The frost free period ranges from about 135 to 160 days. Elevation ranges from 600 to 1000 feet. Dakota soils are on landscape positions similar to those of Meridian soils where the dark colored surface layer is thicker. The poorly drained Lows soils , the somewhat poorly drained Shiffer soils, and the moderately well drained Menomin soils form a drainage sequence with Meridian soils. Runoff is slow to rapid.
Permeability is moderate in the loamy alluvium and rapid or very rapid in the sandy outwash.
Most areas of Meridian soils are used for cropland. Common crops are corn, small grain, and hay. Some small areas remain in pastureland or woodland. A few small areas remain in native vegetation which is a mixture of deciduous trees and prairie grasses. Meridian soils are of moderate extent.