LOCATION FEREBEE                 AK

Established Series
Rev. JWM/JPM
12/2022

FEREBEE SERIES

The Ferebee series consists of very shallow to shallow, well drained soils that formed in residuum and colluvium from metamorphic rocks. Ferebee soils occur on upper mountain sideslopes, ridges, and summits. Slopes range from 5 to 90 percent. The mean annual temperature is about 34 degrees F., and the average annual precipitation is in excess of 120 inches.

TAXONOMIC CLASS: Loamy-skeletal, mixed, superactive Lithic Humicryepts

TYPICAL PEDON: Ferebee gravelly silt loam - on an upper mountain sideslope of 30 percent slope under alpine tundra vegetation at 3000 feet elevation. (All colors are for moist soils unless otherwise indicated).

Oi--2 inches to 0; partially decomposed mosses and lichens; clear smooth boundary. (1 to 7 inches thick).

Al--0 to 3 inches; black (10YR 2/1) gravelly silt loam; weak fine subangular blocky structure; friable; nonsticky and nonplastic; many fine and medium roots; 20 percent gravel; very strongly acid (pH 4.6); abrupt broken boundary. (1 to 8 inches thick).

A2--3 to 8 inches; very dark brown (10YR 2/2) very cobbly silt loam; weak fine granular structure; friable; nonsticky and nonplastic; common fine and medium roots; 30 percent gravel, 20, percent cobble; very strongly acid (pH 4.6); abrupt broken boundary. (2 to 9 inches thick).

Bw--8 to 12 inches; dark brown (7.5YR 3/4) extremely cobbly silt loam; massive; friable; nonsticky and nonplastic; few fine roots; 40 percent gravel, 25 percent cobble; moderately acid (pH 5.6); abrupt broken boundary. (1 to 6 inches thick).

R--12 inches; fractured metamorphic rock grading into consolidated bedrock.
TYPE LOCATION: Haines Area, Alaska; SE 1/4, SW1/4, Sec. 3, T.29S., R.56E., Copper River Meridian.

RANGE IN CHARACTERISTICS: Depth to bedrock ranges from 7 to 14 inches. Thickness of the A horizons range from 1 to 10 inches. The umbric epipedon is not continuous within each pedon. Base saturation of the surface horizon is assumed to be less that 50 percent. The mean annual soil temperature is about 34 degrees F. Content of coarse fragments for all pedons range from 35 to 70 percent. Clay content throughout the profile is less than 5 percent. Reaction throughout the profile ranges from extremely acid to medium acid.

The A horizon has hue of 5YR, 7.5YR, or 10YR, value moist of 2 or 3, and chroma moist of 3 or less. Texture is silt loam or fine sandy loam. Coarse fragment content ranges from 15 to 60 percent with 0 to 30 percent cobble and 15 to 50 percent gravel.

The Bw horizon has hue of 5YR, 7.5YR, 10YR, 2.5Y, or 5Y, value moist from 2 to 4, and chroma moist of 4 to 6. Texture is silt loam or fine sandy loam. Coarse fragment content ranges from 35 to 70 percent with 5 to 40 percent cobble and 30 to 65 percent gravel.

COMPETING SERIES: This is the Aniak (T) series. Aniak (T) soils have a mean annual soil temperature below 32 degrees F.

GEOGRAPHIC SETTING: Ferebee soils occur on upper mountain sideslopes and summits at elevations of 2800 to 4500 feet. The climate is humid maritime with an estimated average annual precipitation ranging from 120 to greater than 300 inches, most of which occurs as snow. Slopes range from 5 to 90 percent. Frost free season is less than 30 days.

GEOGRAPHICALLY ASSOCIATED SOILS: These are the Passage, Kupreanof, and Tolstoi soils. These soils occur at lower elevations on mountain sideslopes and moraines, and all have spodic horizons.

DRAINAGE AND PERMEABILITY: Well drained. Moderate to moderately rapid permeability. Medium to very rapid runoff.

USE AND VEGETATION: The Ferebee soils are used for wildlife habitat, recreation, and rangeland. The native vegetation is ericaceous shrubs, mosses, and lichens.

DISTRIBUTION AND EXTENT: Southeast Alaska. The series is extensive.

SOIL SURVEY REGIONAL OFFICE (SSRO) RESPONSIBLE: WASILLA, ALASKA

SERIES ESTABLISHED: Haines Area, Alaska. 1985

REMARKS: Diagnostic horizons and features recognized in this soil are: a.discontinous umbric epipedon from 0 to 8 inches; an average of greater than 35 percent coarse fragments throughout the control section; and a lithic contact at 12 inches.

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National Cooperative Soil Survey
U.S.A.