Alluvial and Floodplain soils occur along watercourses occupying nearly all level areas subject to periodic flooding.  Soils range from excessively drained to very poorly drained.

Poorly drained soils occur where the water table is at or just below the ground surface, usually from late fall to early spring. The land where poorly drained soils occur is nearly level or gently sloping. Many of our red maple swamps are on these soils.  Very poorly drained soils generally occur on level land or in depressions. In these areas, the water table lies at or above the surface during most of the growing season. Most of our marshes and bogs are on these soils.

Soils which are not dominated by poorly drained, very poorly drained, floodplain and alluvial.  Some inclusions of Connecticut Inland Wetland soils may be present.

Hydric soils are those soils that formed under conditions of saturation, flooding, or ponding long enough during the growing season to develop anaerobic conditions in the upper part. Under natural conditions, these soils are either saturated or inundated long enough during the growing season to support the growth and reproduction of hydrophytic vegetation.

Not Rated soils have characteristics that show extreme variability from one location to another. Often these areas are urban land complexes or miscellaneous areas. An on-site investigation is required to determine soil conditions present at the site.

Soils other than Hydric dominated soils.

These soils have the best combination of characteristics or may have limitations that can be easily overcome using standard installation practices.

These soils have significant limitations, such as low percolation rate, that are generally overcome using commonly applied designs.

These soils have one or more limitations, such as low percolation rate and depth to seasonal high water table, that require extensive design and site preparation to overcome.

These soils have to overcome major soil limitations, such as depth to bedrock, that require extensive design and site preparation. A permit for a Subsurface Disposal System (SSDS) may not be issued unless the naturally occurring soils meet the minimal requirements outlined in the state health code. It is unlikely these soils can be improved sufficiently to meet state health code regulations.

These soils have multiple major limitations, such as flooding and depth to seasonal high water table, which are extremely difficult to overcome. A permit for a SSDS may not be issued unless the naturally occurring soils meet the minimal requirements outlined in the state health code. It is unlikely these soils can be improved sufficiently to meet state health code regulations.

Not Rated soils have characteristics that show extreme variability from one location to another. The work needed to overcome adverse soil properties cannot be estimated. Often these areas are urban land complexes or miscellaneous areas.

The soil depth to bedrock ranges from 20 to 40 inches.

The soil depth to bedrock ranges from 0 to 40 inches.

The soil depth to bedrock is less than 20 inches.

Glaciofluvial material has been transported by moving water from melting ice. The material is usually rounded, well sorted sands and gravels. It has very high air and water movement throughout, but very low available water making it very droughty. These materials are important for ground water and aquifer recharge. The soil depth is less than 20 inches.

Glaciofluvial material has been transported by moving water from melting ice. The material is usually rounded, well sorted sands and gravels. It has very high air and water movement throughout, but very low available water making it very droughty. These materials are important for ground water and aquifer recharge.

Melt-out till is material deposited, as the ice beneath the glacier slowly melts away.  It is less consolidated and friable than lodgement till.

Melt-out till is material deposited as the ice beneath the glacier slowly melts away.  It is less consolidated and friable than lodgement till. The soil depth to bedrock  ranges from 20 to 40 inches.

Melt-out till is material deposited, as the ice beneath the glacier slowly melts away.  It is less consolidated and friable than lodgement till. The soil depth to bedrock is less than 20 inches.

Organics are materials deposited from decaying vegetation and microorganisms. These materials have a very high water holding capacity and buffering capability. The depth of the organic materials is greater than 51 inches.

Organics are materials deposited from decaying vegetation and microorganisms. These materials have a very high water holding capacity and buffering capability. The depth of the organic materials is 16 to 51 inches.

Organics are materials deposited from decaying vegetation and microorganisms. Organic materials found along coastal and tidal areas are often saline and support distinctively separate habitats from the non-saline organic materials commonly found inland.   The depth of the organic materials greater than 51 inches.

Organics are materials deposited from decaying vegetation and microorganisms. Organic materials found along coastal and tidal areas are often saline and support distinctively separate habitats from the non-saline organic materials commonly found inland.  The depth of the organic materials is 16 to 51 inches.

Alluvial or floodplain deposits are transported by streams overflowing their banks.

Glaciolacustrine material is deposited during placid waters in large lake systems, such as Glacial Lake Hitchcock which formed in the Connecticut River Valley. These materials have layer upon layer of well sorted very fine sands, fine silts, and clays, collectively called varves.

Lodgement till is material deposited directly beneath the glacier under enormous pressure.  It is compact and contains a greater amount of fine-grained sediment. The compact or dense layer reduces the flow of air and water movement, producing a slowly permeable zone which supports perched water tables.

Urban influenced refers to materials that show extreme variability from one location to another due to disturbance.

The soil depth to bedrock ranges from 0 to 40 inches.

Glaciofluvial material has been transported by moving water from melting ice. The material is usually rounded, well sorted sands and gravels. It has very high air and water movement throughout, but very low available water making it very droughty. These materials are important for ground water and aquifer recharge.

Melt-out till is material deposited as the ice beneath the glacier slowly melts away.  It is less consolidated and friable than lodgement till.

Organics are materials deposited from decaying vegetation and microorganisms. These materials have a very high water holding capacity and buffering capability. 

Organics are materials deposited from decaying vegetation and microorganisms. Organic materials found along coastal and tidal areas are often saline and support distinctively separate habitats from the non-saline organic materials commonly found inland.

Alluvial or floodplain deposits are transported by streams overflowing their banks.

Glaciolacustrine material is deposited during placid waters in large lake systems, such as Glacial Lake Hitchcock which formed in the Connecticut River Valley. These materials have layer upon layer of well sorted very fine sands, fine silts, and clays, collectively called varves.

Lodgement till is material deposited directly beneath the glacier under enormous pressure.  It is compact and contains a greater amount of fine-grained sediment. The compact or dense layer reduces the flow of air and water movement, producing a slowly permeable zone which supports perched water tables.

Urban influenced refers to materials that show extreme variability from one location to another due to disturbance.

A most suitable rating indicates that the soil has features that are very favorable for the practice. Good performance and relatively low installation and maintenance costs can be expected.

A soil rated somewhat suitable has features that are moderately favorable. The limitations can be overcome or minimized by special planning, design, installation, and maintenance. Increased installation costs and maintenance will be required to sustain performance.

A least suitable rating indicates that at least one soil feature is unfavorable for infiltration systems. The limitation generally cannot be overcome. Sometimes expensive design, installation, and maintenance can be employed, but performance may still be poor.

Not Rated soils have characteristics that show extreme variability from one location to another. Often these areas are urban land complexes or miscellaneous areas. 

A most suitable rating indicates that the soil has features that are very favorable for the practice. Good performance and relatively low installation and maintenance costs can be expected.

A soil rated somewhat suitable has features that are moderately favorable. The limitations can be overcome or minimized by special planning, design, installation, and maintenance. Increased installation costs and maintenance will be required to sustain performance.

A least suitable rating indicates that at least one soil feature is unfavorable for infiltration systems. The limitation generally cannot be overcome. Sometimes expensive design, installation, and maintenance can be employed, but performance may still be poor.

Not Rated soils have characteristics that show extreme variability from one location to another. Often these areas are urban land complexes or miscellaneous areas. 

A most suitable rating indicates that the soil has features that are very favorable for the practice. Good performance and relatively low installation and maintenance costs can be expected.

A soil rated somewhat suitable has features that are moderately favorable. The limitations can be overcome or minimized by special planning, design, installation, and maintenance. Increased installation costs and maintenance will be required to sustain performance.

A least suitable rating indicates that at least one soil feature is unfavorable for infiltration systems. The limitation generally cannot be overcome. Sometimes expensive design, installation, and maintenance can be employed, but performance may still be poor.

Not Rated soils have characteristics that show extreme variability from one location to another. Often these areas are urban land complexes or miscellaneous areas.

A most suitable rating indicates that the soil has features that are very favorable for the practice. Good performance and relatively low installation and maintenance costs can be expected.

A soil rated somewhat suitable has features that are moderately favorable. The limitations can be overcome or minimized by special planning, design, installation, and maintenance. Increased installation costs and maintenance will be required to sustain performance.

A least suitable rating indicates that at least one soil feature is unfavorable for infiltration systems. The limitation generally cannot be overcome. Sometimes expensive design, installation, and maintenance can be employed, but performance may still be poor.

Not Rated soils have characteristics that show extreme variability from one location to another. Often these areas are urban land complexes or miscellaneous areas.

Water is removed very rapidly. The occurrence of internal free water commonly is very rare or very deep. The soils are commonly coarse-textured and have very high hydraulic conductivity or are very shallow.

Water is removed from the soil rapidly. Internal free water occurrence commonly is very rare or very deep. The soils are commonly coarse-textured and have high saturated hydraulic conductivity or are very shallow.

Water is removed from the soil readily but not rapidly. Internal free water occurrence commonly is deep or very deep; annual duration is not specified. Water is available to plants throughout most of the growing season in humid regions. Wetness does not inhibit growth of roots for significant periods during most growing seasons. The soils are mainly free of features that are related to wetness.

Water is removed from the soil somewhat slowly during some periods of the year. Internal free water occurrence commonly is moderately deep and transitory through permanent. The soils are wet for only a short time within the rooting depth during the growing season, but long enough that most mesophytic crops are affected. They commonly have a moderately low or lower saturated hydraulic conductivity in a layer within the upper 1 m, periodically receive high rainfall, or both.

Water is removed slowly so that the soil is wet at a shallow depth for significant periods during the growing season. The occurrence of internal free water commonly is shallow to moderately deep and transitory to permanent. Wetness markedly restricts the growth of mesophytic crops, unless artificial drainage is provided. The soils commonly have one or more of the following characteristics: low or very low saturated hydraulic conductivity, a high water table, additional water from seepage, or nearly continuous rainfall. 

Water is removed so slowly that the soil is wet at shallow depths periodically during the growing season or remains wet for long periods. The occurrence of internal free water is shallow or very shallow and common or persistent. Free water is commonly at or near the surface long enough during the growing season so that most mesophytic crops cannot be grown, unless the soil is artificially drained. The soil, however, is not continuously wet directly below plow-depth. Free water at shallow depth is usually present. This water table is commonly the result of low or very low saturated hydraulic conductivity of nearly continuous rainfall, or of a combination of these.

Water is removed from the soil so slowly that free water remains at or very near the ground surface during much of the growing season. The occurrence of internal free water is very shallow and persistent or permanent. Unless the soil is artificially drained, most mesophytic crops cannot be grown. The soils are commonly level or depressed and frequently ponded. If rainfall is high or nearly continuous, slope gradients may be greater.

Soils have characteristics that show extreme variability from one location to another. Often these areas are urban land complexes or miscellaneous areas. An on-site investigation is required to determine soil conditions present at the site.

Very Frequent means that flooding is likely to occur very often under normal weather conditions. The chance of flooding is more than 50 percent in all months of any year.

Frequent means that flooding is likely to occur often under normal weather conditions. The chance of flooding is more than 50 percent in any year but is less than 50 percent in all months in any year.

Occasional means that flooding occurs infrequently under normal weather conditions. The chance of flooding is 5 to 50 percent in any year or 5 to 50 times in 100 years.

Rare means that flooding is unlikely but possible under unusual weather conditions. The chance of flooding is 1 to 5 percent in any year or nearly 1 to 5 times in 100 years.

Soils having characteristics that show extreme variability from one location to another. Often these areas are urban land complexes or miscellaneous areas. An on-site investigation is required to determine soil conditions present at the site.