LOCATION TELF TX

Established Series
SEB-KBH-AKS
07/2019

TELF SERIES

The Telf series consists of very deep, moderately well drained, very slowly permeable soils that formed in loamy fluviomarine deposits derived from igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rock of the Lissie Formation. These nearly level to very gently sloping soils are on flats on coastal plains. Slope ranges from 0 to 3 percent but mainly less than 2 percent. Mean annual air temperature is about 21 degrees C (69 degrees F) and mean annual precipitation is about 1092 mm (43 in).

TAXONOMIC CLASS: Fine, mixed, active, hyperthermic Chromic Vertic Hapludalfs

TYPICAL PEDON: Telf fine sandy loam in an area of Telf-Cieno frequently ponded, complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes--rice field. (Colors are for moist soil unless otherwise stated.)

Ap--0 to 23 cm (0 to 9 in); dark grayish brown (10YR 4/2) fine sandy loam, grayish brown (10YR 5/2) dry; weak coarse subangular blocky structure; hard, very friable, nonsticky and nonplastic; many very fine and fine roots; few very fine pores; many very fine distinct dark yellowish brown (10YR 3/4) masses of oxidized iron on surfaces along root channels with clear boundaries; many fine distinct dark yellowish brown (10YR 4/6) and yellowish brown (10YR 5/6) masses of oxidized iron along root channels; moderately acid; abrupt smooth boundary. (12 to 46 cm [45 to 18 in] thick)

E--23 to 41 cm (9 to 16 in); light brownish gray (10YR 6/2) fine sandy loam, pale brown (10YR 6/3) dry; weak coarse subangular blocky structure; hard, very friable, nonsticky and nonplastic; few very fine and fine roots; few very fine pores; 1 percent fine black and brown iron-manganese concretions; many fine and medium distinct yellowish brown (10YR 5/6) masses of oxidized iron on faces of peds with clear and sharp boundaries; common fine distinct dark yellowish brown (10YR 4/6) masses of oxidized iron along root channels with sharp boundaries; slightly acid; abrupt smooth boundary. (0 to 30 cm [0 to 12 in] thick)

Bt1--41 to 66 cm (16 to 26 in); gray (10YR 5/1) clay, gray (10YR 6/1) dry; moderate medium subangular blocky structure; very hard, very firm, sticky and very plastic; few fine roots; few very fine pores; few distinct pressure faces and wedged-shaped aggregates; few vertical cracks 5 to 10 mm wide partly filled with material from above; common distinct clay films on surfaces of peds; few fine faint dark grayish brown (10YR 4/2) organic stains on faces of peds; 1 percent fine siliceous pebbles; few fine and medium prominent strong brown (7.5YR 5/6), common fine and medium prominent red (2.5YR 4/8) and many fine and medium prominent yellowish brown (10YR 5/6) and brownish yellow (10YR 6/6) masses of oxidized iron on faces of peds with clear and sharp boundaries; with diffuse boundaries; slightly acid; clear smooth boundary. (Combined thickness of the Bt1 and Bt2 horizons is 38 to 112 cm [15 to 44 in])

Bt2--66 to 102 cm (26 to 40 in); grayish brown (10YR 5/2) sandy clay loam, light brownish gray (10YR 6/2) dry; weak medium subangular blocky structure; hard, firm, sticky and plastic; few fine roots; few faint clay films on surfaces of peds; few dark grayish brown (10YR 4/2) stains on surfaces of peds; 2 percent clean sand on faces of peds; few fine prominent strong brown (7.5YR 5/6), many fine to coarse prominent yellowish brown (10YR 5/6) and common medium prominent yellowish brown (10YR 5/8) masses of iron accumulation on surfaces of peds with clear and sharp boundaries; moderately acid; clear smooth boundary.

Bt3--102 to 132 cm (40 to 52 in); light brownish gray (10YR 6/2) sandy clay loam, light gray (10YR 7/1) dry; weak medium subangular blocky structure; hard, firm, sticky and plastic; common faint clay films on surfaces of peds; 3 percent clean sand on faces of peds; few fine prominent red (2.5YR 4/8), many fine to coarse distinct yellowish brown (10YR 5/6) and common medium brownish yellow (10YR 6/6) masses of oxidized iron on faces of peds with clear and sharp boundaries; common fine to coarse distinct light yellowish brown along root channels with clear boundaries; slightly acid; clear smooth boundary.

Bt4--132 to 178 cm (52 to 70 in); light brownish gray (10YR 6/2) sandy clay loam, light gray (10YR 7/2) dry; weak medium prismatic structure; hard, firm, sticky and plastic; few faint clay films on faces of prisms; 3 percent clean sand on surfaces of prisms; common fine prominent red (2.5YR 4/8), common medium distinct strong brown (7.5YR 5/6), common medium yellowish brown (10YR 5/6) and brownish yellow (10YR 6/6) masses of iron accumulation on faces of prisms with clear and sharp boundaries; neutral; clear smooth boundary. (Combined thickness of the Bt3, Bt4, and Bt5 horizons is 46 to 124 cm [18 to 49 in])

Bt5--178 to 203 cm (70 to 80 in); light brownish gray (10YR 6/2) sandy clay loam, light gray (10YR 7/2) dry; weak medium prismatic structure; hard, firm, sticky and plastic; few faint clay films on surfaces of prisms; few fine white salt masses; 2 percent clean sand on faces of peds and prisms; few fine black (10YR 2/1) manganese masses on faces of peds; few fine prominent red (2.5YR 4/6), few fine and medium distinct yellowish brown (10YR 5/6) and common medium distinct brownish yellow (10YR 6/6) masses of oxidized iron on faces of prisms with clear and sharp boundaries; neutral.

TYPE LOCATION:
Colorado County, Texas; from the intersection of Interstate 10 and Texas Highway 71, 17.2 miles south on Texas Highway 71 in Garwood, 7.1 miles west on FM 1693, 0.7-mile west county road to windmill north of county road, and 300 ft northeast in rice field.

USGS topographic quadrangle: Sheridan N.E., TX
Latitude: 29 degrees, 25 minutes, 40 seconds N;
Longitude: 96 degrees, 30 minutes, 42 seconds W;

Decimal Degrees
Latitude: 29.4277778
Longitude: -96.5116667
Datum: WGS84

UTM Easting: 741398.40 m
UTM Northing: 3257957.83 m
UTM Zone: 14

RANGE IN CHARACTERISTICS:
Soil Moisture: Udic soil moisture regime. The soil moisture control section is moist in some or all parts for more than 275 days in normal years.

Mean annual soil temperature: 21.7 to 22.8 degrees C (71 to 73 degrees F)
Thickness of the solum: ranges from 152 to more than 203 cm (60 to more than 80 in).
Combined thickness of the A and E horizons: 30 to 51 cm (12 to 20 in)

Particle-size control section (weighted average):
Total clay content: 35 to 45 percent
CEC/clay ratio: 0.4 to 0.55

Ap or A horizon
Hue: 10YR
Value: 3 to 5
Chroma: 2 to 4 (areas with value of 3 and chroma less than 3 are less than 25 cm [10 in] thick)
Texture: sandy loam, fine sandy loam, or loam
Clay content: 2 to 19 percent
Redox concentrations: amount-none to many, shades-yellow or brown (redox concentrations with amount of common or many are mostly associated with areas in rice culture)
Electrical conductivity (decisiemens per meter): 0 to 1.5, but mainly less than 0.5
Sodium adsorption ratio: 0 to 11, but mainly less than 2
Reaction (pH): very strongly acid to neutral (4.5 to 7.3)

E horizon
Hue: 10YR
Value: 5 or 6
Chroma: 2 to 4
Texture: sandy loam, fine sandy loam, or loam
Clay content: 4 to 16 percent
Redox concentrations: amount-none to many, shades-yellow or brown (redox concentrations with amount of common or many are mostly associated with areas in rice culture)
Iron-manganese concentrations: amount-none or few; kind-masses or concretions
Rock fragments: amount-none or few; size- fine or medium; kind- silica concretions
Electrical conductivity (decisiemens per meter): 0 to 0.5
Sodium adsorption ratio: 0 to 6
Reaction (pH): moderately acid to neutral (5.6 to 7.3)

Bt horizon (Bt1, Bt2)
Hue: 10YR
Value: 4 to 7
Chroma: 1 to 3
Texture: sandy clay loam, clay loam, sandy clay or clay
Clay content: 30 to 55 percent
Redoximorphic concentrations: amount-few to many, shades-red, yellow, brown
Redox depletions: amount-none to common, shades-gray
Iron-manganese concentrations: amount-none to common; kind- masses, concretions or nodules
Rock fragments: amount-none or few; size- fine or medium; kind- silica concretions
Electrical conductivity (decisiemens per meter): 0 to 1.5
Sodium adsorption ratio: 0 to 13
Reaction (pH): strongly acid to neutral (5.1 to 7.3)

Bt horizon (Bt3, Bt4, Bt5)
Hue: 10YR or 2.5Y
Value: 4 to 7
Chroma: 1 to 4
Texture: sandy clay loam or clay loam
Clay content: 20 to 50 percent
Redoximorphic concentrations: amount-few to many, shades-red, yellow, brown
Redox depletions: amount-none to common, shades-gray
Iron-manganese concentrations: amount-none to common; kind- masses, concretions or nodules
Rock fragments: amount-none or few; size- fine or medium; kind- silica concretions
Electrical conductivity (decisiemens per meter): 0 to 3.0
Sodium adsorption ratio: 0 to 13
Reaction (pH): moderately acid to moderately alkaline 5.6 to 8.4)

Btk horizon (where present)
Hue: 10YR or 2.5Y
Value: 6 or 7
Chroma: 1 to 4
Texture: sandy clay loam, clay loam, sandy clay, or clay
Clay content: 27 to 44 percent
Redoximorphic concentrations: amount-few to many, shades-red, yellow, brown
Redox depletions: amount-none to common, shades-gray
Iron-manganese concentrations: amount-none to common; kind- masses, concretions or nodules
Rock fragments: amount-none or few; size- fine or medium; kind- silica concretions
Electrical conductivity (decisiemens per meter): 0 to 3.0
Sodium adsorption ratio: 0 to 13
Reaction (pH): neutral to moderately alkaline (6.6 to 8.4)

COMPETING SERIES:
There are no competing series. Similar soils are the Endcav, Firstone, Midfield, Mudlavia, Nez, and Telferner series.
Endcav soils: have more than 60 percent clay in the particle size control section; in the mesic temperature regime; a semiactive activity class; formed in material from weathered limestone bedrock.
Firstone soils: have more than 60 percent clay in the particle size control section; in the thermic temperature regime; moderately deep and formed in residuum from shale.
Midfield soils: smectitic mineralogy; have a lithologic discontinuity
Mudlavia soils: are clayey-skeletal; a superactive activity class; mesic temperature regime; formed in gravelly clayey outwash.
Nez and Telferner soils: remain saturated in the upper part long enough for oxyaquic conditions

GEOGRAPHIC SETTING:
Parent material: loamy fluviomarine deposits derived from igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rock
Landscape: coastal plains
Landform: flats (many areas have been leveled to support rice culture)
Slope: 0 to 3 percent but mainly less than 2 percent
Mean annual precipitation: 991 to 1143 mm (39 to 45 in)
Thornthwaite P-E Index: 52 to 62
Mean annual air temperature: 20.6 to 22.2 degrees C (69 to 72 degrees F)
Frost-free period: 250 to 305 days
Elevation: 25.9 to 85 m (85 to 280 ft)

GEOGRAPHICALLY ASSOCIATED SOILS:
These are the Cieno, Edco, Garwood, Katy, Nada and Nez series.
Cieno soils: in a fine-loamy family; have an aquic moisture regime; oval depressions.
Edco soils: have less than 30 cm (12 in) of surface horizon; on a similar landform but lower in the landscape
Garwood soils: have more than 51 cm (20 in) of surface horizon; on a similar landform but higher in the landscape.
Katy soils: in a fine-loamy family; are on a similar landform and similar position on the landscape.
Nada soils: are in a fine-loamy; on a similar landform but lower in the landscape
Nez soils: are on similar landform and a similar position on the landscape positions; have savannah type vegetation.

DRAINAGE AND PERMEABILITY:
Drainage class: Moderately well
Permeability class: very slow
Runoff: very high
Flooding: None
Ponding: None
Seasonal water table: In normal years, water perches on top of the argillic horizon for short periods of time after heavy rains but saturation does not occur long enough to satisfy the oxyaquic classification requirements.

USE AND VEGETATION: Mainly used for rice production. Some areas are in native rangeland and improved pasture. Native grasses are mainly species of andropogon and paspalum genera.
Ecological sites assigned to phases and components of this series are listed below. Current ecological site assignments are in Web Soil Survey. Components of this series include the following ecological sites: Loamy Prairie

DISTRIBUTION AND EXTENT:
General area: Coastal Prairie of Texas
Land Resource Region: T (Atlantic and Gulf Coast Lowland Forest and Crop Region)
Major Land Resource Area: 150A (Gulf Coast Prairies)
Extent: moderate

MLRA SOIL SURVEY REGIONAL OFFICE (MO) RESPONSIBLE: Temple, Texas

SERIES ESTABLISHED: Colorado County, Texas; 1997.

REMARKS: These soils were formerly included in the Telferner series. This soil does not have an aquic moisture regime. The classification of this series was changed in 2016 during the update of MLRA 150A. The previous classification of Aquertic Chromic Hapludalfs was based on a preliminary anlaysis of data from study of similar soils. A more detailed analysis of the data indicated that reduction only occurred during abnormally wet times. During normal years, these soils do not reduce or saturate long enough for oxyaquic criteria. The series classification supports mixed mineralogy and is based on reference samples tested for mineralogy by Texas A&M University.

Diagnostic horizons and features recognized in this pedon are:

Ochric epipedon: 0 to 41 cm (0 to 16 in) (A and E horizons)

Albic horizon: 23 to 41 cm (9 to 16 in) (E horizon)

Abrupt textural change: 41 to 66 cm (16 to 26 in) (Bt1 horizon)

Vertic feature: Cracks and/or wedge-shaped aggregates within the upper part of the argillic horizon.

Argillic horizon: 41 to 203 cm (16 to 80 in) (Bt1, Bt2, Bt3, Bt4 and Bt5 horizons)

ADDITIONAL DATA: KSSL data pending on pedons for project C2017USTX035.

Taxonomic Version: Keys to Soil Taxonomy, Twelfth Edition, 2014.

National Cooperative Soil Survey
U.S.A.