The soils formed in sandy glaciofluvial deposits. Mean annual temperature ranges from 46 to 57 degrees F. and mean annual precipitation ranges from 38 to 55 inches. The poorly drained Rippowam soils and very poorly drained Saco soils are on nearby flood plains. Very poorly drained. Permeability is rapid or very rapid.
Surface runoff is negligible.
The water table is at or near the surface for 6 to 12 months of the year, and many areas are ponded for short periods. Common shrubs are speckled alder, smooth alder, rhoda azalea, steeplebush spirea, leatherleaf, labrador-tea, winterberry, highbush blueberry, large cranberry, black huckleberry, poison sumac, and sheep laurel. Common trees are red maple, slippery elm, Atlantic white cedar, tamarack, white pine, willow, and gray birch. Scarboro soils are extensive. Thickness of organic soil materials is 8 inches.