They formed in weathered limestone. Drainage is difficult to assess because of the color inherited from the shale. Gosport soils are thought to be moderately well drained. They are not saturated with water at some seasons nor artificially drained. Runoff is rapid.
Permeability is very slow.
Some areas are left idle where they are surrounded by soils that have properties more favorable to agriculture. Gosport soils are of large extent. Indian Creek Project, Iowa, 1938. The gray colors in the lower part of the solum are inherited from the shale and were not considered in classifying the series. The extreme variation in the shale parent material raises the question as to family placement.