MLRA REGION 10 NEWSLETTER--AUGUST 1, 1998 UPLAND FLOODING MAP UNITS NAMES There has been a recent discussion on the naming and interpretation of upland poorly drained swales that receive inteminttent "flushes" of runoff. This runoff occurs as concentrated flow from upland slopes after a rainfall event. These areas are typically shown in Iowa with a two or three dot intermittent stream symbol. The current definition of flooding in the NSH indicates that flooding can occur from "flowing water from any source" and includes "runoff from adjacent or surrounding slopes". The Soil Survey Manual further states that flooding "inudates" the surface of the soil. Taking these definitions into account, it would appear that the upland swales meet the definition of flooding but only in the lowest part of the landscape where the water actually flows and inundates. These areas may typically be 10 to 40 feet wide in a map unit that may be several hundred feet in width. The majority of the map unit is typically not inudated by a single rainfall event. Talking with the agromonists, they typically design grassed waterways to be 40 to 50 feet in width (taking into account the hydrology of the specific field). This is wide enough in most cases to assure that the water does not flow outside of the grassed waterways to create ephemeral erosion along either side of the grassed area. We prefer not to name these map unit as "frequently flooded, extremely brief duration" since this does not reflect the majority of the map unit. Rather, NASIS will allow us to alert users to this potential inundation by showing it as a minor component in the data mapunit. This is a change from the past for some states, but would better represent to the users the true nature of the map unit for use and management. Al Giencke Region 10 Correlator ######################################################################### THE USE OF GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEMS (GPS) IN SOIL SURVEY DOCUMENTATION by Al Giencke The following brief article (abstract) describes GPS as a tool in expediting the collection of transect data to better determine map unit composition. It assumes the reader is somewhat familiar with the use of handheld Rockwell GPS receivers (PLGRS). In sloping topography, map units components have a strong correlation to hillslope positions. Generally, the epipedon and profile are thinnest on shoulder positions and thicker and deeper on footslope and toeslope positions. Because of this relationship, one can use slope shape as a guide to map unit composition. The process tested in the field and presented in the article follows: 1. Randomly select a single hillslope that represents one map unit polygon. 2. On a straight line, perpendicular to the contour lines of the slope, place flags where the major hillslope positions change. IE. summit/shoulder slope/backslope/ footslope/ toeslope. These represent the major components by slope shape. 3. With the use of a probe tool, refine the flag placement based on series criteria. For example, if the series on a backslope allows up a 24 inch maximum mollic and the foot slope component has a minimum of 24 inches of mollic, the flag would be moved to this break representing the series separation. Another break might be the eroded phase from the uneroded phase based on mollic thickness of 7 inches or less. 4. With the flags in place, representing contiguous map unit components, mark waypoints on the PLGR at each flag. 5. Use the Waypoint/Dist. function of the PLGR to calculate distances between flags. 6. Calculate the percentage of each component in the transect based on the total length of the transect. The total length of the transect would be calculated from the initial waypoint to the ending way point. Some advantages of this technique are: 1. Ease of getting many of these components transcets in a short time. Estimates of 15 to 20 could be done in a day. 2. The waypoints are stored in the PLGR and can be downloaded to a PC as a permanent and spatially accurate record of observations. 3. With a significant amount of data generated in this manner, statistics can be easily run using software to evaluate statistical mean, modes, and standard deviations. This can giver users a confidence level for data and data mapunit composition. An enhancement to this procedure would be to write a pedon description from each component to gather additional data on ranges of properties from each component. Additional information on this procedure or use of PLGRS can be obtained from Al Giencke, or Tom Jackson, Project Leader, Buffalo, MN. Note, if time or interest permit, this procedure can be demonstrated at future progress reviews or MLRA steering committee meetings. ######################################################################### WOODLAND ORDINATION SYMBOLS AND NASIS A question posted to the folks at the NSSC by MO 10 (relayed from Wisconsin): Woodland ordination symbol "L" is not an option in NASIS 3.1. It is suggested that it be included in our woodland ordination system to identify the following unique soil limitation: The symbol "L" is used to indicate low soil strength in upland soils that have moderate or high silt content. The resulting low strength occurs during spring thaw and other excessively wet periods and restricts the use of wheeled logging equipment. Ruts will form in the soil if these wheeled vehicles are used when these mineral soils are wet. Deep ruts tend to restrict lateral drainage, may concentrate water flow leading to increased erosion, and result in damage to the tree roots and eventually to the trees themselves. The symbol "L" tells the user that logging with wheeled equipment cannot be conducted on a year round basis without damaging the environment as well as affecting long term forest management. This interpretation was developed in the Midwest several years ago with input from state and county foresters, US Forest Service staff, commercial forestry people, and SCS (NRCS) staff. It has been tested and used successfully. We would be abandoning our responsibility to provide adequate forestry interpretations if we have no way in the NASIS data base of indicating this soil limitation. * * * * * Reply by Johnny M. Patterson [Forester, National Soil Survey Center, Lincoln] Ordination Species, Ordination Class, Ordination Subclass, and Ordination Group are no longer supported at the national level. With the release of NASIS 3.0 these data elements where "hidden". "Hidden" means that the data is still in NASIS and reports can be run against the data, but they are not longer viewable or editable. The decision to no longer support ordination groups at the national level was made by NHQ leadership. This decision does not prevent individual states from continuing to use ordination groups if they so desire but the linkage to soil components will have to be maintained outside of NASIS. All of the changes to the NASIS data model relative to forestry (including the ordination groups) was detailed in a letter sent to all State Soil Scientists, MLRA Office Leaders, and State Foresters in October 1996. The new forestry interpretation "Soil Rutting Hazard" may meet your need to indicate soil rutting hazard. This interpretation is one of several new forestry interpretations developed using the NASIS Interpretations Generator, beginning with version 3.0. If the criteria used in the "Soil Rutting Hazard" interpretation does not meet your needs it can be modified at the local level, as can all of the interpretations using the Interpretations Generator. I agree "we would be abandoning our responsibility to provide adequate forestry interpretations if we have no way in the NASIS data base of indicating this soil limitation". The Interpretations Generator in NASIS affords use that opportunity. ######################################################################### Last month, the following x3780 files were sent to offices having SSSD: x3780.427frig on June 30 ( 3 updated OSDs) @ x3780.428frig on July 1 (61 updated OSDs) @ x3780.429mes on July 2 ( 2 updated OSDs) * x3780.430frig on July 6 ( 1 updated OSD ) @ x3780.431frig on July 7 ( 4 updated OSDs) @ @ Sent to offices using soils in the frigid soil temperature regime. * Sent to offices using soils in the mesic soil temperature regime. # Sent to all offices. ######################################################################### ACTIVITY SCHEDULE (through September 15--subject to change) DATE MLRA ACTIVITY LOCATION MO 10 STAFF Aug 03-06 88 Progress Field Review International Falls PO Giencke Handler Aug 03-07 94A Progress Field Review Spooner Project Office Jahnke Aug 10-14 All Dense till study Washington State Giencke Aug 24-27 90 Progress Field Review Milaca Project Office Giencke Hempel Aug 24-28 93 Progress Field Review Ottawa National Forest Jahnke Aug 31-04 92 Progress Field Review Ashland Project Office Jahnke DesLauriers Sep 08 Iowa Partnership Mtg Des Moines McCloskey Sep 14-18 105 Progress Field Review Dunn County, WI Jahnke ######################################################################### CONTRIBUTIONS, IDEAS, SUGGESTIONS, AND QUESTIONS ARE WELCOME Thanks to those individuals who participated this month. It is your efforts that are making this newsletter a success. * * * * * Please submit your articles at least five days before the end of the month for inclusion in the following month's newsletter. Otherwise it will appear the following month. Occasionally, due to other workload demands, it may be an additional month before the article appears. Generally, articles are inserted in the order they are received. Articles in an electronic format can be submitted to: jfh@mn.nrcs.usda.gov It is best if electronic articles are prepared in a "text only" format. Articles in a paper format can be sent or faxed to: John Handler MLRA Region 10 Office USDA - NRCS 375 Jackson Street - Suite 600 St. Paul, Minnesota 55101-1854 FAX: 1-612-602-7914 * * * * * This newsletter is intended to be a forum to distribute information of a general nature that will benefit soil scientists in soil survey project offices. It is hoped that it will foster communications and sharing of knowledge among those soil scientists in MLRA Region 10. * * * * * The format of this newsletter is intentionally simple so that it can be received, read, and printed by the project office having the least sophisticated computer setup. #########################################################################