SOIL TEST PIT LOG FORM
A template for record of soil test pit evaluation is provided (sized to copy to survey book sized paper at 4.5 by
7 inches); the AP can use these forms or can develop their own equivalent forms. An example of a filled form
follows the blank forms.
The test pit log should record at minimum the information as shown in this template and as recommended in
the standards.
Job:
Site:
Date:
Recorded by:
Weather:
No/type of pits:
Surface water:
Slope:
Slope type:
Freq/duration:
Vegetation:
Sub storey:
Type of bedrock/limiting layer:
Rock outcrops:
Notes:
Slope type: LL, LV, LC, VL, VV, VC, CL, CV, CC Slope position: SU, SH, BS, FS, TS
Coarse fragments are > 2mm
Structure: GR, ABK, SBK, PL, WEG, PR, COL, SGR, MA, CDY Grade: 0, 1, 2, 3 (where 0 = structureless, 1 = weak, 2= moderate, 3 = strong)
Consistence dry: L, S, SH, MH, HA, VH, EH, R, VR Wet: L, VFR, FR, FI, VFI, EF, SR, R, VR. Cemented: NC, EW, VW, W, M, ST, VS, I
Redoximorphic: Quantity: f, c, m. Size: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, Distinctness: Faint = F, Distinct = D, Prominent = P
Roots: Size: VF, F, M, C, VC Quantity: few=1, common=2, many=3.
Profile Description
TP #:
Site:
Depth
From
To
Date:
Matrix
Colour
Slope:
Texture
Veg.:
C. Frags
Kind, %
Structure
Grade
Type
Consis.
Roots
Depth,
sz/qty
Notes (Pores, cracks, other tests, samples):
Estimated WT:
SHWT:
R. Layer (Type, depth):
Usable soil depth to limiting layer:
Mottles
Depth,
qty.
Moist
Seepg.
Example of filled site and test pit logs
Job: EXAMPLE OF FILLED TEST PIT LOG
Site:
Date: 11 Jan 2013
Recorded by:
Weather: Sun, 9C, wet weather in last week.
No/type of pits: 3, Machine dug
Surface water: NA
Slope: 4% in disp. Area and rec. area
Slope type: LL, BS (fld and rec area)
Freq/duration: NA
Vegetation:
Sub storey:
Type of bedrock/limiting layer:
Douglas Fir, Arbutus
Dominant in field and receiving area:
Sandstone, fractured, fractures open
Oregon Grape, some Salal
Rock outcrops:
None in field area
Notes:
Profile Description
TP #: 1 Site:
Depth
From
To
Date: 11 Jan 2013
Matrix Colour
Texture
1
0
6cm
Dk Brown
LS
2
6
90
Brown
3
90
145
145
Slope: 3.5%, LL, BS
Veg.: As cover sheet
C. Frags
Structure
Roots
Consis
Depth, sz/qty
Kind, %
Grade
Type
Mottles
Depth, qty
Moist
Seepg
10% gravel
0
SGR
L
6, F, 3
None
Moist
SL
15% gravel
2
GR
FR
90, C, 3
None
Moist
Brown
SL
45% gravel,
C gr. and
rock frag.
2
SBK
FI
145, F, 1
None
Moist
Bottom of TP
Sandstone
No seep
Notes (Pores, cracks, other tests, samples): Hor. 3 (C Hor), large fissures, risk of macropore flow, high coarse frag content.
Estimated WT: None
SHWT: None
R. Layer (Type, depth): Frac Rock, 145
Usable soil depth to limiting layer: 145