The Soils of The Regional Municipality of Ottawa=Carleton

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Soils that compose the association are most often stony, withrounded fragments ofgraniteand gneisspresent throughout the soil material . Some cobble size fragments of similar material also are present . Occasionally, rounded fragments of sedimentary bedrock origin may be present in some soil profiles . Total coarse fragment content is variable in Anstruther soils with some soils having few coarse fragments, whileothers may have amounts ranging as high as 50% by volume. The matrix of the parent material is noncalcareous and dark reddish brown to brown in color. Soil reaction is moderately to very strongly acid, and texture ranges from sand to sandy loam . A slightly higher silt and clay content is present in the surface material, with texture most often being sandy loam or loamysand . Surface stoniness is present but generally not as pronounced as other shallow to bedrock soils such as those of the Farmington association . Surface stoniness ranges from slightly to very stony. Soil Moisture Characteristics Anstruther soils are dominantly rapidly drained to well-drained . In addition, they are rapidly permeable and have a low moisture holding capacity due to four soil factors : (1) coarse-texture ; (2) loose single grain or granular structure of the material ; (3) shallowness to bedrock ; and (4) sloping nature of the underlying bedrock . Surface water runoff rates are generally moderate. Soil Landscape Units One unit was identified in the Anstruther association . It is described as follows : Recognized Recognized Subgroups Series Al : Dominantly rapidly to Orthic Dystric Anstruther well-drained soils Brunisols found on very gently to moderately Orthic Sombric Kanata sloping topography. Brunisols Slopes range from 4-15% . Taxonomic Components The well-drained Anstruther series (Orthic Dystric Brunisol subgroup) has a surface A horizon which is less than 10 cm thick, very dark brown in color, and has textures which range from sandy loam to loamy sand . The underlying Bm horizon is dark yellowish brown to dark brown in color and has textures ranging from loamy sand to sand . Most often it has weak subangularblocky structureor is structureless. No unweathered parent material remains in the profile, and Precambrian bedrockoccurs at adepth of20to 50cm . The well-drained Kanata series (Orthic Sombric Brunisol subgroup) has most profile characteristics described for the Anstruther series. It differs, however, by having an Ah horizon greater than 10 cm thick . Mapped Soil Combinations Anstruther soils were most often the significant rather than the dominant member when mapped in combination with either soils of other associations or miscellaneous land units . Approximately 3,500 ha of all Anstruther soils weremapped in this way, withmore than 80% of that total occurring in combinations in which a Rockland land unit (RK2 and RK3 landscape units) was the dominant member. Approximately 500 ha of Anstruther soils were mapped in combinations in which they were the dominant member. Of these combinations, the Anstruther-Dalhousie combination is the most extensive. General Land Use Anstruther soils have little or no agricultural capability and most remain forested . Correlation to Ottawa Urban Fringe In the soil survey of the Ottawa Urban Fringe, the Anstruther association was defined as having a 10 to 25 cm thick veneer ofundifferentiated glacial drift over Precambrian igneous and metamorphic bedrock . In this survey the definition was broadened to include similar materials to a depth of50cm . BEARBROOK (B) Location and Extent Soils of the Bearbrook association occur mainly in Cumberland Township, with a minor occurrence in West Carleton Township near Constance Bay. Approximately 7,500 ha of Bearbrook soils were mapped, of which approximately 3,500 ha were mapped in combination with soils of other associations . Landform and Topography Bearbrook soils occur mainly on level to very gently sloping areas of clayey marine material which is greater than 2mdeep. Slopes are usually less than 2%, although steeper slopes may occur in eroded areas between or adjacent to stream channels. Soil Material Bearbrook soils are predominantly composed of reddish brown to brown heavy clay parent material . Clay content in sampled profiles ranged from 65 to 89% . Frequently, interbedded layers of light gray to olive gray heavyclay may be present which varyin thickness from 3 to 25 cm . Occasionally, interbedded layers consisting of fine to medium sand may occur in place of the heavier textured gray layers . These layers generally rangein thickness from 10-20 cm . Soil reaction in the upper weathered layers varies from strongly acid to neutral, while reaction in the parent material is generally neutral . The surface Ap horizons range in thickness from 15 to 25 cm, and are mainly silty clay or clay. Bearbrook soils are quitevariable with respect to thenumber and thickness of interbedded layers which may be present . In all Bearbrook soils, however, reddish brown to brown heavy clay material is dominant in the profile. Soils in which gray heavy clay is dominant in the profile with minor layers of reddish brown to brown heavy clay also present were included in the Rideau association . Soil Moisture Characteristics Bearbrook soils are most often poorly drained . A few areas of imperfectly drained and very poorly drained soils also occur. Soils of this association are usually slowly permeable, but permeability can vary widely depending on the amount of macropores present . Groundwater occupies the surface and upper subsoil horizons for long periods most years . Bearbrook soils have medium to high water holding capacities, but can be droughty during dry periods dueto high moisture retention characteristics which results in insufficient moisture release for plant use. Surface runoff can be slow to rapid, depending on the topography and incidenceof surface cracks. Soil Landscape Units Four units were identified in the Bearbrook association . They are described as follows : Recognized Recognized Subgroups Series BI : Dominantly imper- GleyedMelanic Wendover fectly drained soils Brunisols found on nearly level to gently sloping eroded stream divides and channel bluffs . Slopes generally range from 1 to 9% . B2 : Dominantlypoorly OrthicHumic Bearbrook drained soils found Gleysols on levelto nearly level topography. Slopes range from 0 to 2% .
B3 : Dominantlyvery Rego Gleysols poorly drained soils found on level to depressionaltopography. Slopes are less than 2 010 . B4 : Dominantly poorly Orthic Humic drained soils having Gleysols 10to 20 cm thick layers ofinterbedded fine to medium sand within 1 m ofthe surface . Topography is levelto nearly level, and slopes range from 0 to 2% . Taxonomic Components The Wendover series (Gleyed Melanïc Brunisol subgroup) is amoderately well to imperfectly drained soil . This soil has dark grayish brown to dark brown, granular surface horizons 10 to 20 cm thick . The underlying subsoil grades from grayish brown or dark yellowish brown in the upper B horizon to reddish brown or brown in the C horizon which occurs at an average depth of72 cm . The C horizon frequentlyalso has light grayto olive grayinterbedded layers of silty clay or heavy clay. Structure in the weathered portion of the subsoil is medium to coarse subangular blocky. In the C horizon or unweathered parent material occurring at depth, soil structure is not usually evident and the material is massive. The restricted drainage conditions are indicated by faint yellowish brown or brownish red mottles in the lower B horizons . In the A and upper B horizons textures consist of silty clay and clay. Inthe lower B and C horizons texture is mainly heavy clay. The Bearbrook series (Orthic Humic Gleysol subgroup) is a poorly drained soil which is slowly pervious and subject to water saturation for a much longer part of the growing season than theWendover series . Texture and structure is similarto the Wendover series. The surface Ap horizon, however, tends to be thicker and it has a higher organic matter content. Color ofthe Ap varies from very dark grayish brown to black . The Bg and transitional BC horizons ofthe subsoil have prominent mottles which are most commonly yellowish brown, reddish brown, or strong brown . The very poorly drained Rego Gleysols are found in low lying or depressional sites in which the water table is continuously at or near the surface. These soils usually have a well decomposed humic peat layer at the surface which is less than 40 cm thick . Due to its highly saturated condition and very slow internal drainage, reduction has occurred in the subsoil resulting in matrix colors which are more grayish . Reduction processes are even more evident in the interbedded layers in which colors rangefrom greenish gray to bluish gray. Mapped Soil Combinations Bearbrook soils were most often mapped in combination with soils of the Rideau association . Approximately 2,000 ha were mapped in Bearbrook-Rideau combinations, and 800 ha were mapped in Rideau-Bearbrook combinations . These combinations mostly occur in Cumberland Township on the marine clay plains north of the ancestral riverchannel of the Ottawa River. General Land Use Bearbrook soils have moderately severe limitations which affect their use for agriculture. Due to generally slowinternal drainageand high moistureholding capacity, these soils do not dry quickly in the spring and cultivation and planting areusually delayed . Present agricultural land use consists mainly of hay, cereal grain and corn grown in rotation . Legumes often are used for hay production and serve to improve structure and thereby facilitatebetter drainage. Correlation to Ottawa Urban Fringe Bearbrook soils in the survey area are similar to those mapped in the Ottawa Urban Fringe. BORROMEE (BE) Location and Extent Borromee association soils occur only in Cumberland Township and occupy a very small portion of the Mer Bleue Bog . Approximately 50 ha of Borromee soils were mapped . Landform and Topography The Borromee association is composed of organic soils which are found in shallow areas within flat bogs, or in horizontal fens adjacent to flat bogs . The topography is level or nearly level, with slopes being 1%or less . SoilMaterial Soils included in the association consist of 40 to 160 cm of organic material which is underlain by clayey mineral material . The organic material primarily consists of yen peat, with a thin surface layer of feather or sphagnum moss and fen peat less than 30 cm thick usually present . Whenpresent, the thin surface layer ofmixed peat materials is undecomposed or fibric and is dark reddish brown to dark brown incolor. Occasionally, the entire organic section of the profile may consist of well decomposed sedge fen peat which is dark reddish brown to black in color. Soil reaction ranges from extremely acid in the upper organic material to strongly acid in the organic material at depth . Well decomposed qr humic sedge fen peat material which is black in color is the dominant material comprising the majority of soils included in the association. Moderately decomposed or mesic sedge fen peat occurs as subdominant layers which are dark reddish brown in color. Both types of organic material are mainly derived from sedge type plants. The underlying mineral material or substratum is most often clayey, but may also be either sandyorloamy. In all cases, however, it is gray to olive gray in color. Soil Moisture Characteristics Borromee soils are poorly to very poorly drained, with the water table at or near the surface for most of the year. Groundwater is generally acid and low in nutrients and is therefore not influenced by nutrient rich groundwater discharge from surrounding mineral soils . Soil Landscape Units One unit was identified in the Borromee association. It is described as follows : Recognized Recognized Subgroups Series BE 1 :Dominantly poorly to Terric Mesic Borromee very poorly drained Humisols soils found on level Terric Humic or nearly level topogra- Mesisols phy. Slopes are 1% or less . Taxonomic Components The Borromc" series (Terric Mesic Humisol subgroup) represents the majority of soils included in the association . Well decomposed or humic sedge fen peat is the dominant organic material within the control section . The Terric Humic Mesisol subgroup occurs less often, with moderately decomposed or mesic sedge fen peat the dominant organic material within the control section . Mapped Soil Combinations Borromee soils were not mapped in combination with soils of other associations .
Page 1 and 2: i The Soils of The III Regional Mun
Page 3 and 4: ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS . . . . . . . . .
Page 5 and 6: 1 . Soil map index for the Regional
Page 7 and 8: 0 t W. CARLETO 10 L 20 km KANATA GO
Page 9 and 10: Otta!~? Figure 3. Main towns, trans
Page 11 and 12: Arnprior Chats Falls Almonte " Carp
Page 13 and 14: may also contain shaly layers . Out
Page 15 and 16: Till plains (undrumlinized) _ Esker
Page 17 and 18: Surficial Geology and Relationship
Page 19 and 20: HUN nnnnoioion miammoo nonmmnon nou
Page 21 and 22: GEOLOGICAL MATERIALS SOIL ASSOCIATI
Page 23 and 24: GEOLOGICAL MATERIALS SOIL ASSOCIATI
Page 25 and 26: In this survey, boundaries were per
Page 27 and 28: BASIC LAND AREAS SOIL ASSOCIATION -
Page 29 and 30: their agricultural use . The domina
Page 31: OTTAWA- CARLETON SOILS t TYPE DEPTH
Page 35 and 36: cant component, approximately 600 h
Page 37 and 38: In some soils, significant layers o
Page 39 and 40: Taxonomic Components The well-drain
Page 41 and 42: Taxonomic Components Four component
Page 43 and 44: Correlation to Ottawa Urban Fringe
Page 45 and 46: The well-drained Orthic Melanic Bru
Page 47 and 48: ial which extends in a northwest-so
Page 51 and 52: all Leitrim soils classified as suc
Page 53 and 54: The imperfectly drained St . Damase
Page 55 and 56: Recognized Recognized Subgroups Ser
Page 57 and 58: Soil Materials North Gower soils co
Page 59 and 60: Figure 17 . A poorly drained Orthic
Page 61 and 62: Figure 25 . Manotick association so
Page 63 and 64: Soil Landscape Units Four units wer
Page 67 and 68: sloping areas, groundwater flow, an
Page 69 and 70: from clay to silty clay loam . In s
Page 73 and 74: scapes occurring inclose proximity
Page 75 and 76: Within Rockland units, significant
Page 77 and 78: A . AGRICULTURAL CAPABILITY CLASSIF
Page 79 and 80: Table 7 . (cont'd) R' : T' : V' : W
Page 81 and 82: adequate moisture or a wetness limi
Page 83 and 84:
In order to apply the tables, one m
Page 85 and 86:
(e) The Capability Rating Tables Ta
Page 87 and 88:
00 Table 9. (continued) Slope Class
Page 89 and 90:
Table 9 . (continued) AGRICULTURAL
Page 91 and 92:
Table 9 . (continued) AGRICULTURAL
Page 93 and 94:
Soil Landscape Unit Table 10 . Agri
Page 95 and 96:
The water erosion formula, A= RKLSC
Page 97 and 98:
soil Association Table 13 . K-value
Page 99 and 100:
graphic regions . Therefore, the C
Page 101 and 102:
Table 17 . continued Crop Rotation
Page 103 and 104:
SOIL SOIL MATERIAL DESCRIPTION MAIN
Page 105 and 106:
C . LAND SUITABILITY CLASSIFICATION
Page 107 and 108:
Table 19 . Land suitability ratings
Page 109 and 110:
Table 19 . continued Soil associati
Page 111 and 112:
1 . Marshall, I.B., J. Dumanski, E.
Page 113 and 114:
Class Description Sl Slightly stony
Page 115 and 116:
Soil Association GRENVILLE Series a
Page 117 and 118:
Soil Association Series and (Subgro
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The Soils of The Regional Municipality of Ottawa=Carleton

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