LOCATION ALAMBIQUE CAEstablished Series
TAXONOMIC CLASS: Fine-loamy, mixed, superactive, isomesic Typic Dystrustepts
TYPICAL PEDON: Alambique gravelly loam - on a south facing slope at 1,780 feet in elevation. (Colors are for dry soil unless otherwise stated. When described March 18, 1980, the soil was moist throughout.
0--3 to 0 inches; decomposed and undecomposed duff consisting of leaves and twigs of tanoak, madrone, manzanita, and live oak.
A1--0 to 6 inches; brown (7.5YR 5/4) gravelly loam, reddish brown (5YR 4/4) moist; weak fine and medium subangular blocky structure; slightly hard, very friable, slightly sticky and slightly plastic; medium, and coarse tubular and interstitial pores; 20 percent angular pebbles; 2 to 3 percent manganese concretions on the surface; medium acid (pH 6.0); diffuse smooth boundary. (4 to 10 inches thick)
A2--6 to 12 inches; strong brown (7.5YR 7/6) gravelly loam, dark brown (7.5YR 4/4) moist; moderate fine and medium subangular blocky structure; slightly hard, very friable, slightly sticky and slightly plastic; few very fine, fine and coarse roots; many fine interstitial and few fine tubular pores; 20 percent pebbles; medium acid (pH 6.0); diffuse wavy boundary. (5 to 10 inches thick)
Bw1--12 to 22 inches; reddish yellow (7.5YR 7/6) gravelly loam, strong brown (7.5YR 5/6) moist; moderate medium subangular blocky structure; slightly hard, friable, slightly sticky and slightly plastic; few very fine, fine, and coarse roots; many fine interstitial and common fine tubular pores; 35 percent pebbles; few thin clay films on ped faces and as bridges; strongly acid (pH 5.5); diffuse irregular boundary. (6 to 12 inches thick)
Bw2--22 to 30 inches; reddish yellow (7.5YR 7/6) gravelly loam; strong brown (7.5YR 5/6) moist; moderate medium and coarse subangular blocky structure; slightly hard, friable, slightly sticky and slightly plastic; few fine and coarse roots; many very fine tubular and interstitial pores; 30 percent angular pebbles; few thin clay films on ped faces and as bridges; strongly acid (pH 5.5); clear irregular boundary. (5 to 12 inches thick)
Cr--30 to 40 inches; weathered sandstone which crushes under pressure between thumb and fingers when moist.
TYPE LOCATION: San Mateo County, California; about 3,500 feet east on Kings Mountain Road from Skyline Boulevard, and 100 feet south of Kings Mountain Road and 325 feet east of overhead transmission line; Woodside 7.5' Quadrangle.
RANGE IN CHARACTERISTICS: Depth to a paralithic contact ranges from 20 to 40 inches. Reaction is medium acid to strongly acid with pH decreasing with depth. Base saturation is less than 50 percent throughout the profile. Gravel content is 0 to 35 percent throughout the profile. The mean annual soil temperature ranges from 56 to 58 degrees F. The difference between mean summer and mean winter soil temperature is less than 9 degrees F. The soil is moist in all parts from mid-November through June. It is dry in some or all parts for 90 to 120 days the rest of the year, but is not dry in all parts for 45 consecutive days.
The A horizon has dry colors of 7.5YR 7/6, 5/2, 5/4, 4/2, 4/4; 10YR 5/2, 5/3, 5/4, 4/2, 4/3, 4/4 and moist colors of 5YR 4/4; 7.5YR 3/2, 3/4, 4/4; 10YR 3/2, 3/3, 3/4, 2/2. It is gravelly loam or sandy loam.
The Bw horizons have dry colors of 7.5YR 7/6, 6/6; 10YR 7/6, 6/6, 5/6 and moist colors of 7.5YR 5/6, 4/6; 10YR 5/6, 4/6, 3/6. It is loam or gravelly loam.
COMPETING SERIES: These are the Gschwend (T) and Nye (T) series and the Centissima series in another family. Gschwend soils are greater than 60 inches deep. Nye soils are 40 to 60 inches to a paralithic contact. Centissima soils have an ustic moisture regime.
GEOGRAPHIC SETTING: The Alambique soils occur on coastal mountains. Slopes are 30 to 75 percent. They formed in material weathered from sandstone. Elevations are 350 to 2,000 feet. The climate is subhumid with cool foggy summers and cool moist winters. Mean annual precipitation is 30 to 40 inches. Mean January temperature is 48 degrees F; mean July temperature is 60 degrees F; and the mean annual temperature is 54 to 56 degrees F. The frost-free season is 275 to 330 days.
GEOGRAPHICALLY ASSOCIATED SOILS: These are the Barnabe, Maymen, and Miramar (T) soils. Barnabe and Maymen soils are less than 20 inches to a paralithic contact. Miramar soils have an argillic horizon.
DRAINAGE AND PERMEABILITY: Well drained; rapid to very rapid runoff; moderate permeability.
USE AND VEGETATION: Used for watershed, wildlife, and recreation. Vegetation consists of hardwood, Douglas-fir, and shrubs.
DISTRIBUTION AND EXTENT: Northern Santa Cruz Range. The series is of limited extent.
MLRA SOIL SURVEY REGIONAL OFFICE (MO) RESPONSIBLE: Davis, California
SERIES PROPOSED: San Mateo County, California, Eastern Part 1984. The series name comes from Alambique Creek near an area of this soil.
REMARKS: Lincoln Lab grab sample Nos. 837234, 83735 and 83736.
Last revised by the state on 1/88.