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

Siltstone
Gilpin
Gilpin-Upshur
Moshannon
Interbedded Shale, Siltstone, and Sandstone
Soil Survey of Lincoln County, West Virginia
Vandalia
Gilpin-Upshur
Gilpin
Gilpin-Upshur
Vandalia
Colluvium
Gilpin-Upshur
Figure 6.—Typical pattern of soils and parent material in an area of the Gilpin-Upshur general soil
map unit.
15
Gilpin
Alluvium
Colluvium
Gilpin
Interbedded Shale, Siltstone, and Sandstone
Siltstone
Conemaugh
Formation
Upshur soils are deep and well drained. They are on linear or slightly convex
summits of ridges, on side slopes of hills, and on benches. Slopes range from 8 to
65 percent. These soils formed in clayey residuum and are underlain by limeinfluenced
shale. Typically, they have a surface layer of silt loam and a subsoil and
substratum of silty clay or clay. Permeability is slow to moderate.
Of minor extent in this map unit are the Rayne, Latham, Sharpcrest, and Matewan
soils on ridges of hills; Shelocta and Beech soils on hillslopes; Sensabaugh and
Moshannon soils on flood plains; and Udorthents in areas that have been excavated,
graded, or filled. A few small urban areas are near streams.
The major soils in this map unit are poorly suited to cultivated crops, hay, and
pasture but are well suited to woodland and habitat for woodland wildlife. Native trees
are predominantly white oak, black oak, yellow-poplar, American beech, black walnut,
red maple, and hickory. 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.