Connoquenessing Creek Watershed Conservation Plan - Western ...

Connoquenessing Creek Watershed Conservation PlanChapter 2. Land Resourcespossible to recognize and map. Four geologic formations exist in the region including Casselman,Glenshaw, Allegheny, and Pottsville.The Casselman formation is located in the southern border of the project area. It is composed ofcyclic sequences of shale; siltstone; sandstone; red beds; thin, impure limestone; and thin, nonpersistentcoal. Red beds are associated with landslides. The base is on top of Ames limestone (Berg et al., 1980).Of the formations, the Glenshaw is the most dominant formation found throughout the project area.Cyclic sequences of shale, sandstone, red beds, and their limestone and coal comprise the formation. Italso includes four marine limestone or shale horizons. Base is on top of Upper Freeport coal (Berg et al.,1980).The Allegheny formation is primarily found along waterways and floodplains. It is composed ofcyclic sequences of sandstone, shale, limestone, clay, and coal, including valuable clay deposits andVanport limestone. Also present are the commercially valuable Freeport, Kittanning, and Brookville-Clarion coals. The base of the formation is at bottom of Brookville-Clarion coal (Berg et al., 1980)The Pottsville formation is located in the western portion near the mouth of Connoquenessing Creekin Beaver and Lawrence counties. It is predominately comprised of gray sandstone and conglomerate, butit also contains thin beds of shale, clay stone, limestone, and coal. Thin marine limestone is present inBeaver and Lawrence counties. Commercially valuable minable coals and high-alumina clays are present(Berg et al., 1980).Soil CharacteristicsAccording to Soil Society of America, soil is, “The unconsolidated mineral or organic material onthe immediate surface of the earth that serves as a natural medium for the growth of land plants.” Thereare over 20,000 soils in the U.S. alone. Soils are named and classified on the basis of physical andchemical properties. The development of soil relies on several factors: climate, plant and animalorganisms, parent material, time, and differences in elevation. The influence of each factor varies,creating the diversity of soil associations both locally and regionally. The type of soil should determinethe use of land.Soil AssociationsSoil associations are comprised of two or three major soil types and a few minor soil types. There are13 associations in the region. Descriptions of each of the associations are located in the text below (Smithet al., 1982; Smith et al., 1989: Newbury, et al., 1981).1. Canfield-Ravenna Loudonville soil association occupies smooth to hilly uplandsand associated drainage ways in northwestern Beaver County and in areasthroughout Lawrence County. Many areas in the association are used for farmingactivities, including beef, grain, dairy, corn, hay, and pasture. The potential is goodfor farmland, woodland, and wildlife habitat. For non-farm uses, its potential is fairto poor. Major limitations are seasonal wetness, slow permeability, depth tobedrock, and slope.2. Cavode-Wharton-Gilpin soil association occupies smooth to rolling uplands andassociated drainage ways in all but the northwest part of Butler County. Most areasin the association are used for farmland and woodland. Dairy farming is the mainfarming enterprise, with corn, small grain, hay, and pasture being the major crops.2-2