Soil Survey of Murray and Whitfield Counties, Georgia

146 Soil Survey
observed in the soil. The soil can be identified as a hydric soil if at least one of the
approved indicators is present.
Map units that are dominantly made up of hydric soils may have small areas, or
inclusions, of nonhydric soils in the higher positions on the landform, and map units
dominantly made up of nonhydric soils may have inclusions of hydric soils in the lower
positions on the landform.
The following map units meet the definition of hydric soils and, in addition, have at
least one of the hydric soil indicators. This list can help in planning land uses; however,
onsite investigation is recommended to determine the hydric soils on a specific site
(National Research Council, 1995; Hurt and others, 2002).
GrA Guthrie silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionally flooded
KtA Ketona silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionally flooded
The following map units, in general, do not meet the definition of hydric soils
because they do not have one of the hydric soil indicators. A portion of these map
units, however, may include hydric soils. Onsite investigation is recommended to
determine whether hydric soils occur and the location of the included hydric soils.
AuA Arkabutla silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionally flooded
CnA Chenneby silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionally flooded
Engineering
This section provides information for planning land uses related to urban
development and to water management. Soils are rated for various uses, and the most
limiting features are identified. Ratings are given for building site development, sanitary
facilities, construction materials, and water management. The ratings are based on
observed performance of the soils and on the data in the tables described under the
heading “Soil Properties.”
Information in this section is intended for land use planning, for evaluating land use
alternatives, and for planning site investigations prior to design and construction. The
information, however, has limitations. For example, estimates and other data generally
apply only to that part of the soil between the surface and a depth of 5 to 7 feet.
Because of the map scale, small areas of different soils may be included within the
mapped areas of a specific soil.
The information is not site specific and does not eliminate the need for onsite
investigation of the soils or for testing and analysis by personnel experienced in the
design and construction of engineering works.
Government ordinances and regulations that restrict certain land uses or impose
specific design criteria were not considered in preparing the information in this section.
Local ordinances and regulations should be considered in planning, in site selection,
and in design.
Soil properties, site features, and observed performance were considered in
determining the ratings in this section. During the fieldwork for this soil survey,
determinations were made about particle-size distribution, liquid limit, plasticity index,
soil reaction, depth to bedrock, hardness of bedrock within 5 to 7 feet of the surface,
soil wetness, depth to a water table, ponding, slope, likelihood of flooding, natural soil
structure aggregation, and soil density. Data were collected about kinds of clay
minerals, mineralogy of the sand and silt fractions, and the kinds of adsorbed cations.
Estimates were made for erodibility, permeability, corrosivity, shrink-swell potential,
available water capacity, and other behavioral characteristics affecting engineering
uses.