HomeMy WebLinkAboutWetland Classification, Ident.,delineation-2011 � r
125 Turnham Rd.
Orono, MN
Wetland Classification, Identification, and
Delineation Report
Prepared for:
Joy& Phillip Asao
By:
Svoboda Ecological Resources
Project Number 2011-015
August 15, 2011
The contents and format of this report are considered intellectual property and
are subject to copyright restrictions and may not be reproduced without
the express permission of Svoboda Ecological Resources.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
ABSTRACT.....................................................................................................................1
INTRODUCTION............................................................................................................1
METHODS.......................................................................................................................l
RESULTS.........................................................................................................................2
DISCUSSION...................................................................................................................3
RECOMMENDATIONS4
..................................................................................................
CERTIFICATION ............................................................................................................5
DATA SOURCES
LITERATURE CITED .....................................................................................................7
FULL FIGURE SET:
Figure 1: Location of Site Overlaid on USGS Topographic Map
Figure 2: National Wetlands Inventory
Figure 3: Web Soil Survey-Hennepin County
Figure 4: DNR-Protected Waters Map
Figure 5: Approximate Wetland Boundary and Sample Transect Location
THE TECHNICAL DOCUMENTATION SECTION:
Field Data Sheets
Plant Indicator Status
Soil Series Data
Wetland Definition
PHOTO LOG
t f
ABSTRACT
Svoboda Ecological Resources (SER) visited the above referenced property on July 13, 2011 to
examine the site for the presence of areas meeting wetland criteria. The study parcel is located
within the City of Orono, Hennepin County Minnesota, (Figure 1). One wetland boundary was
delineated at this site. One sample transect was established along the boundary in order to
characterize the soil, vegetation, and existing hydrology within the wetland-to-upland transition
zone.
INTRODUCTION
The subject area is made up of two parcels that total approximately 2 acres in size. A vacant
single-family home is present on the western parcel at its southwest corner and is dominated by
grasses at the central portion with hardwood trees and wetland existing at its outer fringes. The
eastern parcel is dominated by hardwood forest with wetland area encroaching from the north.
The subject area, as a whole, has a moderately steep hill that declines at about 30 percent to the
north toward the wetland area and levels out at its base. The surrounding land use consists
mostly of single-family homes on multi-acre lots. The identified wetland was classified
according to the Cowardin et al., the Circular 39 and the Eggers and Reed classification systems
and marked with pink "Wetland Delineation" pin flags. The Please find within the Technical
Documentation Section; field data sheets, plant indicator status information, soil survey
information, and wetland definition information.
METHODS
The methods used to delineate the subject parcel are as described in the 1987 US Army Corps of
Engineers Wetlands Delineation Manual and the 2010 Midwest Regional Supplement Manual.
In the 1987 Manual, the methods used were described under the "routine" methods for wetland
sites less than 5 acres. This methodology is followed in order to assess whether the three
parameters of a wetland are met for areas on the subject parcel. The three parameters required
under normal circumstances in order to delineate a wetland are described in the Technical
Documentation Section.
The Midwest Regional Supplement Wetland Delineation Manual is also being utilized to
increase the accuracy of our wetland boundaries. This addendum to the original 87 Manual was
created to address the many regional differences that affect wetlands and the delineation methods
used throughout the country. The following explanations are passages from that document.
"This Regional Supplement is part of a nationwide effort to address regional
wetland characteristics and improve the accuracy and efficiency of wetland-
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delineation procedures. Regional differences in climate, geology, soils,
hydrology plant and animal communities, and other factors are important to the
identification and functioning of wetlands. These differences cannot be
considered adequately in a single national manual. The development of this
supplement follows National Academy of Sciences recommendations to increase
the regional sensitivity of wetland-delineation methods (National Research
Council 1995). The intent of this supplement is to bring the Corps Manual up to
date with current knowledge and practice in the region and not to change
wetland boundaries." "...This Regional Supplement is designed for use with the
current version of the Corps Manual (Environmental Laboratory 1987) and all
subsequent versions. Where differences in the two documents occur, this
Regional Supplement takes precedence over the Corps Manual for applications
in the Midwest Region."
National Wetland Inventory (NWI) maps (Figure 2), Web Soil Survey of Orono and Hennepin
County maps (Figure 3), Minnesota Protected Waters maps (Figure 4), and 2010 aerial
photographs were reviewed prior to the site visit to identify areas that may be wetlands. Areas
illustrating evidence of wetland conditions were examined in greater detail during the field
survey. Vegetation, soils and hydrology were examined (as outlined in the 1987 Manual) and
used to characterize wetland types and determine wetland boundaries. A sample transect was
established in a representative wetland-to-upland transition zone in order to characterize the
vegetation, soils, and hydrology of the site. Transect consisted of a representative upland sample
point and a representative wetland sample point. Information obtained from the sample points
can be found on the field data sheets located in the Technical Documentation Section.
Wetland boundaries were marked at the site by pink "Wetland Delineation" pin flags. The
wetland boundary is considered to be the topographically highest extent of the wetland basin;
areas below the staked boundary met the three required wetland criteria while areas above were
lacking in one or more of these criteria. Wetland classification followed methods described by
Cowardin et al. (1979) and used in the NWI (e.g. PEMB, PSS1C, etc.), completed by the U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service. The Circular 39 and Eggers and Reed classification systems are also
given. The indicator status of plants, as described in the Technical Documentation Section, was
determined using the National List of Plant Species That Occur in Wetlands — Region 3 (Sabine
1999).
RESULTS
Background Information-(Office-Based Investigation)
The NWI map (Mound Quadrangle) technically illustrates one PEMC National Wetland
Inventory wetland partially present within the property boundary(Figure 2).
The Web Soil Survey of Orono and Hennepin County classifies three mapped soil complexes
present on the subject property (Figure 3). The Lester-Kilkenny complex was classified as non-
hydric, while the Hamel, overwash-Hamel and Houghton and Muskego soils, depressional
complexes were classified as hydric. Soil series descriptions are given in the Technical
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Documentation Section.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, State Protected Waters Map (Public Water
Inventory), indicates no Public Waters present within the property boundary(Figure 4).
Site Visit
SER ecologists examined the subject property for areas meeting jurisdictional wetland criteria
during the site visit. One wetland meeting the jurisdictional criteria of a wetland, for which a
boundary was determined and delineated, was flagged. The approximate wetland boundary is
outlined in yellow (Figure 5). Wetland 1 consists of two areas that are connected but a culvert.
The connecting area is called Wetland IA but exists as part of Wetland 1 as a whole given that
they both exhibit the same wetland characteristics and are connected hydrologically.
Wetland 1 is located at the northern edge of the property. Dominant vegetation within Wetland 1
was reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea, FACW) closer to the wetland edge, while broad-
leaf cattail (Typha latifolia, OBL) and hummock sedge (Carex stricta, OBL) were observed
further within the interior of the basin.
The vegetation transition zone along Sample Transect 1-1 started with a dominance of Kentucky
blue grass (Poa pratensis, FAC) at Sample Point (SP) 1-1 WET and several other hydrophytic
and non-dominants equaling about 80 percent coverage, with the remaining area exhibiting bare
soil. The transition to upland yielded a greater dominance of Kentucky blue grass at 70 percent
along with other FAC and FACU non-dominants. Total coverage of vegetation was 92 percent at
the upland point.
Soils at SP 1-1 WET were black silty clay loam down to 13 inches with many prominent redox
features (F6). From 13 to 25 inches the matrix color was the same as the above stratum without
the redox features and with a change in texture to clay.
Soils at SP 1-1 UP were black clay down to 26 inches without any redox or depletions present.
A water table was noted at 10 inches below the soil surface at the wetland sample point along
with saturation at the surface. Oxidized rhizospheres on living roots were also noted down to 6
inches below the surface. The upland sample point exhibited no hydrology indicators.
Wetland Type
SER delineated Wetland 1 as a Type 3,PEMC, Shallow Marsh wetland.
DISCUSSION
SER completed all on-site delineations based on the three required technical criteria as outlined
by the 1987 Manual: the presence of hydric soils, a predominance of hydrophytic vegetation, and
Svoboda Ecological Resources 125 Turnham Road
Project No.:2011-015 3 Philip&Joy Asao
indicators of wetland hydrology in each basin. The site visit portion of the wetland delineation
was completed on July 13, 2011.
SER personnel examined the subject property for areas meeting jurisdictional wetland criteria
during the site visit and delineated the edge of one basin as being jurisdictional wetland (Figure
5). Detailed soils, vegetation and hydrology data for Wetland 1 is provided in the data sheets of
The Technical Documentation Section.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Activities which impact or potentially impact wetlands are currently regulated at several levels of
government. In Minnesota, the two primary jurisdictions are covered at the state and federal
levels by the provisions of the following legislative actions.
➢ State jurisdiction by the Wetland Conservation Act of 1991 (WCA) administered
by the WCA Local Governmental Unit(LGU).
➢ Federal jurisdiction by the Clean Water Act of 1972 and subsequent amendments.
Wetland protection is implemented by the Corps of Engineers(Corps)with permit
certification issued by the Environmental Protection Agency.
While the wetland boundaries that SER has delineated are not official until approved by a WCA
approved local government unit (LGU), SER advises the property owner/developer to refrain
from any filling, draining, or excavating, or any impact to the area SER has delineated as
wetland. No grading or filling in wetland basins should commence until all necessary permits
have been obtained. Violation of wetland regulations has resulted in substantial civil and
criminal penalties. Local ordinances may regulate wetland modifications such as brush and tree
removal and burning in addition to grading and filling. Depending on the location of the
property, buffers around the wetland may also be protected. Any activities in the proximity of
the wetland should be cleared with appropriate WCA regulatory agencies. It is also advisable to
have the wetland boundary surveyed by a licensed land surveyor. Since the pin flags used along
the boundary can be vandalized or inadvertently knocked over, a GPS survey of the flags will
assure the permanence of the boundary. The client should also be aware that approved wetland
boundaries are typically valid for only three years from the date of approval.
To avoid project delays associated with wetland regulations, it is essential that you acquire
necessary permits from all jurisdictional agencies before continuing activities. A WCA
Sequencing form, a WCA and Army Corps of Engineers Replacement Plan Application form,
and a DNR permit application are among the materials that you may be required to submit if
impacts are proposed for the delineated wetlands. By initiating the permit process as soon as
possible,potential costly delays to the project may be avoided.
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Project No.:2011-015 4 Philip&Joy Asao
CERTIFICATION
Brian Burgner completed the above-described delineation on July 13, 2011. This delineation was
performed according to the procedures described by the US Army Corps of Engineers in the
1987 Wetlands Delineation Manual and the 2010 Midwest Region Supplement Wetland
Delineation Manual. The delineation meets the standards and a criterion described in these
manuals and conforms to the applicable standards and regulations in force at the time the
delineation was completed.
Report and graphics were prepared by Brian Burgner(Wetland Ecologist II) on this day, August
15, 2011.
Client: Phillip &Joy Asao
Project Name: 125 Turnham
Project No.: 2011-015
Location: Orono,Minnesota
Ecologist II
Wetland Delineator-Certified# 1124
President, Svoboda Ecological Resources
August 15, 2011
Date
125 Turnham Road
Svoboda Ecological Resources Philip&Joy Asao
Project No.:2011-015 5
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DATA SOURCES
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Protected Waters Inventory Map, Hennepin
County. 1985, Revised 1996.
United States Fish and Wildlife Service National Wetland Inventory Map—Mound Quadrangle.
1991. (Taken from May 1980 aerial photographs).
USGS 1991-2010 Aerial Color Photos. Publicly Distributed Over the Land Management
Information Center(LMIC) Website.
USGS Quadrangle Map—Mound 7.5-Minute Quadrangle, Minnesota, U.S.A.
Web Soil Survey(n.d.). Orono, Hennepin County, MN. Retrieved from
http://websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov/app/HomePage.htm
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LITERATURE REFERENCED
Cowardin, L.M., V. Carter, F.C. Golet, and R.T. LaRoe. 1979. Classification of Wetlands and
Deepwater Habitats of the United States. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, FWS/OBS-79/31.
103pp.
Eggers, Steve D. and Donald M. Reed. 1997. Wetland Plants and Plant Communities of
Minnesota and Wisconsin. US Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District. 263pp,unclassified.
Environmental Laboratory. 1987. 1987 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Wetlands Delineation
Manual. Technical Report Y-87-1, US Army Engineer Waterways Experiment Station,
Vicksburg, Mississippi.
Gleason, H.A. and A.C. Cronquist. 1991. Manual of Vascular Plants of Northeastern United
States and Adjacent Canada. New York Botanical Garden, Bronx. 91 Opp.
Sabine, B. J. 1999. National List of Plant Species that Occur in Wetlands: Region 3—North
Central(Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Wisconsin). Resource
Management Group, Inc. 77pp.
Shaw, S.P., and C.G. Fredine. 1956. Wetlands of the United States. U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, Circular 39. 67pp.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. 2010. Interim Regional Supplement to the Corps of Engineers
Wetland Delineation Manual: Midwest Region. ed. J.S. Wakeley, R.W. Lichvar, and C.V.
Nobel. ERDC/EL TR-10-16. Vicksburg, MS: US Army Engineer Research and Development
Center.
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Project No.:2011-015 7 Philip&Joy Asao
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THE TECHNICAL DOCUMENTATION SECTION
Field Data Sheets
WETLAND DETERMINATION DATA FORM- Midwest Region
Project/Site 125 Turnham Road City/County: Orono/Hennepin Sampling Date: 7-13-11
Applicant/Owner: PHILIP R&JOY A ASAO State: MN Sampling Point: SP 1-1 UP
Investigator(s): BKB >ection,Township,Range: Sec.31,T118N,R23W
Landform(hillslope,terrace,etc.): relatively flat Local relief(concave,convex,none): none
Slope(%): 1 Lat: 44.981 Long: 93.6324 Datum: NAD 83
Soil Map Unit Nam(Lester-Kilkenny complex IWI Classification: None
Are climatic/hydrologic conditions of the site typical for this time of the year? Y (If no,explain in remarks)
Are vegetation soil or hydrology significantly disturbed? Are"normal circumstances"
Are vegetation soil or hydrology naturally problematic? present? Yes
SUMMARY OF FINDINGS (If needed,explain any answers in remarks.)
Hydrophytic vegetation present? Y
Hydric soil present? N Is the sampled area within a wetlar N
Wetland hydrology present? N yes,optional wetland site ID:
Remarks:(Explain alternative procedures here or in a separate report.)
VEGETATION --Use scientific names of plants.
Absolute t Indicator Dominance Test Worksheet
Tree Stratum (Plot size: ) %Cover Species Staus Number of Dominant Species
1 that are OBL,FACW,or FAC: 1 (A)
2 Total Number of Dominant
3 Species Across all Strata: 1 (B)
4 Percent of Dominant Species
5 that are OBL,FACW,or FAC: 100.00% (A/B)
0 =Total Cover
Sapling/Shrub stratun (Plot size: ) Prevalence Index Worksheet
1 Total%Cover of:
2 OBL species 0 x 1 = 0
3 FACW species 0 x 2= 0
4 FAC species 80 x 3= 240
5 FACU species 12 x 4= 48
0 =Total Cover UPL species 0 x 5= 0
Herb stratum (Plot size: ) Column totals 92 (A) 288 (B)
1 Poa pratensis 70 Y FAC Prevalence Index=B/A= 3.13
2 Plantago major 10 N FAC
3 Glechoma hederacea 10 N FACU Hydrophytic Vegetation Indicators:
4 Taraxacum officinale 2 N FACU _Rapid test for hydrophytic vegetation
5 X Dominance test is>50%
6 _Prevalence index is 53.0*
7 Morphogical adaptations*(provide
8 supporting data in Remarks or on a
9 separate sheet)
10 Problematic hydrophytic vegetation*
92 =Total Cover (explain)
Woody vine stratum (Plot size: )
*Indicators of hydric soil and wetland hydrology must be
1 present,unless disturbed or problematic
2 myoropnytic
0 =Total Cover vegetation
present? Y
Remarks:(Include photo numbers here or on a separate sheet)
US Amy Corps of Engineers Midwest Region
SOIL Sampling Point: SP 1-1 UP
Profile Description: (Describe to the depth needed to document the indicator or confirm the absence of indicators.)
Depth Matrix Redox Features
(Inches) Color(moist) % Color(moist) % Type* Loc** Texture Remarks
0-26 N 2.5/0 Clay
*Type:C=Concentration,D=Depletion,RM=Reduced Matrix,MS=Masked Sand Grains. **Location:PL=Pore Lining,M=Matrix
Hydric Soil Indicators: Indicators for Problematic Hydric Soils:
_Histisol(Al) _Sandy Gleyed Matrix(S4) _Coast Prairie Redox(All 6)(LRR K,L,R)
_Histic Epipedon(A2) _Sandy Redox(S5) _Dark Surface(S7)(LRR K,L)
_Black Histic(A3) _Stripped Matrix(S6) _5 cm Mucky Peat or Peat(S3)(LRR K,L,R)
_Hydrogen Sulfide(A4) _Loamy Mucky Mineral(F1) _Iron-Manganese Masses(F12)(LRR K,L,R)
_Stratified Layers(A5) _Loamy Gleyed Matrix(F2) _Very Shallow Dark Surface(TF12)
2 cm Muck(A10) _Depleted Matrix(F3) _Other(explain in remarks)
_Depleted Below Dark Surface(A11) _Redox Dark Surface(F6)
_Thick Dark Surface(Al2) Depleted Dark Surface(F7) *Indicators of hydrophytic vegetation and weltand
_Sandy Mucky Mineral(S1) _Redox Depressions(F8) hydrology must be present,unless disturbed or
5 cm Mucky Peat or Peat(S3) problematic
Restrictive Layer(if observed):
Type: Hydric soil present? N
Depth(inches):
Remarks:
HYDROLOGY
Wetland Hydrology Indicators:
Primary Indicators(minimum of one is required:check all that apply) Secondary Indicators(minimum of two required)
Surface Water(Al) _Aquatic Fauna(B13) _Surface Soil Cracks(66)
High Water Table(A2) _True Aquatic Plants(614) _Drainage Patterns(B10)
Saturation(A3) _Hydrogen Sulfide Odor(Cl) _Dry-Season Water Table(C2)
Water Marks(131) Oxidized Rhizospheres on Living Roots _Crayfish Burrows(C8)
Sediment Deposits(62) (C3) _Saturation Visible on Aerial Imagery(C9)
Drift Deposits(63) Presence of Reduced Iron(C4) _Stunted or Stressed Plants(D1)
Algal Mat or Crust(134) Recent Iron Reduction in Tilled Soils Geomorphic Position(D2)
Iron Deposits(135) (C6) _FAC-Neutral Test(D5)
Inundation Visible on Aerial Imagery(67) _Thin Muck Surface(C7)
Sparsely Vegetated Concave Surface(68) _Gauge or Well Data(D9)
Water-Stained Leaves(69) _Other(Explain in Remarks)
Field servation:
Surface water present? Yes No X Depth(inches): Wetiand
Water table present? Yes No X Depth(inches): hydrology
Saturation present? Yes No __7'_Depth(inches): present? N
(includes capillary fringe)
Describe recorded data(stream gauge,monitoring well,aerial photos,previous inspections),if available:
Remarks:
No water after observing borhole fore 30 minutes.
US Army Corps of Engineers Midwest Region
i
WETLAND DETERMINATION DATA FORM- Midwest Region
Project/Site 125 Turnham Road City/County: Orono/Hennepin Sampling Date: 7-13-11
Applicant/Owner: PHILIP R&JOY A ASAO State: MN Sampling Point: SP 1-1 WET
Investigator(s): BKB vection,Township,Range: Sec.31,T1 18N,R23W
Landform(hillslope,terrace,etc.): toeslope Local relief(concave,convex,none): concave
Slope(%): 0.5 Lat: 44.981 Long: 93.6324 Datum: NAD 83
Soil Map Unit Name Lester-Kilkenny complex JWI Classification: None
Are climatic/hydrologic conditions of the site typical for this time of the year? Y (If no,explain in remarks)
Are vegetation soil or hydrology significantly disturbed? Are"normal circumstances"
Are vegetation soil or hydrology naturally problematic? present? Yes
SUMMARY OF FINDINGS (If needed,explain any answers in remarks.)
Hydrophytic vegetation present? Y
Hydric soil present? Y Is the sampled area within a wetlar Y
Wetland hydrology present? Y yes,optional wetland site ID:
Remarks:(Explain alternative procedures here or in a separate report.)
VEGETATION -- Use scientific names of plants.
Absolute t Indicator Dominance Test Worksheet
Tree Stratum (Plot size: ) %Cover Species Staus Number of Dominant Species
1 that are OBL,FACW,or FAC: 1 (A)
2 Total Number of Dominant
3 Species Across all Strata: 1 (B)
4 Percent of Dominant Species
5 that are OBL,FACW,or FAC: 100.00% (A/B)
0 =Total Cover
Sapling/Shrub stratun (Plot size: ) Prevalence Index Worksheet
1 Total%Cover of:
2 OBL species 10 x 1 = 10
3 FACW species 20 x2= 40
4 FAC species 50 x 3= 150
5 FACU species 0 x 4= 0
0 =Total Cover UPL species 0 x 5= 0
Herb stratum (Plot size: ) Column totals 80 (A) 200 (B)
1 Poa pratensis 45 Y FAC Prevalence Index=B/A= 2.50
2 Carex lacustris 10 N OBL
3 Phalaris arundinacea 10 N FACW Hydrophytic Vegetation Indicators:
4 Impatiens capensis 10 N FACW _Rapid test for hydrophytic vegetation
5 Plantago major 5 N FAC X Dominance test is>50%
6 X Prevalence index is 53.0'
7 Morphogical adaptations'(provide
8 supporting data in Remarks or on a
9 —separate sheet)
10 Problematic hydrophytic vegetation`
80 =Total Cover _(explain)
Woody vine stratum (Plot size: )
Indicators of hydric soil and wetland hydrology must be
1 present,unless disturbed or problematic
2 Hydrophytic
0 =Total Cover vegetation
present? Y
Remarks:(Include photo numbers here or on a separate sheet)
US Amy Corps of Engineers Midwest Region
SOIL Sampling Point: SP 1-1 WET
Profile Description: (Describe to the depth needed to document the indicator or confirm the absence of indicators.)
Depth Matrix Redox Features
(Inches) Color(moist) % Color(moist) % Type* Loc** Texture Remarks
0-6 N 2.5/0 85 5YR 4/3 15 C PUM Silty Clay Loam
6-13 N 2.5/0 90 5YR 4/3 10 C M Silty Clay Loam
13-25 N 2.5/0 Clay
*Type:C=Concentration,D=Depletion,RM=Reduced Matrix,MS=Masked Sand Grains. **Location: PL=Pore Lining, M=Matrix
Hydric Soil Indicators: Indicators for Problematic Hydric Soils:
_Histisol(Al) _Sandy Gleyed Matrix(S4) _Coast Prairie Redox(A16)(LRR K,L,R)
Histic Epipedon(A2) _Sandy Redox(S5) _Dark Surface(S7)(LRR K,L)
_Black Histic(A3) _Stripped Matrix(S6) _5 cm Mucky Peat or Peat(S3)(LRR K,L,R)
_Hydrogen Sulfide(A4) _Loamy Mucky Mineral(171) _Iron-Manganese Masses(F12)(LRR K,L,R)
_Stratified Layers(A5) _Loamy Gleyed Matrix(172) _Very Shallow Dark Surface(TF12)
2 cm Muck(A10) Depleted Matrix(F3) _Other(explain in remarks)
_Depleted Below Dark Surface(A11) X Redox Dark Surface(F6)
_Thick Dark Surface(Al2) _Depleted Dark Surface(F7) *Indicators of hydrophytic vegetation and weltand
_Sandy Mucky Mineral(S1) _Redox Depressions(F8) hydrology must be present,unless disturbed or
5 cm Mucky Peat or Peat(S3) problematic
Restrictive Layer(if observed):
Type: Hydric soil present? Y
Depth(inches):
Remarks:
HYDROLOGY
Wetland Hydrology Indicators:
Primary Indicators(minimum of one is required;check all that apply) Secondary Indicators(minimum of two required)
Surface Water(Al) Aquatic Fauna(613) _Surface Soil Cracks(B6)
High Water Table(A2) True Aquatic Plants(614) _Drainage Patterns(B10)
Saturation(A3) _Hydrogen Suede Odor(C1) _Dry-Season Water Table(C2)
Water Marks(B1) Oxidized Rhizospheres on Living Roots _Crayfish Burrows(C8)
Sediment Deposits(62) X (C3) _Saturation Visible on Aerial Imagery(C9)
Drift Deposits(63) _Presence of Reduced Iron(C4) Stunted or Stressed Plants(D1)
Algal Mat or Crust(134) Recent Iron Reduction in Tilled Soils X Geomorphic Position(D2)
Iron Deposits(135) (C6) X FAC-Neutral Test(D5)
Inundation Visible on Aerial Imagery(67) _Thin Muck Surface(C7)
Sparsely Vegetated Concave Surface(68) _Gauge or Well Data(D9)
Water-Stained Leaves(B9) _Other(Explain in Remarks)
Field servations:
Surface water present? Yes No X Depth(inches): Wetland
Water table present? Yes __T— No Depth(inches): hydrology
Saturation present? Yes X No Depth(inches): su— r� present? Y
(includes capillary fringe)
Describe recorded data(stream gauge,monitoring well,aerial photos,previous inspections), if available:
Remarks:
No water after observing borhole fore 30 minutes.
US Army Corps of Engineers Midwest Region
THE TECHNICAL DOCUMENTATION SECTION
Plant Indicator Status
INDICATOR CATEGORIES*
Obligate Wetland (OBL)—Occur almost always (estimated probability>99%) under natural
conditions in wetlands.
Facultative Wetland (FACW)—Usually occur in wetlands (estimated probability 67%- 99%),
but occasionally found in non-wetlands.
Facultative(FAC)—Equally likely to occur in wetlands or non-wetlands (estimated probability
34%-66916).
Facultative Upland (FACU)—Usually occur in non-wetlands (estimated probability 67%-
99%),but occasionally found in wetlands (estimated probability 1%-33916).
Obligate Upland(UPL)—Occur in wetlands in another region,but occur almost always
(estimated probability>9991o) under natural conditions in non-wetlands in the region specified. If
a species does not occur in wetlands in any region, it is not on the National List.
*Reed, P.B. 1988. National list of plant species that occur in wetlands: Minnesota. National
Wetlands Inventory, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, St. Petersburg, Florida.
THE TECHNICAL DOCUMENTATION SECTION
Soil Series Descriptions
Acquired from Natural Resource Conservation Service Website,Official Soil Series Descriptions
KILKENNY SERIES
The Kilkenny series consists of very deep,moderately well drained soils that formed in a
mantle of clayey glacial till or flow till and underlying loamy glacial till on moraines.
These soils have moderately slow permeability. Their slopes range from 2 to 35 percent.
The mean annual precipitation is about 28 inches. Mean annual air temperature is about
48 degrees F.
TAXONOMIC CLASS: Fine, smectitic,mesic Oxyaquic Vertic Hapludalfs
TYPICAL PEDON: Kilkenny clay loam with a 15 percent linear sideslope on a glacial
moraine in a pastured field. (Colors are for moist soil unless otherwise noted.)
Ap--O to 9 inches; very dark brown(I OYR 2/2)clay loam, dark grayish brown(I OYR
4/2) dry; weak fine granular structure; friable; common very fine roots; about 2 percent
gravel; moderately acid(pH 5.6); abrupt smooth boundayr. (6 to 10 inches thick)
Btl--9 to 19 inches; brown(1 OYR 4/3) silty clay loam; moderately medium subangular
blocky structure parting to moderately fine subangular blocky; firm; common fine and
very fine roots; few distinct very dark brown(1 OYR 2/2)clay films on faces of peds;
about 3 percent gravel; strongly acid; gradual wavy boundary.
Bt2--19 to 38 inches; brown(I OYR 4/3) clay loam; moderate medium prismatic structure
parting to moderate medium subangular blocky; firm; common very fine roots; common
distinct very dark brown(1 OYR 2/2) clay films on faces of peds; about 5 percent gravel;
strongly acid; gradual wavy boundary.
Bt3--38 to 53 inches; brown(1 OYR 4/3) clay loam; weak medium subangular blocky
structure parting to weak fine subangular blocky; firm; common distict very dark brown
(I OYR 2/2) clay films on faces of peds; about 5 percent gravel; few fine distict brown
(7.5YR 4/4)Fe concentrations; moderately acid; gradual smooth boundary. (Combined
thickness of the Bt horizons is 20 to 40 inches.)
2BC--53 to 65 inches; light olive brown(2.5Y 5/4) loam; weak fine subangular blocky
structure; few distinct dark brown(I OYR 3/3) clay films on faces of peds; friable; about 8
percent gravel; about 2 percent cobbles; few fine distinct brown(7.5YR 4/4)Fe deletions;
slightly effervescent; slightly alkaline; gradual wavy boundary.
2C--65 to 80 inches; light olive brown(2.5Y 5/4) loam; massive; friable; few
concentrations of light gray(2.5Y 7/2) calcium carbonates in pores; brown(7.5YR 4/4)
soft masses of iron-manganese in nodules; about 8 percent gravel; about 2 percent
cobbles; common medium prominent dark yellowish brown(1 OYR 4/6)Fe
concentrations and common medium distinct gray(2.5Y 5/1)Fe depletions; strongly
effervescent; moderately alkaline.
TYPE LOCATION: Le Sueur County, Minnesota; about 3 miles west and 3 miles south
of Montgomery; about 300 feet east and 800 feet north of the southwest corner of Sec.
19,T.I I IN., R.23W.; USGS Montgomery quadrangle; lat. 44 degrees 24 minutes 3
seconds N., and long. 93 degrees 38 minutes 41 seconds W.,NAD 27.
RANGE IN CHARACTERISTICS: Depth to free carbonates range from 20 to 60
inches. Gravel of mixed lithology,but dominated by shale fragments,typically make up 2
to 8 percent of the volume of the series control section,but the upper part of the profile in
some pedons contains less than 2 percent gravel. Rounded shale fragments dominate the
coarse sand fraction. Soil saturation occurs above a depth of 40 inches in 6 out of 10
years.
The Ap or A horizon has hue of l OYR, value of 2 or 3 and chroma of 1 or 2. It is clay
loam, silty clay loam, loam or silt loam. The reaction is moderately acid to neutral.
Some pedons have a thin E horizon.
The Bt horizon has hue of l OYR or 2.5Y,value of 4 or 5, and chroma of 3 to 5. Faint to
prominent Fe concentrations and depletions commonly are above a depth of 40 inches.
Redox depletions do not occur in the upper 10 inches of this horizon. The upper 20
inches of the Bt horizon typically contains 35 to 45 percent clay. B/A clay ratios are 1.2
to 1.4. The Bt horizon is clay loam, silty clay loam, or clay. The reaction strongly acid to
neutral.
The 2BC horizon has properties similar to the 2C horizon. Some pedons have a 2BK
horizon.
The 2C horizon has hue of l OYR or 2.5Y,value of 4 or 5, and chroma of 2 to 5. It is clay
loam or loam. The reaction is slightly alkaline or moderately alkaline.
COMPETING SERIES: There are no competing series.
GEOGRAPHIC SETTING: Kilkenny soils have plane and convex slopes on gently
sloping to steep end moraines of the Des Moines lobe of the Late Wisconsinan glaciation.
Their slopes range from 2 to 35 percent. They formed in a mantle of clayey glacial till or
flow till and underlying loamy glacial till on moraines. Mean annual temperature ranges
from 45 to 52 degrees F. Mean annual precipitation is about 25 to 32 inches. Frost-free
days range from 145 to 175. Elevation above sea level ranges from 800 to 1500 feet.
GEOGRAPHICALLY ASSOCIATED SOILS: These are the Glencoe, Lerdal, Lester,
Le Sueur, Lura, Mazaska, and Shields series. The very poorly drained Glencoe and Lura
soils are in the lower lying drainageways and depressions. The somewhat poorly drained
Lerdal soils are on gently sloping to moderately steep areas. Shields soils are poorly
drained, and are on slightly elevated flats. Mazaska soils are poorly drained, and are on
slightly elevated flats and swales above or within areas of Kilkenny soils. Also,the well
drained Lester soils and the moderately well drained Le Sueur soils are associated in a
few areas.
DRAINAGE AND PERMEABILITY: Moderately well drained. Permeability is
moderately slow. Runoff is medium to very high. A perched seasonal high water table
occurs at depths of 2.5 to 4.0 feet during the period April, May, and June in normal years.
USE AND VEGETATION: Most of these soils are cropped to corn, grain,hay, and
soybeans. Some areas are used for pasture and some are forested.Native vegetation is
mixed prairie and forest species.
DISTRIBUTION AND EXTENT: South central Minnesota and north-central Iowa. The
series is of moderate extent.
MLRA OFFICE RESPONSIBLE: St. Paul, Minnesota
SERIES ESTABLISHED: Waseca County, Minnesota, 1963.
REMARKS: Diagnostic horizons and features recognized in this pedon are: Ochric
epipedon-the zone from the soil surface to a depth of 9 inches(Ap horizon); Argillic
horizon-the zone from 9 to 53 inches(Btl, Bt2, Bt3 horizons); Oxyaquic subgroup
based on saturation above a depth of 40 inches; Vertic subgroup based on more than 6 cm
of COLE in upper 40 inches. Water table studies and field observations have verified a
perched condition in most years,particularly in periods of extended rainfall.
ADDITIONAL DATA: Soil Interpretation Record number MN0376.
LESTER SERIES
The Lester series consists of very deep,well drained soils that formed in calcareous loamy glacial till on till
plains and moraines.These soils have moderate permeability.Their slopes range from 5 to 70 percent.
Mean annual precipitation is about 28 inches.Mean annual temperature is about 47 degrees F.
TAXONOMIC CLASS: Fine-loamy, mixed, superactive, mesic Mollic Hapludalfs
TYPICAL PEDON: Lester loam with a convex slope of about 9 percent on a ground
moraine in a cultivated field. (Colors are for moist soil unless otherwise noted.)
Ap--O to 7 inches; very dark grayish brown(I OYR 3/2)loam, grayish brown(I OYR 5/2)
dry; moderate fine subangular blocky structure; friable; many fine roots; about 3 percent
gravel; slightly acid; abrupt smooth boundary. (6 to 10 inches thick)
Btl--7 to 21 inches; brown(I OYR 4/3) clay loam; moderate medium subangular blocky
structure; firm; many very fine roots; common very dark grayish brown(1 OYR 3/2)clay
films on faces of peds and few very dark gray(10YR 3/1) organic coats on faces of peds;
about 2 percent gravel; slightly acid; clear smooth boundary.
Bt2--21 to 38 inches; dark yellowish brown(I OYR 4/4)clay loam; moderate medium
subangular blocky structure; friable; common fine roots; common dark grayish brown
(I OYR 4/2)clay films on faces of peds and few very dark brown(I OYR 2/2)organic
coats on faces of peds; about 3 percent gravel; slightly acid; gradual smooth boundary.
(Combined Bt horizon is 10 to 40 inches.)
Bkl--38 to 50 inches; yellowish brown(1 OYR 5/4) loam; weak medium subangular
blocky structure; friable; few fine roots; common very pale brown(1 OYR 8/2) carbonate
threads; about 2 percent gravel; violently effervescent; slightly alkaline; clear wavy
boundary.
Bk2--50 to 60 inches; yellowish brown(1 OYR 5/4) loam; weak medium subangular
blocky structure; friable; common fine distinct yellowish brown(I OYR 5/6)relict Fe
concentrations; common very pale brown(1 OYR 8/2) carbonate threads; about 2 percent
gravel; violently effervescent; slightly alkaline; clear wavy boundary.
C--60 to 80 inches; yellowish brown(1 OYR 5/4) loam; ; massive; friable; common
medium distinct yellowish brown(1 OYR 5/6)relict Fe concentrations and few fine
distinct light brownish gray(1 OYR 6/2)relict Fe depletions; about 1 percent gravel;
strongly effervescent; slightly alkaline.
TYPE LOCATION: Wright County, Minnesota; about 3 miles west of Otsego, 1460
feet south and 200 feet west of the northeast corner of Sec. 15,T.121 N., R.24 W.; USGS
Big Lake quadrangle; lat. 45 degrees 17 minutes 29 seconds N.; long. 93 degrees 41
minutes 3 seconds W.,NAD27
RANGE IN CHARACTERISTICS: Depth to free carbonates ranges from 20 to 54
inches. Rock fragments of mixed lithology comprise 1 to 8 percent of the volume of the
control section.
{ S
The A or Ap horizons have hue of l OYR, value of 2 or 3, and chroma of 1 or 2. The E
horizon where present, has value of 3 to 5, and chroma of 1 to 3. The A and E horizons
are loam or clay loam,but sandy loam, fine sandy loam, or silt loam is within the range.
They range from moderately acid to neutral.
The Bt horizon has hue of l OYR or 2.5Y, value of 4 or 5, and chroma of 3 or 4. It is clay
loam or loam and has 24 to 35 percent clay and 30 to 45 percent sand. The B/A clay
ratios range from 1.2 to 1.4. It is strongly acid to slightly acid in the upper part and
moderately acid to neutral in the lower part. A Bw horizon is sometimes present below
the Bt.
The Bk horizon has hue of IOYR or 2.5YR, value of 4 or 5, and chroma of 3 to 6. The Bk
horizon is loam or clay loam. It is slightly alkaline or moderately alkaline. Relict
redoximorphic features are present in some pedons.
The C horizon has hue of 2.5Y or l OYR, value of 4 to 6, and chroma of 3 to 6. It is loam
or clay loam. It is slightly alkaline or moderately alkaline. Relict redoximorphic features
are present in some pedons.
COMPETING SERIES: These are the Anous, Argyle, Baltimore, Bassett, Blooming,
Caleb, Dowagiac, Dunbridae, Gara, Koronis, Lauramie, Longlois, Lydick, Mohawk,
Neda,Newcomer, Oneco, Orwood, Racine, Razort, Sebbo,Iggpi, Waucoma, and
Winneshiek soils in the same family. Angus and Sebbo soil have saturation in the lower
third of the series control section. Argyle, Baltimore, and Oneco soils have B horizons
with 7.5YR or redder hue. Bassett soils are very strongly acid to moderately acid in the
upper part of the Bt horizon. Blooming and Racine soils have 15 to 35 percent sand in the
upper part of the particle-size control section. Caleb soils have some subhorizons that
have more than 45 percent in the lower part of the control section. Dowagiac and Koronis
soils have less than 24 percent clay in the lower one third of the particle-size control
section. Dunbridge,Waucoma,Newcomer and Winneshiek soils have sola terminated by
bedrock at depths above 60 inches. Gara soils average less than 2 percent rock fragments
in the control section. Longlois, Lydic, and Neda soils have more than 8 percent rock
fragments in some subhorizon of the control section. Lauramie soils have more than 45
percent sand in some subhorizon in the middle part of the control section. Mohawk soils
have a higher content of silt and have dark colors in the B horizon which apparently are
inherited from dark shale. Orwood soils have no rock fragments in the particle-size
control section. Razort soils have less than 30 percent sand in the control section.
GEOGRAPHIC SETTING: These soils have convex slopes on moraines and till plains.
Slope gradients range from 5 to 70 percent. They formed in calcareous, loamy glacial till
of late Wisconsinan Age. Mean annual temperature ranges from 45 degrees to 52 degrees
F. Mean annual precipitation ranges from 25 to 33 inches. Frost free days range from 125
to 165. Elevations range from 700 to 1600 feet.
GEOGRAPHICALLY ASSOCIATED SOILS: These include the Cordova, Dundas,
Glencoe, Hamel, Houghton, Klossner, Le Sueur, Muskego, and Nessel soils. Poorly
drained Cordova and somewhat poorly and poorly drained Dundas soils are on flats and
upper drainageways with a high seasonal water table. Very poorly drained Glencoe,
e
Houghton, Klossner, and Muskego soils are mostly in depressions. Poorly drained Hamel
soils are on foot and toe slopes. Moderately well drained Le Sueur and Nessel soils are on
slightly elevated flats and gently convex slopes.
DRAINAGE AND PERMEABILITY: Well drained. Permeability is moderate. Runoff
is medium to high.
USE AND VEGETATION: Mostly cropped to corn and soybeans. Some is in pasture
and forest.Native vegetation is savanna.
DISTRIBUTION AND EXTENT: South-central and east-central Minnesota and
northeastern Iowa. Extensive.
MLRA OFFICE RESPONSIBLE: St. Paul, Minnesota
SERIES ESTABLISHED: Dakota County, Minnesota, 1945.
REMARKS: Diagnostic horizons and featured recognized in this pedon are: mollic
subgroup-the zone from the surface to 7 inches(Ap horizon); argillic horizon the zone
from 7 to 38 inches(Bt horizons). Type location moved from Waseca County, Mn. to
Wright County, Mn., 11/96 to better exemplify the series concept within the MLRA.
Slopes of 1 to 5 percent that were previously correlated as Lester may be included with
the Angus series in the future.
HAMEL SERIES
The Hamel series consists of very deep,poorly drained and somewhat poorly drained soils that formed in
slope colluvium and glacial till on moraines.These soils have moderately slow permeability.Their slopes
range from 1 to 4 percent.Mean annual precipitation is about 28 inches.Mean annual air temperature is
about 47 degrees F.
TAXONOMIC CLASS: Fine-loamy, mixed, superactive, mesic Typic Argiaquolls
TYPICAL PEDON: Hamel loam with a 2 percent concave slope on a glacial moraine in
a cultivated field. (Colors are for moist soil unless otherwise noted.)
Ap--O to 10 inches; black(I OYR 2/1) loam,very dark brown(I OYR 2/2) dry; weak very
fine subangular blocky structure; friable; common very fine roots; about 1 percent gravel;
neutral; abrupt smooth boundary.
A--10 to 16 inches; black(I OYR 2/1)loam, very dark gray(I OYR 3/1)dry; weak very
fine subangular blocky structure; friable; common very fine roots; about 4 percent gravel;
neutral; gradual smooth boundary. (Combined thickness of A horizon is 14 to 30 inches.)
AB--16 to 24 inches; very dark gray(1 OYR 3/1)clay loam,dark grayish brown(1 OYR
4/2)dry; many fine prominent brown(7.5YR 4/4)Fe concentrations; moderate fine
angular blocky structure; friable; common very fine roots; about 4 percent gravel; neutral;
gradual wavy boundary. (0 to 10 inches thick.)
Btgl--24 to 40 inches; very dark grayish brown(2.5Y 3/2)clay loam, grayish brown
(I OYR 5/2)dry; many fine prominent brown(7.5YR 4/4)Fe concentrations; moderate
medium prismatic structure; friable; few black(1 OYR 2/1)clay films on faces of peds;
about 5 percent gravel; neutral; gradual wavy boundary.
Btg2--40 to 46 inches; dark grayish brown(2.5Y 4/2) clay loam; many coarse prominent
brown(7.5YR 4/4) Fe concentrations; moderate medium subangular blocky structure;
friable; few black(1 OYR 2/1) clay films on faces of peds; about 4 percent gravel; neutral;
clear wavy boundary. (Combined thickness of Btg horizons is 12 to 30 inches.)
Cgl--46 to 55 inches; olive gray(5Y 5/2) loam; many medium prominent yellowish
brown(1 OYR 5/6) Fe concentrations; massive; friable; about 3 percent gravel; slightly
effervescent; slightly alkaline; gradual wavy boundary.
Cg2--55 to 80 inches; olive gray(5Y 5/2) loam; many medium prominent yellowish
brown(1 OYR 5/6) Fe concentrations; massive; friable; about 4 percent gravel; slightly
effervescent; slightly alkaline.
TYPE LOCATION: Wright County, Minnesota; about 1.5 miles southwest of Silver
Creek, 1200 feet south and 2300 feet west of the northeast corner of Sec. 18, T.121 N.,
R.26 W.,USGS Annandale quadrangle; lat. 45 degrees 17 minutes 34 seconds N.; long.
94 degrees 00 minutes 13 seconds W.,NAD27
RANGE IN CHARACTERISTICS: Depth to free carbonates range from 30 to 65
inches. The mollic epipedon thickness ranges from 24 to 60 inches. Typically the upper
colluvim contains less than 2 percent gravel by volume and the lower part contains 2 to 6
percent gravel by volume of mixed lithology.
The A horizons have hue of l OYR or is neutral, value of 2 or 3, and chroma of 0 to 2.
Typically it is loam or clay loam,but silt loam or silty clay loam are within the range. It
has coatings of clean sand and silt particles in the lower part of the A horizon in some
pedons. It is moderately acid to neutral.
The Btg horizon has hue of l OYR,2.5Y, or 5Y,value of 2 to 4, and chroma of 1 or 2. It is
clay loam, silty clay loam high in sand, or loam. It has between 25 and 35 percent clay
and 15 to 35 percent fine sand and coarser. It has B/A clay ratios of 1.2 to 1.4. It has few
to many, faint to prominent clay films. It is moderately acid to neutral.
The C horizon has hue of a 2.5Y or 5Y, value of 4 to 6, chroma of 1 or 2. It is loam or
clay loam. It is slightly alkaline or moderately alkaline. The clay content ranges from 18
to 32 percent and the total sand content ranges from 25 to 45 percent.
COMPETING SERIES: These are the Alvada, Barry, Berville, Brookston,
Buntinwille, Clackamas, Cordova, Forestcity,Jameston, Marengo, Millgrove,Navan,
Nosoni, Rensselaer, and Westland soils. The Alvada series(Tentative- OH) is not in the
OSD file at this time. The Barry, Berville, Brookston, Cordova, Marengo, Millgrove,
Navan, Rensselaer, and Westland soils have a mollic epipedon that is less than 24 inches
thick. The Buntingville soils have carbonates at depths of less than 20 inches. The
Clackamas and Nosoni soils lack free carbonates in the series control section.
The Forestcity soils have 45 to 65 percent sand and 10 to 18 percent clay in the
underlying material. The Jamestown soils formed in a firm and very firm till associated
with the Iowan Erosional surface.
GEOGRAPHIC SETTING: Hamel soils have concave slopes in swales, rims of closed
depressions, foot and toe slopes, and upper drainageways below sloping to very steep
slopes. Slope gradients are 1 to 4 percent. Hamel soils formed in slope colluvium and
glacial till of Late Wisconsinan Age. Mean annual air temperature is about 45 to 48
degrees F. Mean annual precipitation is about 25 to 30 inches. Frost free days range from
125 to 165. Elevation above sea level ranges from 700 to 1600 feet.
GEOGRAPHICALLY ASSOCIATED SOILS: These are principally the Ha•yde and
Lester soils. These soils are well drained and are on the higher lying, gently sloping to
very steep slopes.
DRAINAGE AND PERMEABILITY: Poorly drained and somewhat poorly drained.
Surface runoff is low or moderately low. Permeability is moderately slow. The apparent
seasonal high water table is at .5 to 1.5 feet for the poorly drained phase and 1.5 to 2.5
feet for the somewhat poorly drained phase during spring in normal years.
USE AND VEGETATION: Most of this soil is cropped to corn, hay, soybeans, and
small grains. However, significant areas are in pasture and forest.Native vegetation is
mixed wet prairie grasses and deciduous forest.
DISTRIBUTION AND EXTENT: Primarily in the southeast one-quarter of Minnesota
in the timbered, hilly, "gray" till region. Moderately extensive.
MLRA OFFICE RESPONSIBLE: St. Paul, Minnesota
SERIES ESTABLISHED: Hennepin County,Minnesota, 1969.
REMARKS: Diagnostic horizons and features recognized in this pedon are: mollic
epipedon-the zone from the surface to a depth of 40 inches(Ap,A,AB and Btgl);
argillic horizon-the zone from 24 to 46 inches(Btgl, Btg2,). Type location moved from
Hennepin County, Mn. to Wright County,Mn., 11/96 to better exemplify the series
concept.
A somewhat poorly drained overwash phase is recognized that has 8 to 20 inches of
colluvium over the original dark colored surface.
ADDITIONAL DATA: Refer to MAES Central File Code No. 785 for results of some
laboratory analysis of this series.
HOUGHTON SERIES
The Houghton series consists of very deep, very poorly drained soils formed in
herbaceous organic deposits more than 51 inches thick in depressions on lake plains,
outwash plains, ground and end moraines and on floodplains. These soils have
moderately slow to moderately rapid permeability. Slope ranges from 0 to 2 percent.
Mean annual precipitation is about 35 inches, and mean annual temperature is about 50
degrees F.
TAXONOMIC CLASS: Euic,mesic Typic Haplosaprists
TYPICAL PEDON: Houghton muck- on a level area in a cultivated field. (Colors are
for moist soils unless otherwise stated.)
Oa1--0 to 9 inches; black(N 2.5/0)broken face and rubbed muck(sapric material); about
5 percent fiber, a trace rubbed; weak coarse subangular blocky structure; neutral (pH 7.0
in KCl); abrupt smooth boundary.
Oa2--9 to 13 inches; black(N 2.5/0)broken face, very dark brown(7.5YR 2/2)rubbed
muck(sapric material); about 5 percent fiber, a trace rubbed; weak medium granular
structure; neutral (pH 7.0 in KCl); abrupt smooth boundary.
Oa3--13 to 24 inches; dark reddish brown(5YR 3/2)broken face, dark reddish brown
(5YR 2/2)rubbed muck(sapric material); about 15 percent fiber, less than 5 percent
rubbed; massive,breaking to thick platy fragments; neutral(pH 7.0 KCl); abrupt smooth
boundary.
Oa4--24 to 32 inches; black(5YR 2/1)broken face and rubbed muck(sapric material);
about 10 percent fiber, a trace rubbed; massive; about 1 percent woody fragments; neutral
(pH 7.0 in KCl); clear wavy boundary.
Oa5--32 to 48 inches; dark reddish brown(5YR 2/2)broken face,black(5YR 2/1)
rubbed muck(Sapric material); about 20 percent fiber, less than 10 percent rubbed;
massive,breaking to thick platy fragments; neutral(pH 7.0 in KCl); abrupt smooth
boundary.
Oa6--48 to 80 inches; dark reddish brown(5YR 2/2)broken face and rubbed muck
(sapric material); about 10 percent fiber, less than 10 percent rubbed; massive; slightly
sticky; about 15 percent mineral soil; neutral (pH 7.0 in KCl).
TYPE LOCATION: Clinton County, Michigan; about 3 miles northeast of the village of
Bath; 200 feet north and 400 feet east of the southwest corner of sec. 12,T. 5 N., R. 1 W.
USGS Bath topographic quadrangle, lat. 42 degrees 49 minutes 43.4 seconds N. and long.
84 degrees 52 minutes 56.9 seconds W.; NAD 27.
RANGE IN CHARACTERISTICS: The organic layers are more than 51 inches thick.
The organic fibers are derived primarily from herbaceous plants,but some pedons
contain individual layers which contain as much as 30 percent woody material,however,
the woody fragment content averages less than 15 percent by volume in the control
section. It is very strongly acid to slightly alkaline.
The organic layers have hue of l OYR, 7.5YR, or SYR, value of 2 to 3, and chroma of 1 to
3, or is in 2.5/0. The layers are predominantly muck(sapric material),but in some pedons
mucky peat(hemic material)has a combined thickness of less than 10 inches and peat
(fibric material) less than 5 inches. Some pedons have coprogenous material or marly
material below 51 inches
COMPETING SERIES: These are the Carlisle, Lena, Peteetneet, Saltese, and
Semiahmoo series. Similar soils are the Adrian, Carbondale, Greenwood, Linwood,
Lupton, Palms, Rifle, and Willette series. Carlisle soils derived dominantly from woody
materials and contain an average of 15 to 30 percent woody fragments in the control
section. Lena soils contain free carbonates throughout. Peteetneet soils are massive or
platy in bottom tier, are on elevations of about 4,500 feet, and are substantially drier in
the moisture control section during the 120 days following the summer solstice. Saltese
and Semiahmoo soils are in areas with mild humid climates. Adrian, Linwood, Palms,
and Willette soils have a mineral substrata depths ranging from 16 to about 50 inches.
Carbondale, Greenwood, Lupton, and Rifle soils are frigid.
GEOGRAPHIC SETTING: Houghton soils occupy closed depressions within lake
plains, outwash plains, ground and end moraines, and on floodplains. Slope gradients are
less than 2 percent. The mean annual precipitation ranges from about 30 to 42 inches, and
the mean annual temperature is about 48 to 53 degrees F.
GEOGRAPHICALLY ASSOCIATED SOILS: These are the Adrian, Edselton(T),
Edwards, Moston(T), Muskego, Palms, and Willette soils. Edselton(T) and Edwards soils
are underlain by marly material at depths of 16 to 51 inches. Moston(T), and Muskego
soils are underlain by coprogenous material between 16 and 51 inches. Poorly or very
poorly drained mineral soils are commonly associated along the margins of the bogs.
DRAINAGE AND PERMEABILITY: Very poorly drained. Depth to the seasonal high
water table ranges from 2 foot above the surface in ponded phases to 1 foot below the
surface from September to June. The potential for surface runoff is very slow or ponded.
Permeability is moderately slow to moderately rapid.
USE AND VEGETATION: A considerable area of these soils is used for cropland or
pasture. Common crops are onions, lettuce,potatoes, celery, radishes, carrots,mint, and
some corn.Native vegetation was primarily of marsh grasses, sedges, reeds, buttonbrush,
and cattails. Some water-tolerant trees were near the margin of the bog.
DISTRIBUTION AND EXTENT: MLRA 95, 98, 110, 111. Southern part of the lower
peninsula of Michigan, Wisconsin, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, and Illinois. The series is
of large extent.
MLRA OFFICE RESPONSIBLE: Indianapolis, Indiana
SERIES ESTABLISHED: Roscommon County, Michigan, 1924.
REMARKS: Diagnostic horizons and features recognized in this pedon are: Well
decomposed organic material from the surface to greater than 51 inches (Oal, Oat, Oa3,
Oa4, Oa5 and Oa6 horizons)
histic epipedon-muck from the surface to 16 inches (Oal, Oat, Oa3);
aquic conditions - from the surface to 40 inches.
ADDITIONAL DATA: Soil Interpretation Record- (MI0024, MI0291 (PONEED),
MI0532 (SLOPING), MI0390(MAAT>50), M10383 (FREQUENTLY FLOODED).
Transect data(T98-MI-003)is on file in MLRA project office, Plymouth, Indiana.
Transect shows 100 percent Houghton.
MUSKEGO SERIES
The Muskego series consists of very deep,very poorly drained soils formed in herbaceous organic material
over coprogenous limnic material(sedimentary peat)on glacial lake plains and flood plains.These soils
have moderate or moderately rapid
permeability in the herbaceous organic material and slow permeability in the coprogenous material.Slopes
range from 0 to 2 percent.Mean annual precipitation is about 30 inches near the typical pedon site.Mean
annual temperature is about 49 degrees
F.
TAXONOMIC CLASS: Coprogenous, euic, mesic Limnic Haplosaprists
TYPICAL PEDON: Muskego muck-on a slope of less than 1 percent in a cultivated
field at an elevation of about 815 feet. (Colors are for moist soil unless otherwise stated.)
Oap--O to 9 inches; black(IOYR 2/1)broken face and rubbed muck(sapric material);
about 25 percent fiber, 4 percent rubbed; moderate very thick platy structure parting to
moderate fine subangular blocky; friable; many fine roots; mostly herbaceous fiber;
neutral; abrupt smooth boundary.
Oal--9 to 14 inches; black(IOYR 2/1)broken face muck(sapric material); about 30
percent fiber, 5 percent rubbed; moderate very thick platy structure parting to moderate
fine subangular blocky; friable; many fine roots; mostly herbaceous fiber; neutral; abrupt
smooth boundary.
Oa2--14 to 30 inches; dark brown(7.5YR 3/2)broken face muck(sapric material)with
few thin(less than 1 inch) layers of mucky peat(hemic material); about 50 percent fiber,
7 percent rubbed; weak thin platy structure; few fine roots; slightly acid; gradual smooth
boundary.
Lcol--30 to 48 inches; dark olive gray(5Y 3/2) coprogenous material with fine thin(less
than 1 inch) lenses of yellowish brown(1 OYR 5/6)mucky peat(hemic material); weak
very thin platy structure; slightly plastic; neutral; diffuse smooth boundary.
Lco2-48 to 60 inches; very dark grayish brown(2.5Y 3/2) coprogenous material;
massive; slightly plastic; slightly alkaline.
TYPE LOCATION: Ozaukee County, Wisconsin; about 1 mile east and 2 1/2 miles
south of Fredonia; 2,500 feet north and 500 feet west of the southeast corner of sec. 11,
T. 11 N., R. 21 E. or 350 feet north and 375 feet west of end of farmstead driveway;
USGS Fort Washington topographic quadrangle; latitude -43 degrees, 25 minutes, 58
seconds N. and longitude- 37 degrees, 56 minutes, 34 seconds W.NAD 27.
RANGE IN CHARACTERISTICS: Thickness of the herbaceous organic layers and
depth to coprogenous material(sedimentary peat)ranges from 16 to 51 inches. Fibers are
derived primarily from herbaceous plants. Some pedons contain fragments of twigs,
branches, or logs that range from 1/8 to 5 inches in diameter and amount to less than 15
percent of the volume. Reaction ranges from strongly acid to neutral (water, 1:1) in the
surface tier and from strongly acid to slightly alkaline(water, 1:1)in the subsurface and
bottom tiers. Silty clay loam overwash, clay loam substratum,marshy(ponded), and
flooded phases are recognized in some places.
The surface tier has hue of l OYR, 7.5YR, or neutral, value of 2 or 3 and chroma of 0 to 2.
The herbaceous organic part of the subsurface and bottom tiers has hue of 5YR, 7.5YR or
I OYR or is neutral in hue. Value is 2 or 3 and chroma is 0 to 4. It is dominantly muck
(sapric material),but some pedons have layers of mucky peat(hemic material)up to 10
inches thick.
The Lco horizon has hue of l OYR, 2.5Y, 5Y, or 5GY,value of 2 to 5 and chroma of 1 to
3. It is coprogenous material. Reaction ranges from neutral to moderately alkaline and
carbonates are present in some pedons. The Lco horizon has slightly plastic consistence
and shrinks upon drying to form hard clods that are difficult to re-wet.
COMPETING SERIES: These are the Moston and Toto series. Moston soils have sand
below the limnic layer within the 51 inche control section. Toto soils have marl and sand
below the limnic layer within the 51 inch control section.
GEOGRAPHIC SETTING: The Muskego soils commonly are in depressional areas
principally associated with glacial lake plains and flood plains,but other geographical
locations are not excluded. Slope ranges from 0 to 2 percent. These soils formed in
herbaceous organic material dominantly from grasses, sedges, and reeds over
coprogenous limnic material (sedimentary peat). Mean annual temperature ranges from
46 to 52 degrees F. Mean annual precipitation ranges from 25 to 40 inches. The frost free
period ranges from about 130 to 180 days. Elevation ranges from 679 to 1400 feet.
GEOGRAPHICALLY ASSOCIATED SOILS: These are the Houghton and Klossner
series. Houghton soils are in nearby areas where the organic deposits are more than 51
inches thick and coprogenous material is not in the lower part of the control section.
Klossner soils are in areas where the coprogenous material is absent and the herbaceous
organic material is underlain by loamy mineral material.
DRAINAGE AND PERMEABILITY: Very poorly drained. The potential for surface
runoff is low or negligible. Permeability is moderate or moderately rapid in the
herbaceous sapric material and slow in the coprogenous material (sedimentary peat).
Most Muskego soils have an apparent water table from I foot above the surface to 1 foot
below the surface in most years for much of the period from November to August. Some
Muskego soils have an apparent water table from 3 feet to 1 foot above the surface in
most years for much of the period from January to December.
USE AND VEGETATION: Most areas remain in natural vegetation and provide
wildlife habitat.Natural vegetation is dominantly grasses,reeds, and sedges with
scattered hardwoods. A few areas have been drained and are used cropland.
DISTRIBUTION AND EXTENT: Southern Wisconsin and southern Minnesota and in
Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, and Ohio. MLRA 95B, 98, 102A, 103, 104, 105, 108, 110, 111,
114, and 144A. The Muskego soils are of moderate extent.
MLRA OFFICE RESPONSIBLE: Indianapolis, Indiana
SERIES ESTABLISHED: Ozaukee County, Wisconsin, 1971.
REMARKS: Diagnostic horizons and features recognized in this pedon are: sapric
materials dominant in the subsurface tier; saturated with water for 6 months or more of
the year; have a limnic layer(coprogenous material)greater than 5 cm thick within the
control section.
ADDITIONAL DATA: Soil Interpretation Records -WI0046; WI0335 (OVERWASH);
WI0437 (MARSHY);WI0462 (CLAY LOAM SUBST.); WI0520 (FLOODED).
THE TECHNICAL DOCUMENTATION SECTION
Wetland Definition
WETLAND DEFINITION
According to the 1987 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers "Wetlands Delineation Manual" (1987
Manual; the document used by all delineators to define wetlands) a wetland is "Those areas that
are inundated or saturated by surface or ground water at a frequency and duration sufficient to
support, and that under normal circumstances do support, a prevalence of vegetation typically
adapted for life in saturated soil conditions." The Minnesota State Wetland Conservation Act
Rules, Chapter 8420, further clarifies that "...wetlands must: (1)have a predominance of hydric
soils; (2) be inundated or saturated by surface water or groundwater at a frequency and duration
sufficient to support a prevalence of hydrophytic vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated
soil conditions; and (3) under normal circumstances, support a prevalence of hydrophytic
vegetation." The 1987 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Manual in Part II, item 24. states that,
"The interaction of hydrology, vegetation, and soil results in the development of characteristics
unique to wetlands. Therefore, the following technical guidelines for wetlands are based on the
three parameters, and diagnostic environmental characteristics used in applying the technical
guideline are represented by various indicators of these parameters." It is this premise by which
SER ecologists has, in their professional judgment, delineated the wetlands on the subject parcel
described in this report.
Wetland Hydrology
The most important wetland criterion is hydrology. The presence and persistence of water
influences the vegetation types and changes soil morphology. Hydrology may be observed as
standing water(inundation), or may be observed as freestanding water within the soil pit or auger
hole (saturation) usually within the upper 12 inches. This is what would be considered primary
hydrology indicators. Only one primary indicator is necessary to make the determination that
wetland hydrology indeed exists. The 1987 Corps Manual also has a range of hydrologic zones
established based on period of inundation or saturation. These zones and the periods of
inundation or saturation for each can be observed in Table 1 below.
Excerpted from the 1987 Manual,H drolo is Zones—Nontidal Areas
Zone Name Duration Comments Wetland or Not
I Permanently Inundated 100% Inundation>6.6 ft.mean Not(Aquatic Habitat Zone,or Deep Water
water depth Habitat
Semipermanently To Nearly <75- Inundation defined as
II Permanently Inundated Or <100% <_6.6 feet mean water Wetland
Saturated depth
III Regularly Inundated Or >25-75% Wetland
Saturated
Seasonally Inundated Or <12.5-
N Saturated 25% Wetland
Many areas having these
V Irregularly Inundated or >5-12.5% hydrologic characteristics Wetland(if hydrophytic veg.and hydric
Saturated soils also present
are not wetlands
Intermittently Or Never ° Areas with these
VI Inundated Or Saturated <5% hydrologic characteristics Not
are not wetlands
A-1
The definition of appropriate hydrology according to the 1987 Manual includes two important
terms that must be clarified. First, the definition of a growing season is needed. The growing
season is defined in the 1987 Manual as: "...the portion of the year when soil temperature
(measured 19.7 inches below the surface) is above biological zero (5° C or 41° F)." According to
the 1987 Manual this period of time can be approximated by using the "starting and ending dates
for the growing season based on a 28° F air temperature threshold at a frequency of 5 years in
10." Based on this definition the growing season ranges approximately 160 days to 180 days in
the Minneapolis/St. Paul metropolitan area(160 in the northern suburbs and greater to the south).
Therefore, the required inundation or saturation to the surface for 5% of the growing season
would be 8 or 9 consecutive days that ground water would need to be at the surface or saturated
to the surface.
The second term in the appropriate hydrology definition from the above paragraph to be clarified
is "in most years". This means in 5 of 10 years hydrology must exist within a "jurisdictional
wetland" for the 8 or 9 consecutive days of the growing season. This means that one observation
date or even one whole year worth of detailed hydrology data may be deemed insufficient to
determine if appropriate hydrology exists at a given location. In the event that precipitation
events accumulate to above or below normal during just prior to a site visit or during a more
intensive hydrology study, the data may be confounded by non-normal circumstances and may
be considered outside the bounds of "most years". Ideally, both antecedent soil moisture
conditions and precipitation would be normal during all delineations. However, this is not a
realistic impression of climate. Therefore, primary indicators of hydrology must be reviewed
with scrutiny prior to determining if hydrology indeed exists.
Wetland hydrology may be observed as standing water (inundation), or may be observed as
freestanding water within a soil pit or auger hole (saturation)usually within the upper 12 inches.
This is what would be considered primary hydrology indicators. Examination of this indicator
requires digging a soil pit to a depth of 16 inches and observing the level at which water stands
after sufficient time has been allowed for water to drain into the hole. The required time will
vary depending on soil texture. This level represents the depth to the water table; the depth to
saturated soils will always be nearer the surface due to the capillary fringe. According to the
Hydrology criteria in the 1987 Delineation Manual, for soil saturation to impact vegetation, it
must occur within a major portion of the root zone, typically within 12 inches of the surface.
Only one primary indicator is necessary to make the determination that wetland hydrology is
present. However, since a single observation is not enough evidence, based on the percentage of
the growing season this inundation or saturation is required, these data are only valid when
reviewed while also considering the abundance of recent precipitation events or the seasonal
trend of climate when the site visit was made (this may be done through review of precipitation
records where available). In addition to the primary indicators of wetland hydrology, there are
secondary indicators (e.g. oxidized root channels, water-stained leaves, local soil survey data,
FAC-Neutral test), of which two must be present to consider the sample point as having wetland
hydrology.
A-2
' (f
Hydrophytic Vegetation (Wetland Vegetation)
Wetland vegetation is defined in the 1987 Manual as "The sum total of macrophytic plant life
growing in water or on a substrate that is at least periodically deficient in oxygen as a result of
excessive water content. When hydrophytic vegetation comprises a community where indicators
of hydric soils and wetland hydrology also occur, the area has wetland vegetation." In more
standard terms, some plants are more adapted to growing within inundated or saturated soil.
Based on literature records and professional experience, a panel of experts compiled a list of
plant species and assigned each a hydrophytic status (described below and includes five major
classes of probability of a plant occurring within a wetland).
In terms of delineation there is a gradient of plant species that are adapted to "growing in water
or on substrate that is at least periodically deficient of oxygen". Fieldwork associated with
wetland delineations includes a procedure (the 50/20 Rule, for determination of dominance),
which is also outlined in the 1987 Manual, by which to determine if hydrophytic plant species
dominate the vegetation at a given location. This procedure has been used for the wetland
delineation at the subject parcel of this report.
Hydric Soil
Defined in the 1987 Manual as "A soil that is saturated, flooded, or ponded long enough during
the growing season to develop anaerobic conditions that favor the growth and regeneration of
hydrophytic vegetation. Hydric soils that occur in areas having positive indicators of
hydrophytic vegetation and wetland hydrology are wetland soils."
For the purposes of delineation of wetlands, soils cannot be viewed without digging pits or
extracting soil using an auger. Therefore, transects of soil samples are taken from perceived
upland to perceived wetlands along a transitional boundary. There are specific color indicators,
textures, and depth requirements in the soil that are reviewed in order to determine whether
hydric soils occur at a given point or not. After a transect of soil samples has been taken, upon
consideration of vegetation and indicators of appropriate hydrology a working prototype for the
given wetland is developed by the delineator. The wetland delineator then uses this working
prototype to complete the location of the remainder of the wetland boundary, unless the wetland
is large enough or the landscape features (vegetation or topography) change enough to warrant
additional transect samples.
A-3
PHOTO LOG
See Figure 5 for an illustration of each Photo Point (PP) location.
PHOTO 1: Wetland 1 facing east at PP1. Wetland within this area has a dominance of reed
canary grass and the upland area is dominant with Kentucky blue grass.
t . F
a�4 �-.��+- `,�a� A��' _ •r. .. �:�4 5^`x„76. ,��.�.��v.;- -
PHOTO 2: Wetland 1 facing north-northeast. Wetland 1 continues west of the driveway via
a culvert.
2011-015
!MVOBODA PHOTO LOG OF SITE 125 Turnham Rd.
Ecological Resources Orono MN
See Figure 5 for an illustration of each Photo Point (PP) location.
Nom!^
PHOTO 3: Wetland 1 facing northwest at PP3.This area is within the forested portion of
the boundary where there is a dominance of green ash and American elm.
PHOTO 4: Wetland 1A facing west at 13132.This forested area was mostly saturated to the
surface with sparse vegetation existing within.
2011-015
!! *SVOBODA PHOTO LOG OF SITE 125Turnham Rd.
Ecological Resources Orono, MN