LOCATION ARROWSMITH IL
Established Series
Rev. CCC-AAC
09/2011
ARROWSMITH SERIES
The Arrowsmith series consists of very deep, somewhat poorly drained, moderately permeable soils formed in loess on till plains and outwash plains. Slope ranges from 0 to 2 percent. Mean annual precipitation is about 864 mm (34 inches) and mean annual air temperature is about 10 degrees C (50 degrees F).
TAXONOMIC CLASS: Fine-silty, mixed, superactive, mesic Aquic Argiudolls
TYPICAL PEDON: Arrowsmith silt loam with a slope of 1 percent in a cultivated field at an elevation of 235 meters (770 feet) above mean sea level. (Colors are for moist soil unless otherwise stated).
Ap--0 to 20 cm (0 to 8 inches); black (10YR 2/1) silt loam, dark gray (10YR 4/1) dry; weak medium subangular blocky structure; very friable; neutral; abrupt smooth boundary.
A--20 to 31 cm (8 to 12 inches); black (10YR 2/1) silt loam, dark gray (10YR 4/1) dry; weak medium subangular blocky structure; friable; neutral; abrupt smooth boundary. [Combined thickness of the A horizon is 25 to 51 cm (10 to 20 inches).]
Bt1--31 to 43 cm (12 to 17 inches); brown (10YR 5/3) silty clay loam; moderate fine subangular blocky structure; friable; common distinct very dark grayish brown (10YR 3/2) organo-clay films on faces of peds; few fine faint grayish brown (10YR 5/2) iron depletions in the matrix; common fine distinct yellowish brown (10YR 5/6) masses of oxidized iron in the matrix; few fine rounded black (7.5YR 2.5/1) very weakly cemented iron-manganese concretions throughout; neutral; clear smooth boundary.
Bt2--43 to 56 cm (17 to 23 inches); olive brown (2.5Y 4/4) silty clay loam; weak fine prismatic structure parting to moderate fine subangular blocky; friable; common faint dark grayish brown (10YR 4/2) clay films on faces of peds; common fine distinct grayish brown (2.5Y 5/2) iron depletions in the matrix; common fine prominent yellowish brown (10YR 5/8) masses of oxidized iron the matrix; few fine rounded black (7.5YR 2.5/1) very weakly cemented iron-manganese concretions throughout; neutral; clear smooth boundary.
Bt3--56 to 76 cm (23 to 30 inches); light olive brown (2.5Y 5/4) silty clay loam; weak medium prismatic structure parting to moderate medium subangular blocky; friable; few faint dark grayish brown (10YR 4/2) clay films on faces of peds; common fine distinct grayish brown (2.5Y 5/2) iron depletions in the matrix; many fine prominent yellowish brown (10YR 5/8) masses of oxidized iron in the matrix; few fine rounded black (7.5YR 2.5/1) very weakly cemented iron-manganese concretions throughout; slightly alkaline; abrupt smooth boundary. [Combined thickness of the Bt horizon ranges from 25 to 51 cm (10 to 20 inches).]
BCk--76 to 99 cm (30 to 39 inches); light olive brown (2.5Y 5/4) silt loam; weak coarse subangular blocky structure; friable; very few faint dark grayish brown 2.5Y 4/2) clay films lining pores; many fine distinct light brownish gray (2.5Y 6/2) iron depletions in the matrix; many fine and medium prominent yellowish brown (10YR 5/8) masses of oxidized iron in the matrix; few fine rounded black (7.5YR 2.5/1) very weakly cemented iron-manganese concretions in the matrix; few medium rounded white (10YR 8/1) weakly cemented calcium carbonate concretions throughout; strongly effervescent; moderately alkaline; gradual smooth boundary. [ 0 to 31 cm (0 to 12 inches)]
Ck--99 to 152 cm (39 to 60 inches); light olive brown (2.5Y 5/4) silt loam; massive; friable; many fine distinct light brownish gray (2.5Y 6/2) iron depletions in the matrix; many medium prominent yellowish brown (10YR 5/8) masses of oxidized iron in the matrix; few fine rounded black (7.5YR 2.5/1) very weakly cemented iron-manganese concretions in the matrix; few medium spherical white (10YR 8/1) weakly cemented calcium carbonate concretions throughout; strongly effervescent; moderately alkaline.
TYPE LOCATION: McLean County, Illinois; about 5.5 miles south and 2.5 miles west of Arrowsmith; 650 feet south and 1,350 feet east of the northwest corner of sec. 18, T. 22 N., R. 5 E.; USGS Farmer City North topographic quadrangle; lat. 40 degrees 22 minutes 3.1 seconds N., and long. 88 degrees 40 minutes 59.9 seconds W.; UTM Zone 16T 0357083 Easting, 4469912 Northing; NAD 83.
RANGE IN CHARACTERISTICS: The solum thickness, depth to carbonates, depth to the top of the calcic horizon, and depth to the base of the argillic horizon range from 64 to 102 cm (25 to 40 inches). Thickness of the mollic epipedon ranges from 25 to 51 cm (10 to 20 inches). The particle-size control section averages between 27 and 35 percent clay. Sand content is less than 7 percent throughout the series control section. Mean annual soil temperature ranges from 9 to 13 degrees C (48 to 56 degrees F).
The Ap or A horizons have hue of 10YR, value of 2 or 3, and chroma of 1 or 2. It is silt loam. Reaction is slightly acid or neutral. Some pedons have an AB or BA horizon.
The Bt or Btg horizon has hue of 10YR or 2.5Y, value of 4 to 6, and chroma of 2 to 4. It is silt loam or silty clay loam. Clay content averages from 27 to 35 percent. Reaction ranges from slightly acid to slightly alkaline.
The BCk or BCkg horizon, where present, has colors similar to the Bt or Btg horizon. It is silt loam. Clay content ranges from 10 to 27 percent. Reaction is slightly alkaline or moderately alkaline.
The Ck or Ckg horizon has hue of 10YR or 2.5Y, value of 4 to 6, and chroma of 2 to 4. It is silt loam. Clay content ranges from 5 to 18 percent. Reaction is moderately alkaline.
COMPETING SERIES: These are the
Bearpen,
Brenton,
Edwardsville,
Elburn,
Grundelein,
Hacreek,
Harco,
Higginsville,
Keller,
Lafayette,
Lawndale,
Lisbon,
Lismod,
Loran,
Mundelein,
Muscatune,
Nevin,
Raub,
Rowley,
Rooks, and
Shannondale series. Bearpen, Brenton, Elburn, Grundelein, Lafayette, Lawndale, Lisbon, Lismod, Mundelein, Raub, Rowley, and Shannondale soils have more than 7 percent fine sand or coarser in the lower part of the series control section. Edwardsville, Hacreek, Harco, and Higginsville soils have a mean annual soil temperature of more than 56 degrees F. Keller and Rooks soils have more than 27 percent clay in the lower part of the series control section. Loran soils have a paralithic contact within a depth of 60 inches. Nevin and Muscatune soils do not have carbonates within a depth of 102 cm (40 inches).
GEOGRAPHIC SETTING: Arrowsmith soils are on loess covered till plains and outwash plains. Slope ranges from 0 to 2 percent. They formed in loess typically 5 to 10 feet thick. Mean annual precipitation ranges from about 81 to 97 cm (32 to 38 inches), mean annual air temperature ranges from 46 to 54 degrees F, frost free period ranges from 160 to 180 days, and elevation ranges from 680 to 1,020 feet above sea level.
GEOGRAPHICALLY ASSOCIATED SOILS: These are the
Elkhart,
Hartsburg,
Osco, and
Sable soils. The well drained Elkhart and Osco soils are typically on more sloping parts of the landform and may be either above or below the Arrowsmith soils. The poorly drained Hartsburg and Sable soils are on lower parts of the landform.
DRAINAGE AND SATURATED HYDRAULIC CONDUCTIVITY: Somewhat poorly drained. The depth to an apparent seasonal high water table is 31 to 61 cm (1 to 2 feet) at some time between January and May in normal years. The potential for surface runoff is low to medium. Saturated hydraulic conductivity is moderately high to high (4.23 to 14.11 micrometers per second). Permeability is moderate.
USE AND VEGETATION: Mainly used for cultivated crops. Corn and soybeans are usually grown and occasionally small grains and legume hay. Native vegetation is tall prairie grasses.
DISTRIBUTION AND EXTENT: Central Illinois. They are of small extent in MLRA 108.
MLRA SOIL SURVEY REGIONAL OFFICE (MO) RESPONSIBLE: Indianapolis, Indiana
SERIES ESTABLISHED: McLean County, Illinois, 2000.
REMARKS: Formerly correlated as Harco series in central Illinois on loess-covered till plains and outwash plains. Harco series will be restricted to areas having a mean annual soil temperature of more than 56 degrees F.
Diagnostic horizons and features recognized in this pedon are:
mollic epipedon - the zone from the surface of the soil to a depth of about 12 inches (Ap and A horizons);
argillic horizon - the zone from approximately 12 to 30 inches (Bt1, Bt2, and Bt3 horizons);
udic soil moisture regime
mesic soil temperature regime
ADDITIONAL DATA: Refer to NSSL Pedon Number 90P0395 (Harco) for physical and chemical properties from a nearby supporting pedon in McLean County, IL. Other supporting data includes NSSL Pedon Numbers 88P0131 and 89P0356 from Livingston County, IL; 94P0675 and 94Z0340 from Marshall County, IL.
National Cooperative Soil Survey
U.S.A.