Allegheny River Headwaters Watershed Conservation Plan

Allegheny River Headwaters Conservation Plan
Chapter 2. Land Resources
grow well in these areas making the association well suited for general and specialized farming.
However, there are some wet areas that require drainage for row crops (Soil Survey of Potter
County, Pennsylvania, 1958).
10. The Leetonia-Dekalb association contains the coarsest and most droughty soils in Potter County.
Soils in this association are extremely acidic and sandy. Large stones and boulders of quartz
conglomerate are located in these areas, so they are only suited for forests. There are a few small
areas that contain medium-textured and less stony Dekalb soils that, if cultivated, will grow
potatoes and small fruits well (Soil Survey of Potter County, Pennsylvania, 1958).
11. The Lordstown-Oquaga association is located in highland areas and areas with exposed bedrock.
Most of the soils are used for forests, but some are used for potatoes and oats. Subsistence farming
prevails in these regions, and wood cutting is important (Soil Survey of Potter County,
Pennsylvania, 1958).
12. The Philo-Atkins-Basher association is primarily located in valleys adjacent to major streams in
floodplains. Soils are derived from sandstone and shale on floodplains. The soils are very deep,
poorly to well drained, and nearly level. The association
is used for farming, urban, and industrial uses. Major
limitations in this association include flooding,
seasonally high water table during winter and spring, and
slow permeability (Churchill, 1987).
13. Soils in the Volusia-Mardin association are developed
from glacial till. Mottled gray, yellow, and brown in
color, these soils are plastic, sticky, and slightly limy in
the subsoil. Since these soils grow clover, grasses, and
small grains easily, they are better suited for dairy
farming and raising livestock (Soil Survey of Potter
County, Pennsylvania, 1958).
Soils within the Volusia-Mardin
association are well suited for livestock
and dairy farming
Prime Agricultural Soils
Certain soils are important for short-term and long-term food production. Prime agricultural soils
meet physical, chemical, and slope characteristics to produce the highest yields with a minimal input of
energy and economic resources. They are designated by U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural
Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in each county based upon predetermined criteria. Typically, the
criteria include level to nearly level slopes, a well drained structure, deep horizons, an acceptable level of
alkaline or acid components, and the capacity for producing food and crops. Figure 2-2 depicts the areas
that have prime agricultural soils. There are 51 prime agricultural soils in the counties of the project area,
and a listing of these soils is located in Appendix D.
Farmland of Statewide Importance
Soils that do not meet the criteria for prime agricultural soil designation, but produce high yields of
crops when managed properly, are identified as farmland of statewide importance. Farmland of statewide
importance is designated by the State Rural Development Committee and may include soils selected for
agriculture by state law. Thirty-nine soils in the counties of the project area have been designated as
farmland of statewide importance; they are identified in Appendix D.
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