Soil Survey of Roscommon County, Michigan · General Soil Map The general soil map, which is a color map, shows the survey area divided into groups of associated soils called general

United StatesDepartment ofAgriculture

NaturalResourcesConservationService

Soil Survey ofRoscommonCounty, Michigan

In cooperation withMichigan Department ofAgriculture, MichiganAgricultural ExperimentStation, Michigan StateUniversity Extension,Michigan TechnologicalUniversity, andRoscommon County Boardof Commissioners

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is committed to making itsinformation accessible to all of its customers and employees. If you are experiencingaccessibility issues and need assistance, please contact our Helpdesk by phone at1-800-457-3642 or by e-mail at [email protected]. For assistancewith publications that include maps, graphs, or similar forms of information, you mayalso wish to contact our State or local office. You can locate the correct office andphone number at http://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator/app.

NRCS Accessibility Statement

http://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator/appmailto:[email protected]

General Soil Map

The general soil map, which is a color map, shows the survey area divided into groups of associated soils calledgeneral 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 thearea on the color-coded map legend, then refer to the section General Soil Map Units for a general description ofthe soils in your area.

Detailed Soil Maps

The detailed soil maps can be useful in planning the use andmanagement of small areas.

To find information about your areaof interest, locate that area on theIndex to Map Sheets. Note thenumber of the map sheet and turnto that sheet.

Locate your area of interest onthe map sheet. Note the map unitsymbols that are in that area. Turnto the Contents, which lists themap units by symbol and nameand shows the page where eachmap unit is described.

The Contents shows which tablehas data on a specific land use foreach detailed soil map unit. Alsosee the Contents for sections ofthis publication that may addressyour specific needs.

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How To Use This Soil Survey

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Additional information about the Nation’s natural resources is available on theNatural Resources Conservation Service homepage on the World Wide Web. Theaddress is http://www.nrcs.usda.gov.

This soil survey is a publication of the National Cooperative Soil Survey, a joint effortof the United States Department of Agriculture and other Federal agencies, Stateagencies including the Agricultural Experiment Stations, and local agencies. TheNatural Resources Conservation Service (formerly the Soil Conservation Service) hasleadership for the Federal part of the National Cooperative Soil Survey.

Major fieldwork for this soil survey was completed in 1998. Soil names anddescriptions were approved in 1999. Unless otherwise indicated, statements in thispublication refer to conditions in the survey area in 1999. This survey was madecooperatively by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, the MichiganDepartment of Agriculture, the Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station, MichiganState University Extension, and Michigan Technological University. The survey is part ofthe technical assistance furnished to the Crawford-Roscommon County SoilConservation District. The Roscommon County Board of Commissioners providedfinancial assistance for the survey.

Soil maps in this survey may be copied without permission. Enlargement of thesemaps, 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 alarger scale.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all ofits programs on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability,political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or family status. (Not all prohibited basesapply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means forcommunication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) shouldcontact the USDA’s TARGET Center at 202-720-2600 (voice or TDD).

To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights,Room 326W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC20250-9410, or call 202-720-5964 (voice or TDD). USDA is an equal opportunityprovider and employer.

Cover: The community of Houghton Lake on the south side of Houghton Lake looking north.Houghton Lake is a popular destination for year-round recreation.

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Contents

How To Use This Soil Survey .................................. iForeword ............................................................... viiGeneral Nature of the County ................................... 1

Climate ................................................................. 1History and Development ..................................... 2Physiography ........................................................ 3Lakes and Streams .............................................. 3Agriculture ............................................................ 3

How This Survey Was Made ..................................... 4General Soil Map Units .......................................... 7

1. Graycalm-Grayling Association .................... 72. Graycalm-Klacking-Perecheney

Association ............................................. 73. Kellogg-Allendale Association ...................... 84. Tawas-Lupton-Leafriver Association............. 85. Croswell-Au Gres-Tawas Association ........... 96. Wakeley-Au Gres-Deford Association .......... 97. Debolt-Pinewood Association ..................... 108. Nester-Morganlake-Rubicon Association ... 109. Kawkawlin-Sims-Nester Association .......... 11

10. Wakeley-Allendale Association ................... 11Detailed Soil Map Units ........................................ 13

13—Tawas-Lupton mucks ................................... 1414—Dawson-Loxley peats .................................. 1515A—Croswell-Au Gres sands, 0 to 3

percent slopes ............................................. 1616B—Graycalm sand, 0 to 6 percent slopes ...... 1717A—Croswell sand, 0 to 3 percent slopes ........ 1818A—Au Gres sand, 0 to 3 percent slopes......... 1920B—Graycalm-Grayling sands, 0 to 6

percent slopes ............................................. 2020D—Graycalm-Grayling sands, 6 to 18

percent slopes ............................................. 2120F—Graycalm-Grayling sands, 18 to 45

percent slopes ............................................. 2223—Ausable-Bowstring mucks, frequently

flooded ......................................................... 2324A—Kinross-Au Gres complex, 0 to 3

percent slopes ............................................. 2426B—Cublake sand, 0 to 6 percent slopes ......... 2534B—Kneff very fine sandy loam, 0 to 6

percent slopes ............................................. 2635—Kinross muck .............................................. 2747D—Graycalm sand, 6 to 18 percent slopes .... 2847F—Graycalm sand, 18 to 45 percent slopes ... 29

50B—Au Gres-Kinross-Croswell complex,0 to 6 percent slopes.................................... 30

51—Tawas-Leafriver mucks ............................... 3157B—Kawkawlin loam, 1 to 4 percent slopes ..... 3258A—Wakeley-Allendale complex, 0 to 3

percent slopes ............................................. 3467A—Bowers-Deerheart complex, 0 to 3

percent slopes ............................................. 3575B—Rubicon sand, 0 to 6 percent slopes ........ 3675D—Rubicon sand, 6 to 18 percent slopes ...... 3778—Pits, borrow ................................................. 3881B—Grayling sand, 0 to 6 percent slopes ........ 3881D—Grayling sand, 6 to 18 percent slopes ...... 3981F—Grayling sand, 18 to 45 percent slopes ..... 4082B—Udorthents, loamy, nearly level and

undulating .................................................... 4183B—Udipsamments, nearly level and

undulating .................................................... 4283F—Udipsamments, nearly level to very

steep ............................................................ 4286—Histosols and Aquents, ponded .................. 4387—Ausable muck, frequently flooded ............... 4390B—Chinwhisker sand, 0 to 4 percent

slopes .......................................................... 45102D—Curtisville loam, 12 to 18 percent

slopes .......................................................... 46103B—Nester sandy loam, 1 to 6 percent

slopes .......................................................... 47103C—Nester sandy loam, 6 to 12 percent

slopes .......................................................... 48114A—Ingalls sand, 0 to 3 percent slopes ......... 50120B—Morganlake sand, 0 to 6 percent

slopes .......................................................... 51120C—Morganlake sand, 6 to 12 percent

slopes .......................................................... 52123D—Klacking sand, 6 to 18 percent slopes .... 53144B—Perecheney sand, 0 to 6 percent

slopes .......................................................... 54144C—Perecheney sand, 6 to 12 percent

slopes .......................................................... 55159A—Finch sand, 0 to 3 percent slopes ........... 56307B—Klacking sand, 0 to 6 percent slopes ...... 57307E—Klacking sand, 18 to 35 percent

slopes .......................................................... 58360—Wakeley muck ........................................... 59

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368A—Au Gres-Deford complex, 0 to 3percent slopes ............................................. 59

369—Deford muck ............................................. 61380—Access denied .......................................... 61382B—Proper sand, 0 to 6 percent slopes ......... 62408—Sims loam ................................................. 63410B—Proper-Finch-Deford complex, 0 to 6

percent slopes ............................................. 64429D—Menominee sand, 12 to 18 percent

slopes .......................................................... 65441B—Morganlake-Nester complex, 0 to 6

percent slopes ............................................. 66441C—Morganlake-Nester complex, 6 to 12

percent slopes ............................................. 67442D—Menominee-Curtisville complex, 12 to

18 percent slopes ........................................ 69473—Deford-Kinross mucks ............................... 70474—Histosols-Fluvaquents complex,

frequently flooded ........................................ 71475B—Graycalm-Klacking sands, 0 to 6

percent slopes ............................................. 71475D—Graycalm-Klacking sands, 6 to 18

percent slopes ............................................. 72475E—Graycalm-Klacking sands, 18 to 35

percent slopes ............................................. 74476B—Klacking-Perecheney sands, 0 to 6

percent slopes ............................................. 75476D—Klacking-Perecheney sands, 6 to 18

percent slopes ............................................. 76490—Urban land-Aquents, nearly level .............. 77491A—Geels sand, 0 to 3 percent slopes .......... 77492A—Allendale sand, 0 to 3 percent slopes,

sandy substratum ........................................ 78493A—Otisco sand, 0 to 3 percent slopes ......... 80495B—Gerrish sand, 0 to 6 percent slopes ........ 81495D—Gerrish sand, 6 to 18 percent slopes ...... 81495F—Gerrish sand, 18 to 45 percent slopes .... 82496B—Gerrish-Grayling sands, 0 to 6 percent

slopes .......................................................... 83496D—Gerrish-Grayling sands, 6 to 18

percent slopes ............................................. 84496F—Gerrish-Grayling sands, 18 to 45

percent slopes ............................................. 85497A—Debolt sandy loam, 0 to 3 percent

slopes .......................................................... 87

498A—Pinewood sandy loam, 0 to 2 percentslopes .......................................................... 88

499—Dawson-Kinross complex ......................... 89500A—Flink sand, 0 to 3 percent slopes ............ 90501B—Kellogg sand, 0 to 6 percent slopes,

sandy substratum ........................................ 91502B—Kawkawlin-Sims loams, 0 to 4 percent

slopes .......................................................... 92Prime Farmland .................................................... 95Hydric Soils ........................................................... 97Use and Management of the Soils ...................... 99

Crops and Pasture ............................................. 99Yields per Acre ............................................. 100Land Capability Classification ...................... 101

Forestland Management and Productivity ........ 102Plant Communities ........................................... 104Windbreaks and Environmental Plantings ......... 105Recreation ........................................................ 105Wildlife Habitat .................................................. 107Engineering ....................................................... 108

Building Site Development ............................ 109Sanitary Facilities ......................................... 109Construction Materials .................................. 111Water Management ....................................... 112

Soil Properties .................................................... 115Engineering Index Properties ............................ 115Physical Properties .......................................... 116Chemical Properties ......................................... 117Soil Features .................................................... 118Water Features ................................................. 118

Classification of the Soils ................................... 121Soil Series and Their Morphology ...................... 121

Allendale Series ........................................... 121Au Gres Series ............................................. 123Ausable Series ............................................. 124Bowers Series .............................................. 125Bowstring Series .......................................... 126Chinwhisker Series ....................................... 127Croswell Series ............................................ 127Cublake Series ............................................. 128Curtisville Series .......................................... 129Dawson Series ............................................. 130Debolt Series ................................................ 131Deerheart Series .......................................... 132Deford Series ............................................... 132

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Finch Series ................................................. 133Flink Series .................................................. 134Fluvaquents.................................................. 135Geels Series ................................................ 135Gerrish Series .............................................. 137Graycalm Series ........................................... 138Grayling Series ............................................. 138Histosols ...................................................... 139Ingalls Series ............................................... 139Kawkawlin Series ......................................... 140Kellogg Series .............................................. 141Kinross Series .............................................. 142Klacking Series ............................................ 143Kneff Series ................................................. 145Leafriver Series ............................................ 145Loxley Series ............................................... 146Lupton Series ............................................... 146Menominee Series ........................................ 147Morganlake Series ........................................ 148Nester Series ............................................... 149Otisco Series ............................................... 150Perecheney Series ....................................... 151Pinewood Series ........................................... 152Proper Series ............................................... 154Rubicon Series ............................................. 154Sims Series.................................................. 155Tawas Series ................................................ 156Udipsamments ............................................. 157Udorthents ................................................... 157Wakeley Series ............................................ 157

Formation of the Soils ........................................ 159Factors of Soil Formation .................................. 159

Parent Material ............................................. 159Plant and Animal Life ................................... 160Climate ......................................................... 160Relief ............................................................ 160

Time ............................................................. 160Processes of Soil Formation ............................. 160

References ........................................................... 163Glossary .............................................................. 165Tables .................................................................. 173

Table 1.—Temperature and Precipitation ........... 174Table 2.—Freeze Dates in Spring and Fall ......... 175Table 3.—Growing Season ................................ 175Table 4.—Acreage and Proportionate Extent

of the Soils ................................................. 176Table 5.—Prime Farmland ................................ 178Table 6.—Land Capability and Yields per

Acre of Crops and Hay ............................... 179Table 7.—Forestland Management and

Productivity ................................................ 186Table 8.—Equipment Limitations on

Forestland .................................................. 202Table 9.—Plant Communities on Selected

Soils ........................................................... 212Table 10.—Windbreaks and Environmental

Plantings .................................................... 237Table 11.—Recreational Development .............. 248Table 12.—Wildlife Habitat ................................ 257Table 13.—Building Site Development .............. 264Table 14.—Sanitary Facilities ........................... 273Table 15.—Construction Materials .................... 283Table 16.—Water Management ........................ 292Table 17.—Engineering Index Properties ......... 307Table 18.—Physical Properties of the

Soils ........................................................... 336Table 19.—Chemical Properties of the

Soils ........................................................... 349Table 20.—Soil Features .................................. 362Table 21.—Soil Moisture Status by Depth ........ 368Table 22.—Water Features ............................... 384Table 23.—Classification of the Soils ................ 403

Issued October 2005

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This soil survey contains information that affects land use planning in this surveyarea. It contains predictions of soil behavior for selected land uses. The survey alsohighlights soil limitations, improvements needed to overcome the limitations, and theimpact of selected land uses on the environment.

This soil survey is designed for many different users. Farmers, foresters, andagronomists can use it to evaluate the potential of the soil and the management neededfor maximum food and fiber production. Planners, community officials, engineers,developers, builders, and home buyers can use the survey to plan land use, select sitesfor construction, and identify special practices needed to ensure proper performance.Conservationists, teachers, students, and specialists in recreation, wildlifemanagement, waste disposal, and pollution control can use the survey to help themunderstand, protect, and enhance the environment.

Various land use regulations of Federal, State, and local governments may imposespecial restrictions on land use or land treatment. The information in this report isintended to identify soil properties that are used in making various land use or landtreatment decisions. Statements made in this report are intended to help the land usersidentify and reduce the effects of soil limitations on various land uses. The landowner oruser is responsible for identifying and complying with existing laws and regulations.

Great differences in soil properties can occur within short distances. Some soils areseasonally wet or subject to flooding. Some are shallow to bedrock. Some are toounstable to be used as a foundation for buildings or roads. Clayey or wet soils arepoorly suited to use as septic tank absorption fields. A high water table makes a soilpoorly suited to basements or underground installations.

These and many other soil properties that affect land use are described in this soilsurvey. Broad areas of soils are shown on the general soil map. The location of eachsoil is shown on the detailed soil maps. Each soil in the survey area is described, andinformation on specific uses is given. Help in using this publication and additionalinformation are available at the local office of the Natural Resources ConservationService or the Cooperative Extension Service.

Ronald C. WilliamsState ConservationistNatural Resources Conservation Service

Foreword

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ROSCOMMON COUNTY is in the north-central part ofMichigan’s Lower Peninsula (fig. 1). It is bordered byCrawford County on the north, Ogemaw County on theeast, Clare and Gladwin Counties on the south, andMissaukee County on the west. It has an area of 579square miles, or 371,251 acres. Roscommon is thecounty seat. The population concentration is innorthern Denton and Roscommon Townships andalong the shore of Houghton Lake and Higgins Lake.In 1990, the population of Roscommon County was19,776.

The major income in the county is derived fromemployment in education, government services,recreation, tourism, and retail trade.

Soil scientists have determined that there are about40 kinds of soils in Roscommon County. The soils varywidely in texture and natural drainage, slope, andother characteristics.

The undulating to hilly soils in Roscommon Countyare dominantly well drained. The level and nearly levelsoils are dominantly somewhat poorly drained to verypoorly drained.

Erosion generally is a severe hazard in unprotectedareas, and measures are needed to control erosionand reduce sedimentation in lakes and streams. If wellmanaged, the soils are suited to forestland and torecreational uses. The well drained soils, which makeup about one-third of the county, are suited torecreational and urban development.

This soil survey updates the survey of RoscommonCounty published in 1924 (Veatch and others, 1924). It

provides additional information and has larger maps,which show the soils in greater detail.

General Nature of the CountyThis section provides general information

concerning Roscommon County. It describes climate,history and development, physiography, lakes andstreams, and agriculture.

Climate

Table 1 gives data on temperature and precipitationfor the survey area as recorded at Houghton Lake,Michigan, in the period from 1964 to 1990. Table 2shows probable dates of the first freeze in fall and thelast freeze in spring. Table 3 provides data on length ofthe growing season.

In winter, the average temperature is 19.5 degrees Fand the average daily minimum temperature is 11.1degrees. The lowest temperature on record, whichoccurred on February 1, 1918, is -48 degrees. Insummer, the average temperature is 65.1 degrees andthe average daily maximum temperature is 76.9degrees. The highest recorded temperature, whichoccurred on June 1, 1934, and July 8 and 13, 1937, is107 degrees.

Growing degree days are shown in table 1. They areequivalent to “heat units.” During the month, growingdegree days accumulate by the amount that theaverage temperature each day exceeds a base

Soil Survey of

Roscommon County, MichiganBy Stephen W. Tardy

Fieldwork by Stephen W. Tardy, Jon M. Quisler, Jamie Antoniewicz, Larry K. Brummund,Jonathon D. Reedstrom, Martin L. Kroell III, Rick W. Neilson, John O. Werlein,Thomas H. Purkey, and Erik P. Johnson

United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service,in cooperation with Michigan Department of Agriculture, Michigan AgriculturalExperiment Station, Michigan State University Extension, Michigan TechnologicalUniversity, and Roscommon County Board of Commissioners

2 Soil Survey of

temperature (40 degrees F). The normal monthlyaccumulation is used to schedule single or successiveplantings of a crop between the last freeze in springand the first freeze in fall.

The total annual precipitation is 28.71 inches. Ofthis total, 14.9 inches, or about 52 percent, usuallyfalls in May through September. The growing seasonfor most crops falls within this period. The heaviest1-day rainfall during the period of record was 3.83inches on July 10, 1984. Thunderstorms occur onabout 31 days each year, and most occur in June,July, and August.

The average seasonal snowfall is 76 inches. Thegreatest snow depth at any one time during the periodof record was 24 inches on January 25, 1979. On theaverage, 108 days of the year have at least 1 inch ofsnow on the ground. The number of such days variesgreatly from year to year. The heaviest 1-day snowfallon record was 15.4 inches recorded on January 26,1978.

The average relative humidity in midafternoon isabout 63 percent. Humidity is higher at night, and theaverage at dawn is about 84 percent. The sun shines62 percent of the time possible in summer and 30percent in winter. The prevailing wind is from the south

in the summer and from the west and northwest in thewinter and spring. Average windspeed is highest, 10.1miles per hour, in January.

History and Development

Roscommon County has a history dating back wellbefore the arrival of European settlers. NativeAmerican evidence in the county includes threevillages, burial grounds, and several mounds. TheNative Americans who occupied the area were mainlythe Chippewa and Ojibway tribes. Most settlementsand structures were located near Houghton Lake andthe Muskegon and Cut Rivers. Among the NativeAmerican trails in the county was the main north-southGrand Traverse-Saginaw trail, which runs through themiddle of the county. Many Native Americans referredto the area as Mikenauk, after a Chippewa chief.

Two years after the area passed from NativeAmerican control in 1836 by the Washington Treaty,the name of the county was changed. SurveyorJohn Brink named it Roscommon after a county inIreland. A resurvey in 1852 by William Burt changedthe name of Red Lake to Houghton Lake and thename of Forginson Lake to Higgins Lake. These newnames were in honor of fellow surveyors andgeologists Douglas Houghton and Silvester Higgins.In 1875, the area now known as Roscommon Countywas legally established. The settlement of HoughtonLake, which was started in 1873, was chosen as atemporary county seat. In 1879, the county seat waschanged to the present-day village of Roscommon. Inthe years immediately following the Civil War,Roscommon County’s lakes, rivers, and streamsserved as highways for the transportation of lumber outof the county to sawmills on the Au Sable, Muskegon,and Tittabawassee Rivers. By 1878, narrow-gaugerailroads served the lumbering industry andsettlements.

As early as 1870, groups of vacationers from theSaginaw area were traveling to Higgins Lake for rest,hunting, and fishing. The use of tents and cottagesbecame a regular occurrence around the lakes. TheHiggins Lake, Lakeside, and Cottage Groveassociations are early examples of vacationsettlements in Roscommon County.

Most early attempts to settle the county foragriculture use in the 1880s and 1890s failed. By1903, tax-delinquent lands had reverted back to theState and were designated as State forest. Forest firesin the 1900s prompted the Public Domain Commissionto institute fire patrols and other conservationmeasures to save the area from neglect. From 1933 to

Figure 1.—Location of Roscommon County in Michigan.

Roscommon County, Michigan 3

1941, the Civilian Conservation Corps contributed toreforestation efforts and to the parks and recreationalfacilities available to the public.

From 1870 to 1880, the population of the county wasassociated primarily with the logging industry. Duringthis period the population grew to almost 3,000. As thelast of the logging drives ended around the turn of the20th century, the population of the county declined. Inthe 1920s, the population of Houghton and HigginsLake started to grow. Roscommon County grew withthe influx of visitors and vacationers enjoying the areavia automobile. This growth was stimulated by thearrival of electrification in the mid 1930s and thepaving of old U.S. Highway 27 in 1936. By 1990, thecounty’s population had grown to almost 20,000. Thisnumber is double the population reported in the 1970census.

Physiography

The topography of Roscommon County is mainlythe result of the deposition and movement of materialsduring the Late Wisconsinan Glaciation (fig. 2). Thisglaciation was the last glacial epoch that affectedMichigan. It lasted in this area from around 14,000 to8,000 years before present (B.P.).

Roscommon County is in the Michigan-Saginawinterlobate area, the southeast corner of the countyhaving been slightly affected by the Saginaw Lobe.Kame moraines in the county date from the Port Bruceage, which approximates the advance of the SaginawLobe. The largest of these kame moraines extendsfrom southeastern Richfield Township (the IndianSprings kamic area) to southeastern RoscommonTownship. Other morainic features are scatteredthroughout the county. Several of the more prominentones are south of Houghton Lake and north, south,and southeast of Higgins Lake.

Other landform features are end moraines, groundmoraines, collapsed lake plains, and the Saint Helenoutwash plain, which makes up most of the countyand accounts for its sandy, nearly level appearance.Ponded areas and bogs are also common throughout.Soils (unconsolidated) lying over the bedrockformations range in thickness from 400 to 700 feet.These materials for the most part were glaciallydeposited.

The highest elevation in the county is 1,579 feet atIndian Springs lookout tower, Richfield Township, sec.14, R. 1 W., T. 22 N. The lowest elevation is 850 feet inNester Township, in the southeast corner of the county,sec. 35, R. 1 W., T. 20 N.

Lakes and Streams

There are three watersheds in Roscommon County.The Au Sable and Saginaw watersheds draineventually into Lake Huron, and the Muskegonwatershed drains into Lake Michigan. The Au Sablewatershed is in the northeast corner of RoscommonCounty, roughly north and east of Interstate 75. TheSaginaw watershed is in the southeast corner of thecounty, from just north of west and east Twin Lakes.The Muskegon watershed encompasses the areasouth and west of Interstate 75, excluding thesoutheast corner of Roscommon County.

The three largest lakes in the county are HoughtonLake, which covers 20,044 acres and has 30 miles ofshoreline; Higgins Lake (fig. 3), which covers 9,600acres and has a maximum depth of 141 feet; and LakeSaint Helen, which covers 2,400 acres. The largestland feature is the Dead Stream Swamp, which covers25,000 acres (of which 985 acres is flooded). About 10percent of the land surface in the county is covered bywater.

Major rivers in the county are the Au Sable,Muskegon, Cut, and Tittabawassee Rivers.

Agriculture

The history of farming in Roscommon Countyclosely follows that of the lumbering industry. Aslumbering in the county grew, so did the amount ofcleared land. The farms reaped small profits fromsupplying the camps and mills with the necessaryagricultural products, particularly hay and other feedfor work animals. During the winter, farmers couldwork in the logging camps and add to their income. Asthe lumbering camps were abandoned for other areas,so were most of the farms, especially those located onthe sandy soils. According to the 1925 census ofagriculture, about 13 percent of the county was usedas farmland. Of this total, only about 18 percent of thefarmland was used for crops or pasture. The earlyfarmers grew hay, oats, potatoes, and some wheatand corn. Each farm typically kept some livestock.Later on, the trend was toward small grain, hay, andcow-calf production. For a time in the 1920s and1930s, specialty crops were grown to supply summervisitors. These specialty crops included apples,raspberries, dewberries, strawberries, cabbage,onions, and mint. Wild blueberries, which grow incleared areas in the sandy uplands, were a source ofconsiderable income.

The number and distribution of farms in the county

4 Soil Survey of

are closely related to the soils. There arefour separate farming communities, all located in areasof the favorable clayey soils. Farmland holdings aregenerally 40 to 320 acres in size. The low acreage ofsuitable soils for farming, low soil temperatures, theshort growing season, the distance to markets, and thesmall local markets hinder farming activities.

How This Survey Was MadeThis survey was made to provide information about

the soils and miscellaneous areas in the survey area.The information includes a description of the soils andmiscellaneous areas and their location and adiscussion of their suitability, limitations, and

Figure 2.—Dominant glacial landforms of Roscommon County.


management for specified uses. Soil scientistsobserved the steepness, length, and shape of theslopes; the general pattern of drainage; and the kindsof crops and native plants growing on the soil. Theydug many holes to study the soil profile, which is thesequence of natural layers, or horizons, in a soil. Theprofile extends from the surface down into theunconsolidated material in which the soil formed. Theunconsolidated material is devoid of roots and otherliving organisms and has not been changed by otherbiological activity.

The soils and miscellaneous areas in the surveyarea are in an orderly pattern that is related to thegeology, landforms, relief, climate, and natural

vegetation of the area. Each kind of soil andmiscellaneous area is associated with a particular kindof landform or with a segment of the landform. Byobserving the soils and miscellaneous areas in thesurvey area and relating their position to specificsegments of the landform, a soil scientist develops aconcept, or model, of how they were formed. Thus,during mapping, this model enables the soil scientistto predict with a considerable degree of accuracy thekind of soil or miscellaneous area at a specific locationon the landscape.

Commonly, individual soils on the landscape mergeinto one another as their characteristics graduallychange. To construct an accurate soil map, however,

Figure 3.—Higgins Lake is the second largest lake in Roscommon County.

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soil scientists must determine the boundaries betweenthe soils. They can observe only a limited number ofsoil profiles. Nevertheless, these observations,supplemented by an understanding of the soil-vegetation-landscape relationship, are sufficient toverify predictions of the kinds of soil in an area and todetermine the boundaries.

Soil scientists recorded the characteristics of thesoil profiles that they studied. They noted soil color,texture, size and shape of soil aggregates, kind andamount of rock fragments, distribution of plant roots,soil reaction, and other features that enable them toidentify soils. After describing the soils in the surveyarea and determining their properties, the soilscientists assigned the soils to taxonomic classes(units). Taxonomic classes are concepts. Eachtaxonomic class has a set of soil characteristics withprecisely defined limits. The classes are used as abasis for comparison to classify soils systematically.Soil taxonomy, the system of taxonomic classificationused in the United States, is based mainly on the kindand character of soil properties and the arrangementof horizons within the profile. After the soil scientistsclassified and named the soils in the survey area, theycompared the individual soils with similar soils in thesame taxonomic class in other areas so that theycould confirm data and assemble additional databased on experience and research.

While a soil survey is in progress, samples of someof the soils in the area generally are collected forlaboratory analyses and for engineering tests. Soilscientists interpret the data from these analyses and

tests as well as the field-observed characteristics andthe soil properties to determine the expected behaviorof the soils under different uses. Interpretations for allof the soils are field tested through observation of thesoils in different uses and under different levels ofmanagement. Some interpretations are modified to fitlocal conditions, and some new interpretations aredeveloped to meet local needs. Data are assembledfrom other sources, such as research information,production records, and field experience of specialists.For example, data on forest yields under defined levelsof management are assembled from forest site indexrecords and from plot experiments on the same kindsof soil.

Predictions about soil behavior are based not onlyon soil properties but also on such variables asclimate and biological activity. Soil conditions arepredictable over long periods of time, but they are notpredictable from year to year. For example, soilscientists can predict with a fairly high degree ofaccuracy that a given soil will have a high water tablewithin certain depths in most years, but they cannotpredict that a high water table will always be at aspecific level in the soil on a specific date.

After soil scientists located and identified thesignificant natural bodies of soil in the survey area,they drew the boundaries of these bodies on aerialphotographs and identified each as a specific mapunit. Aerial photographs show trees, buildings, fields,roads, and rivers, all of which help in locatingboundaries accurately.

7

The general soil map in this publication showsbroad areas that have a distinctive pattern of soils,relief, and drainage. These broad areas are calledassociations. Each association on the general soilmap is a unique natural landscape. Typically, itconsists of one or more major soils or miscellaneousareas and some minor soils or miscellaneous areas. Itis named for the major soils or miscellaneous areas.The components of one association can occur inanother but in a different pattern.

The general soil map can be used to compare thesuitability of large areas for general land uses. Areasof suitable soils can be identified on the map. Likewise,areas where the soils are not suitable can beidentified.

Because of its small scale, the map is not suitablefor planning the management of a farm or field or forselecting a site for a road or building or other structure.The soils in any one association differ from place toplace in slope, drainage, and other characteristics thataffect management.

1. Graycalm-Grayling Association

Nearly level to steep, somewhat excessively drainedand excessively drained, sandy soils on outwashplains, lake plains, and moraines

Setting

Landform: Outwash plains, lake plains, morainesSlope range: 0 to 45 percent

Composition

Extent of the association in the survey area: 27percent

Extent of the soils in the association:Graycalm soils—45 percentGrayling soils—40 percentSoils of minor extent—15 percent

Soil Properties and Qualities

Graycalm

Drainage class: Somewhat excessively drained

Position on the landform: Flats, knolls, ridgesParent material: Sandy sedimentsSurface textural class: SandSlope class: Nearly level to steep

Grayling

Drainage class: Excessively drainedPosition on the landform: Flats, knolls, ridgesParent material: Sandy sedimentsSurface textural class: SandSlope class: Nearly level to steep

Soils of Minor Extent

• The very poorly drained Tawas soils in depressionsand drainageways• The moderately well drained Croswell soils on theslightly lower flats

Use and Management

Major uses: ForestlandManagement concerns: Equipment limitations,

seedling mortality

2. Graycalm-Klacking-PerecheneyAssociation

Nearly level to steep, somewhat excessively drained,well drained, and moderately well drained, sandy soilson outwash plains, lake plains, and moraines

Setting


Composition


Extent of the soils in the association:Graycalm soils—45 percentKlacking soils—30 percentPerecheney soils—15 percentSoils of minor extent—10 percent

General Soil Map Units

8 Soil Survey of


Graycalm

Drainage class: Somewhat excessively drainedPosition on the landform: Flats, knolls, ridgesParent material: Sandy sedimentsSurface textural class: SandSlope class: Nearly level to steep

Klacking

Drainage class: Well drainedPosition on the landform: Flats, knolls, ridgesParent material: Sandy and loamy sedimentsSurface textural class: SandSlope class: Nearly level to steep

Perecheney

Drainage class: Moderately well drainedPosition on the landform: Flats, knolls, ridgesParent material: Sandy and loamy sedimentsSurface textural class: SandSlope class: Nearly level to gently rolling


• The excessively drained Rubicon and Grayling soilsin positions similar to those of the Graycalm andKlacking soils• The very poorly drained Tawas soils in depressionsand drainageways

Use and Management


seedling mortality

3. Kellogg-Allendale Association

Nearly level to gently rolling, moderately well drainedand somewhat poorly drained, sandy soils on lakeplains, outwash plains, and moraines

Setting

Landform: Lake plains, outwash plains, morainesSlope range: 0 to 6 percent

Composition

Extent of the association in the survey area: 1 percentExtent of the soils in the association:

Kellogg soils—85 percentAllendale soils—10 percentSoils of minor extent—5 percent


Kellogg, sandy substratum

Drainage class: Moderately well drainedPosition on the landform: Flats, knollsParent material: Sandy over clayey sedimentsSurface textural class: SandSlope class: Nearly level and gently undulating

Allendale

Drainage class: Somewhat poorly drainedPosition on the landform: Low flats, swalesParent material: Sandy over clayey sedimentsSurface textural class: SandSlope class: Nearly level and gently undulating


• The moderately well drained Geels soils in positionssimilar to those of the Kellogg soils• The very poorly drained Wakeley soils indepressions and drainageways

Use and Management


seedling mortality, windthrow hazard, plantcompetition

4. Tawas-Lupton-Leafriver Association

Nearly level, very poorly drained, mucky soils on lakeplains, outwash plains, and moraines

Setting


Composition


Tawas soils—35 percentLupton soils—35 percentLeafriver soils—20 percentSoils of minor extent—10 percent


Tawas

Drainage class: Very poorly drainedPosition on the landform: Low flats, depressions,

drainageways


Parent material: Organic material over sandysediments

Surface textural class: MuckSlope class: Nearly level

Lupton


drainagewaysParent material: Organic materialSurface textural class: MuckSlope class: Nearly level

Leafriver


drainagewaysParent material: Organic material over sandy

sedimentsSurface textural class: MuckSlope class: Nearly level


• The very poorly drained Deford and Kinross soils inpositions similar to those of the Tawas, Lupton, andLeafriver soils• The somewhat poorly drained Au Gres soils on lowknolls• The excessively drained Rubicon soils on knolls

Use and Management



5. Croswell-Au Gres-Tawas Association

Nearly level to undulating, moderately well drained,somewhat poorly drained, and very poorly drained,sandy and mucky soils on lake plains, outwash plains,and ground moraines

Setting


Composition


Extent of the soils in the association:Croswell soils—35 percentAu Gres soils—35 percent

Tawas soils—15 percentSoils of minor extent—15 percent


Croswell

Drainage class: Moderately well drainedPosition on the landform: Flats, knollsParent material: Sandy sedimentsSurface textural class: SandSlope class: Nearly level to undulating

Au Gres

Drainage class: Somewhat poorly drainedPosition on the landform: Low flats, low knolls, swalesParent material: Sandy sedimentsSurface textural class: SandSlope class: Nearly level to undulating

Tawas

Drainage class: Very poorly drainedPosition on the landform: Swales, depressions,

drainagewaysParent material: Organic material over sandy

sedimentsSurface textural class: MuckSlope class: Nearly level


• The excessively drained Rubicon and Grayling soilson knolls• The very poorly drained Leafriver and Lupton soils inpositions similar to those of the Tawas soils

Use and Management



6. Wakeley-Au Gres-Deford Association

Nearly level, very poorly drained and somewhat poorlydrained, mucky and sandy soils on lake plains andoutwash plains

Setting

Landform: Lake plains, outwash plainsSlope range: 0 to 3 percent

Composition


Wakeley soils—60 percent

10 Soil Survey of

Au Gres soils—15 percentDeford soils—15 percentSoils of minor extent—10 percent


Wakeley

Drainage class: Very poorly drainedPosition on the landform: Low flats, depressionsParent material: Sandy over clayey sedimentsSurface textural class: MuckSlope class: Nearly level

Au Gres

Drainage class: Somewhat poorly drainedPosition on the landform: Low knollsParent material: Sandy sedimentsSurface textural class: SandSlope class: Nearly level

Deford

Drainage class: Very poorly drainedPosition on the landform: Low flats, depressionsParent material: Sandy sedimentsSurface textural class: MuckSlope class: Nearly level


• The very poorly drained Leafriver and Tawas soils indepressions and drainageways• The very poorly drained Kinross soils in positionssimilar to those of the Wakeley and Deford soils

Use and Management

Major uses: ForestlandManagement concerns: Equipment limitations, seedling

mortality, windthrow hazard, plant competition

7. Debolt-Pinewood Association

Nearly level, moderately well drained and somewhatpoorly drained, loamy soils on collapsed lake plains

Setting

Landform: Collapsed lake plainsSlope range: 0 to 3 percent

Composition

Extent of the association in the survey area: Less than1 percent

Extent of the soils in the association:Debolt soils—50 percentPinewood soils—40 percentSoils of minor extent—10 percent


Debolt

Drainage class: Moderately well drainedPosition on the landform: FlatsParent material: Loamy over sandy sedimentsSurface textural class: Sandy loamSlope class: Nearly level

Pinewood

Drainage class: Somewhat poorly drainedPosition on the landform: Flats, swalesParent material: Loamy over sandy sedimentsSurface textural class: Sandy loamSlope class: Nearly level


• The moderately well drained Perecheney andGeels soils in positions similar to those of the Deboltsoils• The very poorly drained Sims and Tawas soils indepressions and drainageways

Use and Management

Major uses: Pasture, woodlandManagement concerns: Wetness, soil compaction,

equipment limitations, plant competition

8. Nester-Morganlake-RubiconAssociation

Nearly level to steep, moderately well drained andexcessively drained, sandy and loamy soils onmoraines, outwash plains, lake plains, and beachridges

Setting

Landform: Moraines, outwash plains, lake plains,beach ridges

Slope range: 0 to 35 percent

Composition


Nester soils—50 percentMorganlake soils—30 percentRubicon soils—10 percentSoils of minor extent—10 percent


Nester

Drainage class: Moderately well drainedPosition on the landform: Flats, knolls, low ridges


Parent material: Loamy sedimentsSurface textural class: Sandy loamSlope class: Nearly level to gently rolling

Morganlake

Drainage class: Moderately well drainedPosition on the landform: Flats, knolls, low ridgesParent material: Sandy over loamy sedimentsSurface textural class: SandSlope class: Nearly level to gently rolling

Rubicon

Drainage class: Excessively drainedPosition on the landform: Flats, knolls, ridgesParent material: Sandy sedimentsSurface textural class: SandSlope class: Nearly level to steep


• The well drained Menominee and Curtisville soils onridgetops and side slopes• The very poorly drained Sims, Wakeley, and Tawassoils in depressions and drainageways

Use and Management


seedling mortality, plant competition

9. Kawkawlin-Sims-Nester Association

Nearly level to gently rolling, somewhat poorlydrained, very poorly drained, and moderately welldrained, loamy soils on ground moraines and endmoraines

Setting

Landform: Ground moraines and end morainesSlope range: 0 to 12 percent

Composition


Kawkawlin soils—45 percentSims soils—30 percentNester soils—18 percentSoils of minor extent—7 percent


Kawkawlin

Drainage class: Somewhat poorly drained

Position on the landform: Flats, low knollsParent material: Loamy sedimentsSurface textural class: LoamSlope class: Nearly level and gently undulating

Sims

Drainage class: Very poorly drainedPosition on the landform: Low flats, swales,

depressionsParent material: Loamy sedimentsSurface textural class: LoamSlope class: Nearly level

Nester

Drainage class: Moderately well drainedPosition on the landform: Flats, knolls, side slopesParent material: Loamy sedimentsSurface textural class: Sandy loamSlope class: Nearly level to gently rolling


• The somewhat poorly drained Bowers soils inpositions similar to those of the Kawkawlin soils• The poorly drained Deerheart soils in positionssimilar to those of the Sims soils• The moderately well drained Morganlake soils inpositions similar to those of the Nester soils

Use and Management

Major uses: Forestland, pastureManagement concerns: Equipment limitations,

seedling mortality, windthrow hazard, plantcompetition, soil compaction, wetness

10. Wakeley-Allendale Association

Nearly level, very poorly drained and somewhat poorlydrained, mucky and sandy soils on outwash plains,lake plains, and moraines

Setting


Composition


Wakeley soils—55 percentAllendale soils—40 percentSoils of minor extent—5 percent

12


Wakeley

Drainage class: Very poorly drainedPosition on the landform: Low flats, swales,

depressionsParent material: Sandy over clayey sedimentsSurface textural class: MuckSlope class: Nearly level

Allendale

Drainage class: Somewhat poorly drainedPosition on the landform: Low flats, swalesParent material: Sandy over clayey sediments

Surface textural class: SandSlope class: Nearly level


• The moderately well drained Kellogg andMorganlake soils on knolls• The very poorly drained Tawas and Leafriver soils indepressions and drainageways

Use and Management



13

The map units delineated on the detailed soil mapsin this survey represent the soils or miscellaneousareas in the survey area. The map unit descriptions inthis section, along with the maps, can be used todetermine the suitability and potential of a unit forspecific uses. They also can be used to plan themanagement needed for those uses.

A map unit delineation on a soil map represents anarea dominated by one or more major kinds of soil ormiscellaneous areas. A map unit is identified andnamed according to the taxonomic classification of thedominant soils. Within a taxonomic class there areprecisely defined limits for the properties of the soils.On the landscape, however, the soils are naturalphenomena, and they have the characteristicvariability of all natural phenomena. Thus, the range ofsome observed properties may extend beyond thelimits defined for a taxonomic class. Areas of soils of asingle taxonomic class rarely, if ever, can be mappedwithout including areas of other taxonomic classes.Consequently, every map unit is made up of the soilsor miscellaneous areas for which it is named andsome minor components that belong to taxonomicclasses other than those of the major soils.

Most minor soils have properties similar to those ofthe dominant soil or soils in the map unit, and thusthey do not affect use and management. These arecalled noncontrasting, or similar, components. Theymay or may not be mentioned in a particular map unitdescription. Other minor components, however, haveproperties and behavioral characteristics divergentenough to affect use or to require differentmanagement. These are called contrasting, ordissimilar, components. They generally are in smallareas and could not be mapped separately because ofthe scale used. Some small areas of stronglycontrasting soils or miscellaneous areas are identifiedby a special symbol on the maps. The contrastingcomponents are mentioned in the map unitdescriptions. A few areas of minor components maynot have been observed, and consequently they arenot mentioned in the descriptions, especially wherethe pattern was so complex that it was impractical tomake enough observations to identify all the soils andmiscellaneous areas on the landscape.

The presence of minor components in a map unit inno way diminishes the usefulness or accuracy of thedata. The objective of mapping is not to delineate puretaxonomic classes but rather to separate thelandscape into landforms or landform segments thathave similar use and management requirements. Thedelineation of such segments on the map providessufficient information for the development of resourceplans. If intensive use of small areas is planned,however, onsite investigation is needed to define andlocate the soils and miscellaneous areas.

An identifying symbol precedes the map unit namein the map unit descriptions. Each description includesgeneral facts about the unit and gives the principalhazards and limitations to be considered in planningfor specific uses.

Soils that have profiles that are almost alike makeup a soil series. Except for differences in texture of thesurface layer, all the soils of a series have majorhorizons that are similar in composition, thickness,and arrangement.

Soils of one series can differ in texture of thesurface layer, slope, stoniness, salinity, degree oferosion, and other characteristics that affect their use.On the basis of such differences, a soil series isdivided into soil phases. Most of the areas shown onthe detailed soil maps are phases of soil series. Thename of a soil phase commonly indicates a featurethat affects use or management. For example,Graycalm sand, 0 to 6 percent slopes, is a phase ofthe Graycalm series.

Some map units are made up of two or more majorsoils or miscellaneous areas. These map units arecomplexes or undifferentiated groups.

A complex consists of two or more soils ormiscellaneous areas in such an intricate pattern or insuch small areas that they cannot be shownseparately on the maps. The pattern and proportion ofthe soils or miscellaneous areas are somewhat similarin all areas. Graycalm-Grayling sands, 0 to 6 percentslopes, is an example.

An undifferentiated group is made up of two ormore soils or miscellaneous areas that could bemapped individually but are mapped as one unitbecause similar interpretations can be made for use

Detailed Soil Map Units

14 Soil Survey of

and management. The pattern and proportion of thesoils or miscellaneous areas in a mapped area are notuniform. An area can be made up of only one of themajor soils or miscellaneous areas, or it can be madeup of all of them. Histosols and Aquents, ponded, is anundifferentiated group in this survey area.

This survey includes miscellaneous areas. Suchareas have little or no soil material and support little orno vegetation. The map unit Pits, borrow, is anexample.

Listed at the end of each map unit description areseveral interpretive groups. The land capabilityclassification and woodland ordination systems areexplained under the heading “Use and Management ofthe Soils.” Michigan soil management groups areassigned based on the dominant soil texture andnatural drainage class and on management concerns(Mokma, 1978). More information about Michigan soilmanagement groups is available in the local office ofthe Natural Resources Conservation Service.

Table 4 gives the acreage and proportionate extentof each map unit. Other tables give properties of thesoils and the limitations, capabilities, and potentials formany uses. The Glossary defines many of the termsused in describing the soils or miscellaneous areas.

13—Tawas-Lupton mucks

Setting

Landform: Low flats, depressions, and drainagewayson outwash plains, lake plains, and moraines

Shape of areas: Irregular and linearSize of areas: 3 to 3,000 acres

Typical ProfileTawas

Surface layer:0 to 4 inches—very dark brown muck

Subsoil:4 to 24 inches—black and very dark brown muck

Substratum:24 to 80 inches—brown sand

Lupton

Surface layer:0 to 15 inches—black muck

Substratum:15 to 80 inches—black muck


Permeability: Tawas—moderately slow to moderatelyrapid in the organic material and rapid in the

underlying sand; Lupton—moderately slow tomoderately rapid

Available water capacity: Very highDrainage class: Very poorly drainedSeasonal high water table: 1 foot above to 1 foot below

the surface from November through MaySurface runoff class: NegligibleFlooding: NoneHazard of water erosion: SlightHazard of wind erosion: Moderate

Composition

Tawas and similar soils: 35 to 70 percentLupton and similar soils: 30 to 50 percentContrasting inclusions: 0 to 15 percent

Inclusions

Contrasting inclusions:• The somewhat poorly drained Au Gres soils in theslightly higher landform positions• The very poorly drained Leafriver and Deford soils inlandform positions similar to those of the Tawas andLupton soils• Small areas of open waterSimilar inclusions:• Soils that have a loamy substratum• Soils that are more acid in the profile

Use and Management

Land use: Dominant use—forestland

Forestland

Major management concerns: Equipment limitations,seedling mortality, windthrow hazard, plantcompetition, wetness

Management considerations:• Because of wetness and low strength, specialharvesting equipment is needed. The equipment canbe used only during periods in winter when skid roadsand access roads are frozen.• Log landings should be located in areas of the drier,more suitable soils.• Windthrow can be minimized by harvest methodsthat do not leave the remaining trees widely spacedand by such harvest methods as selective cutting andstrip cutting.• Because of wetness, seedling mortality, and plantcompetition, trees are generally not planted on thesesoils.• Carefully managed reforestation helps to controlundesirable understory plants.• Selective cutting or strip cutting and leavingdesirable seed trees along the edge of the openingscan promote natural regeneration.


Building site development

Major management concerns: PondingManagement considerations:• Because of ponding and low strength, these soilsare generally unsuited to building site development.

Septic tank absorption fields

Major management concerns: PondingManagement considerations:• Because of ponding and low strength, these soilsare generally unsuited to use as sites for septic tankabsorption fields.

Interpretive Groups

Land capability classification: Tawas—6w; Lupton—6wWoodland ordination symbol: Tawas—5W; Lupton—

2WMichigan soil management group: Tawas—M/4c;

Lupton—Mc

14—Dawson-Loxley peats

Setting

Landform: Low flats, depressions, and drainagewayson outwash plains, lake plains, and moraines

Shape of areas: Irregular and linearSize of areas: 3 to 500 acres

Typical ProfileDawson

Surface layer:0 to 5 inches—light yellowish brown peat

Subsoil:5 to 19 inches—black muck

Substratum:19 to 80 inches—dark gray, dark brown, dark

yellowish brown, and yellowish brown sand

Loxley

Surface layer:0 to 6 inches—dark brown peat

Subsoil:6 to 21 inches—very dark brown and black muck

Substratum:21 to 80 inches—black muck


Permeability: Dawson—moderately slow in the organicpart and rapid in the sandy part; Loxley—moderately slow to moderately rapid

Available water capacity: Very high

Drainage class: Very poorly drainedSeasonal high water table: 1 foot above to 1 foot below

the surface from November through MaySurface runoff class: NegligibleFlooding: NoneHazard of water erosion: SlightHazard of wind erosion: moderate

Composition

Dawson and similar soils: 40 to 65 percentLoxley and similar soils: 35 to 45 percentContrasting inclusions: 0 to 15 percent

Inclusions

Contrasting inclusions:• The somewhat poorly drained Au Gres soils in theslightly higher landform positions• The very poorly drained Leafriver, Kinross, andDeford soils in landform positions similar to those ofthe Dawson and Loxley soils

Similar inclusions:• Soils that have a loamy substratum• Soils that are more alkaline throughout

Use and Management


Forestland

Major management concerns: Equipment limitations,seedling mortality, windthrow hazard, plantcompetition, seasonal wetness

Management considerations:• Because of wetness and low strength, specialharvesting equipment is needed. The equipment canbe used only during periods in winter when skid roadsand access roads are frozen.• Because of wetness, seedling mortality, and plantcompetition, trees are generally not planted on thesesoils.• Windthrow can be minimized by harvest methodsthat do not leave the remaining trees widely spacedand by such harvest methods as selective cutting andstrip cutting.


Major management concerns: PondingManagement considerations:• Because of ponding and low strength, these soilsare generally unsuited to building site development.


Major management concerns: PondingManagement considerations:• Because of ponding and low strength, these soils are

16 Soil Survey of

generally unsuited to use as sites for septic tankabsorption fields.

Interpretive Groups

Land capability classification: Dawson—7w; Loxley—7w

Woodland ordination symbol: 2WMichigan soil management group: Dawson—M/4c-a;

Loxley—Mc-a

15A—Croswell-Au Gres sands, 0 to 3percent slopes

Setting

Landform: Low flats and swales on outwash plains andlake plains


Typical Profile

Croswell

Organic mat:0 to 1 inch—very dusky red, partially decomposed

forest litter

Surface layer:1 to 2 inches—black sand

Subsurface layer:2 to 6 inches—pinkish gray sand

Subsoil:6 to 17 inches—dark brown and brown sand17 to 42 inches—yellowish brown and brownish

yellow sand

Substratum:42 to 80 inches—light yellowish brown and pale

brown, mottled sand

Au Gres

Organic mat:0 to 1 inch—black, partially decomposed forest

litter

Surface layer:1 to 5 inches—black and grayish brown sand

Subsoil:5 to 14 inches—dark brown and strong brown

sand14 to 33 inches—yellowish brown and brownish

yellow, mottled sand

Substratum:33 to 80 inches—light yellowish brown sand


Permeability: RapidAvailable water capacity: LowDrainage class: Croswell—moderately well drained; Au

Gres—somewhat poorly drainedSeasonal high water table: Croswell—at a depth of 2.0

to 3.5 feet at some time from October throughMay; Au Gres—at a depth of 0.5 foot to 1.5 feet atsome time from October through May

Surface runoff class: NegligibleFlooding: NoneHazard of water erosion: SlightHazard of wind erosion: Severe

Composition

Croswell and similar soils: 35 to 70 percentAu Gres and similar soils: 30 to 50 percentContrasting inclusions: 0 to 15 percent

Inclusions

Contrasting inclusions:• The very poorly drained Deford and Kinross soils indepressions• The excessively drained Grayling soils in the higherlandform positionsSimilar inclusions:• Soils that do not have a dark reddish brown or darkbrown subsoil• Soils that have thin bands of loamy sand in thesubstratum

Use and Management

Land use: Dominant use—forestland; other uses—building site development

Forestland

Major management concerns: Croswell—equipmentlimitations, seedling mortality, windthrow hazard,plant competition, seasonal droughtiness; AuGres—equipment limitations, seedling mortality,windthrow hazard, plant competition, wetness

Management considerations:• Because loose sand can interfere with the traction ofwheeled equipment, logging roads should bestabilized.• Planting when the soil is moist can reduce theseedling mortality rate in areas of the Croswell soil.• Trees that can withstand seasonal wetness shouldbe selected for planting in areas of the Au Gres soil.• Planting special nursery stock or containerizedseedlings can reduce the seedling mortality rate.• Windthrow can be minimized by harvest methodsthat do not leave the remaining trees widely spaced


and by such harvest methods as selective cutting andstrip cutting.• Carefully managed reforestation helps to controlundesirable understory plants.• Special harvest methods may be needed to controlundesirable plants.


Major management concerns: Cutbanks caving,wetness

Management considerations:• Because cutbanks are not stable and are subject tocaving, trench walls should be reinforced.• Wetness can be reduced by installing a drainagesystem around structures with basements and crawlspaces.• Buildings can be constructed on well compacted fillmaterial, which raises the site a sufficient distanceabove the water table.


Major management concerns: Rapid permeability,wetness

Management considerations:• The poor filtering capacity of these soils can result inthe pollution of ground water. On large lots, anabsorption system of shallow trenches with shrubberyplanted around the perimeter of the system and low,uniform application rates help to minimize the risk ofground-water pollution.• Filling or mounding with suitable material helps toraise the absorption field above the water table.

Interpretive Groups

Land capability classification: Croswell—4s; Au Gres—4w

Woodland ordination symbol: Croswell—5S; AuGres—6W

Michigan soil management group: Croswell—5a; AuGres—5b

16B—Graycalm sand, 0 to 6 percentslopes

Setting

Landform: Flats and knolls on outwash plains andmoraines

Shape of areas: IrregularSize of areas: 3 to 1,000 acres

Typical Profile


Subsoil:2 to 27 inches—dark yellowish brown and

yellowish brown sand27 to 80 inches—brownish yellow sand that

has bands of strong brown and brown loamysand


Permeability: RapidAvailable water capacity: LowDrainage class: Somewhat excessively drainedSeasonal high water table: At a depth of more than 6

feetSurface runoff class: NegligibleFlooding: NoneHazard of water erosion: SlightHazard of wind erosion: Severe

Composition

Graycalm and similar soils: 85 to 90 percentContrasting inclusions: 10 to 15 percent

Inclusions

Contrasting inclusions:• The excessively drained Grayling, well drainedKlacking, and moderately well drained Perecheneysoils in landform positions similar to those of theGraycalm soil

Similar inclusions:• Soils that do not have bands of loamy sand in thesubstratum

Use and Management


Forestland

Major management concerns: Equipment limitations,seedling mortality

Management considerations:• Because loose sand can interfere with the traction ofwheeled equipment, logging roads should bestabilized.• Planting when the soil is moist can reduce theseedling mortality rate.• Planting special nursery stock or containerizedseedlings can reduce the seedling mortality rate.


Major management concerns: Cutbanks cavingManagement considerations:• Because cutbanks are unstable and are subject tocaving, trench walls should be reinforced.

18 Soil Survey of


Major management concerns: Poor filtering capacityManagement considerations:• The poor filtering capacity of this soil can result inthe pollution of ground water. On large lots, anabsorption system of shallow trenches with shrubberyplanted around the perimeter of the system and low,uniform application rates help to minimize the risk ofground-water pollution.

Interpretive Groups

Land capability classification: 4sWoodland ordination symbol: 6SMichigan soil management group: 5a

17A—Croswell sand, 0 to 3 percentslopes

Setting

Landform: Low flats and knolls on outwash plains andlake plains


Typical Profile

Croswell

Organic mat:0 to 1 inch—very dusky red, partially decomposed

forest litter


Subsurface layer:2 to 6 inches—pinkish gray sand

Subsoil:6 to 17 inches—dark brown and brown sand17 to 42 inches—yellowish brown and brownish

yellow sand

Substratum:42 to 80 inches—light yellowish brown and pale

brown, mottled sand


Permeability: RapidAvailable water capacity: LowDrainage class: Moderately well drainedSeasonal high water table: At a depth of 2.0 to 3.5 feet

at some time from October through MaySurface runoff class: NegligibleFlooding: NoneHazard of water erosion: SlightHazard of wind erosion: Severe

Composition

Croswell and similar soils: 85 to 95 percentContrasting inclusions: 5 to 15 percent

Inclusions

Contrasting inclusions:• The somewhat poorly drained Au Gres and Finchsoils• The excessively drained Grayling soils in the higherlandform positions• The very poorly drained Deford and Kinross soils inthe lower landform positions

Similar inclusions:• Soils that have thin bands of loamy sand in thesubstratum• Soils that do not have a dark reddish brown or darkbrown subsoil

Use and Management


Forestland

Major management concerns: Equipment limitations,seedling mortality, windthrow hazard, plantcompetition

Management considerations:• Because loose sand can interfere with the traction ofwheeled equipment, logging roads should bestabilized.• Planting when the soil is moist can reduce theseedling mortality rate.• Windthrow can be minimized by harvest methodsthat do not leave the remaining trees widely spaced.• Planting special nursery stock or containerizedseedlings can reduce the seedling mortality rate.• Species preference can be managed by selectivecutting.• Competing vegetation generally can be controlled bymechanical means.• Carefully managed reforestation helps to controlundesirable understory plants.


Major management concerns: Cutbanks caving,wetness

Management considerations:• Because cutbanks are not stable and are subject tocaving, trench walls should be reinforced.• Wetness can be reduced by installing a drainagesystem around structures with basements and crawlspaces.• Buildings can be constructed on well compacted fill


material, which raises the site a sufficient distanceabove the water table.


Major management concerns: Poor filtering capacity,wetness

Management considerations:• The poor filtering capacity of this soil can result inthe pollution of ground water.• Filling or mounding with suitable material helps toraise the absorption field above the water table.

Interpretive Groups

Land capability classification: 4sWoodland ordination symbol: 5SMichigan soil management group: 5a

18A—Au Gres sand, 0 to 3 percent slopes

Setting

Landform: Flats and swales on outwash plains andlake plains


Typical Profile

Organic mat:0 to 1 inch—black, partially decomposed forest

litter

Surface layer:1 to 5 inches—black and grayish brown sand

Subsoil:5 to 14 inches—dark brown and strong brown

sand14 to 33 inches—yellowish brown and brownish

yellow, mottled sand

Substratum:33 to 80 inches—light yellowish, mottled brown

sand


Permeability: RapidAvailable water capacity: LowDrainage class: Somewhat poorly drainedSeasonal high water table: At a depth of 0.5 foot to 1.5

feet from October through MaySurface runoff class: NegligibleFlooding: NoneHazard of water erosion: SlightHazard of wind erosion: Severe

Composition

Au Gres and similar soils: 85 to 95 percentContrasting inclusions: 5 to 15 percent

Inclusions

Contrasting inclusions:• The excessively drained Grayling and Rubicon soilsin the higher landform positions• The somewhat excessively drained Otisco soils inlandform positions similar to those of the Au Gres soil• The very poorly drained Kinross and Deford soils inthe lower landform positions

Similar inclusions:• Soils that have a cemented subsoil• Soils that have thin bands of loamy sand in thesubstratum• Soils that have a seasonal high water table at adepth of 2.0 to 3.5 feet

Use and Management


Forestland

Major management concerns: Equipment limitations,windthrow hazard, plant competition

Management considerations:• The seasonal high water table restricts the use ofequipment to midsummer, when the soil is dry, ormidwinter, when the soil is frozen or has an adequatesnow cover.• Windthrow can be minimized by harvest methodsthat do not leave the remaining trees widely spacedand by such harvest methods as selective cutting andstrip cutting.• Special harvest methods may be needed to controlundesirable plants.• If trees are planted, site preparation is needed tocontrol competing vegetation. Subsequent control ofthe invasion and growth of hardwoods may be needed.


Major management concerns: Cutbanks caving,wetness, frost action

Management considerations:• Because cutbanks are not stable and are subject tocaving, trench walls should be reinforced.• Wetness can be reduced by installing a drainagesystem around structures with basements and crawlspaces.• Buildings can be constructed on well compacted fill

20 Soil Survey of

material, which raises the site a sufficient distanceabove the water table.• Properly designing and strengthening footings andfoundations can help to prevent the structural damagecaused by frost action.


Major management concerns: Wetness, rapidpermeability

Management considerations:• Mounding or adding suitable fill material helps toraise the absorption field above the water table.• The poor filtering capacity of this soil can result inthe pollution of ground water. On large lots, anabsorption system of shallow trenches with shrubberyplanted around the perimeter of the system and low,uniform application rates help to minimize the risk ofground-water pollution.

Interpretive Groups

Land capability classification: 4wWoodland ordination symbol: 6WMichigan soil management group: 5b

20B—Graycalm-Grayling sands, 0 to 6percent slopes

Setting

Landform: Flats and knolls on outwash plains, lakeplains, and moraines

Shape of areas: IrregularSize of areas: 10 to 700 acres

Typical Profile

Graycalm



yellowish brown sand27 to 80 inches—brownish yellow sand that has

bands of strong brown and brown loamy sand

Grayling

Organic mat:0 to 2 inches—black, partially decomposed forest

litter

Surface layer:2 to 3 inches—very dark brown sand

Subsurface layer:3 to 4 inches—brown sand

Subsoil:4 to 30 inches—dark yellowish brown, yellowish

brown, and brownish yellow sand



Permeability: RapidAvailable water capacity: LowDrainage class: Graycalm—somewhat excessively

drained; Grayling—excessively drainedSeasonal high water table: At a depth of more than 6

feetSurface runoff class: NegligibleFlooding: NoneHazard of water erosion: SlightHazard of wind erosion: Severe

Composition

Graycalm and similar soils: 40 to 55 percentGrayling and similar soils: 35 to 45 percentContrasting inclusions: 10 to 15 percent

Inclusions

Contrasting inclusions:• The well drained Klacking and moderately welldrained Perecheney soils landform positions similar tothose of the Graycalm and Grayling soils

Similar inclusions:• Soils that have gravel in the subsoil• Soils that have a dark reddish brown or dark brownsubsoil

Use and Management


Forestland


Management considerations:• Because loose sand can interfere with the traction ofwheeled equipment, logging roads should bestabilized.• Planting seedlings that can withstand droughtyconditions can reduce the seedling mortality rate.Replanting is needed in some areas.


Major management concerns: Cutbanks cavingManagement considerations:• Because cutbanks are not stable and are subject tocaving, trench walls should be reinforced.



Major management concerns: Rapid permeabilityManagement considerations:• The poor filtering capacity of this soil can result inthe pollution of ground water. On large lots, anabsorption system of shallow trenches with shrubberyplanted around the perimeter of the system and low,uniform application rates help to minimize the risk ofground-water pollution.

Interpretive Groups

Land capability classification: Graycalm—4s;Grayling—6s

Woodland ordination symbol: Graycalm—6S;Grayling—4S

Michigan soil management group: Graycalm—5a;Grayling—5.7c

20D—Graycalm-Grayling sands, 6 to 18percent slopes

Setting

Landform: Knolls, side slopes, and low ridges onmoraines and outwash plains


Typical Profile

Graycalm





Grayling


litter









feetSurface runoff class: Very lowFlooding: NoneHazard of water erosion: Slight or moderateHazard of wind erosion: Severe

Composition


Inclusions

Contrasting inclusions:• The well drained Klacking soils in landform positionssimilar to those of the Graycalm and Grayling soils• The moderately well drained Perecheney soils in thelower landform positions


Use and Management


Forestland


Management considerations:• Because loose sand can interfere with the traction ofwheeled equipment, logging roads should bestabilized.• Planting seedlings that can withstand droughtyconditions can reduce the seedling mortality rate.Replanting is needed in some areas.


Major management concerns: Cutbanks caving, slopeManagement considerations:• Because cutbanks are not stable and are subject tocaving, trench walls should be reinforced.

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• Buildings should be designed so that they conform tothe natural slope of the land. Land shaping isnecessary in some areas.


Major management concerns: Rapid permeability,slope

Management considerations:• The poor filtering capacity of this soil can result inthe pollution of ground water. On large lots, anabsorption system of shallow trenches with shrubberyplanted around the perimeter of the system and low,uniform application rates help to minimize the risk ofground-water pollution.• Land shaping and installing the distribution lines onthe contour can help to overcome the slope.

Interpretive Groups

Land capability classification: Graycalm—6s;Grayling—7s

Woodland ordination symbol: Graycalm—6S;Grayling—7S

Michigan soil management group: Graycalm—5a;Grayling—5.7a

20F—Graycalm-Grayling sands, 18 to 45percent slopes

Setting

Landform: Escarpments, side slopes, and ridgetops onmoraines and outwash plains


Typical Profile

Graycalm





Grayling


litter









feetSurface runoff class: LowFlooding: NoneHazard of water erosion: Moderate or severeHazard of wind erosion: Severe

Composition


Inclusions

Contrasting inclusions:• The well drained Klacking soils in landformpositions similar to those of the Graycalm and Graylingsoils


Use and Management


Forestland

Major management concerns: Erosion hazard,equipment limitations, seedling mortality

Management considerations:• Because of the erosion hazard, water should beremoved from logging roads by water bars, out-slopingor in-sloping road surfaces, culverts, and dropstructures. Building logging roads on the contour or onthe gentler slopes and seeding logging roads, skidroads, and landings after the trees are logged alsohelp to prevent excessive soil loss.• Because of the slope, special care is n

Documents

Soil Survey of Roscommon County, Michigan · General Soil Map The general soil map, which is a color map, shows the survey area divided into groups of associated soils called general