Results

The Hubbard property is located in the Southwest ¼ of the Northeast ¼ of Section 1, T25N, R13W, Pepin County.  The Hubbard site landscape includes a gradual slope located on the southern banks of the Chippewa River floodplain.  The slope is less than 4 percent.  A small stream terrace is located along the western boundary of the Hubbard Site.  The soils across the site are sandy and appear to be derived from glaciofluvial outwash.   Evidence that the upland portion of this site was used for farming is found in the pits located on level portions of the site (Ap horizon, or plow zone).  This evidence is confirmed by current land-use in the surrounding area.  Elsewhere, on less level and poorly drained areas, the site is wooded.  Climate, natural vegetation, and other soil forming factors are fairly consistent across the study area.  The bedrock in Pepin County is pre-cambrian granite units dating back approximately 4.6 billion years.  Above the granite, lies cambrian sedimentary rock deposited by ancient seas. Lying above this bedrock unit is the Wonewoc, Eau Claire, and Mt. Simon sandstone formations. During the past 9,500 years, sediment has continually been deposited on the floor of the floodplain. The major factor contributing to variability in soil characteristics is slope and position on the landscape. 

Soil pits 2, 3, and 4 were all located on the toe slope.  These soils best match the 508A Farrington loamy sand, 0 to 3 percent slopes, according to the Soil Survey of Pepin County, WI.  508A Farrington loamy sand, 0 to 3 percent slopes typically has bedrock depth of greater than 60 inches and is somewhat poorly drained.  The dominant parent material is sandy gravelly outwash and the depth of the water table is between 1.0 to 2.5 feet.  The content of organic matter in the surface layer is about 2 percent (moderate).

Soil pits 5, 6, 7, and 8 ranged from toe slope, mid slope, and crest respectively.  These soils best match the 501A Finchford loamy sand, 0 to 3 percent slopes, according to the Soil Survey of Pepin County, WI.  501A Finchford loamy sand, 0 to 3 percent slopes typically has bedrock depth greater than 80 inches and is excessively drained.  The dominant parent material is sandy gravelly outwash and the depth of the water table is greater than 6.0 feet.  The content of organic matter in the surface layer is about 2 percent (moderate).

Detailed descriptions and photographs of each soil profile examined in this study are available via the links provided below.