United StatesDepartment ofAgriculture

NaturalResourcesConservationService

Soil Survey ofMadison County,Illinois

In cooperation withIllinois AgriculturalExperiment Station

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is committed to making itsinformation accessible to all of its customers and employees. If you are experiencingaccessibility issues and need assistance, please contact our Helpdesk by phone at1-800-457-3642 or by e-mail at helpdesk@helpdesk.itc.nrcs.usda.gov. For assistancewith publications that include maps, graphs, or similar forms of information, you mayalso wish to contact our State or local office. You can locate the correct office andphone number at http://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator/app.

NRCS Accessibility Statement

http://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator/appmailto:helpdesk@helpdesk.itc.nrcs.usda.gov

This publication consists of a manuscript and a set of soil maps. The information provided can be useful in planningthe use and management of small areas.

To find information about your area of interest, locate that area on the Index to Map Sheets. Note the number ofthe map sheet, and turn to that sheet.

Locate your area of interest on the map sheet. Note the map unit symbols that are in that area. Turn to theNumerical Index to Map Units, which lists the map units by symbol and name and shows the page where eachmap unit is described. The map unit symbols and names also appear as bookmarks, which link directly to theappropriate page in the publication.

The Contents shows which table has data on a specific land use for each soil map unit. Also see the Contents forother sections of this publication that may address your specific needs.

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How To Use This Soil Survey

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Additional information about the Nation’s natural resources is available on theNatural Resources Conservation Service homepage on the World Wide Web. Theaddress is http://www.nrcs.usda.gov.

This soil survey is a publication of the National Cooperative Soil Survey, a joint effortof the United States Department of Agriculture and other Federal agencies, Stateagencies including the Agricultural Experiment Stations, and local agencies. TheNatural Resources Conservation Service (formerly the Soil Conservation Service) hasleadership for the Federal part of the National Cooperative Soil Survey.

Major fieldwork for this soil survey was completed in 1999. Soil names anddescriptions were approved in 1999. Unless otherwise indicated, statements in thispublication refer to conditions in the survey area in 1999. This survey was madecooperatively by the Natural Resources Conservation Service and the IllinoisAgricultural Experiment Station. It is part of the technical assistance furnished to theMadison County Soil and Water Conservation District. Funding was provided by theMadison County Board and the Illinois Department of Agriculture.

Soil maps in this survey may be copied without permission. Enlargement of thesemaps, however, could cause misunderstanding of the detail of mapping. If enlarged,maps do not show the small areas of contrasting soils that could have been shown at alarger scale.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all ofits programs on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability,political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or family status. (Not all prohibited basesapply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means forcommunication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) shouldcontact the USDA’s TARGET Center at 202-720-2600 (voice or TDD).

To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights,Room 326W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC20250-9410, or call 202-720-5964 (voice or TDD). USDA is an equal opportunityprovider and employer.

Cover: Contour farming in an area of Downsouth, Oconee, and Herrick soils.

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Contents

How To Use This Soil Survey ................................. 3Numerical Index to Map Units ............................. 11Foreword ............................................................... 15General Nature of the Survey Area ......................... 17

Settlement .......................................................... 17Physiography, Relief, and Drainage .................... 17Natural Resources ............................................. 18Farming .............................................................. 19Climate ............................................................... 19

How This Survey Was Made ................................... 19Formation and Classification of the Soils .......... 21

Factors of Soil Formation ................................... 21Parent Material ............................................... 21Climate ........................................................... 22Living Organisms ........................................... 22Relief .............................................................. 22Time ............................................................... 23

Processes of Soil Formation............................... 23Classification of the Soils .................................... 23

Soil Series and Detailed Soil Map Units .............. 25Ambraw Series ................................................... 268302A—Ambraw silty clay loam, 0 to 2

percent slopes, occasionally flooded............ 27Arenzville Series ................................................ 278078A—Arenzville silt loam, 0 to 2 percent

slopes, occasionally flooded ........................ 28Atlas Series ........................................................ 28914C3—Atlas-Grantfork silty clay loams, 5 to

10 percent slopes, severely eroded ............. 29914D3—Atlas-Grantfork silty clay loams, 10

to 18 percent slopes, severely eroded.......... 30Aviston Series .................................................... 30438B—Aviston silt loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes ... 31438C2—Aviston silt loam, 5 to 10 percent

slopes, eroded ............................................. 32Beaucoup Series ................................................ 321070L—Beaucoup silty clay loam, undrained,

0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionallyflooded, long duration................................... 33

3070A—Beaucoup silty clay loam, 0 to 2percent slopes, frequently flooded ............... 33

3070L—Beaucoup silty clay loam, 0 to 2percent slopes, frequently flooded, longduration ........................................................ 34

8070A—Beaucoup silty clay loam, 0 to 2percent slopes, occasionally flooded............ 34

Bethalto Series ................................................... 3490A—Bethalto silt loam, 0 to 2 percent

slopes .......................................................... 36Biddle Series ...................................................... 36Birds Series ........................................................ 373334A—Birds silt loam, 0 to 2 percent

slopes, frequently flooded ............................ 388334A—Birds silt loam, 0 to 2 percent

slopes, occasionally flooded ........................ 39Bloomfield Series ............................................... 397053B—Bloomfield loamy fine sand, 2 to 5

percent slopes, rarely flooded ...................... 40Bold Series ......................................................... 4035F—Bold silt loam, 18 to 35 percent

slopes .......................................................... 40Bunkum Series ................................................... 41515B3—Bunkum silty clay loam, 2 to 5

percent slopes, severely eroded .................. 42515C3—Bunkum silty clay loam, 5 to 10

percent slopes, severely eroded .................. 42515D3—Bunkum silty clay loam, 10 to 18

percent slopes, severely eroded .................. 42897D3—Bunkum-Atlas silty clay loams, 10

to 18 percent slopes, severely eroded.......... 43Burksville Series................................................. 43657A—Burksville silt loam, 0 to 2 percent

slopes .......................................................... 44Caseyville Series ................................................ 44267A—Caseyville silt loam, 0 to 2 percent

slopes .......................................................... 46267B—Caseyville silt loam, 2 to 5 percent

slopes .......................................................... 46Coffeen Series ................................................... 463428A—Coffeen silt loam, 0 to 2 percent

slopes, frequently flooded ............................ 47Colp Series ........................................................ 47

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2122B—Colp-Orthents-Urban land complex,2 to 5 percent slopes, rarely flooded ............ 49

7122B—Colp silt loam, 2 to 5 percentslopes, rarely flooded ................................... 50

7122C—Colp silty clay loam, 5 to 10 percentslopes, severely eroded, rarely flooded ........ 50

Coulterville Series .............................................. 50878C3—Coulterville-Grantfork silty clay

loams, 5 to 10 percent slopes, severelyeroded ......................................................... 52

880B2—Coulterville-Darmstadt silt loams,2 to 5 percent slopes, eroded....................... 52

Cowden Series ................................................... 53993A—Cowden-Piasa silt loams, 0 to 2

percent slopes ............................................. 54Darmstadt Series ............................................... 54Darwin Series ..................................................... 562071L—Darwin-Aquents-Urban land complex,

0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionallyflooded, long duration................................... 57

3071L—Darwin silty clay, 0 to 2 percentslopes, frequently flooded, longduration ........................................................ 58

8071L—Darwin silty clay, 0 to 2 percentslopes, occasionally flooded, longduration ........................................................ 58

Downsouth Series .............................................. 58283B—Downsouth silt loam, 2 to 5 percent

slopes .......................................................... 60283C2—Downsouth silt loam, 5 to 10

percent slopes, eroded ................................ 60Dozaville Series ................................................. 608674A—Dozaville silt loam, 0 to 2 percent

slopes, occasionally flooded ........................ 61Drury Series ....................................................... 617075B—Drury silt loam, 2 to 5 percent

slopes, rarely flooded ................................... 62536—Dumps ...................................................... 63Dupo Series ....................................................... 638180A—Dupo silt loam, 0 to 2 percent

slopes, occasionally flooded ........................ 64

Edwardsville Series ............................................ 64384A—Edwardsville silt loam, 0 to 2 percent

slopes .......................................................... 652384B—Edwardsville-Orthents-Urban

land complex, 1 to 4 percent slopes ............. 66Elco Series ......................................................... 66119C3—Elco silty clay loam, 5 to 10 percent

slopes, severely eroded ............................... 68119D2—Elco silt loam, 10 to 18 percent

slopes, eroded ............................................. 68119D3—Elco silty clay loam, 10 to 18

percent slopes, severely eroded .................. 688831A—Fluvaquents, clayey, 0 to 2 percent

slopes, occasionally flooded ........................ 68Fosterburg Series ............................................... 69Fults Series ........................................................ 708591A—Fults silty clay, 0 to 2 percent

slopes, occasionally flooded ........................ 71Geff Series ......................................................... 717432A—Geff silt loam, 0 to 2 percent

slopes, rarely flooded ................................... 73Gosport Series ................................................... 74Grantfork Series ................................................. 75Haymond Series ................................................. 768331A—Haymond silt loam, 0 to 2 percent

slopes, occasionally flooded ........................ 77Herrick Series .................................................... 7746A—Herrick silt loam, 0 to 2 percent

slopes .......................................................... 78894A—Herrick-Biddle-Piasa silt loams, 0 to

2 percent slopes .......................................... 79Hickory Series .................................................... 798D3—Hickory clay loam, 10 to 18 percent

slopes, severely eroded ............................... 808F—Hickory silt loam, 18 to 35 percent

slopes .......................................................... 81967F—Hickory-Gosport silt loams, 18 to 35

percent slopes ............................................. 81Homen Series .................................................... 81582B—Homen silt loam, 2 to 5 percent

slopes .......................................................... 83

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582C2—Homen silt loam, 5 to 10 percentslopes, eroded ............................................. 83

Hurst Series ....................................................... 837338A—Hurst silty clay loam, 0 to 2 percent

slopes, rarely flooded ................................... 85Landes Series .................................................... 852304B—Landes-Fluvents-Urban land

complex, 2 to 5 percent slopes,occasionally flooded..................................... 86

8304B—Landes very fine sandy loam, 2to 5 percent slopes, occasionallyflooded ......................................................... 86

Lawson Series .................................................... 873451A—Lawson silt loam, 0 to 2 percent

slopes, frequently flooded ............................ 87Littleton Series ................................................... 887081A—Littleton silt loam, 0 to 2 percent

slopes, rarely flooded ................................... 89Marine Series ..................................................... 89517A—Marine silt loam, 0 to 2 percent

slopes .......................................................... 90517B—Marine silt loam, 2 to 5 percent

slopes .......................................................... 91Mascoutah Series .............................................. 91385A—Mascoutah silty clay loam, 0 to 2

percent slopes ............................................. 92Menfro Series ..................................................... 9279B—Menfro silt loam, 2 to 5 percent

slopes .......................................................... 9379C2—Menfro silt loam, 5 to 10 percent

slopes, eroded ............................................. 9479C3—Menfro silty clay loam, 5 to 10

percent slopes, severely eroded .................. 9479D2—Menfro silt loam, 10 to 18 percent

slopes, eroded ............................................. 9479D3—Menfro silty clay loam, 10 to 18

percent slopes, severely eroded .................. 9579F—Menfro silt loam, 18 to 35 percent

slopes .......................................................... 9579F3—Menfro silty clay loam, 18 to 35

percent slopes, severely eroded .................. 9579G—Menfro silt loam, 35 to 60 percent

slopes .......................................................... 95

701F—Menfro-Hickory silt loams, 18 to 35percent slopes ............................................. 96

2079D—Menfro-Orthents-Urban landcomplex, 8 to 15 percent slopes .................. 96

Nameoki Series .................................................. 962592A—Nameoki-Fluvents-Urban land

complex, 0 to 2 percent slopes,occasionally flooded..................................... 98

3592A—Nameoki silty clay loam, 0 to 2percent slopes, frequently flooded ............... 98

8592A—Nameoki silty clay, 0 to 2 percentslopes, occasionally flooded ........................ 99

Navlys Series ..................................................... 99630D3—Navlys silty clay loam, 10 to 18

percent slopes, severely eroded ................ 100Negley Series ................................................... 100585F—Negley loam, 18 to 35 percent

slopes ........................................................ 101Newhaven Series ............................................. 1027445A—Newhaven loam, 0 to 2 percent

slopes, rarely flooded ................................. 103Oakville Series ................................................. 1032741B—Oakville-Psamments-Urban land

complex, 2 to 5 percent slopes, rarelyflooded ....................................................... 104

7741B—Oakville fine sand, 2 to 5 percentslopes, rarely flooded ................................. 104

7741C—Oakville fine sand, 5 to 10percent slopes, rarely flooded .................... 104

Oconee Series ................................................. 105113A—Oconee silt loam, 0 to 2 percent

slopes ........................................................ 106113B—Oconee silt loam, 2 to 5 percent

slopes ........................................................ 107882B—Oconee-Coulterville-Darmstadt silt

loams, 2 to 5 percent slopes ...................... 1072113B—Oconee-Orthents-Urban land

complex, 2 to 5 percent slopes .................. 107867—Oil waste land ......................................... 108Onarga Series .................................................. 1087150A—Onarga sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent

slopes, rarely flooded ................................. 109

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Orion Series ..................................................... 1093415A—Orion silt loam, 0 to 2 percent

slopes, frequently flooded .......................... 1108415A—Orion silt loam, 0 to 2 percent

slopes, occasionally flooded ...................... 110801B—Orthents, silty, undulating ..................... 111801D—Orthents, silty, hilly ............................... 111802B—Orthents, loamy, undulating .................. 111802D—Orthents, loamy, hilly ............................ 111Piasa Series ..................................................... 111474A—Piasa silt loam, 0 to 2 percent

slopes ........................................................ 113Pierron Series .................................................. 11331A—Pierron silt loam, 0 to 2 percent

slopes ........................................................ 115703A—Pierron-Burksville silt loams, 0 to 2

percent slopes ........................................... 115864—Pits, quarries ........................................... 116865—Pits, gravel .............................................. 116Raddle Series ................................................... 1167430A—Raddle silt loam, 0 to 2 percent

slopes, rarely flooded ................................. 117Ridgeville Series ............................................... 1177151A—Ridgeville fine sandy loam, 0 to 2

percent slopes, rarely flooded .................... 118Ridgway Series ................................................ 1197434B—Ridgway silt loam, 2 to 5 percent

slopes, rarely flooded ................................. 120Rocher Series .................................................. 1203038B—Rocher loam, 2 to 5 percent

slopes, frequently flooded .......................... 1218038B—Rocher loam, 2 to 5 percent

slopes, occasionally flooded ...................... 121Ruma Series .................................................... 121491B—Ruma silt loam, 2 to 5 percent

slopes ........................................................ 122491C2—Ruma silt loam, 5 to 10 percent

slopes, eroded ........................................... 122491D2—Ruma silt loam, 10 to 18 percent

slopes, eroded ........................................... 123

491D3—Ruma silty clay loam, 10 to 18percent slopes, severely eroded ................ 123

702F—Ruma-Hickory silt loams, 18 to 35percent slopes ........................................... 123

Shaffton Series ................................................. 1242183A—Shaffton-Fluvents-Urban land

complex, 0 to 2 percent slopes,occasionally flooded................................... 125

8183A—Shaffton clay loam, 0 to 2 percentslopes, occasionally flooded ...................... 125

Sylvan Series ................................................... 125962D2—Sylvan-Bold silt loams, 10 to 18

percent slopes, eroded .............................. 126962F2—Sylvan-Bold silt loams, 18 to 35

percent slopes, eroded .............................. 126Tamalco Series ................................................. 127581B2—Tamalco silt loam, 2 to 5 percent

slopes, eroded ........................................... 128Tice Series ....................................................... 1282284A—Tice-Fluvents-Urban land complex,

0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionallyflooded ....................................................... 129

8284A—Tice silty clay loam, 0 to 2 percentslopes, occasionally flooded ...................... 130

533—Urban land .............................................. 130Virden Series .................................................... 13050A—Virden silt loam, 0 to 2 percent

slopes ........................................................ 131885A—Virden-Fosterburg silt loams, 0 to 2

percent slopes ........................................... 132Wakeland Series .............................................. 1323333A—Wakeland silt loam, 0 to 2 percent

slopes, frequently flooded .......................... 1338333A—Wakeland silt loam, 0 to 2 percent

slopes, occasionally flooded ...................... 133Wakenda Series ............................................... 133441B—Wakenda silt loam, 2 to 5 percent

slopes ........................................................ 134441C2—Wakenda silt loam, 5 to 10 percent

slopes, eroded ........................................... 134

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Weir Series ....................................................... 135165A—Weir silt loam, 0 to 2 percent

slopes ........................................................ 136Wilbur Series .................................................... 1363336A—Wilbur silt loam, 0 to 2 percent

slopes, frequently flooded .......................... 137Winfield Series ................................................. 137477B—Winfield silt loam, 2 to 5 percent

slopes ........................................................ 139477B3—Winfield silty clay loam, 2 to 5

percent slopes, severely eroded ................ 139477C2—Winfield silt loam, 5 to 10 percent

slopes, eroded ........................................... 139477C3—Winfield silty clay loam, 5 to 10

percent slopes, severely eroded ................ 140477D3—Winfield silty clay loam, 10 to 18

percent slopes, severely eroded ................ 1402477B—Winfield-Orthents-Urban land

complex, 2 to 8 percent slopes .................. 140Worthen Series ................................................ 1417037A—Worthen silt loam, 0 to 2 percent

slopes, rarely flooded ................................. 1417037B—Worthen silt loam, 2 to 5 percent

slopes, rarely flooded ................................. 142Use and Management of the Soils .................... 143

Interpretive Ratings .......................................... 143Rating Class Terms ...................................... 143Numerical Ratings ........................................ 143

Crops and Pasture ........................................... 143Limitations Affecting Crops and Pasture ....... 145Crop Yield Estimates .................................... 147Land Capability Classification ...................... 148Prime Farmland ........................................... 148Erosion Factors ............................................ 149

Forestland Management and Productivity ........ 150Windbreaks and Environmental Plantings ........ 152Recreation ........................................................ 152Wildlife Habitat ................................................. 153Hydric Soils ...................................................... 155

Engineering ...................................................... 156Building Site Development ........................... 156Sanitary Facilities ......................................... 158Construction Materials ................................. 159Water Management ...................................... 160

Soil Properties .................................................... 163Engineering Index Properties ........................... 163Physical Properties .......................................... 164Chemical Properties ......................................... 166Water Features ................................................. 166Soil Features .................................................... 167

References .......................................................... 169Glossary .............................................................. 171Tables .................................................................. 181

Table 1.—Temperature and Precipitation .......... 182Table 2.—Growing Season ............................... 183Table 3.—Classification of the Soils .................. 184Table 4.—Acreage and Proportionate

Extent of the Soils ...................................... 186Table 5.—Limitations Affecting Cropland

and Pastureland ......................................... 189Table 6.—Land Capability and Yields per

Acre of Crops and Pasture ......................... 198Table 7.—Prime Farmland ................................ 206Table 8.—Forestland Productivity ..................... 208Table 9a.—Forestland Management ................. 220Table 9b.—Forestland Management ................. 234Table 9c.—Forestland Management ................. 248Table 9d.—Forestland Management ................. 259Table 9e.—Forestland Management ................. 268Table 10.—Windbreaks and Environmental

Plantings .................................................... 277Table 11a.—Recreational Development ............ 306Table 11b.—Recreational Development ............ 322Table 12.—Wildlife Habitat ................................ 335Table 13.—Hydric Soils .................................... 344Table 14a.—Building Site Development ............ 357Table 14b.—Building Site Development ............ 373Table 15a.—Sanitary Facilities ......................... 391

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Table 15b.—Sanitary Facilities .......................... 410Table 16a.—Construction Materials .................. 426Table 16b.—Construction Materials .................. 439Table 17a.—Water Management ...................... 457Table 17b.—Water Management ...................... 472Table 18.—Engineering Index Properties ......... 489

Table 19.—Physical Properties of theSoils ........................................................... 524

Table 20.—Chemical Properties of theSoils ........................................................... 543

Table 21.—Water Features ............................... 557Table 22.—Soil Features .................................. 569

Issued 2004

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Numerical Index to Map Units

8D3—Hickory clay loam, 10 to 18 percentslopes, severely eroded ...................................... 80

8F—Hickory silt loam, 18 to 35 percent slopes ....... 8131A—Pierron silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes ....... 11535F—Bold silt loam, 18 to 35 percent slopes .......... 4046A—Herrick silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes ......... 7850A—Virden silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes ........ 13179B—Menfro silt loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes ......... 9379C2—Menfro silt loam, 5 to 10 percent

slopes, eroded .................................................... 9479C3—Menfro silty clay loam, 5 to 10 percent

slopes, severely eroded ...................................... 9479D2—Menfro silt loam, 10 to 18 percent slopes,

eroded ................................................................ 9479D3—Menfro silty clay loam, 10 to 18 percent

slopes, severely eroded ...................................... 9579F—Menfro silt loam, 18 to 35 percent slopes ...... 9579F3—Menfro silty clay loam, 18 to 35 percent

slopes, severely eroded ...................................... 9579G—Menfro silt loam, 35 to 60 percent

slopes ................................................................. 9590A—Bethalto silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes........ 36113A—Oconee silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes .... 106113B—Oconee silt loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes .... 107119C3—Elco silty clay loam, 5 to 10 percent

slopes, severely eroded ...................................... 68119D2—Elco silt loam, 10 to 18 percent slopes,

eroded ................................................................ 68119D3—Elco silty clay loam, 10 to 18 percent

slopes, severely eroded ...................................... 68165A—Weir silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes ......... 136267A—Caseyville silt loam, 0 to 2 percent

slopes ................................................................. 46267B—Caseyville silt loam, 2 to 5 percent

slopes ................................................................. 46283B—Downsouth silt loam, 2 to 5 percent

slopes ................................................................. 60283C2—Downsouth silt loam, 5 to 10 percent

slopes, eroded .................................................... 60384A—Edwardsville silt loam, 0 to 2 percent

slopes ................................................................. 65385A—Mascoutah silty clay loam, 0 to 2 percent

slopes ................................................................. 92438B—Aviston silt loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes ....... 31

438C2—Aviston silt loam, 5 to 10 percentslopes, eroded .................................................... 32

441B—Wakenda silt loam, 2 to 5 percentslopes ............................................................... 134

441C2—Wakenda silt loam, 5 to 10 percentslopes, eroded .................................................. 134

474A—Piasa silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes ........ 113477B—Winfield silt loam, 2 to 5 percent

slopes ............................................................... 139477B3—Winfield silty clay loam, 2 to 5 percent

slopes, severely eroded .................................... 139477C2—Winfield silt loam, 5 to 10 percent

slopes, eroded .................................................. 139477C3—Winfield silty clay loam, 5 to 10

percent slopes, severely eroded ....................... 140477D3—Winfield silty clay loam, 10 to 18

percent slopes, severely eroded ....................... 140491B—Ruma silt loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes ....... 122491C2—Ruma silt loam, 5 to 10 percent

slopes, eroded .................................................. 122491D2—Ruma silt loam, 10 to 18 percent

slopes, eroded .................................................. 123491D3—Ruma silty clay loam, 10 to 18 percent

slopes, severely eroded .................................... 123515B3—Bunkum silty clay loam, 2 to 5 percent

slopes, severely eroded ...................................... 42515C3—Bunkum silty clay loam, 5 to 10

percent slopes, severely eroded ......................... 42515D3—Bunkum silty clay loam, 10 to 18

percent slopes, severely eroded ......................... 42517A—Marine silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes ........ 90517B—Marine silt loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes ........ 91533—Urban land .................................................. 130536—Dumps .......................................................... 63581B2—Tamalco silt loam, 2 to 5 percent

slopes, eroded .................................................. 128582B—Homen silt loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes ....... 83582C2—Homen silt loam, 5 to 10 percent

slopes, eroded .................................................... 83585F—Negley loam, 18 to 35 percent slopes ....... 101630D3—Navlys silty clay loam, 10 to 18

percent slopes, severely eroded ....................... 100657A—Burksville silt loam, 0 to 2 percent

slopes ................................................................. 44

12

701F—Menfro-Hickory silt loams, 18 to 35percent slopes .................................................... 96

702F—Ruma-Hickory silt loams, 18 to 35percent slopes .................................................. 123

703A—Pierron-Burksville silt loams, 0 to 2percent slopes .................................................. 115

801B—Orthents, silty, undulating .......................... 111801D—Orthents, silty, hilly .................................... 111802B—Orthents, loamy, undulating ...................... 111802D—Orthents, loamy, hilly ................................ 111864—Pits, quarries ............................................... 116865—Pits, gravel .................................................. 116867—Oil waste land.............................................. 108878C3—Coulterville-Grantfork silty clay loams,

5 to 10 percent slopes, severely eroded ............. 52880B2—Coulterville-Darmstadt silt loams, 2 to

5 percent slopes, eroded .................................... 52882B—Oconee-Coulterville-Darmstadt silt

loams, 2 to 5 percent slopes ............................. 107885A—Virden-Fosterburg silt loams, 0 to 2

percent slopes .................................................. 132894A—Herrick-Biddle-Piasa silt loams, 0 to 2

percent slopes .................................................... 79897D3—Bunkum-Atlas silty clay loams, 10 to

18 percent slopes, severely eroded .................... 43914C3—Atlas-Grantfork silty clay loams, 5 to

10 percent slopes, severely eroded .................... 29914D3—Atlas-Grantfork silty clay loams, 10 to

18 percent slopes, severely eroded .................... 30962D2—Sylvan-Bold silt loams, 10 to 18

percent slopes, eroded ..................................... 126962F2—Sylvan-Bold silt loams, 18 to 35

percent slopes, eroded ..................................... 126967F—Hickory-Gosport silt loams, 18 to 35

percent slopes .................................................... 81993A—Cowden-Piasa silt loams, 0 to 2 percent

slopes ................................................................. 541070L—Beaucoup silty clay loam, undrained,

0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionally flooded,long duration ...................................................... 33

2071L—Darwin-Aquents-Urban land complex,0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionally flooded,long duration ...................................................... 57

2079D—Menfro-Orthents-Urban land complex,8 to 15 percent slopes ........................................ 96

2113B—Oconee-Orthents-Urban land complex,2 to 5 percent slopes ........................................ 107

2122B—Colp-Orthents-Urban land complex,2 to 5 percent slopes, rarely flooded ................... 49

2183A—Shaffton-Fluvents-Urban land complex,0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionally flooded ...... 125

2284A—Tice-Fluvents-Urban land complex,0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionally flooded ...... 129

2304B—Landes-Fluvents-Urban land complex,2 to 5 percent slopes, occasionally flooded ........ 86

2384B—Edwardsville-Orthents-Urban landcomplex, 1 to 4 percent slopes ........................... 66

2477B—Winfield-Orthents-Urban landcomplex, 2 to 8 percent slopes ......................... 140

2592A—Nameoki-Fluvents-Urban landcomplex, 0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionallyflooded ............................................................... 98

2741B—Oakville-Psamments-Urban landcomplex, 2 to 5 percent slopes, rarelyflooded ............................................................. 104

3038B—Rocher loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes,frequently flooded ............................................. 121

3070A—Beaucoup silty clay loam, 0 to 2percent slopes, frequently flooded ...................... 33

3070L—Beaucoup silty clay loam, 0 to 2percent slopes, frequently flooded, longduration .............................................................. 34

3071L—Darwin silty clay, 0 to 2 percentslopes, frequently flooded, long duration ............ 58

3333A—Wakeland silt loam, 0 to 2 percentslopes, frequently flooded................................. 133

3334A—Birds silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes,frequently flooded ............................................... 38

3336A—Wilbur silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes,frequently flooded ............................................. 137

3415A—Orion silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes,frequently flooded ............................................. 110

3428A—Coffeen silt loam, 0 to 2 percentslopes, frequently flooded................................... 47

3451A—Lawson silt loam, 0 to 2 percentslopes, frequently flooded................................... 87

3592A—Nameoki silty clay loam, 0 to 2percent slopes, frequently flooded ...................... 98

7037A—Worthen silt loam, 0 to 2 percentslopes, rarely flooded ....................................... 141

13

7037B—Worthen silt loam, 2 to 5 percentslopes, rarely flooded ....................................... 142

7053B—Bloomfield loamy fine sand, 2 to 5percent slopes, rarely flooded ............................ 40

7075B—Drury silt loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes,rarely flooded ..................................................... 62

7081A—Littleton silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes,rarely flooded ..................................................... 89

7122B—Colp silt loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes,rarely flooded ..................................................... 50

7122C—Colp silty clay loam, 5 to 10 percentslopes, severely eroded, rarely flooded .............. 50

7150A—Onarga sandy loam, 0 to 2 percentslopes, rarely flooded ....................................... 109

7151A—Ridgeville fine sandy loam, 0 to 2percent slopes, rarely flooded .......................... 118

7338A—Hurst silty clay loam, 0 to 2 percentslopes, rarely flooded ......................................... 85

7430A—Raddle silt loam, 0 to 2 percentslopes, rarely flooded ....................................... 117

7432A—Geff silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes,rarely flooded ..................................................... 73

7434B—Ridgway silt loam, 2 to 5 percentslopes, rarely flooded ....................................... 120

7445A—Newhaven loam, 0 to 2 percentslopes, rarely flooded ....................................... 103

7741B—Oakville fine sand, 2 to 5 percentslopes, rarely flooded ....................................... 104

7741C—Oakville fine sand, 5 to 10 percentslopes, rarely flooded ....................................... 104

8038B—Rocher loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes,occasionally flooded ......................................... 121

8070A—Beaucoup silty clay loam, 0 to 2percent slopes, occasionally flooded .................. 34

8071L—Darwin silty clay, 0 to 2 percent slopes,occasionally flooded, long duration ..................... 58

8078A—Arenzville silt loam, 0 to 2 percentslopes, occasionally flooded ............................... 28

8180A—Dupo silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes,occasionally flooded ........................................... 64

8183A—Shaffton clay loam, 0 to 2 percentslopes, occasionally flooded ............................. 125

8284A—Tice silty clay loam, 0 to 2 percentslopes, occasionally flooded ............................. 130

8302A—Ambraw silty clay loam, 0 to 2 percentslopes, occasionally flooded ............................... 27

8304B—Landes very fine sandy loam, 2 to 5percent slopes, occasionally flooded .................. 86

8331A—Haymond silt loam, 0 to 2 percentslopes, occasionally flooded ............................... 77

8333A—Wakeland silt loam, 0 to 2 percentslopes, occasionally flooded ............................. 133

8334A—Birds silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes,occasionally flooded ........................................... 39

8415A—Orion silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes,occasionally flooded ......................................... 110

8591A—Fults silty clay, 0 to 2 percent slopes,occasionally flooded ........................................... 71

8592A—Nameoki silty clay, 0 to 2 percentslopes, occasionally flooded ............................... 99

8674A—Dozaville silt loam, 0 to 2 percentslopes, occasionally flooded ............................... 61

8831A—Fluvaquents, clayey, 0 to 2 percentslopes, occasionally flooded ............................... 68

15

This soil survey contains information that affects land use planning in this surveyarea. It contains predictions of soil behavior for selected land uses. The survey alsohighlights soil limitations, improvements needed to overcome the limitations, and theimpact of selected land uses on the environment.

This soil survey is designed for many different users. Farmers, foresters, andagronomists can use it to evaluate the potential of the soil and the management neededfor maximum food and fiber production. Planners, community officials, engineers,developers, builders, and home buyers can use the survey to plan land use, select sitesfor construction, and identify special practices needed to ensure proper performance.Conservationists, teachers, students, and specialists in recreation, wildlifemanagement, waste disposal, and pollution control can use the survey to help themunderstand, protect, and enhance the environment.

Various land use regulations of Federal, State, and local governments may imposespecial restrictions on land use or land treatment. The information in this report isintended to identify soil properties that are used in making various land use or landtreatment decisions. Statements made in this report are intended to help the land usersidentify and reduce the effects of soil limitations on various land uses. The landowner oruser is responsible for identifying and complying with existing laws and regulations.

Great differences in soil properties can occur within short distances. Some soils areseasonally wet or subject to flooding. Some are shallow to bedrock. Some are toounstable to be used as a foundation for buildings or roads. Clayey or wet soils arepoorly suited to use as septic tank absorption fields. A high water table makes a soilpoorly suited to basements or underground installations.

These and many other soil properties that affect land use are described in this soilsurvey. The location of each soil is shown on the detailed soil maps. Each soil in thesurvey area is described, and information on specific uses is given. Help in using thispublication and additional information are available at the local office of the NaturalResources Conservation Service or the Cooperative Extension Service.

William J. GradleState ConservationistNatural Resources Conservation Service

Foreword

17

MADISON COUNTY is in southwestern Illinois (fig. 1). Ithas an area of 473,740 acres, or about 740 squaremiles. It is bordered on the west by the MississippiRiver; on the north by Jersey, Macoupin, andMontgomery Counties; on the west by Bond County;and on the south by Clinton and St. Clair Counties. In1990, the population of the county was 249,238 (U.S.Department of Commerce, 1990). Edwardsville is thecounty seat. Other major cities are Alton, Collinsville,and Granite City.

This soil survey updates the survey of MadisonCounty, Illinois, published in 1986 (Goddard andSabata, 1986). It provides additional information andhas larger maps, which show the soils in greaterdetail.

General Nature of the Survey AreaThis section provides general information about

Madison County. It describes settlement;physiography, relief, and drainage; natural resources;farming; and climate.

Settlement

During prehistoric times, the survey area wasinhabited by natives who built the largest manmadeearthen mound in North America, now called MonksMound. These people were replaced by a looseconfederation of several peaceful tribes, whom theFrench encountered when they first explored the area

in 1673. The French did not establish majorsettlements but occupied the area until 1765, when theBritish arrived. British occupation lasted until 1778,when George Rogers Clark arrived and claimed thearea for Virginia (Underwood, 1974). The firstAmerican settlers came from Kentucky, Virginia,Tennessee, and the Carolinas.

Development of the county was accelerated by twoseparate events in the 1800s. The first was theintroduction of new scientific methods of farmingbrought by German settlers in the 1830s. These newmethods spurred agricultural production. The secondwas the expansion of industries in the early 1870s,particularly the steel and oil industries.

Physiography, Relief, and Drainage

Madison County has an extremely wide variety oftopographic features. The major features are theupland till plains and bluffs and the alluvial MississippiRiver Valley known as the American Bottoms.

The highly urbanized American Bottoms makes upabout 14 percent of the county. It occurs as threemajor areas. The first area consists of alternatingnarrow ridges and swales. It is adjacent to the riverand is quite extensive in the southwestern part of thecounty (Yarbrough and Chiste, 1972). The secondarea consists of terraces and footslopes adjacent tobluffs. It includes the colluvial footslopes between thebluffs and the floor of the valley. The terraces, knownas the Poag and Wood River Terraces, are relatively

Soil Survey of

Madison County, IllinoisBy Randall A. Leeper, Natural Resources Conservation Service

Fieldwork by Gerald V. Berning, John C. Doll, Tyrone M. Goddard, Randall A. Leeper,Irene A. Watterson, and Paul W. Youngstrum, Natural Resources Conservation Service,and Greg Cooper and David B. Rahe, Madison County

Map compilation by Dana R. Grantham, Natural Resources Conservation Service

United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service,in cooperation with the Illinois Agricultural Experiment Station

18 Soil Survey of

large, are elevated, and have moderately steepescarpments. The third area consists of very broadflats and depressions. It is between the terraces andthe ridges and swales. It extends from Wood River tothe northeastern part of Horseshoe Lake. It ischaracterized by broad swales, sloughs, andbackwater marshes. The soils in this area are high inclay content, are poorly drained, and are oftenponded.

The uplands are loess-covered till plains. Thethickest loess deposits, 40 to 80 feet thick, are on thebluffs. The loess thins to about 5 feet in the northeastcorner of the county. Limestone outcrops are quitecommon in the bluff area northwest of Alton. Thishighly weathered limestone is responsible for smallareas of karst topography, which is characterized bysinkholes.

The bluff area is highly dissected. It has long,narrow ridges and steep side slopes. East of the bluffs,the ridges are rather broad and the side slopes areless sloping. This gently sloping landscape has a thicklayer of loess. To the east and northeast is a broad,level plain that has a few low-lying knolls and ridgesand is dissected by many small creeks.

The bluffs are as high as 650 feet above sea level.On the American Bottoms, the swales are as low as400 feet and the ridges are about 425 feet above sealevel. The elevation of the broad, level ridges is about620 feet above sea level in the northeastern part of thecounty and gradually decreases to about 540 feet inthe southeast corner.

Water in the main drainageways in the county flowsto the south and west. Woodriver Creek and CahokiaCreek drain the western half of the county and emptydirectly into the Mississippi River. Silver Creek and asmall part of Sugar Creek drain the eastern half of thecounty and flow south into the Kaskaskia River, whichdrains into the Mississippi River.

Natural Resources

The most abundant natural resources in MadisonCounty, other than soil, are limestone, sand andgravel, coal, oil, timber, and water. Coal is the mostimportant mineral in southwestern Illinois. It was minedin the county from 1882 to 1964. Although the countyhas large coal reserves, it currently has no activemines.

Limestone is a valuable mineral mined in MadisonCounty. Limestone outcrops are mainly on the bluffs inthe area near the city of Alton to the Jersey Countyline, but they are also common along the majorstreams. The limestone is used for Portland cement,concrete aggregate, lime, railroad ballast, riprap,building stone, crushed stone, and filter beds (Baxter,1965).

The county has several active sand and gravel pits.Most of the sand deposits are on the terraces adjacentto the flood plains along the Mississippi River. Themain source of gravel is the Hagerstown drift depositson hills and ridges in the eastern part of the county.The gravel pits are normally in areas where theoverburden is thin. The sand and gravel are used asroad, building, and fill material and as railroad ballast.

A small acreage of the county is forested. Thesemixed, deciduous forests have a wide variety of treespecies. Those on uplands are dominated by oaks andhickories, and those on the flood plains are dominatedby silver maple, cottonwood, pin oak, sycamore,pecan, box elder, and ash.

Figure 1.—Location of Madison County in Illinois.

Madison County, Illinois 19

The industries and municipalities on the flood plainsalong the Mississippi River obtain their water directlyfrom the river or from valley fill material on the floodplains. The valley fill material along Silver Creek is animportant source of ground water. Aquifers in theMississippian-age limestone in the northwestern partof the county are good sources of water for farm anddomestic purposes. Scattered sand and gravelaquifers in the underlying till plain deposits, however,supply wells with moderate amounts of water for smallcommunities and rural households. Drinking water formost rural households is supplied by low-yielding wellsthat are 35 to 150 feet deep. The numerous pondsthroughout the county supply ample water forlivestock.

Farming

The rich alluvial soils on the flood plains along theMississippi River and the soils that formed in a thicklayer of loess on uplands have always providedMadison County with abundant farmland. The originalsettlers first planted peach and apple orchards, grapevineyards, wheat, oats, corn, and melons. Althoughthe orchards and vineyards have largely disappeared,corn, wheat, and soybeans are grown extensively.Sorghum also is grown, and many acres are used forhorseradish, sweet corn, tomatoes, onions, potatoes,berries, and fruits. Madison County is the largestproducer of horseradish in the United States.

Climate

Table 1 gives data on temperature and precipitationfor the survey area as recorded at Alton Dam in theperiod 1971 to 2000. Table 2 provides data on lengthof the growing season.

Madison County is cold in winter and quite hot insummer. Winter precipitation, frequently in the form ofsnow, results in a good accumulation of soil moistureby spring and minimizes drought in summer on mostsoils. The normal annual precipitation is adequate forall crops that are adapted to the temperature andgrowing season in the survey area.

In winter, the average temperature is 31 degrees Fand the average daily minimum temperature is 23degrees. The lowest temperature on record, whichoccurred at Alton Dam on January 10, 1982, is -16degrees. In summer, the average temperature is 77degrees and the average daily maximum temperatureis 87 degrees. The highest recorded temperature,which occurred on July 14, 1954, is 111 degrees.

The total annual precipitation averages 38.47inches. Of this total, about 21.2 inches, or 55 percent,

usually falls in April through September. The growingseason for most crops falls within this period. Theheaviest 1-day rainfall during the period of record was7.7 inches at Alton Dam on April 23, 1996.Thunderstorms occur on about 50 days each year,and most occur between April and August.

The average seasonal snowfall is about 8.5 inches.The greatest snow depth at any one time during theperiod of record was 21 inches recorded on February9, 1982. On an average, 10 days of the year have atleast 1 inch of snow on the ground. The number ofsuch days varies greatly from year to year. Theheaviest 1-day snowfall on record was 13 inchesrecorded on March 8, 1978.

The average relative humidity in midafternoon isabout 60 percent. Humidity is higher at night, and theaverage at dawn is about 80 percent. The sun shines70 percent of the time possible in summer and 50percent in winter. The prevailing wind is from the southin the summer and from the west and northwest in thewinter and spring. Average windspeed is highest, 11miles per hour, in March.

Tornadoes and severe thunderstorms occuroccasionally. They are of local extent and of shortduration and cause only sparse damage in narrowareas. Hailstorms sometimes occur during the warmerperiods.

How This Survey Was MadeThis survey was made to provide information about

the soils and miscellaneous areas in the survey area.The information includes a description of the soils andmiscellaneous areas and their location and adiscussion of their suitability, limitations, andmanagement for specified uses. Soil scientistsobserved the steepness, length, and shape of theslopes; the degree of erosion; the general pattern ofdrainage; the kinds of crops and native plants; and thekinds of bedrock. To study the soil profile, which is thesequence of natural layers, or horizons, soil scientistsexamine the soil with the aid of a soil probe. The profileextends from the surface down into the unconsolidatedmaterial in which the soil formed. The unconsolidatedmaterial is devoid of roots and other living organismsand has not been changed by other biological activity.

The soils and miscellaneous areas in the surveyarea are in an orderly pattern that is related to thegeology, landforms, relief, climate, and naturalvegetation of the area. Each kind of soil andmiscellaneous area is associated with a particular kindof landscape or segment of the landscape. Byobserving the soils and miscellaneous areas in thesurvey area and relating their position to specific

20

segments of the landscape, soil scientists develop aconcept, or model, of how they were formed.

Individual soils on the landscape merge into oneanother as their characteristics gradually change. Toconstruct an accurate soil map, however, soilscientists must determine the boundaries between thesoils. They can observe only a limited number of soilprofiles. Nevertheless, these observations,supplemented by an understanding of the soil-vegetation-landscape relationship, are sufficient toverify predictions of the kinds of soil in an area and todetermine the boundaries.

Fieldwork in Madison County consisted primarily ofsoil transects conducted by soil scientists. Soiltransects are a systematic method of sampling aspecific soil type. Soil borings are taken at regularintervals. Soil scientists then record the characteristicsof the soil profiles that they study. They note soil color,texture, size and shape of soil aggregates, kind andamount of rock fragments, distribution of plant roots,reaction, and other features that enable them toidentify soils. This information can then be used to runstatistical analyses for specific soil properties. Theresults of these analyses, along with otherobservations, enable the soil scientists to assign thesoils to taxonomic classes (units). Taxonomic classesare concepts. Each taxonomic class has a set of soilcharacteristics with precisely defined limits. Theclasses are used as a basis for comparison to classifysoils systematically. Soil taxonomy, the system oftaxonomic classification used in the United States, isbased mainly on the kind and character of soilproperties and the arrangement of horizons within theprofile. After the soil scientists classified and namedthe soils in the survey area, they compared theindividual soils with similar soils in the sametaxonomic class in other areas so that they couldconfirm data and assemble additional data based onexperience and research.

While a soil survey is in progress, samples of someof the soils in the area generally are collected forlaboratory analyses and for engineering tests. Soilscientists interpret the data from these analyses andtests as well as the field-observed characteristics andthe soil properties to determine the expected behaviorof the soils under different uses. Interpretations for allof the soils are field tested through observation of thesoils in different uses and under different levels ofmanagement. Some interpretations are modified to fitlocal conditions, and some new interpretations aredeveloped to meet local needs. Data are assembledfrom other sources, such as research information,production records, and field experience of specialists.For example, data on crop yields under defined levelsof management are assembled from farm records andfrom field or plot experiments on the same kinds ofsoil.

Predictions about soil behavior are based not onlyon soil properties but also on such variables asclimate and biological activity. Soil conditions arepredictable over long periods of time, but they are notpredictable from year to year. For example, soilscientists can predict with a fairly high degree ofaccuracy that a given soil will have a high water tablewithin certain depths in most years, but they cannotpredict that a high water table will always be at aspecific level in the soil on a specific date.

Aerial photographs used in this survey were takenin 1998. Soil scientists also studied U.S. GeologicalSurvey topographic maps (enlarged to a scale of1:12,000), orthophotographs, and infraredphotography to relate land and image features.Specific soil boundaries were drawn on theorthophotographs. Adjustments of soil boundary lineswere made to coincide with the U.S. GeologicalSurvey topographic map contour lines and tonalpatterns on aerial photographs.

21

This section relates the soils in the survey area tothe major factors of soil formation and describes thegeneral processes of soil formation. It also describesthe system of soil classification.

Factors of Soil FormationSoil forms through processes that act on deposited

geologic material. The factors of soil formation are thephysical and mineralogical composition of the parentmaterial; the climate in which the soil formed; the plantand animal life on and in the soil; the relief; and thelength of time during which the processes of soilformation have acted on the parent material (Jenny,1941).

Climate and plant and animal life are the majoractive factors of soil formation. They act directly on theparent material, either in place or after being movedfrom place to place by water, wind, or glaciers, andslowly change it into a natural body that hasgenetically related horizons. Relief modifies soilformation and can inhibit soil formation on the steepereroded slopes and in wet, depressional or nearly levelareas by controlling the moisture status of soils.Finally, time is needed for changing the parent materialinto a soil that has differentiated horizons.

The factors of soil formation are so closelyinterrelated and conditioned by each other that fewgeneralizations can be made regarding the effects ofany one factor unless the effects of the other factorsare understood.

Parent Material

Parent material is the geologic material in which asoil forms. Most of the soils of Madison County werederived from parent materials that are a direct orindirect result of glaciers. The parent materials in thissurvey area are loess, glacial till, glacial outwash,alluvium, colluvium, and lacustrine deposits. A fewsoils formed in bedrock residuum.

Loess, or wind-deposited silty material, is the mostextensive parent material in Madison County. The

loess ranges in thickness from more than 80 feet nearthe bluffs to less than 5 feet in the eastern part of thecounty. Menfro and Winfield soils are examples of soilsthat formed in loess.

Glacial till is nonstratified drift transported anddeposited directly by glacial ice with a minimum ofwater action. It is a mixture of particles of varioussizes. The small pebbles in glacial till have sharpcorners, a characteristic indicating that they have notbeen worn by water. The till is acid and firm andranges from loam to clay, depending on the degree ofweathering. Hickory soils are examples of soils thatformed in glacial till.

Glacial outwash was deposited by running waterfrom melting glaciers. The size of the particles varies,depending on the speed of the stream that carried thematerial. When the water slowed down, the coarserparticles were deposited. The finer particles werecarried a greater distance by more slowly movingwater. Negley soils are examples of soils that formedin glacial outwash.

Alluvium is material deposited by streams on theirflood plains. This material varies in texture, dependingon the speed of the water from which it was deposited.Wakeland and Birds soils formed in recent siltyalluvium along Silver Creek and its tributaries. Alluvialsoils on the flood plain along the Mississippi Riverrange from the sandy Rocher soils to the clayeyDarwin soils.

Colluvium is material moved by creep, slide, or localwash and deposited at the base of steep slopes. InMadison County, the colluvium is mainly silt loam andis at the base of the bluffs along the Mississippi Riverflood plain. Drury, Raddle, and Worthen soils formed inthis material.

Lacustrine material was deposited under still orponded glacial meltwater. The coarser material dropsout of moving water as outwash; consequently, onlythe finer material, such as silt and clay, remains tosettle out in the still water. Colp and Hurst soils formedin about 20 inches of loess or other silty materialoverlying clayey lacustrine material.

A few soils, such as Gosport soils, formed in a thin

Formation and Classification of the Soils

22 Soil Survey of

mantle of loess over material weathered from bedrock.These parent materials are not extensive and are onlyon deeply dissected side slopes in the uplands.

Climate

The climate in Madison County has significantlyaffected the soil-forming processes. Climatic factors,such as precipitation and temperature, haveinfluenced the existing plant and animal communitiesand the physical and chemical weathering of theparent material.

During the colder glacial epoch, the coldtemperatures in the soil reduced the rate of chemicalreactions in the existing soils and in the raw parentmaterial. Increased frost action, resulting from theperiglacial climate, caused frost churning in somesoils. Strong winds swept across the recentlydeposited glacial material, which was largely devoid ofvegetation, and carried away large amounts of silt-sized particles, which were later deposited as loess.When the glacial ice retreated and the climategradually warmed, deciduous forests eventuallysucceeded the boreal vegetation.

The county currently has a humid, temperateclimate, which has persisted for thousands of years. Inthis climatic environment, physical and chemicalweathering of the parent material can occur along withthe accumulation of organic matter, the decompositionof minerals, the formation and translocation of clay, theleaching of soluble compounds, and alternatingperiods of freezing and thawing.

The microclimate in a given area can affect soilformation. Pierron soils, which are in depressions orlow-lying areas, receive runoff from the higheradjacent slopes. The runoff creates a wet microclimatethat results in prolonged saturation, the reduction ofiron, and a gray subsoil.

Climate also influences the kind and extent of plantand animal life. The climate in Madison County hasfavored prairie grasses and hardwood forests. Heavyrains can harm exposed areas of soil that have beenfarmed. Spring rains and wind can cause extensiveerosion when crop residue and trees are removedfrom the surface. More soil may be lost througherosion each year than is formed by naturalprocesses.

Living Organisms

The vegetation under which a soil forms influencessoil properties, such as color, structure, reaction, andcontent and distribution of organic matter. Vegetationextracts water from the soil, recycles nutrients, and

adds organic material to the soil. Gases derived fromroot respiration combine with water to form acids thatinfluence the weathering of minerals. Because of thelower content of organic matter, soils that formedunder forest vegetation are generally lighter coloredthan those that formed under grasses.

At the time Madison County was settled, the nativevegetation consisted mainly of hardwood forests.Differences in natural soil drainage and minorvariations in the parent material have affected thecomposition of the forest species.

Bacteria, fungi, and many other micro-organismsdecompose organic material and release nutrients togrowing plants. They also influence the formation ofpeds, which are natural soil aggregates. Soilproperties, such as drainage, temperature, andreaction, influence the type of micro-organisms thatlive in the soil. Fungi are generally more active in theacid soils, and bacteria are more active in the lessacid soils.

Earthworms, insects, and small burrowing animalsmix the soil and create small channels that influencesoil aeration and the percolation of water. Earthwormshelp to incorporate crop residue or other organicmaterial into the soil. The organic matter improves tilth.In areas that are well populated with earthworms, theleaf litter that accumulates on the soil in the fall isgenerally incorporated into the soil by the followingspring. If the earthworm population is low, part of theleaf litter can remain on the surface of the soil forseveral years.

Human activities have significantly influenced soilformation. Native forests have been cleared anddeveloped for farming and other uses. Cultivation hasaccelerated erosion on sloping soils; wet soils havebeen drained; and manure, lime, chemical fertilizer,and pesticides have been applied in cultivated areas.Cultivation has affected soil structure and compactionand lowered the content of organic matter. Thedevelopment of land for urban uses or for mining hassignificantly influenced the soils in some areas.

Relief

Relief, which includes elevation and topography,influences soil formation through its effect on runoffand erosion. To a lesser extent, it also influences soiltemperature, the plant cover, depth to the water table,and the accumulation and removal of organic matter.

Because it causes differences in external soildrainage, relief can differentiate soils that formed inthe same kind of parent material. Water that runs offthe more sloping soils can collect in depressions orswales. Ruma and Pierron soils both formed in loess.

Madison County, Illinois 23

The sloping to steep Ruma soils on convex summitsand side slopes are well drained. They are in areaswhere external drainage is good. The nearly levelPierron soils are poorly drained. They are in slightdepressions that receive runoff from higher adjacentsoils, and they have poor internal drainage.

Relief varies in Madison County. On the groundmoraines in the eastern part of the county, the soilsgenerally range from nearly level on the interfluves tomoderately sloping along the drainageways. Reliefbecomes more pronounced in the western part of thecounty near the bluff. In the Mississippi River Valley,relief is nearly level to gently undulating.

Time

The length of time that the parent material has beenexposed to soil-forming processes influences thenature of the soil that forms. The youngest soils in thecounty, such as Birds, Rocher, and Wakeland soils,formed in recent alluvium. These soils can be stratifiedand have weakly expressed horizons because thesoil-forming processes are interrupted with each newdeposition.

Glaciers advanced over much of Madison Countyduring the Illinois Glaciation. Glacial deposits, in theform of loess and alluvium, from the WisconsinanGlaciation were deposited many years later. Glacialdeposits of Wisconsinan age are geologically young,yet enough time has elapsed for the initially raw parentmaterial to weather into soils that have distincthorizons. In most of these soils, including Caseyville,Menfro, and Winfield soils, carbonates have beenleached, clay has been translocated from the Ahorizon to the B horizon, and organic matter hasaccumulated in the A horizon.

Processes of Soil FormationSoil forms through complex processes. These

processes can be grouped into four generalcategories—additions, removals, transfers, andtransformations. All of these processes affect soilformation, although in differing degrees.

The accumulation of organic matter in the A horizonof the soils in Madison County is an example of anaddition. This accumulation is the main reason for thedark color of the A horizon. The color of the raw parentmaterial generally is uniform throughout.

The leaching of carbonates from the upper severalfeet in many of the deep loess soils is an example of aremoval. The parent material of these soils was initiallycalcareous, but the carbonates have been leachedfrom the soil profile by percolating water.

The translocation of clay from the A horizon to the Bhorizon in many soils on uplands in the county is anexample of a transfer. The A horizon (or an E horizon)is a zone of eluviation, or loss. The B horizon is a zoneof illuviation, or gain. In Marine, Winfield, and othersoils, the B horizon has more clay than the parentmaterial and the A horizon has less clay. In the Bhorizon of some soils, faint to prominent clay films arein pores and on faces of peds.

An example of a transformation is the reduction andsolubilization of ferrous iron. This process takes placeunder wet, saturated conditions in which there is alack of molecular oxygen. Gleying, or the reduction ofiron, is evident in Ambraw, Beaucoup, and Pierronsoils, which have a dominantly gray subsoil. The graycolor indicates the presence of reduced ferrous iron,which, in turn, implies wetness. Reduced iron issoluble, but it commonly has been removed shortdistances in the soils, stopping either in the horizonwhere it originated or in an underlying horizon. Part ofthis iron can be reoxidized and segregated in the formof stains, masses, nodules, concretions, or brightyellow and red concentrations (formerly calledmottles).

Classification of the SoilsThe system of soil classification used by the

National Cooperative Soil Survey has six categories(Soil Survey Staff, 1999). Beginning with the broadest,these categories are the order, suborder, great group,subgroup, family, and series. Classification is based onsoil properties observed in the field or inferred fromthose observations or from laboratory measurements.Table 3 shows the classification of the soils in thesurvey area. The categories are defined in thefollowing paragraphs.

ORDER. Twelve soil orders are recognized. Thedifferences among orders reflect the dominant soil-forming processes and the degree of soil formation.Each order is identified by a word ending in sol. Anexample is Mollisol.

SUBORDER. Each order is divided into subordersprimarily on the basis of properties that influence soilgenesis and are important to plant growth orproperties that reflect the most important variableswithin the orders. The last syllable in the name of asuborder indicates the order. An example is Aquoll(Aqu, meaning water, plus oll, from Mollisol).

GREAT GROUP. Each suborder is divided intogreat groups on the basis of close similarities in kind,arrangement, and degree of development ofpedogenic horizons; soil moisture and temperatureregimes; type of saturation; and base status. Each

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great group is identified by the name of a suborderand by a prefix that indicates a property of the soil. Anexample is Endoaquolls (Endo, referring toendosaturation, plus aquoll, the suborder of theMollisols that has an aquic moisture regime).

SUBGROUP. Each great group has a typicsubgroup. Other subgroups are intergrades orextragrades. The typic subgroup is the central conceptof the great group; it is not necessarily the mostextensive. Intergrades are transitions to other orders,suborders, or great groups. Extragrades have someproperties that are not representative of the greatgroup but do not indicate transitions to any otherknown kind of soil. Each subgroup is identified by oneor more adjectives preceding the name of the greatgroup. An example is Fluvaquentic Endoaquolls.

FAMILY. Families are established within asubgroup on the basis of physical and chemical

properties and other characteristics that affectmanagement. Generally, the properties are those ofhorizons below plow depth where there is muchbiological activity. Among the properties andcharacteristics considered are particle size, mineralcontent, soil temperature regime, thickness of the rootzone, consistence, moisture equivalent, and reaction.A family name consists of the name of a subgrouppreceded by terms that indicate soil properties. Anexample is fine-silty, mixed, superactive, mesicFluvaquentic Endoaquolls.

SERIES. The series consists of soils within afamily that have horizons similar in color, texture,structure, reaction, consistence, mineral and chemicalcomposition, and arrangement in the profile. Thetexture of the surface layer or of the substratum candiffer within a series. An example is the Beaucoupseries.

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In this section, arranged in alphabetical order, eachsoil series recognized in the survey area is described.Each series description is followed by descriptions ofthe associated detailed soil map units.

Characteristics of the soil and the material in whichit formed are identified for each soil series. A pedon, asmall three-dimensional area of soil, that is typical ofthe series in the survey area is described. The detaileddescription of each soil horizon follows standards inthe “Soil Survey Manual” (Soil Survey Division Staff,1993). Many of the technical terms used in thedescriptions are defined in “Soil Taxonomy” (SoilSurvey Staff, 1999) and in “Keys to Soil Taxonomy”(Soil Survey Staff, 1998). Unless otherwise stated,colors in the descriptions are for moist soil. Followingthe pedon description is the range of importantcharacteristics of the soils in the series.

The map units on the detailed soil maps in thissurvey represent the soils or miscellaneous areas inthe survey area. The map unit descriptions in thissection, along with the maps, can be used todetermine the suitability and potential of a unit forspecific uses. They also can be used to plan themanagement needed for those uses. More informationabout each map unit is given under the headings “Useand Management of the Soils” and “Soil Properties.”

A map unit delineation on a soil map represents anarea dominated by one or more major kinds of soil ormiscellaneous areas. A map unit is identified andnamed according to the taxonomic classification of thedominant soils. Within a taxonomic class there areprecisely defined limits for the properties of the soils.On the landscape, however, the soils are naturalphenomena, and they have the characteristicvariability of all natural phenomena. Thus, the range ofsome observed properties may extend beyond thelimits defined for a taxonomic class. Areas of soils of asingle taxonomic class rarely, if ever, can be mappedwithout including areas of other taxonomic classes.Consequently, every map unit is made up of the soilsor miscellaneous areas for which it is named andsome minor components that belong to taxonomicclasses other than those of the major soils.

Most minor soils have properties similar to those ofthe dominant soil or soils in the map unit, and thus

they do not affect use and management. These arecalled noncontrasting, or similar, components. Theymay or may not be mentioned in a particular map unitdescription. Other minor components, however, haveproperties and behavioral characteristics divergentenough to affect use or to require differentmanagement. These are called contrasting, ordissimilar, components. They generally are in smallareas and could not be mapped separately because ofthe scale used. Some small areas of stronglycontrasting soils or miscellaneous areas are identifiedby a special symbol on the maps. The contrastingcomponents are mentioned in the map unitdescriptions. A few areas of minor components maynot have been observed, and consequently they arenot mentioned in the descriptions, especially wherethe pattern was so complex that it was impractical tomake enough observations to identify all the soils andmiscellaneous areas on the landscape.

The presence of minor components in a map unit inno way diminishes the usefulness or accuracy of thedata. The objective of mapping is not to delineate puretaxonomic classes but rather to separate thelandscape into landforms or landform segments thathave similar use and management requirements. Thedelineation of such segments on the map providessufficient information for the development of resourceplans. If intensive use of small areas is planned,however, onsite investigation is needed to define andlocate the soils and miscellaneous areas.

An identifying symbol precedes the map unit namein the map unit descriptions. Each description includesgeneral facts about the unit and gives some of the soilproperties and qualities that may affect planning forspecific uses.

Soils that have profiles that are almost alike makeup a soil series. Except for differences in texture of thesurface layer, all the soils of a series have majorhorizons that are similar in composition, thickness,and arrangement.

Soils of one series can differ in texture of thesurface layer, slope, stoniness, salinity, degree oferosion, and other characteristics that affect their use.On the basis of such differences, a soil series isdivided into soil phases. Most of the areas shown on

Soil Series and Detailed Soil Map Units

26 Soil Survey of

the soil maps are phases of soil series. The name of asoil phase commonly indicates a feature that affectsuse or management. For example, Homen silt loam, 5to 10 percent slopes, eroded, is a phase of the Homenseries.

Some map units are made up of two or more majorsoils. These map units are called complexes. Acomplex consists of two or more soils in such anintricate pattern or in such small areas that theycannot be shown separately on the maps. The patternand proportion of the soils are somewhat similar in allareas. Sylvan-Bold silt loams, 18 to 35 percent slopes,eroded, is an example.

This survey includes miscellaneous areas. Suchareas have little or no soil material and support little orno vegetation. The map unit Pits, quarries, is anexample.

Table 4 gives the acreage and proportionate extentof each map unit. Other tables (see Contents) giveproperties of the soils and the limitations, capabilities,and potentials for many uses. The Glossary definesmany of the terms used in describing the soils ormiscellaneous areas.

Ambraw Series

Taxonomic classification: Fine-loamy, mixed,superactive, mesic Fluvaquentic Endoaquolls

Typical Pedon

Ambraw silty clay loam, on a nearly level flood plain ina cultivated field, at an elevation of about 385 feetabove mean sea level; about 2 miles southeast ofFults, in Monroe County, Illinois; approximately 2,000feet northwest of field lane and 150 feet northeast ofrailroad tracks; T. 4 S., R. 10 W.; USGS Renault,Illinois, topographic quadrangle; lat. 38 degrees 08minutes 27 seconds N. and long. 90 degrees 10minutes 47 seconds W., NAD 27:

Ap—0 to 11 inches; very dark gray (10YR 3/1) siltyclay loam, dark gray (10YR 4/1) dry; moderatemedium granular structure; friable; common fineroots; 36 percent clay and 19 percent sand;slightly acid; abrupt smooth boundary.

Bg1—11 to 15 inches; dark gray (10YR 4/1) clay;moderate medium prismatic structure parting tomoderate fine subangular blocky; firm; few fineroots; common fine prominent dark brown (7.5YR3/4) masses of iron accumulation in the matrix; 41percent clay and 24 percent sand; neutral; clearsmooth boundary.

Bg2—15 to 21 inches; dark gray (10YR 4/1) clay loam;moderate medium prismatic structure parting to

moderate fine subangular blocky; friable; few veryfine roots; common fine prominent strong brown(7.5YR 4/6) masses of iron accumulation in thematrix; 38 percent clay and 28 percent sand;neutral; clear smooth boundary.

Bg3—21 to 25 inches; gray (10YR 5/1) clay loam;moderate medium prismatic structure parting tomoderate fine subangular blocky; friable; few veryfine roots; common distinct very dark gray (10YR3/1) organic coatings on faces of peds; commonfine prominent strong brown (7.5YR 4/6) massesof iron accumulation in the matrix; 30 percent clayand 43 percent sand; neutral; clear smoothboundary.

Bg4—25 to 34 inches; gray (10YR 5/1) sandy clayloam; weak medium prismatic structure parting tomoderate fine subangular blocky; very friable; fewvery fine roots; common distinct very dark gray(10YR 3/1) organic coatings on faces of peds;common fine prominent strong brown (7.5YR 4/6)and few fine distinct yellowish brown (10YR 5/4)masses of iron accumulation in the matrix; 20percent clay and 59 percent sand; neutral; clearsmooth boundary.

BCg—34 to 42 inches; dark grayish brown (10YR 4/2)fine sandy loam; weak medium prismatic structureparting to moderate fine subangular blocky; veryfriable; few very fine roots; common fineprominent yellowish brown (10YR 5/6) masses ofiron accumulation in the matrix; 13 percent clayand 69 percent sand; neutral; clear smoothboundary.

CBg1—42 to 54 inches; gray (10YR 5/1) loam; weakmedium prismatic structure parting to weakmedium subangular blocky; very friable; few veryfine roots; many coarse prominent yellowish brown(10YR 5/8) masses of iron accumulation in thematrix; 11 percent clay and 50 percent sand;neutral; clear smooth boundary.

CBg2—54 to 60 inches; gray (10YR 5/1) silt loam;weak medium prismatic structure parting to weakmedium subangular blocky; friable; few very fineroots; common fine prominent yellowish brown(10YR 5/8) masses of iron accumulation in thematrix; 21 percent clay and 8 percent sand;neutral.

Range in Characteristics

Depth to the base of soil development: Typically 40 to50 inches but ranges to more than 60 inches

Thickness of the mollic epipedon: 10 to 24 inchesTexture of the particle-size control section: Averages

between 24 and 35 percent clay and between 15and 50 percent fine sand or coarser

Madison County, Illinois 27

Depth to carbonates (if they occur): More than 50inches

Other features: Some pedons have an AB or a BAhorizon.

Ap or A horizon:Hue—10YRValue—2 or 3 (3 to 5 dry)Chroma—1 or 2Texture—clay loam or silty clay loam

Bg horizon, upper part:Hue—10YR or 2.5YValue—3 or 4Chroma—1 or 2Texture—clay, clay loam, or loam

Bg horizon, lower part:Hue—10YR, 2.5Y, 5Y, or NValue—4 to 6Chroma—0 to 2Texture—clay loam, loam, or sandy clay loam

BCg, CBg, or Cg horizon (if it occurs):Hue—10YR, 2.5Y, 5Y, or NValue—4 or 5Chroma—0 to 2Texture—clay loam, sandy clay loam, sandy loam,

or loam; commonly contains strata of loam,sandy loam, silt loam, or loamy sand

8302A—Ambraw silty clay loam, 0 to 2percent slopes, occasionally flooded

Setting

Landform: Flood plains

Soil Properties and Qualities

Drainage class: Poorly drainedDominant parent material: Loamy alluviumFlooding frequency: Occasional

Map Unit Composition

Ambraw and similar soils: 85 percentDissimilar soils: 15 percent

Minor Components

Similar soils:• Soils that have a thicker dark surface layer than thatof the Ambraw soil• Soils that contain more silt and less sand in theupper part of the subsoil than the Ambraw soil• Soils that contain more sand in the subsoil than theAmbraw soil

Dissimilar soils:• The somewhat poorly drained Nameoki and Shafftonsoils in the higher landform positions• Small areas of very poorly drained soils in undraineddepressions

Arenzville Series

Taxonomic classification: Coarse-silty, mixed,superactive, nonacid, mesic Typic Udifluvents

Typical Pedon

Arenzville silt loam, in a nearly level area in acultivated field, at an elevation of about 390 feet abovemean sea level; about 2 miles west of Modoc, inRandolph County, Illinois; approximately 1,500 feetwest of Bluff Road and 50 feet north of field lane; T. 5S., R. 9 W.; USGS Prairie du Rocher, Illinois-Missouri,topographic quadrangle; lat. 38 degrees 03 minutes 55seconds N. and long. 90 degrees 03 minutes 58seconds W., NAD 27:

Ap—0 to 9 inches; brown (10YR 4/3) silt loam, palebrown (10YR 6/3) dry; weak fine granularstructure; very friable; many very fine roots;slightly acid; clear smooth boundary.

C1—9 to 22 inches; brown (10YR 4/3) silt loam;massive; very friable; common very fine roots;slightly acid; clear smooth boundary.

C2—22 to 31 inches; brown (10YR 4/3) silt loam;massive; friable; few very fine roots; common finefaint grayish brown (10YR 5/2) iron depletions inthe matrix; few fine irregular strong brown (7.5YR4/6) masses of iron-manganese accumulation inthe matrix; slightly acid; clear smooth boundary.

Ab1—31 to 44 inches; very dark brown (10YR 2/2) siltloam; moderate fine subangular blocky structure;friable; few very fine roots; common fine faintbrown (10YR 4/3) masses of iron accumulation inthe matrix and common fine prominent darkreddish brown (5YR 3/3) masses of ironaccumulation on faces of peds; few fine irregularstrong brown (7.5YR 4/6) masses of iron-manganese accumulation; neutral; gradual smoothboundary.

Ab2—44 to 56 inches; very dark brown (10YR 2/2) siltloam; weak fine subangular blocky structure;friable; few very fine roots; few fine irregular strongbrown (7.5YR 4/6) masses of iron-manganeseaccumulation; neutral; gradual smooth boundary.

Bwb—56 to 70 inches; brown (10YR 4/3) silty clayloam; weak medium subangular blocky structure;friable; common fine faint grayish brown (10YR

28 Soil Survey of

5/2) iron depletions and few fine distinct yellowishbrown (10YR 5/6) masses of iron accumulation inthe matrix; few fine irregular strong brown (7.5YR4/6) masses of iron-manganese accumulation;neutral.

Range in Characteristics

Depth to the Ab horizon: 20 to 60 inchesContent of clay in the particle-size control section:

Averages between 10 and 18 percentReaction: Moderately acid to slightly alkalineDepth to carbonates (if they occur): More than 60

inches

Ap or A horizon:Hue—10YRValue—3 to 5 (6 or 7 dry)Chroma—2 or 3Texture—silt loam

C horizon:Hue—10YRValue—3 to 5Chroma—2 to 4Te