Soil Survey of Lincoln County, West Virginia - Soil Data Mart - US ...

Soil Survey of Lincoln County, West Virginia
Figure 3.—Typical pattern of soils and parent material in an area of the Highsplint-Matewan-
Cloverlick general soil map unit.
65 percent. These soils formed in channery, loamy colluvium and are underlain by
sandstone. Typically, they have a surface layer of loam and a subsoil of very channery
loam or silt loam. Permeability is moderate or moderately rapid.
Of minor extent in this map unit are the Gilpin, Hazleton, Sharpcrest, and Wharton
soils on ridges of hills and mountains; Shelocta and Pineville soils on hillslopes; and
Grigsby soils on flood plains.
The major soils in this map unit are not suited to cultivated crops, hay, or pasture
but are well suited to woodland and habitat for woodland wildlife. Most areas are in
second growth hardwoods. The native trees on side slopes having warm aspects and
on ridgetops are predominantly white oak, black oak, red maple, and hickory. Virginia
pine and shortleaf pine are in a few small areas. Yellow-poplar, white oak, American
beech, black locust, American basswood, and black walnut are in areas with cool
aspects. Productivity is moderate or moderately high on warm aspects and high on
cool aspects. The hazard of erosion, the equipment limitation, the seedling mortality
rate, and plant competition are concerns in managing timber production.
These soils are not suited to most urban uses because of the steepness of slope
and the rock outcrop. In addition, the soils are susceptible to landslides if they are
undercut during the construction of roads or buildings.
2. Rayne-Gilpin-Matewan
Moderately deep and deep, very steep and steep, well drained and somewhat
excessively drained soils that have a loamy or channery, loamy subsoil; on ridges
and side slopes of hills
This map unit is dominant throughout the central part of the county. The landscape
is characterized by broad, strongly sloping ridgetops; very steep side slopes broken
by long, narrow, moderately steep benches; and sloping to steep footslopes. Slopes
range from 15 to 65 percent but are dominantly 35 to 65 percent. Rock outcrop,
stones, and boulders are common along points of ridges.
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