The Soils of The Regional Municipality of Ottawa=Carleton

The imperfectly drained St . Damase series (Gleyed
Humo-ferric Podzol subgroup) occurs only occasionally and
its extent is quite limited . These soils differ from the Becketts
Creek series by having weathered Bf horizons in the sandy
veneer which are yellowish red to reddish brown in color and
have been enriched with iron and aluminum in combination
with organic matter. Usually, strongly cemented yellowish red
iron concretions are present in the enriched Bfhorizons . Thin,
light gray Ae horizons may overlay the Bf horizons ifthey have
not beendestroyed through plowing .
The poorly drained Allendale series (Orthic Humic Gleysol
subgroup) is subject to water saturation for much of the
growing season . Surface horizons arevery dark brown to black
and have granular structure. They are usually thicker and have
ahigher organic matter content than the better drained soils of
the association . Subsoil colors of the sandy veneer grade from
pale brown or grayish brown near the surface to olive gray and
gray at depth . Prominent reddish brown to dark yellowish
brown mottles are common and structure is single grain . The
underlying heavier textured marine material may have subangular
blocky to massive structure, and colors similar to poorly
drained parent materials ofthe previously mentioned soil associations
.
The Rego Gleysols usually have peaty surfaces and have
water tables at or near the surface throughout the year. When
present, the peaty surface is 15 to 40 cm thick and is well
decomposed . The underlying sandy subsoil is commonly olive
grayto light gray in color, and has single grain structure . Structure
of the underlying heavier textured subsoil is massive.
Mapped Soil Combinations Manotick soils were most commonly
mapped in combination with soils of the North Gower,
Dalhousie, Rideau, and Bearbrook soil associations. Approximately
2,000 ha of Manotick soils were mapped in combination
with those soils . The Manotick soils found in these soil
combinations consist of : (1) sand knolls separated by the
clayey soils in level to depressional areas, or (2) uniform areas
occurring adjacent to clay plains and requiring map combinations
due to scale limitations .
Less common but significant areas of Manotick soils were
mapped in combination with soils of the Jockvale, St .
Thomas, and Uplands soil associations . Approximately 800 ha
were mapped in combination with those soils. The Manotick
soils found in these soil combinations usually occupy transitional
areas between deep sand deposits inthe formof dunes or
ridges, and level marine clay plains which occur in close proximity.
General Land Use Manotick soils are most often used for
improved pasture and hay production . Hay crops usually consist
of a mixture of legumes and grass and are part of a cropping
system in which cereal grains are also grown . When used
for improved pasture a mixture of grasses (timothy, brome,
orchard) is usually grown .
Some grazing is also carried out on Manotick soils . In this
instance, uncultivated native grasses often occur. Only occasionally
are more intensive cropping systems found on
Manotick soils .
Correlation to Ottawa Urban Fringe Manotick soils in the
area correlate quite well to those found in the Ottawa Urban
Fringe map area . There is, however, a difference in the thickness
of the sandy veneer. In the Urban Fringe area the veneer
ranges from 25 to 100 cm thick, while in this survey the veneer
ranges from 40 to 100 cm thick . A narrower range in veneer
thickness was applied in order to conform to recent classifica-
tion guidelines . As a result, some Manotick soils in the Urban
Fringe area would notbe mapped as Manotick soils in this survey.
Rather, they would be mapped as heavier textured marine
soils with coarse textured surface phases (15 to 40cm of significantly
coarser material at the surface) .
MER BLEUE (MB)
Location and Extent Soils included in the Mer Bleue association
occur only in Cumberland Township and occupy the most
easterly portion of the Mer Bleue Bog. Approximately 200 ha
of Mer Bleue soils were mapped .
Landform and Topography The Mer Bleue association is
comprised of organic soils which are found in either flat,
basin, or domed bogs . The topography is level or very slightly
inclined, with slopes generally 1 016 or less .
Soil Material Mer Bleue soil materials consist of greater than
160 cm of sphagnum moss and fen peat overlying clayey mineral
material . The upper 30 to 100 cm of organic material is
sphagnum moss, whilethe remainder is fen peat .
The upper layer of sphagnum moss is undecomposed or
fibric, and is dark reddish brown to dark brown in color.
Rubbed fibre content ranges from 42 to 80% . Soil reaction is
extremely acid . Althoughly mainly comprised of sphagnum
moss, a small proportion also consists of woody material
derived from ericaceous shrubs and tree species such as black
spruce andtamarack .
The secondary or underlying layer of fen peat may be
either woody fen peat or sedge fen peat . Occasionally, a combination
of the two may comprise this peat material . Regard
less of origin, it is most often moderatelydecomposed or mesic
with rubbed fibre content ranging from 10to 34% . However, at
times well decomposed or humic peat with a rubbed fibre content
less than IOQIo may comprise a significant portion of the
fen material . Soil reaction of the fen peat is strongly to
extremely acid . The woody fen peat when present is mainly
comprised of stem, branch, and root fragments derived from
woody tree species such as tamarack . A significant portion
also consists ofsedgematerial comprisingtheremains ofsedge
leaves and roots along with some cotton grass remains .
The mineral substratumhas clayey textures and is greenish
gray to grayin color. Soil reaction is neutral to slightly acid .
Soil Moisture Characteristics Mer Bleue soils are poorly to
verypoorly drained, withthewatertables at or near the surface
for most of the year. Groundwater accretion is mainly due to
precipitation . The groundwater is generally acidic and nutrient
poor.
Soil Landscape Units One unit was identified in the Mer
Bleue association . It is described as follows :
Recognized Recognized
Subgroups Series
MB1 :Dominantly poorly Typic Mesisols Mer Bleue
to very poorly (sphagnic phase)
drained soils found Fibric Mesisols Blackburne
on level ornearly
level topography.
Slopes are 1% or less .
(sphagnic phase)
Taxonomic Components The poorly to very poorly drained
Mer Bleue series (Typic Mesisol subgroup) is the most commonly
occurring soil within the association . The upper layer of
fibric peat material is usually less than 65 cm in thickness, and
is dominantly comprised of sphagnum moss .