary.

Bw2—19 to 30 inches; dark brown (10YR 4/3) silt

loam, pale brown (10YR 6/3) dry; weak coarse

prismatic structure parting to weak fine

subangular blocky; slightly hard, friable, slightly

sticky and slightly plastic; many very fine roots;

common fine tubular pores; neutral (pH 7.2);

abrupt smooth boundary.

2R—30 inches; basalt.

The depth to bedrock is 20 to 40 inches. The

content of organic matter is less than 1 percent

below a depth of 12 inches.

The A horizon has value of 4 or 5 when dry and

chroma of 2 or 3 when moist or dry. It is slightly acid

or neutral.

The Bw horizon has value of 3 or 4 when moist

and 5 or 6 when dry. It is slightly acid to mildly

alkaline.

Endersby Series

The Endersby series consists of very deep,

somewhat excessively drained soils on terraces. The

soils formed in alluvium. Slopes are 0 to 3 percent.

The mean annual precipitation is about 11 inches,

and the mean annual air temperature is about 49

degrees F.

Typical pedon of Endersby fine sandy loam in an

area of Endersby-Hermiston complex, 0 to 3 percent

slopes; about 1,200 feet north of Harmony; 2,000 feet

west and 1,600 feet north of the southeast quarter

corner of sec. 30, T. 1 S., R. 18 E.

A1—0 to 16 inches; very dark grayish brown

(10YR 3/2) fine sandy loam, dark grayish brown

(10YR 4/2) dry; weak medium granular structure

parting to weak medium subangular blocky;

slightly hard, very friable, nonsticky and

nonplastic; many very fine roots and common

fine roots; many fine interstitial pores; neutral

(pH 7.2); clear wavy boundary.

A2—16 to 25 inches; very dark grayish brown

(10YR 3/2) fine sandy loam, dark grayish brown

(10YR 4/2) dry; weak fine subangular blocky

structure; soft, very friable, nonsticky and

nonplastic; many very fine roots; many fine

interstitial pores; mildly alkaline (pH 7.6); clear

wavy boundary.

Bw—25 to 31 inches; very dark grayish brown

(10YR 3/2) fine sandy loam, dark grayish brown

(10YR 4/2) dry; weak medium subangular blocky

structure; slightly hard, very friable, nonsticky

and nonplastic; many very fine roots and few fine

roots; many fine interstitial pores; 10 percent

subangular rounded gravel; mildly alkaline

(pH 7.6); clear smooth boundary.

2BC—31 to 40 inches; very dark grayish brown

(10YR 3/2) very gravelly sand, brown (10YR 5/3)

dry; massive; soft, very friable, nonsticky and

nonplastic; many very fine roots and few fine

roots; many fine interstitial pores; 50 percent

subangular rounded gravel; mildly alkaline (pH

7.6); clear smooth boundary.

2C—40 to 60 inches; very dark grayish brown

(10YR 3/2) and black (10YR 2/1) extremely

gravelly sand, multicolored (10YR 7/1 to 5/2 and

10YR 2/1) dry; single grain; loose, nonsticky and

nonplastic; common very fine roots; many fine

and medium interstitial pores; 70 percent

subangular rounded gravel; mildly alkaline

(pH 7.6).

The depth to sand and gravel is 30 to 60 inches.

The profile is neutral to moderately alkaline

throughout. The content of organic matter decreases

irregularly as depth increases. The mollic epipedon is

30 to 50 inches thick.

The A horizon has value of 2 or 3 when moist and

4 or 5 when dry.

The Bw horizon has value of 2 or 3 when moist

and 4 or 5 when dry, and it has chroma of 2 or 3

when moist or dry. The horizon is fine sandy loam or

loam.

The 2BC and 2C horizons have value of 5 to 7

when dry and chroma of 2 or 3 when moist and 1 to 3

when dry. They are stratified very gravelly sand and

extremely gravelly sand. The total content of rock

fragment ranges from 50 to 80 percent.

Hermiston Series

The Hermiston series consists of very deep, well

drained soils on flood plains. The soils formed in

alluvium. Slopes are 0 to 3 percent. The mean annual

precipitation is about 11 inches, and the mean annual

air temperature is about 49 degrees F.

Typical pedon of Hermiston silt loam in an area of

Endersby-Hermiston complex, 0 to 3 percent slopes;

northwest of Kenneth Spring; about 2,500 feet east

and 300 feet south of the northwest corner of sec. 10,

T. 1 S., R. 17 E.

A1—0 to 8 inches; dark brown (10YR 3/3) silt loam,
Sherman County, Oregon 59

grayish brown (10YR 5/2) dry; weak thick platy

structure; slightly hard, friable, nonsticky and

nonplastic; many very fine and fine roots and few

medium roots; many very fine interstitial pores;

mildly alkaline (pH 7.4); clear smooth boundary.

A2—8 to 21 inches; dark brown (10YR 3/3) silt loam,

brown (10YR 5/3) dry; weak coarse prismatic

structure parting to weak medium subangular

blocky; slightly hard, friable, nonsticky and

nonplastic; many very fine and fine roots and

few medium roots; many very fine interstitial

pores; mildly alkaline (pH 7.8); clear smooth

boundary.

2Bk1—21 to 26 inches; dark grayish brown

(10YR 4/2) very fine sandy loam, light gray

(10YR 7/2) dry; massive; soft, very friable,

nonsticky and nonplastic; common very fine

roots and few fine roots; many very fine

interstitial pores; strongly effervescent with

disseminated and segregated mycelial lime;

moderately alkaline (pH 8.4); clear wavy

boundary.

2Bk2—26 to 37 inches; dark brown (10YR 4/3) very

fine sandy loam, light brownish gray (10YR 6/2)

dry; massive; soft, very friable, nonsticky and

nonplastic; few very fine and fine roots; many fine

tubular pores; slightly effervescent with

disseminated lime; moderately alkaline (pH 8.4);

clear wavy boundary.

3C—37 to 60 inches; dark brown (10YR 4/3) silt

loam, light gray (10YR 7/2) dry; massive; slightly

hard, friable, slightly sticky and nonplastic; few

fine roots; many fine vesicular pores; moderately

alkaline (pH 8.4).

The depth to bedrock is more than 60 inches. The

depth to secondary lime is 20 to 30 inches. The

mollic epipedon is 20 to 30 inches thick. The content

of organic matter decreases irregularly as depth

increases.

The A horizon has value of 2 or 3 when moist and

4 or 5 when dry, and it has chroma of 1 to 3 when

moist or dry. The horizon is neutral to moderately

alkaline.

The 2Bk and 3C horizons have value of 3 or 4

when moist and 6 or 7 when dry, and they have

chroma of 2 or 3 when moist or dry. The horizons are

silt loam or very fine sandy loam. They are mildly

alkaline to strongly alkaline.

Kuhl Series

The Kuhl series consists of shallow, well drained

soils on canyons. The soils formed in loess over

basalt. Slopes are 3 to 40 percent. The mean annual

precipitation is about 13 inches, and the mean annual

air temperature is about 50 degrees F.

Typical pedon of Kuhl very stony very fine sandy

loam in an area of Kuhl-Rock outcrop complex, 20 to

40 percent north slopes; about 1,500 feet east and

2,400 feet south of the northwest corner of sec. 6,

T. 2 N., R. 17 E.

A1—0 to 5 inches; very dark grayish brown

(10YR 3/2) very stony very fine sandy loam,

grayish brown (10YR 5/2) dry; weak thin platy

structure parting to weak fine granular; slightly

hard, friable, slightly sticky and slightly plastic;

many very fine roots and common fine roots;

common very fine tubular pores; 5 percent

gravel, 30 percent cobbles, and 20 percent

stones; neutral (pH 6.8); abrupt smooth boundary.

A2—5 to 12 inches; dark brown (10YR 3/3) stony silt

loam, brown (10YR 5/3) dry; weak coarse

prismatic structure; slightly hard, friable, slightly

sticky and slightly plastic; many very fine roots

and few fine roots; many very fine tubular pores

and common fine tubular pores; 5 percent gravel,

15 percent cobbles, and 10 percent stones;

neutral (pH 7.0); clear smooth boundary.

Bw—12 to 17 inches; dark brown (10YR 4/3) stony

silt loam, brown (10YR 5/3) dry; weak coarse

subangular blocky structure; slightly hard, friable,

sticky and plastic; common very fine roots and

few fine roots; common very fine tubular pores;

5 percent gravel, 10 percent cobbles, and

10 percent stones; neutral (pH 7.0); abrupt wavy

boundary.

2R—17 inches; basalt.

The depth to bedrock ranges from 10 to 20 inches.

The profile is neutral or mildly alkaline throughout.

The content of rock fragments in the particle-size

control section averages 20 to 35 percent.

The A horizon has value of 2 or 3 when moist and

4 or 5 when dry, and it has chroma of 2 or 3 when

moist or dry.

The Bw horizon has value of 3 or 4 when moist

and 5 or 6 when dry, and it has chroma of 3 or 4

when moist or dry. The horizon is stony silt loam,

cobbly loam, or gravelly silt loam.

Lickskillet Series

The Lickskillet series consists of shallow, well

drained soils on canyons. The soils formed in

residuum derived from basalt. Slopes are 2 to 80

percent. The mean annual precipitation is about 12

inches, and the mean annual air temperature is about

50 degrees F.
60 Soil Survey

Typical pedon of Lickskillet very stony loam in an

area of Lickskillet-Rock outcrop complex, 40 to 70

percent south slopes, about 200 feet downslope from

State Road 216; about 50 feet east and 1,500 feet

south of the northwest corner of sec. 6, T. 4 S.,

R. 15 E.

A—0 to 9 inches; very dark grayish brown (10YR 3/2)

very stony loam, brown (10YR 5/3) dry; weak

thin platy structure parting to weak fine granular;

slightly hard, friable, slightly sticky and slightly

plastic; many very fine roots; many very fine

interstitial pores; 20 percent gravel, 10 percent

cobbles, and 20 percent stones; neutral (pH 6.9);

clear wavy boundary.

Bw1—9 to 13 inches; dark brown (7.5YR 3/4) very

gravelly loam, brown (7.5YR 5/4) dry; moderate

fine and medium subangular blocky structure;

hard, very firm, sticky and plastic; common very

fine roots; common very fine tubular pores; 30

percent gravel and 20 percent cobbles; neutral

(pH 6.8); clear wavy boundary.

Bw2—13 to 19 inches; dark brown (7.5YR 3/4) very

gravelly clay loam, brown (7.5YR 5/4) dry;

moderate fine and medium subangular blocky

structure; hard, very firm, sticky and plastic;

common very fine roots; common very fine

tubular pores; 40 percent gravel and 15 percent

cobbles; neutral (pH 6.6); abrupt wavy boundary.

R—19 inches; basalt.

The depth to bedrock ranges from 12 to 20 inches.

The A horizon has value of 2 or 3 when moist and

4 or 5 when dry, and it has chroma of 2 or 3 when

moist or dry. The horizon is slightly acid or neutral.

The Bw horizon has hue of 10YR or 7.5YR, value

of 3 to 5 when moist and 4 to 6 when dry, and chroma

of 2 to 4 when moist or dry. The horizon is very

gravelly clay loam, very gravelly loam, or very

cobbly loam. It is 35 to 60 percent rock fragments. It

is neutral to moderately alkaline.

Mikkalo Series

The Mikkalo series consists of moderately deep,

well drained soils on mesas and canyons. The soils

formed in loess over basalt. Slopes are 2 to 35

percent. The mean annual precipitation is about 10

inches, and the mean annual air temperature is about

50 degrees F.

Typical pedon of Mikkalo silt loam, 2 to 7 percent

slopes, about 300 feet east of road; 300 feet east and

2,500 feet south of the northwest corner of sec. 9,

T. 1 N., R. 19 E.

Ap—0 to 8 inches; very dark grayish brown (10YR

3/2) silt loam, brown (10YR 5/3) dry; weak fine

granular structure; slightly hard, friable,

nonsticky and nonplastic; many very fine roots;

few very fine vesicular pores; neutral (pH 6.8);

abrupt smooth boundary.

A—8 to 12 inches; dark brown (10YR 3/3) silt loam,

brown (10YR 5/3) dry; weak fine subangular

blocky structure; slightly hard, friable, slightly

sticky and slightly plastic; many very fine roots;

few very fine vesicular pores; neutral (pH 6.8);

clear smooth boundary.

Bk1—12 to 24 inches; dark brown (10YR 3/3) silt

loam, pale brown (10YR 6/3) dry; weak fine

subangular blocky structure; slightly hard, friable,

slightly sticky and slightly plastic; common very

fine roots; common very fine and fine vesicular

pores; slightly effervescent; neutral (pH 7.2);

clear smooth boundary.

Bk2—24 to 27 inches; dark brown (10YR 4/3) silt

loam, very pale brown (10YR 7/3) dry; weak

medium subangular blocky structure; slightly

hard, friable, nonsticky and nonplastic; few very

fine roots; few very fine vesicular pores; strongly

effervescent with few segregated filaments of

lime; mildly alkaline (pH 7.6); abrupt smooth

boundary.

2R—27 inches; basalt.

The depth to bedrock ranges from 20 to 40 inches.

The depth to secondary carbonates is 20 to 30

inches.

The A horizon has value of 2 or 3 when moist and

4 or 5 when dry, and it has chroma of 2 or 3 when

moist or dry. The horizon is neutral or mildly alkaline.

The upper part of the Bk horizon has value of 3 or

4 when moist and 5 or 6 when dry, and it has chroma

of 3 or 4 when moist or dry. The lower part has value

of 4 to 6 when moist and 6 to 8 when dry, and it has

chroma of 2 or 3 when moist or dry. The horizon is

mildly alkaline to strongly alkaline. It is 5 to 15

percent calcium carbonate.

Nansene Series

The Nansene series consists of deep, well drained

soils on north-facing slopes of canyons. The soils

formed in loess over basalt. Slopes are 35 to 70

percent. The mean annual precipitation is about 13
Sherman County, Oregon 61

inches, and the mean annual air temperature is about

50 degrees F.

Typical pedon of Nansene silt loam in an area of

Nansene-Rock outcrop complex, 35 to 70 percent

north slopes; about 900 feet north and 2,450 feet east

of the southwest corner of sec. 12, T. 1 N., R. 15 E.

A1—0 to 3 inches; very dark brown (10YR 2/2) silt

loam, dark grayish brown (10YR 4/2) dry; weak

thin platy structure and weak very fine granular;

soft, very friable, slightly sticky and slightly

plastic; many very fine roots; many very fine

interstitial pores; slightly acid (pH 6.5); abrupt

wavy boundary.

A2—3 to 10 inches; very dark brown (10YR 2/2) silt

loam, dark grayish brown (10YR 4/2) dry; weak

thick platy structure and weak medium granular;

soft, very friable, slightly sticky and slightly

plastic; common very fine roots; many very fine

interstitial pores; neutral (pH 6.6); clear smooth

boundary.

A3—10 to 20 inches; very dark brown (10YR 2/2) silt

loam, dark grayish brown (10YR 4/2) dry; weak

coarse prismatic structure; slightly hard, friable,

slightly sticky and slightly plastic; common very

fine roots; many very fine tubular pores; neutral

(pH 6.6); clear smooth boundary.

Bw—20 to 37 inches; very dark brown (10YR 2/2) silt

loam, dark brown (10YR 4/3) dry; weak coarse

prismatic structure; slightly hard, friable, slightly

sticky and slightly plastic; common very fine

roots; many very fine tubular pores; neutral (pH

6.6); clear smooth boundary.

C—37 to 54 inches; dark brown (10YR 3/3) silt loam,

brown (10YR 4/3) dry; massive; slightly hard,

friable, slightly sticky and slightly plastic;

common very fine roots; common very fine

tubular pores; neutral (pH 6.6); abrupt smooth

boundary.

2R—54 inches; basalt.

The depth to bedrock is 40 to 60 inches. The mollic

epipedon is 30 to 50 inches thick. The profile has hue

of 10YR or 7.5YR.

The A horizon has value of 2 or 3 when moist and

4 or 5 when dry, and it has chroma of 2 or 3 when

moist or dry. The horizon is slightly acid or neutral.

The Bw horizon has value of 2 or 3 when moist

and 4 or 5 when dry, and it has chroma of 2 or 3

when moist or dry. The horizon is slightly acid to

mildly alkaline.

The C horizon has value of 3 to 5 when moist and

4 to 7 when dry. It is weakly calcareous below a

depth of 40 inches in some pedons. The horizon is

neutral to moderately alkaline.

Pedigo Series

The Pedigo series consists of very deep,

somewhat poorly drained soils on flood plains. The

soils formed in alluvium. Slopes are 0 to 3 percent.

The mean annual precipitation is about 11 inches,

and the mean annual air temperature is about 49

degrees F.

Typical pedon of Pedigo silt loam, 0 to 3 percent

slopes; about 750 feet north and 500 feet west of the

southeast corner of sec. 34, T. 3 S., R. 16 E.

Ak1—0 to 2 inches; dark brown (10YR 3/3) silt loam,

grayish brown (10YR 5/2) dry; weak fine and

very fine subangular blocky structure; slightly

hard, firm, slightly sticky and slightly plastic;

many very fine roots; few fine tubular pores;

strongly alkaline (pH 8.5); strongly effervescent;

clear smooth boundary.

Ak2—2 to 7 inches; very dark brown (10YR 2/2)

silt loam, dark gray (10YR 4/1) dry; weak fine

and very fine subangular blocky structure;

slightly hard, friable, slightly sticky and slightly

plastic; many very fine roots and few fine roots;

few fine tubular pores; moderately alkaline (pH

8.4); strongly effervescent; clear smooth

boundary.

Ak3—7 to 16 inches; black (10YR 2/1) silt loam, dark

gray (10YR 4/1) dry; weak medium prismatic

structure parting to weak fine subangular blocky;

slightly hard, friable, slightly sticky and slightly

plastic; many very fine roots and few fine roots;

few fine tubular pores; moderately alkaline (pH

8.4); strongly efffervescent; clear smooth

boundary.

Ak4—16 to 21 inches; very dark gray (10YR 3/1) silt

loam, gray (10YR 5/1) dry; weak fine subangular

blocky structure; hard, very firm, sticky and

plastic; many very fine roots; common fine

tubular pores; moderately alkaline (pH 8.2);

strongly effervescent; clear smooth boundary.

ACk—21 to 35 inches; dark gray (10YR 4/1) silt loam,

gray (10YR 5/1) dry; weak fine subangular blocky

structure; hard, very firm, sticky and plastic;

many very fine roots; common fine tubular pores;

moderately alkaline (pH 8.2); strongly

effervescent; abrupt smooth boundary.

2C—35 to 60 inches; dark brown (10YR 4/3) very
62 Soil Survey

fine sandy loam, pale brown (10YR 6/3) dry;

massive; soft, friable, nonsticky and nonplastic;

few very fine and fine roots; many very fine

interstitial pores; moderately alkaline (pH 8.2).

The depth to bedrock is more than 60 inches. The

content of organic matter decreases irregularly as

depth increases.

The Ak horizon has value of 2 or 3 when moist and

4 or 5 when dry, and it has chroma of 1 or 2 when

moist or dry. The upper part is strongly alkaline or

very strongly alkaline, and the lower part ranges to

moderately alkaline.

The 2C horizon has value of 3 or 4 when moist and

5 or 6 when dry, and it has chroma of 2 to 4 when

moist or dry. The horizon is stratified very fine sandy

loam to silty clay loam. It is moderately alkaline or

strongly alkaline.

Quincy Series

The Quincy series consists of very deep,

excessively drained soils on dunes and terraces. The

soils formed in sand. Slopes are 5 to 25 percent. The

mean annual precipitation is about 13 inches, and the

mean annual air temperature is about 50 degrees F.

Typical pedon of Quincy loamy fine sand, 5 to 25

percent slopes; about 90 feet south and 330 feet east

of the junction of U.S. Highway 30 and Frank Fulton

Canyon Road; 1,190 feet north and 1,190 feet west of

the southeast corner of sec. 8, T. 2 N., R. 16 E.

A—0 to 15 inches; dark brown (10YR 4/3) loamy fine

sand, grayish brown (2.5Y 5/2) dry; weak thick

platy structure parting to single grain; loose,

nonsticky and nonplastic; common very fine

roots; few very fine interstitial pores; neutral (pH

7.0); abrupt smooth boundary.

C—15 to 60 inches; very dark grayish brown (10YR

3/2) loamy fine sand, grayish brown (10YR 5/2)

dry; single grain; loose, nonsticky and nonplastic;

few very fine roots; few very fine tubular pores;

neutral (pH 7.2).

The depth to bedrock is more than 60 inches. The

profile has hue of 10YR or 2.5Y, value of 3 or 4 when

moist and 5 or 6 when dry, and chroma of 2 to 4

when moist or dry. It is slightly acid to moderately

alkaline, increasing in alkalinity as depth increases.

The C horizon is loamy fine sand, fine sand, or

sand.

Ritzville Series

The Ritzville series consists of deep, well drained

soils on mesas. The soils formed in loess over basalt.

Slopes are 2 to 15 percent. The mean annual

precipitation is about 10 inches, and the mean annual

air temperature is about 50 degrees F.

Typical pedon of Ritzville silt loam, 2 to 7 percent

slopes; about 600 feet north and 2,540 feet west of

the southeast corner of sec. 34, T. 1 N., R. 19 E.

Ap—0 to 7 inches; dark brown (10YR 3/3) silt loam,

brown (10YR 5/3) dry; weak fine granular

structure; soft, very friable, slightly sticky and

slightly plastic; many very fine roots; common

fine interstitial and tubular pores; neutral (pH 6.6);

abrupt smooth boundary.

AB—7 to 14 inches; dark brown (10YR 3/3) silt loam,

brown (10YR 5/3) dry; weak coarse prismatic

structure parting to weak medium and coarse

subangular blocky; slightly hard, friable, slightly

sticky and slightly plastic; common very fine

roots; many fine tubular pores; neutral (pH 6.8);

gradual smooth boundary.

Bw—14 to 26 inches; dark brown (10YR 4/3) silt

loam, pale brown (10YR 6/3) dry; weak coarse

prismatic structure parting to weak medium and

coarse subangular blocky; slightly hard, friable,

slightly sticky and slightly plastic; common very

fine roots; many fine tubular pores; neutral (pH

6.9); gradual smooth boundary.

Bk1—26 to 42 inches; dark yellowish brown (10YR

4/4) silt loam, pale brown (10YR 6/3) dry; weak

coarse prismatic structure parting to weak

medium and coarse subangular blocky; slightly

hard, friable, slightly sticky and slightly plastic;

common very fine roots; many fine tubular pores;

strongly effervescent with few segregated

filaments of lime; mildly alkaline (pH 7.8); abrupt

smooth boundary.

Bk2—42 to 45 inches; brown (10YR 5/3) silt loam,

very pale brown (10YR 7/3) dry; massive; hard,

very firm, slightly sticky and slightly plastic; few

very fine roots; common fine and medium tubular

pores; strongly effervescent with disseminated

lime; moderately alkaline (pH 8.6); abrupt smooth

boundary.

2R—45 inches; basalt.

The depth to bedrock is 40 to 60 inches. The depth

to secondary lime is 20 to 30 inches.

The Ap and AB horizons have value of 4 or 5 when

dry and chroma of 2 or 3 when moist or dry. They are

neutral or mildly alkaline.

The Bw horizon has value of 3 or 4 when moist

and 5 or 6 when dry, and it has chroma of 3 or 4

when moist or dry. The horizon is neutral or mildly

alkaline.

The Bk horizon has value of 4 or 5 when moist and
Sherman County, Oregon 63

6 or 7 when dry, and it has chroma of 3 or 4 when

moist or dry. The horizon is mildly alkaline or

moderately alkaline. It is 5 to 15 percent calcium

carbonate.

Sagemoor Series

The Sagemoor series consists of very deep, well

drained soils on dissected terraces. The soils formed

in lacustrine deposits. Slopes are 5 to 40 percent.

The mean annual precipitation is about 13 inches,

and the mean annual air temperature is about 50

degrees F.

Typical pedon of Sagemoor silt loam, 20 to 40

percent south slopes, about 700 feet east of the bend

in State Highway 206; 880 feet north and 300 feet

east of the southwest corner of sec. 17, T. 1 S.,

R. 19 E.

A1—0 to 2 inches; dark brown (10YR 4/3) silt loam,

pale brown (10YR 6/3) dry; weak medium platy

structure parting to weak fine granular; soft, very

friable, nonsticky and slightly plastic; many very

fine roots and common fine roots; many fine

interstitial pores; neutral (pH 7.0); abrupt smooth

boundary.

A2—2 to 4 inches; dark brown (10YR 4/3) silt loam,

pale brown (10YR 6/3) dry; weak thick platy

structure parting to weak fine granular; soft, very

friable, nonsticky and slightly plastic; many very

fine roots and common fine roots; common fine

continuous tubular pores; neutral (pH 7.2); clear

smooth boundary.

Bw1—4 to 9 inches; dark brown (10YR 4/3) silt loam,

pale brown (10YR 6/3) dry; weak coarse

prismatic structure parting to weak medium

subangular blocky; slightly hard, friable,

nonsticky and slightly plastic; many very fine

roots and few fine and medium roots; common

fine continuous tubular pores; neutral (pH 7.2);

clear smooth boundary.

Bw2—9 to 24 inches; brown (10YR 5/3) silt loam,

light gray (10YR 7/2) dry; massive; slightly hard,

friable, slightly sticky and slightly plastic; many

very fine roots and few fine and medium roots;

few fine tubular pores; mildly alkaline (pH 7.8);

clear smooth boundary.

Bk1—24 to 42 inches; brown (10YR 5/3) silt loam,

light gray (10YR 7/2) dry; massive; slightly hard,

friable, slightly sticky and slightly plastic; few

very fine and fine roots; few fine tubular pores;

strongly effervescent with disseminated lime;

moderately alkaline (pH 8.2); clear smooth

boundary.

Bk2—42 to 84 inches; brown (10YR 5/3) silt loam,

light gray (10YR 7/2) dry; massive; slightly hard,

friable, slightly sticky and slightly plastic; few

very fine roots; few fine tubular pores; strongly

effervescent with disseminated and mycelial

lime; strongly alkaline (pH 8.5)

The depth to bedrock is more than 60 inches. The

depth to carbonates is 20 to 40 inches.

The A horizon has value of 3 or 4 when moist and

5 or 6 when dry, and it has chroma of 2 to 4 when

moist or dry. The horizon is neutral or mildly alkaline.

The Bw horizon has value of 3 or 4 when moist

and 5 to 7 when dry, and it has chroma of 2 or 3

when moist or dry. The horizon is silt loam or very

fine sandy loam. It is neutral or mildly alkaline.

The Ck horizon has value of 4 or 5 when moist and

6 or 7 when dry. It is moderately alkaline or strongly

alkaline. Lime is disseminated and in veins. The

horizon is stratified silt loam and very fine sandy

loam.

Walla Walla Series

The Walla Walla series consists of very deep and

deep, well drained soils on mesas and canyons. The

soils formed in loess over basalt. Slopes are 1 to 35

percent. The mean annual precipitation is about 13

inches, and the mean annual air temperature is about

50 degrees F.

Typical pedon of Walla Walla silt loam, 7 to 15

percent slopes (see fig. 8, next page), about 100 feet

west of the 90-degree turn in county road; 25 feet

north and 2,610 feet east of the southwest corner of

sec. 25, T. 1 N., R. 16 E.

Ap1—0 to 7 inches; very dark brown (10YR 2/2) silt

loam, grayish brown (10YR 5/2) dry; weak thin

platy structure parting to weak fine and medium

granular; soft, very friable, slightly sticky and

slightly plastic; many very fine roots; many fine

interstitial pores; neutral (pH 6.6); abrupt smooth

boundary.

Ap2—7 to 9 inches; very dark brown (10YR 2/2) silt

loam, grayish brown (10YR 5/2) dry; moderate

thick platy structure; slightly hard, firm, slighty

sticky and slightly plastic; many very fine roots;

many fine tubular pores; neutral (pH 6.7); abrupt

smooth boundary.

A—9 to 17 inches; very dark grayish brown (10YR

3/2) silt loam, grayish brown (10YR 5/2) dry;

weak coarse prismatic structure parting to weak

medium subangular blocky; soft, very friable,

slightly sticky and slightly plastic; many very fine

roots; many fine tubular pores; neutral (pH 6.8);

clear wavy boundary.
64 Soil Survey

Figure 8.—Typical pedon of Walla Walla silt loam, 7 to 15 percent

slopes.

BA—17 to 25 inches; dark brown (10YR 4/3) silt

loam, grayish brown (10YR 5/2) dry; weak coarse

prismatic structure parting to weak medium and

coarse subangular blocky; slightly hard, friable,

slightly sticky and slightly plastic; many very fine

roots; many fine tubular pores; neutral (pH 6.9);

gradual wavy boundary.

Bw1—25 to 34 inches; dark brown (10YR 4/3) silt

loam, brown (10YR 5/3) dry; weak coarse

prismatic structure; soft, very friable, slightly

sticky and slightly plastic; many very fine roots;

many fine tubular pores; neutral (pH 6.9); gradual

wavy boundary.

Bw2—34 to 50 inches; dark brown (10YR 4/3) silt

loam, brown (10YR 5/3) dry; weak coarse

prismatic structure; slightly hard, friable, slightly

sticky and slightly plastic; many very fine roots;

many very fine and fine tubular pores; mildly

alkaline (pH 7.4); gradual wavy boundary.

Bw3—50 to 66 inches; dark brown (10YR 4/3) silt

loam, brown (10YR 5/3) dry; weak coarse

prismatic structure; slightly hard, friable, slightly

sticky and slightly plastic; common very fine

roots; many fine tubular pores; mildly alkaline (pH

7.5).

The depth to bedrock is 40 to 60 inches or more.

The profile is neutral or mildly alkaline. The depth to

carbonates is more than 60 inches.

The A horizon has value of 2 or 3 when moist and

4 or 5 when dry.

The AB horizon have value of 2 or 3 when moist

and 4 or 5 when dry, and it has chroma of 2 or 3

when moist or dry.

The Bw horizon has value of 3 or 4 when moist

and 5 or 6 when dry, and it has chroma of 3 or 4

when moist or dry.

Wato Series

The Wato series consists of very deep, well

drained soils on mesas and canyons. The soils

formed in loess. Slopes are 3 to 35 percent. The

mean annual precipitation is about 13 inches, and the

mean annual air temperature is about 50 degrees F.

Typical pedon of Wato very fine sandy loam, 3 to 7

percent slopes; about 1,650 feet south and 2,950 feet

east of the northwest corner of sec. 26, T. 3 N.,

R. 17 E.

Ap—0 to 7 inches; very dark brown (10YR 2/2) very

fine sandy loam, dark grayish brown (10YR 4/2)

dry; weak thin platy structure parting to weak fine

granular; soft, very friable, slightly sticky and

slightly plastic; many very fine roots; many fine

interstitial pores; neutral (pH 6.6); abrupt smooth

boundary.

A—7 to 13 inches; very dark brown (10YR 2/2) very

fine sandy loam, dark grayish brown (10YR 4/2)

dry; weak medium prismatic structure parting to

weak coarse subangular blocky; soft, very

friable, slightly sticky and slightly plastic; many

very fine roots; common fine tubular pores;

neutral (pH 6.6); abrupt smooth boundary.

Bw1—13 to 22 inches; dark brown (10YR 4/3) very

fine sandy loam, brown (10YR 5/3) dry; weak

coarse prismatic structure; soft, very friable,

slightly sticky and slightly plastic; common very

fine roots; many very fine tubular pores; neutral

(pH 6.8); clear smooth boundary.

Bw2—22 to 35 inches; dark brown (10YR 4/3) very

fine sandy loam, brown (10YR 5/3) dry; weak

coarse prismatic structure; soft, very friable,

slightly sticky and slightly plastic; common very

fine roots; many very fine tubular pores; 10

percent gravel; neutral (pH 7.0); gradual smooth

boundary.

Bw3—35 to 60 inches; dark brown (10YR 4/3) very

fine sandy loam, pale brown (10YR 6/3) dry;
Sherman County, Oregon 65

weak coarse prismatic structure; soft, very

friable, slightly sticky and slightly plastic;

common very fine roots; many very fine tubular

pores; 10 percent gravel; neutral (pH 7.2).

The depth to bedrock is more than 60 inches. The

depth to secondary lime, where present, is more than

40 inches. The profile is neutral or mildly alkaline

throughout. It has hue of 10YR or 2.5Y.

The A horizon has value of 2 or 3 when moist and

4 or 5 when dry, and it has chroma of 2 or 3 when

moist or dry.

The Bw horizon has value of 2 to 5 when moist

and 4 to 6 when dry, and it has chroma of 2 to 4 when

moist or dry.

The C horizon, where present, has value of 4 to 6

when moist and 4 to 8 when dry, and it has chroma of

3 or 4 when moist or dry. A hard, firm, brittle layer of

gravel is above the bedrock in some pedons.

Wrentham Series

The Wrentham series consists of moderately deep,

well drained soils on canyons. The soils formed in

loess over basalt. Slopes are 35 to 70 percent. The

mean annual precipitation is about 12 inches, and the

mean annual air temperature is about 50 degrees F.

Typical pedon of Wrentham silt loam in an area of

Wrentham-Rock outcrop complex, 35 to 70 percent

north slopes; about 2,620 feet north and 1,800 feet

west of the southeast corner of sec. 10, T. 3 S.,

R. 15 E.

A1—0 to 5 inches; very dark brown (10YR 2/2) silt

loam, dark grayish brown (10YR 4/2) dry; weak

thin and medium platy structure parting to weak

very fine granular; soft, very friable, slightly

sticky and slightly plastic; many very fine roots;

few very fine and fine irregular pores; 10 percent

gravel; neutral (pH 6.6); clear smooth boundary.

A2—5 to 12 inches; very dark brown (10YR 2/2) silt

loam, dark grayish brown (10YR 4/2) dry; weak

coarse prismatic structure parting to weak

medium subangular blocky; slightly hard, friable,

slightly sticky and slightly plastic; common very

fine roots; common very fine tubular pores; 10

percent gravel; neutral (pH 6.8); clear smooth

boundary.

AB—12 to 17 inches; dark brown (10YR 3/3) silt

loam, brown (10YR 5/3) dry; weak medium

prismatic structure parting to weak medium

subangular blocky; slightly hard, friable, slightly

sticky and slightly plastic; common very fine

roots; common very fine tubular pores; 10

percent gravel; neutral (pH 7.0); gradual smooth

boundary.

2Bw—17 to 32 inches; dark brown (10YR 3/3)

extremely cobbly silt loam, yellowish brown

(10YR 5/4) dry; moderate fine and medium

subangular blocky structure; slightly hard, friable,

slightly sticky and slightly plastic; common very

fine roots; common very fine tubular pores; 40

percent cobbles and 20 percent gravel; neutral

(pH 7.0); abrupt wavy boundary.

2R—32 inches; basalt.

The depth to bedrock is 20 to 40 inches.

The A horizon has value of 2 or 3 when moist and

4 or 5 when dry, and it has chroma of 1 or 2 when

moist or dry. The horizon is 0 to 15 percent gravel

and 0 to 10 percent cobbles. The total content of rock

fragments is 15 percent or less. The horizon is

slightly acid or neutral.

The 2Bw horizon has value of 3 or 4 when moist

and 4 or 5 when dry, and it has chroma of 2 to 4

when moist or dry. It is 20 to 60 percent cobbles and

5 to 50 percent gravel and is extremely cobbly silt

loam or extremely gravelly silt loam.

Xerolls, Silty

Xerolls, silty, consists of very deep, somewhat

poorly drained soils in basins on mesas. The soils

formed in lacustrine sediment. Slopes are 0 to 3

percent. The mean annual precipitaion is about 11

inches, and the mean annual air temperature is about

49 degrees F.

Representative pedon of Xerolls, silty, 0 to 3

percent slopes; 2,100 feet south and 1,200 feet east

of the northwest corner of sec. 14, T. 5 S., R. 17 E.

Ap1—0 to 2 inches; very dark grayish brown (10YR

3/2) silt loam, grayish brown (10YR 5/2) dry;

weak thin platy structure; slightly hard, friable,

nonsticky and slightly plastic; few very fine roots;

common very fine vesicular pores; neutral (pH

7.0); clear smooth boundary.

Ap2—2 to 11 inches; very dark brown (10YR 2/2) silt

loam, grayish brown (10YR 5/2) dry; weak

medium subangular blocky structure; slightly

hard, friable, slightly sticky and slightly plastic;

common very fine roots and few fine roots; many

very fine vesicular pores; neutral (pH 7.0); clear

wavy boundary.

Bt1—11 to 21 inches; very dark brown (10YR 2/2)

silty clay loam, dark brown (10YR 4/3) dry; few

fine faint strong brown (7.5YR 4/6) mottles;

moderate medium prismatic structure parting to
66

strong medium angular blocky; very hard,

extremely firm, sticky and plastic; common very

fine roots and few fine roots; few very fine tubular

pores; few thin clay films on faces of peds and

lining pores; mildly alkaline (pH 7.4); clear

smooth boundary.

Bt2—21 to 32 inches; dark brown (10YR 3/3) silty

clay loam, yellowish brown (10YR 5/4) dry; few

fine faint strong brown (7.5YR 5/6) mottles;

moderate medium subangular blocky structure

parting to fine subangular blocky; hard, very firm,

slightly sticky and slightly plastic; few fine roots;

few very fine tubular pores; few thin clay films on

faces of peds and lining pores; mildly alkaline (pH

7.4); clear wavy boundary.

Bt3—32 to 40 inches; dark yellowish brown (10YR

3/4) silty clay loam, pale brown (10YR 6/3) dry;

weak fine subangular blocky structure; slightly

hard, friable, slightly sticky and slightly plastic;

common very fine roots; few very fine interstitial

pores; few thin clay films on faces of peds and

lining pores; mildly alkaline (pH 7.6); clear

smooth boundary.

2C1—40 to 52 inches; dark yellowish brown (10YR

3/4) fine sandy loam, pale brown (10YR 6/3) dry;

massive; slightly hard, friable, nonsticky and

nonplastic; common very fine interstitial pores;

mildly alkaline (pH 7.6); clear smooth boundary.

2C2—52 to 60 inches; dark brown (10YR 3/3) fine

sandy loam, pale brown (10YR 6/3) dry; massive;

slightly hard, friable, nonsticky and nonplastic;

mildly alkaline (pH 7.6).

The depth to bedrock is more than 60 inches.

The Ap horizon has value of 2 or 3 when moist and

4 or 5 when dry, and it has chroma of 2 or 3 when

moist or dry.

The Bt horizon has value of 2 to 4 when moist and

4 to 6 when dry, and it has chroma of 3 or 4 when

moist or dry. The horizon is neutral or mildly alkaline.

The 2C horizon has value of 3 or 4 when moist and

5 to 7 when dry, and it has chroma of 3 or 4 when

moist or dry.
67

Soil is the collection of natural bodies on the Earth’s

surface that contains living matter and is capable of

supporting plants. The nature of a soil depends on the

combination and interaction of five factors: (1) the

physical and mineralogical composition of the parent

material; (2) the climate under which the soil material

has accumulated and has existed since accumulation;

(3) living organisms, mainly vegetation; (4) the relief, or

lay of the land; and (5) the length of time the forces of

development have acted on the material. There are

innumerable combinations of these factors. The relative

importance of each factor differs from place to place.

On some landforms or landscape positions, one factor

may be dominant in the formation of the soil and its

associated properties. Generally, though, a

combination of the five factors determines the

characteristics of any soil. The five soil-forming factors

and the morphology of the soils in the county are

discussed in this section.

Parent Material

The soils in Sherman County formed in five kinds of

parent material: (1) loess, (2) mixtures of volcanic ash

and loess, (3) mixtures of loess and residuum and

colluvium derived from basalt, (4) windblown sand, and

(5) waterlaid deposits consisting of both stream

alluvium and silty lake deposits. The two geologic

formations that have influenced the soils are the

Columbia River Basalt of the Miocene and the Shutler

Formation of the Pliocene. The geology of the county is

discussed in the section “General Nature of the

County.”

Loess is by far the most extensive parent material

in the county, and it has influenced every major soil in

the county to some extent. Loess is fine-grained, winddeposited material consisting of dominantly of siltsized particles.

The loess originated from glacial outwash deposited

in the present channel of the Columbia River during the

Pleistocene ice age. The loess accumulated mainly

during warm periods when the glaciers melted. The

sedimentation of outwash was at a maximum during

these periods, and the soil surface was neither frozen

nor blanketed with snow. Wind blowing from the

northeast across the barren outwash lifted sand and

silt particles into the airstream. The silt and very fine

sand particles were carried toward the southwest and

gradually settled throughout a wide area. Closer to the

source, the deposits are coarser textured and thicker.

Further south from the river, the deposits are finer

textured and thinner.

Along roadcuts the loess is in vertical banks as

much as 15 feet thick. This phenomenon, peculiar to

loess but common wherever loess occurs, results

when the individual plate-shaped particles are laid

down horizontally, much like the pages of a book.

Loess contains a wide variety of easily weathered

minerals, and its qualities generally result in naturally

fertile soils. Anderly, Anders, Condon, Mikkalo,

Nansene, Ritzville, Walla Walla, and Wato soils formed

in loess.

At one or more times during the deposition of the

loess, volcanic ash also was deposited in the county. It

came from the now dormant and extinct volcanoes of

the Cascade Mountains. All of the soils in the county

probably contain some volcanic ash, which consists of

sharp-edged, sand- to silt-sized particles of silica,

feldspar, glass, and other material. Because volcanic

ash is extremely susceptible to movement by both

wind and water, nearly all of the original deposits have

been removed from uplands and redeposited along

streams, or they have been blown away or washed

away. Only remnants, mostly those intermixed with

loess, remain. The Cantala soils formed in material that

is high in content of volcanic ash. Many areas of the

Hermiston soils, which formed in alluvium, contain a

layer that is high in content of volcanic ash.

The Bakeoven, Kuhl, Lickskillet, and Wrentham

soils formed in a mixture of loess and basalt derived

from residuum and colluvium.

The Quincy soils formed in eolian sand along the

Columbia River. The sand originally was deposited by

water and may be a remnant of the glacial outwash

that once filled the Columbia River Gorge, but it has

been reworked and shifted by the wind.

The Endersby, Hermiston, Pedigo, and Sagemoor

soils formed in material deposited by water. The

Endersby soils, which are on stream terraces, formed

in sandy sediment over water-worked gravel and

Formation of the Soils
68 Soil Survey

cobbles. The Hermiston soils, which are on flood

plains, formed in silty sediment that is from the loessal

uplands and is mixed with volcanic ash and material

derived from basalt. The wet, sodic Pedigo soils, which

are of minor extent in the county, formed in similar

material. The Sagemoor soils, which are on highly

dissected terraces, formed in lacustrine deposits, most

of which were washed away when the level of the lake

apparently dropped rapidly.

Climate

The climate of the county is mainly semi-arid, and

most of the annual precipitation falls in winter. Climate

affects the kind and amount of native vegetation. The

climate is fairly uniform throughout the county. The

average annual air temperature is 48 to 51 degrees F.

The upper few inches of the soils are frozen for some

period in winter, and daily freezing and thawing are

common on the south-facing slopes. Temperatures in

summer are cool.

The total amount of precipitation and season of

distribution are such that most soils become

thoroughly dry in summer for at least 60 days during

most years. The average annual precipitation ranges

from about 13 inches in the northwestern part of the

county to about 9 inches in the eastern and southern

parts. Approximately 60 percent of the precipitation

falls during the coldest months, November through

March, when chemical and biological activity are at a

minimum. The rate of soil development, which depends

largely on chemical and biological activity, is slower

than it would be if more of the precipitation fell during

the warmer months. The soils are dry during July and

August, and soil development virtually stops.

Living Organisms

Sherman County is the only county in Oregon that

does not support forests. When the first settlers

arrived, the vegetation consisted mainly of bunchgrass.

The only trees present were a few cottonwoods and

willows scattered along the streams and a few junipers

in the outcroppings of bedrock.

There are four main plant communities in the county.

They are identified by the dominant forage species. In

order of those that require the most moisture to those

that require the least, the plant communities are (1)

Idaho fescue-bluebunch wheatgrass, (2) bluebunch

wheatgrass-Idaho fescue, (3) bluebunch wheatgrassSandberg bluegrass, and (4) Sandberg bluegrassbluebunch wheatgrass. Soils that formed under the

Idaho fescue-bluebunch wheatgrass community have

the highest organic matter content, and those that

formed under the Sandberg bluegrass-bluebunch

wheatgrass community have the lowest.

Plant communities of minor extent in the county are

(1) saltgrass-giant wildrye, (2) bluebunch wheatgrassgiant wildrye, and (3) needlegrass-bluebunch

wheatgrass.

Micro-organisms and other living organisms except

grasses have played a minor role in soil development

in the county. In some places burrowing animals have

slowed down horizonation by mixing genetic layers that

have already formed. Man has significantly influenced

soil formation. As a result of repeated tillage

operations, the content of organic matter in the surface

layer has been reduced and the structure of the

surface layer has been weakened.

Topography

Sherman County is a small part of a large basalt

plateau. The faulting, fracturing, and incising of this

plateau has resulted in the formation of many canyons.

The most striking relief occurs as canyons along major

fault lines. Along the major drainageways at the bottom

of the canyons, the topography consists of narrow

bands of nearly level flood plains and stream terraces.

Away from the major drainageways, the topography

consists of gently sloping to strongly sloping mesas.

Directly or indirectly, the topography of the county

has resulted in significant differences in the soils. The

kind of parent material in an area is determined mainly

by topography. Soils on very steep slopes commonly

formed in basalt colluvium. Alluvial soils on narrow,

nearly level flood plains and terraces formed in windand water-deposited material eroded from uplands. The

soils that formed in silty lake deposits are at elevations

at or below the level of former lakes. The depth and

texture of loessal deposits are determined by the

distance from the source and by aspect.

Aspect is one of the most important features of

topography that affects soil formation. Soils on southfacing slopes are warmer and drier, have less natural

vegetation, have a lower content of organic matter, are

shallower to bedrock, and have a thinner mantle of

loess than those on north-facing slopes.

Another important feature of topography is slope

gradient. Soils that have very steep slopes are

shallower and have less distinct horizons than those

that have gentle slopes.

Time

The length of time that parent material has been

subject to weathering, in combination with the other

factors, plays a significant role in soil formation. Other
Sherman County, Oregon 69

things being equal, younger soils have less horizon

differentiation than older soils. For example, Hermiston

and Sagemoor soils formed in recent alluvial and

lacustrine sediment, and although leaching has been

strong enough to concentrate carbonates below a

depth of about 20 inches, a B horizon has not

formed. Lickskillet and Wrentham soils formed in

 areas that receive less precipitation, but they have a

distinct B horizon because they have been in place

longer.

Morphology of the Soils

A soil is not easily studied in its natural position

because only the surface is exposed. To see and study

a soil, it is necessary to expose a profile, which

generally consists of several horizons.

In Sherman County the differentiation of horizons is

a result of an accumulation of organic matter in the A

horizon; high base saturation with the retention of

calcium, potassium, and magnesium; accumulation or

retention of calcium carbonates in the lower horizons;

and accumulation of exchangeable sodium.

Organic matter has accumulated in the upper part of

all of the soils in the county forming an A horizon. The

content of organic matter is lowest in the Bakeoven,

Quincy, and Sagemoor soils and highest in the

Nansene and Wrentham soils. The removal of native

vegetation from many soils and the subsequent

reduction in organic matter as a result of a summerfallow system of farming have markedly changed the

structure and water-absorbing ability of the A horizon.

Surface crusting, vesicular porosity, and massive or

platy structure are common in the A horizon of

cultivated soils.

All of the soils in the county have moderate or high

base saturation. Although no specific data is available,

the Sagemoor soils probably have the highest base

saturation and the Nansene and Wrentham soils

probably have the lowest.

There is visible evidence of leaching of carbonates

and salts in some of the soils in the county. The

Sagemoor soils, which have been leached the least,

have an accumulation of calcium carbonates below a

depth of 20 inches. The Nansene and Wrentham soils

have been leached the most, and they generally

contain no free carbonates.

The Pedigo soils have high sodium saturation, which

is exhibited by reaction (pH) of more than 8.4 in the

surface layer.

71

(1) American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials. 1982.

Standard specifications for highway materials and methods of sampling and

testing. Ed. 13, 2 vols.

(2) American Society for Testing and Materials. 1985. Standard test method for

classification of soils for engineering purposes. ASTM Stand. D 2487.

(3) Kaatz, M.H. 1959. Patterned ground in Central Washington; a preliminary

report. Northwest Sci., pp. 33, 145-146.

(4) Soil Survey Staff. 1992. Keys to soil taxonomy. Fifth Ed.

(5) United States Department of Agriculture. 1951. Soil survey manual. U.S. Dep.

Agric. Handb. 18.

(6) United States Department of Agriculture. 1964. Soil survey of Sherman County,

Oregon.

(7) United States Department of Agriculture. 1975. Soil taxonomy: A basic system of

soil classification for making and interpreting soil surveys. U.S. Dep. Agric.

Handb. 436.

References

73

Aggregate, soil. Many fine particles held in a single

mass or cluster. Natural soil aggregates, such as

granules, blocks, or prisms, are called peds. Clods

are aggregates produced by tillage or logging.

Alkali (sodic) soil. A soil having 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 plant

growth is restricted.

Alluvium. Material, such as sand, silt, or clay,

deposited on land by streams.

Alpha, alpha-dipyridyl. A dye that when dissolved in

1N ammonium acetate is used to detect the

presence of reduced iron (Fe II) in the soil. A

positive reaction indicates a type of redoximorphic

feature.

Animal unit month (AUM). The amount of forage

required by one mature cow of approximately 1,000

pounds weight, with or without a calf, for 1 month.

Area reclaim (in tables). An area difficult to reclaim

after the removal of soil for construction and other

uses. Revegetation and erosion control are

extremely difficult.

Argillic horizon. A subsoil horizon characterized by

an accumulation of illuvial clay.

Aspect. The direction in which a slope faces.

Available water capacity (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 moisture capacity and the

amount at wilting point. It is commonly expressed

as inches of water per inch of soil. The capacity, in

inches, in a 60-inch profile or to a limiting layer is

expressed as a numerical range in the map unit

description.

Base saturation. The degree to which material having

cation-exchange properties is saturated with

exchangeable bases (sum of Ca, Mg, Na, and K),

expressed as a percentage of the total cationexchange capacity.

Bedrock. The solid rock that underlies the soil and

other unconsolidated material or that is exposed at

the surface.

Bottom land. The normal flood plain of a stream,

subject to flooding.

Boulders. Rock fragments larger than 2 feet (60

centimeters) in diameter.

Brush management. Use of mechanical, chemical, or

biological methods to make conditions favorable

for reseeding or to reduce or eliminate competition

from woody vegetation and thus allow understory

grasses and forbs to recover. Brush management

increases forage production and thus reduces the

hazard of erosion. It can improve the habitat for

some species of wildlife.

Calcareous soil. A soil containing enough calcium

carbonate (commonly combined with magnesium

carbonate) to effervesce visibly when treated with

cold, dilute hydrochloric acid.

Caliche. A more or less cemented deposit of calcium

carbonate in soils of warm-temperate, subhumid

to arid areas. Caliche occurs as soft, thin layers

in the soil or as hard, thick beds directly beneath

the solum, or it is exposed at the surface by

erosion.

Canyon. A long, deep, narrow, very steep sided valley

with high, precipitous walls in an area of high local

relief.

Cation. An ion carrying a positive charge of electricity.

The common soil cations are calcium, potassium,

magnesium, sodium, and hydrogen.

Cation-exchange capacity. The total amount of

exchangeable cations that can be held by the soil,

expressed in terms of milliequivalents per 100

grams of soil at neutrality (pH 7.0) or at some other

stated pH value. The term, as applied to soils, is

synonymous with base-exchange capacity but is

more precise in meaning.

Chemical treatment. Control of unwanted vegetation

through the use of chemicals.

Chiseling. Tillage with an implement having one or

more soil-penetrating points that shatter or loosen

hard, compacted layers to a depth below normal

plow depth.

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,

Glossary
74 Soil Survey

less than 45 percent sand, and less than 40

percent silt.

Climax plant community. The stabilized plant

community on a particular site. The plant cover

reproduces itself and does not change so long as

the environment remains the same.

Coarse textured soil. Sand or loamy sand.

Cobble (or cobblestone). A rounded or partly rounded

fragment of rock 3 to 10 inches (7.6 to 25

centimeters) in diameter.

Cobbly soil material. Material that is 15 to 35 percent,

by volume, rounded or partially rounded rock

fragments 3 to 10 inches (7.6 to 25 centimeters) in

diameter. Very cobbly soil material has 35 to 60

percent of these rock fragments, and extremely

cobbly soil material has more than 60 percent.

Colluvium. Soil material or rock fragments, or both,

moved by creep, slide, or local wash and

deposited at the base of steep slopes.

Complex slope. Irregular or variable slope. Planning or

establishing terraces, diversions, and other watercontrol structures on a complex slope is difficult.

Complex, soil. A map unit of two or more kinds of soil

or miscellaneous areas in such an intricate pattern

or so small in area that it is not practical to map

them separately at the selected scale of mapping.

The pattern and proportion of the soils or

miscellaneous areas are somewhat similar in all

areas.

Conservation cropping system. Growing crops in

combination with needed cultural and management

practices. In a good conservation cropping system,

the soil-improving crops and practices more than

offset the effects of the soil-depleting crops and

practices. Cropping systems are needed on all

tilled soils. Soil-improving practices in a

conservation cropping system include the use of

rotations that contain grasses and legumes and

the return of crop residue to the soil. Other

practices include the use of green manure crops of

grasses and legumes, proper tillage, adequate

fertilization, and weed and pest control.

Conservation tillage. A tillage system that does not

invert the soil and that leaves a protective amount

of crop residue on the surface throughout the year.

Consistence, soil. Refers to the degree of cohesion

and adhesion of soil material and its resistance to

deformation when ruptured. Consistence includes

resistance of soil material to rupture and to

penetration; plasticity, toughness, and stickiness

of puddled soil material; and the manner in which

the soil material behaves when subject to

compression. Terms describing consistence are

defined in the “Soil Survey Manual.”

Contour stripcropping. Growing crops in strips that

follow the contour. Strips of grass or close-growing

crops are alternated with strips of clean-tilled crops

or summer fallow.

Control section. The part of the soil on which

classification is based. The thickness varies

among different kinds of soil, but for many it is that

part of the soil profile between depths of 10 inches

and 40 or 80 inches.

Corrosion. Soil-induced electrochemical or chemical

action that dissolves or weakens concrete or

uncoated steel.

Cover crop. A close-growing crop grown primarily to

improve and protect the soil between periods of

regular crop production, or a crop grown between

trees and vines in orchards and vineyards.

Cropping system. Growing crops according to a

planned system of rotation and management

practices.

Crop residue management. Returning crop residue to

the soil, which helps to maintain soil structure,

organic matter content, and fertility and helps to

control erosion.

Cross-slope farming. Deliberately conducting farming

operations on sloping farmland in such a way that

tillage is across the general slope.

Decreasers. The most heavily grazed climax range

plants. Because they are the most palatable, they

are the first to be destroyed by overgrazing.

Deferred grazing. Postponing grazing or resting

grazing land for a prescribed period.

Depth, soil. Generally, the thickness of the soil over

bedrock. Very deep soils are more than 60 inches

deep over bedrock; deep soils, 40 to 60 inches;

moderately deep, 20 to 40 inches; shallow, 10 to

20 inches; and very shallow, less than 10 inches.

Depth to rock (in tables). Bedrock is too near the

surface for the specified use.

Diversion (or diversion terrace). A ridge of earth,

generally a terrace, built to protect downslope

areas by diverting runoff from its natural course.

Divided-slope farming. A form of field stripcropping in

which crops are grown in a systematic

arrangement of two strips, or bands, across the

slope to reduce the hazard of water erosion. One

strip is in a close-growing crop that provides

protection from erosion, and the other strip is in a

crop that provides less protection from erosion.

This practice is used where slopes are not long

enough to permit a full stripcropping pattern to be

used.

Drainage class (natural). Refers to the frequency and

duration of wet periods under conditions similar to

those under which the soil formed. Alterations of
Sherman County, Oregon 75

the water regime by human activities, either

through drainage or irrigation, are not a

consideration unless they have significantly

changed the morphology of the soil. Seven classes

of natural soil drainage are recognized—

excessively drained, somewhat excessively

drained, well drained, moderately well drained,

somewhat poorly drained, poorly drained, and very

poorly drained. These classes are defined in the

“Soil Survey Manual.”

Drainage, surface. Runoff, or surface flow of water,

from an area.

Duff. A generally firm organic layer on the surface of

mineral soils. It consists of fallen plant material

that is in the process of decomposition and

includes everything from the litter on the surface to

underlying pure humus.

Eolian soil material. Earthy parent material

accumulated through wind action; commonly refers

to sandy material in dunes or to loess in blankets

on the surface.

Ephemeral stream. A stream, or reach of a stream,

that flows only in direct response to precipitation. It

receives no long-continued supply from melting

snow or other source, and its channel is above the

water table at all times.

Erosion. The wearing away of the land surface by

water, wind, ice, or other geologic agents and by

such processes as gravitational creep.

Erosion (geologic). Erosion caused by geologic

processes acting over long geologic periods and

resulting in the wearing away of mountains and the

building up of such landscape features as flood

plains and coastal plains. Synonym: natural

erosion.

Erosion (accelerated). Erosion much more rapid

than geologic erosion, mainly as a result of human

or animal activities or of a catastrophe in nature,

such as a fire, that exposes the surface.

Escarpment. A relatively continuous and steep slope

or cliff breaking the general continuity of more

gently sloping land surfaces and resulting from

erosion or faulting. Synonym: scarp.

Excess fines (in tables). Excess silt and clay in the

soil. The soil does not provide a source of gravel or

sand for construction purposes.

Fallow. Cropland left idle in order to restore

productivity through accumulation of moisture.

Summer fallow is common in regions of limited

rainfall where cereal grain is grown. The soil is tilled

for at least one growing season for weed control

and decomposition of plant residue.

Fast intake (in tables). The rapid movement of water

into the soil.

Fertility, soil. The quality that enables a soil to provide

plant nutrients, in adequate amounts and in proper

balance, for the growth of specified plants when

light, moisture, temperature, tilth, and other growth

factors are favorable.

Field moisture capacity. The moisture content of a

soil, expressed as a percentage of the ovendry

weight, after the gravitational, or free, water has

drained away; the field moisture content 2 or 3

days after a soaking rain; also called normal field

capacity, normal moisture capacity, or capillary

capacity.

Fine textured soil. Sandy clay, silty clay, or clay.

Flood plain. A nearly level alluvial plain that borders a

stream and is subject to flooding unless protected

artificially.

Fluvial. Of or pertaining to rivers; produced by river

action, as a fluvial plain.

Foothill. A steeply sloping upland that has relief

of as much as 1,000 feet (300 meters) and

fringes a mountain range or high-plateau

escarpment.

Foot slope. The inclined surface at the base of a hill.

Forb. Any herbaceous plant not a grass or a sedge.

Fragile (in tables). A soil that is easily damaged by

use or disturbance.

Frost action (in tables). Freezing and thawing of soil

moisture. Frost action can damage roads, buildings

and other structures, and plant roots.

Genesis, soil. The mode of origin of the soil. Refers

especially to the processes or soil-forming factors

responsible for the formation of the solum, or true

soil, from the unconsolidated parent material.

Glacial outwash. Gravel, sand, and silt, commonly

stratified, deposited by glacial meltwater.

Glaciofluvial deposits. Material moved by glaciers

and subsequently sorted and deposited by

streams flowing from the melting ice. The deposits

are stratified and occur as kames, eskers, deltas,

and outwash plains.

Graded stripcropping. Growing crops in strips that

grade toward a protected waterway.

Grassed waterway. A natural or constructed waterway,

typically broad and shallow, seeded to grass as

protection against erosion. Conducts surface water

away from cropland.

Gravel. Rounded or angular fragments of rock as much

as 3 inches (2 millimeters to 7.6 centimeters) in

diameter. An individual piece is a pebble.

Gravelly soil material. Material that is 15 to 35

percent, by volume, rounded or angular rock

fragments, not prominently flattened, as much as 3

inches (7.6 centimeters) in diameter.

Green manure crop (agronomy). A soil-improving crop
76 Soil Survey

grown to be plowed under in an early stage of

maturity or soon after maturity.

Ground water. Water filling all the unblocked pores of

the material below the water table.

Gully. A miniature valley with steep sides cut by

running water and through which water ordinarily

runs only after rainfall. The distinction between a

gully and a rill is one of depth. A gully generally is

an obstacle to farm machinery and is too deep to

be obliterated by ordinary tillage; a rill is of lesser

depth and can be smoothed over by ordinary

tillage.

Hard bedrock. Bedrock that cannot be excavated

except by blasting or by the use of special

equipment that is not commonly used in

construction.

Head out. To form a flower head.

High-residue crops. Such crops as small grain and

corn used for grain. If properly managed, residue

from these crops can be used to control erosion

until the next crop in the rotation is established.

These crops return large amounts of organic

matter to the soil.

Hill. A natural elevation of the land surface, rising as

much as 1,000 feet above surrounding lowlands,

commonly of limited summit area and having a

well defined outline; hillsides generally have slopes

of more than 15 percent. The distinction between a

hill and a mountain is arbitrary and is dependent on

local usage.

Horizon, soil. A layer of soil, approximately parallel to

the surface, having distinct characteristics

produced by soil-forming processes. In the

identification of soil horizons, an uppercase letter

represents the major horizons. Numbers or

lowercase letters that follow represent subdivisions

of the major horizons. An explanation of the

subdivisions is given in the “Soil Survey Manual.”

The major horizons of mineral soil are as follows:

A horizon.—The mineral horizon at or near the

surface in which an accumulation of humified

organic matter is mixed with the mineral material.

Also, a plowed surface horizon, most of which was

originally part of a B horizon.

B horizon.—The mineral horizon below an A

horizon. The B horizon is in part a layer of

transition from the overlying A to the underlying C

horizon. The B horizon also has distinctive

characteristics, such as (1) accumulation of clay,

sesquioxides, humus, or a combination of these;

(2) prismatic or blocky structure; (3) redder or

browner colors than those in the A horizon; or (4) a

combination of these.

C horizon.—The mineral horizon or layer, excluding

indurated bedrock, that is little affected by soilforming processes and does not have the

properties typical of the overlying soil material. The

material of a C horizon may be either like or unlike

that in which the solum formed. If the material is

known to differ from that in the solum, an Arabic

numeral, commonly a 2, precedes the letter C.

Cr horizon.—Soft, consolidated bedrock beneath

the soil.

R layer.—Consolidated bedrock beneath the soil.

The bedrock commonly underlies a C horizon, but

it can be directly below an A or a B horizon.

Hydrologic soil groups. Refers to soils grouped

according to their runoff potential. The soil

properties that influence this potential are those

that affect the minimum rate of water infiltration on

a bare soil during periods after prolonged wetting

when the soil is not frozen. These properties are

depth to a seasonal high water table, the

infiltration rate and permeability after prolonged

wetting, and depth to a very slowly permeable

layer. The slope and the kind of plant cover are not

considered but are separate factors in predicting

runoff.

Igneous rock. Rock formed by solidification from a

molten or partially molten state. Major varieties

include plutonic and volcanic rock. Examples are

andesite, basalt, and granite.

Illuviation. The movement of soil material from one

horizon to another in the soil profile. Generally,

material is removed from an upper horizon and

deposited in a lower horizon.

Increasers. Species in the climax vegetation that

increase in amount as the more desirable plants

are reduced by close grazing. Increasers

commonly are the shorter plants and the less

palatable to livestock.

Infiltration. The downward entry of water into the

immediate surface of soil or other material, as

contrasted with percolation, which is movement of

water through soil layers or material.

Infiltration capacity. The maximum rate at which water

can infiltrate into a soil under a given set of

conditions.

Infiltration rate. The rate at which water penetrates the

surface of the soil at any given instant, usually
Sherman County, Oregon 77

expressed in inches per hour. The rate can be

limited by the infiltration capacity of the soil or the

rate at which water is applied at the surface.

Intake rate. The average rate of water entering the soil

under irrigation. Most soils have a fast initial rate;

the rate decreases with application time. Therefore,

intake rate for design purposes is not a constant

but is a variable depending on the net irrigation

application. The rate of water intake, in inches per

hour, is expressed as follows:

Less than 0.2 .............................................. very low

0.2 to 0.4 .............................................................. low

0.4 to 0.75 ........................................ moderately low

0.75 to 1.25 ................................................moderate

1.25 to 1.75 ..................................... moderately high

1.75 to 2.5 .......................................................... high

More than 2.5............................................. very high

Intermittent stream. A stream, or reach of a stream,

that flows for prolonged periods only when it

receives ground-water discharge or long, continued

contributions from melting snow or other surface

and shallow subsurface sources.

Invaders. On range, plants that encroach into an area

and grow after the climax vegetation has been

reduced by grazing. Generally, plants invade

following disturbance of the surface.

Irrigation. Application of water to soils to assist in

production of crops. Methods of irrigation are:

Border.—Water is applied at the upper end of a

strip

in which the lateral flow of water is controlled

by small earth ridges called border dikes, or

borders.

Sprinkler.—Water is sprayed over the soil surface

through pipes or nozzles from a pressure system.

Lacustrine deposit. Material deposited in lake water

and exposed when the water level is lowered or the

elevation of the land is raised.

Landslide. The rapid downhill movement of a mass of

soil and loose rock, generally when wet or

saturated. The speed and distance of movement,

as well as the amount of soil and rock material,

vary greatly.

Large stones (in tables). Rock fragments 3 inches

(7.6 centimeters) or more across. Large stones

adversely affect the specified use of the soil.

Liquid limit. The moisture content at which the soil

passes from a plastic to a liquid state.

Loam. Soil material that is 7 to 27 percent clay

particles, 28 to 50 percent silt particles, and less

than 52 percent sand particles.

Loess. Fine grained material, dominantly of silt-sized

particles, deposited by wind.

Mechanical treatment. Use of mechanical equipment

for seeding, brush management, and other

management practices.

Medium textured soil. Very fine sandy loam, loam, silt

loam, or silt.

Mesa. A broad, nearly flat topped and commonly

isolated upland mass characterized by summit

widths that are more than the heights of bounding

erosional scarps.

Metamorphic rock. Rock of any origin altered in

mineralogical composition, chemical composition,

or structure by heat, pressure, and movement.

Nearly all such rocks are crystalline.

Mineral soil. Soil that is mainly mineral material and

low in organic material. Its bulk density is more

than that of organic soil.

Minimum tillage. Only the tillage essential to crop

production and prevention of soil damage.

Miscellaneous area. An area that has little or no

natural soil and supports little or no vegetation.

Moderately coarse textured soil. Coarse sandy loam,

sandy loam, or fine sandy loam.

Moderately fine textured soil. Clay loam, sandy clay

loam, or silty clay loam.

Mollic epipedon. A thick, dark, humus-rich surface

horizon (or horizons) that has high base saturation

and pedogenic soil structure. It may include the

upper part of the subsoil.

Morphology, soil. The physical makeup of the soil,

including the texture, structure, porosity,

consistence, color, and other physical, mineral,

and biological properties of the various horizons,

and the thickness and arrangement of those

horizons in the soil profile.

Mottling, soil. Irregular spots of different colors that

vary in number and size. 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 of the diameter along the

greatest dimension. Fine indicates less than 5

millimeters (about 0.2 inch); medium, from 5 to 15

millimeters (about 0.2 to 0.6 inch); and coarse,

more than 15 millimeters (about 0.6 inch).

Mountain. A natural elevation of the land surface,

rising more than 1,000 feet above surrounding
78 Soil Survey

lowlands, commonly of restricted summit area

(relative to a plateau) and generally having steep

sides. A mountain can occur as a single, isolated

mass or in a group forming a chain or range.

Munsell notation. A designation of color by degrees of

three simple variables—hue, value, and chroma.

For example, a notation of 10YR 6/4 is a color with

hue of 10YR, value of 6, and chroma of 4.

Neutral soil. A soil having a pH value of 6.6 to 7.3.

(See Reaction, soil.)

Nodules. Cemented bodies lacking visible internal

structure. Calcium carbonate, iron oxide, and

manganese oxide are common compounds

making up nodules. If formed in place,

nodules of iron oxide or manganese oxide

are considered types of redoximorphic

concentrations.

Nutrient, plant. Any element taken in by a plant

essential to its growth. Plant nutrients are mainly

nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium,

magnesium, sulfur, iron, manganese, copper,

boron, and zinc obtained from the soil and carbon,

hydrogen, and oxygen obtained from the air and

water.

Organic matter. Plant and animal residue in the soil in

various stages of decomposition. The content of

organic matter in the surface layer is described as

follows:

Very low ................................. less than 0.5 percent

Low ............................................... 0.5 to 1.0 percent

Moderately low............................. 1.0 to 2.0 percent

Moderate ...................................... 2.0 to 4.0 percent

High .............................................. 4.0 to 8.0 percent

Very high ............................... more than 8.0 percent

Outwash plain. A landform of mainly sandy or coarse

textured material of glaciofluvial origin. An outwash

plain is commonly smooth; where pitted, it

generally is low in relief.

Pan. A compact, dense layer in a soil that impedes the

movement of water and the growth of roots. For

example, hardpan, fragipan, claypan, plowpan, and

traffic pan.

Parent material. The unconsolidated organic and

mineral material in which soil forms.

Ped. An individual natural soil aggregate, such as a

granule, a prism, or a block.

Pedon. The smallest volume that can be called “a soil.”

A pedon is three dimensional and large enough to

permit study of all horizons. Its area ranges from

about 10 to 100 square feet (1 square meter to 10

square meters), depending on the variability of the

soil.

Percolation. The downward movement of water

through the soil.

Percs slowly (in tables). The slow movement of water

through the soil adversely affects the specified

use.

Permeability. The quality of the soil that enables water

or air to move downward through the profile. The

rate at which a saturated soil transmits water is

accepted as a measure of this quality. In soil

physics, the rate is referred to as “saturated

hydraulic conductivity,” which is defined in the “Soil

Survey Manual.” In line with conventional usage in

the engineering profession and with traditional

usage in published soil surveys, this rate of flow

continues to be expressed as “permeability.” Terms

describing permeability, measured in inches per

hour, are as follows:

Extremely slow ................................ 0.0 to 0.01 inch

Very slow ....................................... 0.01 to 0.06 inch

Slow.................................................. 0.06 to 0.2 inch

Moderately slow ................................ 0.2 to 0.6 inch

Moderate ................................ 0.6 inch to 2.0 inches

Moderately rapid ............................ 2.0 to 6.0 inches

Rapid ............................................... 6.0 to 20 inches

Very rapid ................................ more than 20 inches

Phase, soil. A subdivision of a soil series based

on features that affect its use and

management, such as slope, stoniness, and

flooding.

pH value. A numerical designation of acidity and

alkalinity in soil. (See Reaction, soil.)

Piping (in tables). Formation of subsurface tunnels or

pipelike cavities by water moving through the soil.

Plasticity index. The numerical difference between the

liquid limit and the plastic limit; the range of

moisture content within which the soil remains

plastic.

Plastic limit. The moisture content at which a soil

changes from semisolid to plastic.

Plateau. An extensive upland mass with relatively flat

summit area that is considerably elevated (more

than 100 meters) above adjacent lowlands and

separated from them on one or more sides by

escarpments.

Plowpan. A compacted layer formed in the soil directly

below the plowed layer.
Sherman County, Oregon 79

Ponding. Standing water on soils in closed

depressions. Unless the soils are artificially

drained, the water can be removed only by

percolation or evapotranspiration.

Potential native plant community. See Climax plant

community.

Potential rooting depth (effective rooting depth).

Depth to which roots could penetrate if the content

of moisture in the soil were adequate. The soil has

no properties restricting the penetration of roots to

this depth.

Prescribed burning. Deliberately burning an area for

specific management purposes, under the

appropriate conditions of weather and soil moisture

and at the proper time of day.

Productivity, soil. The capability of a soil for producing

a specified plant or sequence of plants under

specific management.

Profile, soil. A vertical section of the soil extending

through all its horizons and into the parent

material.

Proper grazing use. Grazing at an intensity that

maintains enough cover to protect the soil and

maintain or improve the quantity and quality of the

desirable vegetation. This practice increases the

vigor and reproduction capacity of the key plants

and promotes the accumulation of litter and mulch

necessary to conserve soil and water.

Range condition. The present composition of the

plant community on a range site in relation to the

potential natural plant community for that site.

Range condition is expressed as excellent, good,

fair, or poor on the basis of how much the

present plant community has departed from the

potential.

Rangeland. Land on which the potential natural

vegetation is predominantly grasses, grasslike

plants, forbs, or shrubs suitable for grazing or

browsing. It includes natural grasslands,

savannas, many wetlands, some deserts, tundras,

and areas that support certain forb and shrub

communities.

Range site. An area of rangeland where climate, soil,

and relief are sufficiently uniform to produce a

distinct natural plant community. A range site is

the product of all the environmental factors

responsible for its development. It is typified by an

association of species that differ from those on

other range sites in kind or proportion of species or

total production.

Reaction, soil. A measure of acidity or alkalinity of a

soil, expressed in pH values. A soil that tests to

pH 7.0 is described as precisely neutral in reaction

because it is neither acid nor alkaline. The degrees

of acidity or alkalinity, expressed as pH values,

are:

Ultra acid .............................................. less than 3.5

Extremely acid ........................................... 3.5 to 4.4

Very strongly acid ...................................... 4.5 to 5.0

Strongly acid .............................................. 5.1 to 5.5

Moderately acid ......................................... 5.6 to 6.0

Slightly acid ................................................ 6.1 to 6.5

Neutral ....................................................... 6.6 to 7.3

Mildly alkaline ............................................. 7.4 to 7.8

Moderately alkaline .................................... 7.9 to 8.4

Strongly alkaline ........................................ 8.5 to 9.0

Very strongly alkaline ........................ 9.1 and higher

Regolith. The unconsolidated mantle of

weathered rock and soil material on the

earth’s surface; the loose earth material

above the solid rock.

Relief. The elevations or inequalities of a land

surface, considered collectively.

Residuum (residual soil material).

Unconsolidated, weathered or partly

weathered mineral material that accumulated

as consolidated rock disintegrated in place.

Rill. A steep-sided channel resulting from

accelerated erosion. A rill generally is a few

inches deep and not wide enough to be an

obstacle to farm machinery.

Rock fragments. Rock or mineral fragments

having a diameter of 2 millimeters or more;

for example, pebbles, cobbles, stones, and

boulders.

Rooting depth (in tables). Shallow root zone. The

soil is shallow over a layer that greatly

restricts roots.

Root zone. The part of the soil that can be

penetrated by plant roots.

Runoff. The precipitation discharged into stream

channels from an area. The water that flows

off the surface of the land without sinking into

the soil is called surface runoff. Water that

enters the soil before reaching surface

streams is called ground-water runoff or

seepage flow from ground water.

Sand. As a soil separate, individual rock or

mineral fragments from 0.05 millimeter to 2.0
80 Soil Survey

millimeters in diameter. Most sand grains

consist of quartz. As a soil textural class, a

soil that is 85 percent or more sand and not

more than 10 percent clay.

Sandstone. Sedimentary rock containing

dominantly sand-sized particles.

Saprolite. Unconsolidated residual material

underlying the soil and grading to hard

bedrock below.

Saturation. Wetness characterized by zero or

positive pressure of the soil water. Under

conditions of saturation, the water will flow

from the soil matrix into an unlined auger

hole.

Scarification. The act of abrading, scratching,

loosening, crushing, or modifying the surface

to increase water absorption or to provide a

more tillable soil.

Sedimentary rock. Rock made up of particles

deposited from suspension in water. The chief

kinds of sedimentary rock are conglomerate,

formed from gravel; sandstone, formed from

sand; shale, formed from clay; and limestone,

formed from soft masses of calcium

carbonate. There are many intermediate

types. Some wind-deposited sand is

consolidated into sandstone.

Seepage (in tables). The movement of water

through the soil. Seepage adversely affects

the specified use.

Series, soil. A group of soils that have profiles

that are almost alike, except for differences

in texture of the surface layer. All the soils of

a series have horizons that are similar in

composition, thickness, and arrangement.

Sheet erosion. The removal of a fairly uniform

layer of soil material from the land surface by

the action of rainfall and surface runoff.

Silica. A combination of silicon and oxygen. The

mineral form is called quartz.

Silt. As a soil separate, individual mineral

particles that range in diameter from the

upper limit of clay (0.002 millimeter) to the

lower limit of very fine sand (0.05 millimeter).

As a soil textural class, soil that is 80

percent or more silt and less than 12 percent

clay.

Similar soils. Soils that share limits of

diagnostic criteria, behave and perform in a

similar manner, and have similar

conservation needs or management

requirements for the major land uses in the

survey area.

Sinkhole. A depression in the landscape where

limestone has been dissolved.

Slickensides. Polished and grooved surfaces

produced by one mass sliding past another.

In soils, slickensides may occur at the bases

of slip surfaces on the steeper slopes; on

faces of blocks, prisms, and columns; and in

swelling clayey soils, where there is marked

change in moisture content.

Slope. The inclination of the land surface from

the horizontal. Percentage of slope is the

vertical distance divided by horizontal

distance, then multiplied by 100. Thus, a

slope of 20 percent is a drop of 20 feet in 100

feet of horizontal distance. In this survey,

classes for simple slopes are as follows:

Nearly level ........................................ 0 to 3 percent

Gently sloping .................................... 1 to 7 percent

Strongly sloping ............................... 7 to 15 percent

Steep .............................................. 15 to 40 percent

Very steep ............................. 40 percent and higher

Slope (in tables). Slope is great enough that special

practices are required to ensure satisfactory

performance of the soil for a specific use.

Slow intake (in tables). The slow movement of water

into the soil.

Small stones (in tables). Rock fragments less than 3

inches (7.6 centimeters) in diameter. Small stones

adversely affect the specified use of the soil.

Sodic (alkali) soil. A soil having 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 plant

growth is restricted.

Soft bedrock. Bedrock that can be excavated with

trenching machines, backhoes, small rippers, and

other equipment commonly used in construction.

Soil. A natural, three-dimensional body at the earth’s

surface. It is capable of supporting plants and has

properties resulting from the integrated effect of

climate and living matter acting on earthy parent

material, as conditioned by relief over periods of

time.

Soil separates. Mineral particles less than 2

millimeters in equivalent diameter and ranging

between specified size limits. The names and
Sherman County, Oregon 81

sizes, in millimeters, of separates recognized in

the United States are as follows:

Very coarse sand ...................................... 2.0 to 1.0

Coarse sand .............................................. 1.0 to 0.5

Medium sand ........................................... 0.5 to 0.25

Fine sand ............................................... 0.25 to 0.10

Very fine sand ........................................ 0.10 to 0.05

Silt ......................................................... 0.05 to 0.002

Clay .................................................. less than 0.002

Solum. The upper part of a soil profile, above the C

horizon, in which the processes of soil formation

are active. The solum in soil consists of the A, E,

and B horizons. Generally, the characteristics of

the material in these horizons are unlike those of

the material below the solum. The living roots and

plant and animal activities are largely confined to

the solum.

Stone line. A concentration of coarse fragments in

a soil. Generally, it is indicative of an old

weathered surface. In a cross section, the line

may be one fragment or more thick. It generally

overlies material that weathered in place and

is overlain by recent sediment of variable

thickness.

Stones. Rock fragments 10 to 24 inches (25 to 60

centimeters) in diameter if rounded or 15 to 24

inches (38 to 60 centimeters) in length if flat.

Stony. Refers to a soil containing stones in numbers

that interfere with or prevent tillage.

Stripcropping. Growing crops in a systematic

arrangement of strips or bands that provide

vegetative barriers to wind erosion and water

erosion.

Structure, soil. The arrangement of primary soil

particles into compound particles or aggregates.

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 without any regular

cleavage, as in many hardpans).

Stubble mulch. Stubble or other crop residue left on

the soil or partly worked into the soil. It protects

the soil from wind erosion and water erosion after

harvest, during preparation of a seedbed for the

next crop, and during the early growing period of

the new crop.

Subsoil. Technically, the B horizon; roughly, the part of

the solum below plow depth.

Subsoiling. Tilling a soil below normal plow depth,

ordinarily to shatter a hardpan or claypan.

Substratum. The part of the soil below the solum.

Subsurface layer. Any surface soil horizon (A, or AB)

below the surface layer.

Summer fallow. The tillage of uncropped land during

the summer to control weeds and allow storage of

moisture in the soil for the growth of a later crop. A

practice common in semiarid regions, where

annual precipitation is not enough to produce a

crop every year. Summer fallow is frequently

practiced before planting winter grain.

Surface layer. The soil ordinarily moved in tillage, or its

equivalent in uncultivated soil, ranging in depth

from 4 to 10 inches (10 to 25 centimeters).

Frequently designated as the “plow layer,” or the

“Ap horizon.”

Talus. Fragments of rock and other soil material

accumulated by gravity at the foot of cliffs or steep

slopes.

Terrace. An embankment, or ridge, constructed

across sloping soils on the contour or at a slight

angle to the contour. The terrace intercepts

surface runoff so that water soaks into the soil or

flows slowly to a prepared outlet. A terrace in a

field generally is built so that the field can be

farmed. A terrace intended mainly for drainage has

a deep channel that is maintained in permanent

sod.

Terrace (geologic). An old alluvial plain, ordinarily

flat or undulating, bordering a river, a lake, or the

sea.

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.”

Thin layer (in tables). Otherwise suitable soil material

that is too thin for the specified use.

Tilth, soil. The physical condition of the soil as related

to tillage, seedbed preparation, seedling

emergence, and root penetration.

Toe slope. The outermost inclined surface at the base

of a hill; part of a foot slope.
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Too arid (in tables). The soil is dry most of the time,

and vegetation is difficult to establish.

Topsoil. The upper part of the soil, which is the

most favorable material for plant growth. It is

ordinarily rich in organic matter and is used to

topdress roadbanks, lawns, and land affected by

mining.

Trace elements. Chemical elements, for example,

zinc, cobalt, manganese, copper, and iron, in soils

in extremely small amounts. They are essential to

plant growth.

Tuff. A compacted deposit that is 50 percent or more

volcanic ash and dust.

Upland. Land at a higher elevation, in general, than the

alluvial plain or stream terrace; land above the

lowlands along streams.

Weathering. All physical and chemical changes

produced in rocks or other deposits at or near the

earth’s surface by atmospheric agents. These

changes result in disintegration and decomposition

of the material.

Well graded. Refers to soil material consisting of

coarse grained particles that are well distributed

over a wide range in size or diameter. Such soil

normally can be easily increased in density and

bearing properties by compaction. Contrasts with

poorly graded soil.

Wilting point (or permanent wilting point). The

moisture content of soil, on an ovendry basis, at

which a plant (specifically a sunflower) wilts so

much that it does not recover when placed in a

humid, dark chamber.