PHOTO PATTERN DATA ELEMENTS: OUTWASH PLAIN
The Interior Lowlands- The characteristic low, gently rolling prairie topography prevails;
this area was covered with continental glaciation as evidenced by numerous hills, level
plains, the usual belts of small hills, beds of old lakes and small lake plains with their
fringe forms of ridges and hills.
Form
Plain, nearly level; flat, without slope, broken by channels,
scarred, low relief, fan-shaped.
Drainage
No runoff, often ditches assist runoff, water table within a
few feet of surface; water stands in pits and basins, usually
well-drained soils.
Gully Characteristics
Very little gullying in low relief plain, if present it is Vshaped.
Special Features
Fluvial marks or streaks.
Color (Photo Gray Tones)
Light with dark depressions, dark in fluvial marks, dark
areas are wet, organic.
Land Use
Regionally developed, water supply good, foundation
good.
Vegetation
Woodlots, orchards.
Source: Terrain analysis procedural guide for surface configuration, US Army engineer
topographic laboratories, p. 7-21