The somewhat poorly drained Elliott and moderately well drained Varna soils formed in thin loess and silty clay loam till. The somewhat poorly drained Flanagan soils formed in 40 to 60 inches of loess and the underlying silt loam, loam, or silty clay loam till. Saybrook are formed in 20 to 40 inches of loess and the underlying silt loam or loam till with carbonates shallower than 42 inches. These associated soils are on adjoining higher elevations. The potential for surface runoff is slow.
Permeability is moderate in the loess and moderately slow in the glacial till.
In undisturbed areas, this soil has a water table at the surface or within 1.5 feet, commonly during the late winter and spring, in most years. Most areas are artificially drained and used for cultivated crops. Principal crops are corn and soybeans and other crops include small grain. Native vegetation was commonly marsh grasses and sedges. Central and possibly northern Illinois.