Soils -NR 200
LAB #6-Legal Descriptions and use of soil maps
Purpose: Learn how to use a soil survey book.
I.
Legal Description
a. Metes and Bounds
b. Rectangular Survey
c. Lot, Block, Tract, Parcel
II.
Review of Soil Map. Familiarize yourself with the following areas of the Eastern
Stanislaus County Soil Survey Book. Make a summery of the following areas, what
are they, what information is provided in these areas ect. Write a guide that will help you to
use this book.
a. General Soil Map-Physiographic Position
b. Table 1 c. Soil Series – Pick one and write a brief description of the series
d. Table 2 – Soil Description – Choose a soil within the series you choose in c and tell
a few important facts about this soil. Include the soil map symbol.
e. Table 3 – Soil Profile Groups, Natural Land Types, Storie Index
f. Capability Groups
g. Yield Estimates and Soil Management Practices
h. Table 16 – Physical and Chemical Analysis
i. Descriptions of Soil Profiles (Horizons)
j. General Nature of Area
k. Glossary
l. General Soil Map (colored fold-out)
m. Index to Map Sheets
n. Soil Legend
o. Map Pages
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III.
Find the soil types and series using the Eastern Stanislaus County Soil Map book
List the abbreviation along with the entire name of the soil. Answer in bold font.
a.
S ½ Section 28, T3S, R8E Mt Diablo Base Meridian
b.
N ½ Section 18, T4S, R9E Mt Diablo Base Meridian
c.
N ½ Section 5, T3S, R10E Mt Diablo Base Meridian
d.
North ½ Section 15, T3S, R8E
(What could the above series be used for? Look at the entire section)
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e.
Section 35, T2S, R10E
(Storie index rating of each soil)
f.
North ½ of Section 29, T2S, R9E
(Describe profile of the major soil type showing all
horizons, topography, drainage and use)
g.
Discuss the practical use of the Storie Index and land use capability unit for someone
who is interested in buying agricultural land.
h.
From the general soil map, what soil associations make up most of Sheet 24 & 23, 20,
43 and 28?
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i.
What are the top 5 soils of the Eastern Stanislaus County as indicated by percentage of
the soil type.
j.
What is the difference between soil series and type?
k.
What is the annual rainfall for Modesto, Oakdale and the far Eastern edge of Stanislaus
county?
l.
Suppose you inherited some money to buy a parcel of land, what crop would you want
to raise to maximize your return on your investment? Choose a soil type that could best
grow your crop and discuss your reasons for making this choice.
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IV. Western Stanislaus County Soil Map
Look through this new Soil Map Material and become acquainted with its organization.
How are the maps organized (Please put all maps back in the kit you removed them from
and in their proper order), where is the information located?
This is also located at http://www.ca.nrcs.usda.gov/mlra02/wstan/
m. Classification of soils: pg 165
1. Look up a soil series of one of the following: Capay, Columbia, El Solyo,
Franciscan, Henneke, Stomar, Vernalis or Zacharis. Then record its surface
texture and it’s A and first B horizons information, only summarize high points
do not record all of the information.
n. Now take that same soil series and select one type within it and list its Storie Index
rating and the scores for each criteria and if X is used then list why. Table 9
A-
B-
C-
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Index -
o. Using table 12 Building Site Development, find the soil type you have used and
determine the limitations for the following and why the limitations.
Dwellings with basementsSmall commercial buildings Local roads and streets p. Using table 13 Sanitary Facilities, find out the limitations for the following be sure to
include why the limitation is there.
Septic Tank absorption fields Lagoon areas q. Using table 15 Water Management how could you use this table?
r. Using Table 17 Physical and Chemical Properties of the Soils what is at this table?
List three items
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s. Locate the following soil in Sec 33, T 4 S, R 7 E, Mt Diablo Base Meridian and record
the special notation located there.
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