The Soils of The Regional Municipality of Ottawa=Carleton

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The imperfectly drained Vinette series (Gleyed Dystric Brunisol subgroup) is also subject to water saturation for short periods during the growing season . Profile characteristics are similar to the Achigan series with the exception of the upper B horizons, which are Bm or Bfj horizons rather than Bf horizons . The poorly drained Cheney series (Orthic Humic Gleysol subgroup) is found on level to depressional sites which are subject to water saturation for much of the growing season . The very dark brown to black LFH and Ah horizons at the surface are usually thicker and have a higher organic matter content than those occurring in the better drained members ofthe association . The underlying subsoil is light olive brown to dark grayish brown in color which grades to olive gray or grayish brown in the parent material . In the B horizons and parent material, low chromas of the matrix colors and prominent strong brown mottles are both indicative of the poor drainage conditions . Structure throughout the profile is single grain . Mapped Soil Combinations St . Thomas soils were most often mapped as the dominant soil in combination with either soils of other associations or miscellaneous land units . Approximately 700 ha were mapped in this way. The combination of St . Thomas-Rockland land unit is the most extensive but is limited in occurrence. Only two combinations of this type were mapped, with the largest occurring north of the village of Galetta in West Carleton Township . Smaller combinations ofSt . Thomas-Manotick and Manotick-St . Thomas were mapped in areas where level marine clay plains occur adjacent to deeper marine or fluvial sand deposits . The St . Thomas- Rockland, St . Thomas-Manotick, and Manotick-St . Thomas combinations account for approximately 55% of all St . Thomas soils mapped in combinations . General Land Use Woodland is the dominant land use found on St . Thomas soils . Occasionally, small areas may be used for growing cereal grains and hay in rotation . More often, however, agricultural use is limited to small areas used for improved pasture or grazing purposes . Correlation to Ottawa Urban Fringe The St . Thomas soil association was not mapped in the Ottawa Urban Fringe. Soils of the association were included in the Uplands soil association in the Ottawa Urban Fringe for two main reasons . First, extensive areas ofSt . Thomas soils do not occur inthe Ottawa Urban Fringe. Secondly, St . Thomas soils are similar to Uplands soils in many soil characteristics . The high proportion of fine sand in St . Thomas soils is the main differentiating soil characteristic . Due to extensive occurrences of St . Thomas soil materials in the survey area as well as a difference in mode of deposition fromUplands soils mapped inthe OttawaUrban Fringe survey, it was decided that a new association was warranted to characterize these soils. Interpretations made for either St . Thomas or Uplands soils, however, generally are not significantly different . UPLANDS (U) Location and Extent Soils ofthe Uplands association are not widely distributed across the survey area, and most occur in Osgoode Township . A few small areas also occur in West Carleton Township . In Osgoode township, most Uplands soils are found on or in close proximity to the fluvioglacial ridge that begins at South Gloucester in the north, and extends southward through the township. Approximately 2,000 ha of Uplands soils were mapped, with approximately 50% of that total mapped incombination with soils ofother associations. Landform and Topography Uplands soils have developed in a blanket of coarse textured marine or eolian material which is usually deeper than 2 m . The majority of Uplands soils in the regional municipality including the Urban Fringe area are of deltaic origin, and are found in Gloucester township centred around the Ottawa Airport . In Osgoode township, however, Uplands soils have developed in nearshore, shallow water marine deposits found on or adjacent tothe fluvioglacial ridge which extends from South Gloucester southward through the township. Duringthe recession ofthe Champlain Sea, the original more steeply sloping glaciofluvial ridge was extensively modifiedby marine wave action and longshore drift . The result was long, elevated sand plains along or near the ridge which have nearly level to very gently sloping or undulating topography. Modification of the original marine deposits by wind resulting in dune formation is quite common in some areas . Slopes range from0 to 5% . Soil Material Uplands soils have parent materials consisting of noncalcareous medium sand, which in well or imperfectly drained conditions ranges in color from light olive brown to pale yellow. Under poorly drained conditions, the color of the parent material tends to be grayer. Soil reaction of the parent material is usually medium to very strongly acid . Weathered subsoil overlying the parent material also has medium sand textures and tends to be slightly more acidic in reaction than the parent material . Horizons enriched with iron and aluminum combined with organic matter(Bf and Bfj horizons) commonly occur in the upper portion of the weathered subsoil . These enriched horizons are usually easily recognized by their reddish brownto strong brown colors . A thin eluvial horizon (Ae or Aej horizon) quite often overlies the weathered B horizons . It is variable in thickness, but is usually less than 15 cm thick . Texture ofthese horizons is loamy sand or sand . The lighter color exhibited by these horizons is the result ofthe removal of iron, aluminum, and organic matter which have been transported downward in the profile . Although often present, many Uplands soils do not have eluvial horizons . Under non-forested conditions, adark yellowish brown to black surface A horizon occurs which is usually 10 to 20 cm thick . Most commonly the texture is loamy sand, with sand and sandy loam textures less frequent . Soil reaction tends to be slightly more acidic than the parent material . Under forested conditions, a layer ofaccumulated organic matter (LFH horizon) is usually present at the surface. It is generally less than 5 cm thick, and isverydark brown to blackin color. This surface organic layer is composed of leaves and twigs, most of which has undergone little decomposition . The sand content of the parent material in Uplands soils ranges from 91 to 98%, and the combined silt and clay content seldom exceeds 5% . Uplands soil materials are differentiated from soil materials ofthe Jockvale and St . Thomas soil associations on the basis of texture and mode of deposition . The medium sand fraction, although variable, generally is higher in Uplands soils resulting in sand rather than fine sand textures . Of the total sand content, the medium sand fraction ranges from 21 to 83%, with the mean medium sand content being 51% . Significant amounts of coarse and very coarse sand as well as some gravel size particles are present in some Uplands soil materials . Coarse and very coarse sand content in the parent material is generally less than 25%, and gravel content when present is usually less than 5 O/o . Soil Moisture Characteristics Uplands soils are excessive to well-drained on the very gently sloping or undulating land-
scapes occurring inclose proximity to the fluvioglacial ridge in Osgoode township. These drainage conditions also prevail on the crest and upper slopes ofsand ridges or knolls which occur in other landscapes. Imperfectly drained soils are found on the lower slopes of sand ridges or knolls, or on nearly level to very gently undulating terrain . Poorlydrained soils usually occur in most flat to depressional topographic positions, with poor drainage conditions mainly the result ofhigh water tables. Uplands soils have avery high porosity and are, therefore, rapidly permeable. They also have a low moisture holding capacity. The combination of these conditions results in periodic droughty conditionsinthe better drained soils . Soil Landscape Units Seven units were identified in the Uplands association . Theyare described as follows : Recognized Recognized Subgroups Series Ul : Dominantly exces- Orthic Humo- Uplands sive to well-drained ferric soils found on Podzols very gently sloping Orthic Sombric Carlsbad topography. Slopes Brunisols range from 2 to 5% . U3 : Dominantly well- Orthic Humo- Uplands drained soils in ferric combination with Podzols (well) significant areas Orthic Sombric Carlsbad ofimperfectly Brunisols (well) drained soils found Gleyed Humo- Rubicon onvery gently ferric sloping or undu- Podzols lating topography. (imperfect) Slopes ranged from Gleyed Sombric Ramsayville 2to5% . Brunisols (imperfect) U5 : Dominantly well- Orthic Humo- Uplands drained soils in ferric combination with Podzols (well) significant areas Orthic Sombric Carlsbad ofpoorly drained Brunisols (well) soils, found onvery Orthic Humic St . Samuel gently to gently Gleysols (poor) sloping or undulating topography. Slopes range from 2 to 9% . U8 : Dominantly imper- Gleyed Humo- Rubicon fectly drained soils ferric incombination with Podzols significant areas (imperfect) ofpoorly drained Gleyed Sombric Ramsayville soils found on Brunisols nearly level to (imperfect) very gently undu- Orthic Humic St . Samuel lating topography. Gleysols Slopes range from (poor) 0to5% . Ull : Dominantly poorly Orthic Humic St . Samuel drained soils in Gleysols (poor) combination with Gleyed Humo- Rubicon significant areas ferric ofimperfectly Podzols drained soils (imperfect) found on nearly Gleyed Sombric Ramsayville level to gently Brunisols undulating topogra- (imperfect) phy. Slopes range from Oto2% . 73 Recognized Recognized Subgroups Series U13 : Dominantly poorly Orthic Humic St . Samuel drained soils found on level to nearly level topography. Slopes range from 0 to 207o . Gleysols U15 : Dominantly exces- Orthic Humosive to well- ferric drained soils associ- Podzols ated withglacio- Orthic Melanic fluvial deposits . The materials are variable, but generally consist of40to 100 cm of coarse sand (having less than 10% gravel) over sand. They are found on very gently sloping or undulating topography, and have slopes ranging from 2to5% . Brunisols Taxonomic Components Excessive to well drained soils as well as imperfectly drained soils of the association often have diagnostic Bf horizons which place them in the Podzolic soil order. These horizons, however, do not occur in all Uplands soils having these drainage conditions . In areas where they are present, they also do not occur continuously across the landscape. In some Uplands soils, Bf horizons are present but they are not thick enough to be diagnostic for podzolic soils . In others, the accumulation of iron, aluminum and organic matter is not enough to meet the requirements for a Bf horizon . In both cases, Bm and Bfj horizons as well as thin Bf horizons occur which place these soils in the Brunisolic soil order. The excessive to well drained Uplands series (Orthic Humo-ferric Podzol subgroup) where under forest conditions has a very dark brown to black LFH surface horizon of accu mulated organic matter. It is composed mainly of leaves and twigs which are generally not well decomposed . Under nonforested conditions, the LFH surface layer is absent and a very dark gray or brown Ap horizon occurs at the surface which ranges from to 10 to 20 cm in thickness . A light yellowish or yellowish brown Ae horizon less than 15 cm thick occurs directly below the A horizon . Immediately below the Ae horizon areddish brown to strong brown Bf horizon occurs which has an average thickness of 13 cm . The accumulation of iron, aluminum, and organic matter in this horizon exceeds the limits required for a podzolic Bf horizon . Lower B and BC horizons are dark yellowish brown to yellowish brown in color. Color of the parent material is fight olive brown to paleyellow. Structure is most often single grain throughout the profile, but granular structure may occur in the A horizons of some soils . The excessiveto welldrained Carlsbad series (OrthicSombric Brunisol subgroup) is similar to the Uplands series in most profile characteristics. There are, however, two major differ ences . First, the Carlsbad series does not have a podzolic Bf horizon . Rather, a reddish brown or strong brown Bfj or Bm horizon is present which places these soils inthe Brunisolic soil order. The accumulation of iron, aluminum, and organic matter in these horizons is not great enough to meet the requirements of a Bf horizon . In some soils, however, the accumulation may be great enough but the horizons do not meet the minimum thickness of 10 cm . The second major difference from the Uplands series is the absence of a well developed Aehorizon .
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i The Soils of The III Regional Mun
Page 3 and 4:
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS . . . . . . . . .
Page 5 and 6:
1 . Soil map index for the Regional
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0 t W. CARLETO 10 L 20 km KANATA GO
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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 and 32: OTTAWA- CARLETON SOILS t TYPE DEPTH
Page 33 and 34: B3 : Dominantlyvery Rego Gleysols p
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 65 and 66: Recognized Recognized Subgroups Ser
Page 67 and 68: sloping areas, groundwater flow, an
Page 69 and 70: from clay to silty clay loam . In s
Page 71: Recognized Recognized Subgroups Ser
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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