Ramsey Twp Comp Plan July 73 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

NATURAL FEATURES SOILS The soils information is from a 1971 study by the U. S. Department of Agriculture Soil Gonservation Service in conjunction with the Anoka Soil and Water Conservation District. It identifies soil by types and further classifies them according, to their limitations for residential and commercial development. As reflected on the Soils plate, four degrees of limitations are used': . 1. Sliqht - these soils are relatively free Of use hazards or they are such that can be easily overcome. 2. Moderate - These use hazards need to be recognized and can' be overcome with good management and careful design. 3o Severe- These use hazards are difficult to overcome. Development is questionable. 4. Very Severe -These use hazards are very difficult to overcome. Special designs 'and major reclamation are needed. Gosts may be prohibitive. There are a number of factors which help determine limitations, including: erodibility, flooding hazard, slopes, bearing capacity, depth to water table and natural drainage. The soils types which have only slight limitations tend to be excessively drained sandy loams with a water table of generally .eight to fifteen feet below the surface. Some problems are likely to occur in this category from wind and water erosion, particularly on the steeper slopes. It may also be difficult for lawn, shrub and tree growing in these areas without bringing in good topsoils, due to the low water holding capacity of the soil. These areas are generally quite suitable for construction purposes, however, because of their workability and bearing capacity. I i i ! I The soils having moderate limitations range from well to somewhat poorly drained soils, and include both loamy and sandy soils. While the water table in the more sandy soils is as high as two feet below surface, it will drop as low as six feet below surfa, ce during dry periods. The limitations in this category are due to water erosion on slopes and problems with the high water tables. Assets include reasonably good bearing capacities for foundations and easily handled soil for'earth moving equipment. The third group of soils has severe limitations without public sewers, but would be only moderately limited with the installation of sewers on slopes of 0 - 12%. Slow permea- bility in these deep loamy soils is the primary reason for the soil rating. Bearing capacity and shear strength are only fair. Frost heaves are common. The landscape ls rolling and wooded, however, and is attractive and pleasing for residential home sites The soils having severe to very severe limitations range from somewhat poorly drained sandy and silty clay loams to very poorly drained sandy and orgamc soils. They tend to be wetland areas, either in depressional positions or contiguous to bogs and marshes. They have very high water tables and variable bearing capacities. These areas are best used for wildlife and recreation areas rather than for urban purposes. I I I I I I