20210952 Ver 1_Lincoln Soil Survey_20210517

United States In cooperation with
Department of North Carolina
Agriculture Department of
Environment, Health, and
Soil Natural Resources; North
Conservation Carolina Agricultural
Service Research Service; North
Carolina Cooperative
Extension Service;
Lincoln County Board of
Commissioners; and
Lincoln Soil and Water
Conservation District
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16
Soil Survey of
Lincoln County,
North Carolina
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How To Use This Soil Survey
General Soil Map
The general soil map, which is the color map preceding the detailed soil maps, shows the survey area
divided into groups of associated soils called general soil map units. This map is useful in planning the
use and management of large areas.
To find information about your area of interest, locate that area on the map, identify the name of the
map unit in the area on the color -coded map legend, then refer to the section General Soil Map Units
for a general description of the soils in your area.
Detailed Soil Maps
The detailed soil maps follow the general soil map. These maps can
be useful in planning the use and management of small areas.
To find information about
your area of interest,
locate that area on the
Index to Map Sheets,
which precedes the soil
maps. Note the number of
the map sheet, and turn to
that sheet.
Locate your area of
interest on the map
sheet. Note the map unit
symbols that are in that
area. Turn to the Index
to Map Units (see Con-
tents), which lists the map
units by symbol and
name and shows the
page where each map
unit is described.
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INDEX TO MAP SHEETS
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MAP SHEET
Kok
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MAP SHEET
AREA OF INTEREST
NOTE: Map unit symbols in a soil
survey may consist only of numbers or
letters, or they may be a combination
of numbers and letters.
The Summary of Tables shows which table has data on a specific land use for each detailed soil map
unit. See Contents for sections of this publication that may address your specific needs.

This soil survey is a publication of the National Cooperative Soil Survey, a
joint effort of the United States Department of Agriculture and other Federal
agencies, State agencies including the North Carolina Agricultural Research
Service, and local agencies. The Soil Conservation Service has leadership for
the federal part of the National Cooperative Soil Survey.
Major fieldwork for this soil survey was completed in 1988. Soil names and
descriptions were approved in 1989. Unless otherwise indicated, statements in
this publication refer to conditions in the survey area in 1989. This soil survey
was made cooperatively by the Soil Conservation Service; the North Carolina
Department of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources; the North Carolina
Agricultural Research Service; and the North Carolina Cooperative Extension
Service. It is part of the technical assistance furnished to the Lincoln Soil and
Water Conservation District. The Lincoln County Board of Commissioners
provided financial assistance for the survey.
Soil maps in this survey may be copied without permission. Enlargement of
these maps, however, could cause misunderstanding of the detail of mapping. If
enlarged, maps do not show the small areas of contrasting soils that could have
been shown at a larger scale.
The first soil survey of Lincoln County was published in 1916 by the U.S.
Department of Agriculture (14). This survey updates the first survey, provides
more detailed maps on aerial photographs, and contains more interpretive
information.
All programs and services of the Soil Conservation Service are offered on a
nondiscriminatory basis, without regard to race, color, national origin, religion,
sex, age, marital status, or handicap.
Cover: Strlperopping In a field of alfalfa and small grain in Lincoln County.
I I

Contents
Index to map units iv
Summary of tables v
Foreword vii
General nature of the county 1
How this survey was made 3
Map unit composition 5
General soil map units 7
Detailed soil map units 13
Prime farmland 43
Use and management of the soils 45
Crops and pasture 45
Woodland management and productivity 49
Recreation 52
Wildlife habitat 54
Engineering 55
Soil properties 61
Engineering index properties 61
Physical and chemical properties 62
Soil and water features 63
Engineering index test data 64
Classification of the soils 65
Soil series and their morphology 65
Altavista series 65
Appling series 66
Buncombe series 67
Cecil series 68
Chewacla series 68
Gaston series 69
Georgeville series 70
Helena series 70
Madison series 71
Masada series 72
Mocksville series 73
Pacolet series 73
Rion series 74
Riverview series 75
Sedgefield series 75
Udorthents 76
Winnsboro series 76
Worsham series 77
Zion series 78
Formation of the soils 81
References 83
Glossary 85
Tables 95
Issued January 1995
iii

Index to Map Units
AaA—Altavista sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent
slopes, rarely flooded 13
ApB—Appling sandy loam, 1 to 6 percent slopes14
BnB—Buncombe sand, 0 to 5 percent slopes,
rarely flooded 14
CcB—Cecil sandy loam, 2 to 8 percent slopes 15
CeB2—Cecil sandy clay loam, 2 to 8 percent
slopes, eroded 16
ChA—Chewacla loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes,
frequently flooded 17
GaD—Gaston loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes 17
GnB2—Gaston sandy clay loam, 2 to 8 percent
slopes, eroded 19
GnC2—Gaston sandy clay loam, 8 to 15 percent
slopes, eroded 19
GrB—Georgeville loam, 2 to 8 percent slopes 20
GrC—Georgeville loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes 21
GrD—Georgeville loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes 22
GvB2—Georgeville clay loam, 2 to 8 percent
slopes, eroded 22
GvC2—Georgeville clay loam, 8 to 15 percent
slopes, eroded 23
HeB—Helena sandy loam, 1 to 6 percent slopes 24
MaD—Madison sandy loam, 15 to 25 percent
slopes 24
MdB2—Madison sandy clay loam, 2 to 8 percent
slopes, eroded 25
MdC2—Madison sandy clay loam, 8 to 15
percent slopes, eroded 26
MsB—Masada sandy loam, 2 to 8 percent
slopes 27
MsC—Masada sandy loam, 8 to 15 percent
slopes 27
PaB—Pacolet sandy loam, 2 to 8 percent slopes28
iv
PaC—Pacolet sandy loam, 8 to 15 percent
slopes 29
PaD—Pacolet sandy loam, 15 to 25 percent
slopes 29
PaE—Pacolet sandy loam, 25 to 45 percent
slopes 30
PeB2—Pacolet sandy clay loam, 2 to 8 percent
slopes, eroded 30
PeC2—Pacolet sandy clay loam, 8 to 15 percent
slopes, eroded 31
PmB—Pacolet-Madison-Urban land complex,
2 to 8 percent slopes 32
PmC—Pacolet-Madison-Urban land complex,
8 to 15 percent slopes 32
Pt —Pits, quarries 33
RnB—Rion sandy loam, 2 to 8 percent slopes 33
RnC—Rion sandy loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes 34
RvA—Riverview loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes,
occasionally flooded 36
SeB—Sedgefield fine sandy loam, 1 to 4 percent
slopes 36
Ud—Udorthents, loamy 37
Ur —Urban land 37
WnB—Winnsboro fine sandy loam, 2 to 8
percent slopes 38
WoA—Worsham fine sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent
slopes 38
ZmE—Zion-Mocksville complex, 25 to 45
percent slopes 39
ZwC—Zion-Winnsboro-Mocksville complex, 8 to
15 percent slopes 39
ZwD—Zion-Winnsboro-Mocksville complex,
15 to 25 percent slopes 41

Summary of Tables
Temperature and precipitation (table 1) 96
Freeze dates in spring and fall (table 2) 97
Growing season (table 3) 97
Acreage and proportionate extent of the soils (table 4) 98
Prime farmland (table 5) 99
Land capability and yields per acre of crops and pasture (table 6) 100
Woodland management and productivity (table 7) 102
Common and scientific names of woodland plants (table 8) 108
Recreational development (table 9) 110
Wildlife habitat (table 10) 113
Building site development (table 11) 116
Sanitary facilities (table 12) 119
Construction materials (table 13) 123
Water management (table 14) 126
Engineering index properties (table 15) 129
Physical and chemical properties of the soils (table 16) 134
Soil and water features (table 17) 137
Engineering index test data (table 18) 139
Classification of the soils (table 19) 140
v

Foreword
This soil survey contains information that can be used in land -planning
programs in Lincoln County. It contains predictions of soil behavior for selected
land uses. The survey also highlights limitations and hazards inherent in the soil,
improvements needed to overcome the limitations, and the impact of selected
land uses on the environment.
This soil survey is designed for many different users. Farmers, foresters, and
agronomists can use it to evaluate the potential of the soil and the management
needed for maximum food and fiber production. Planners, community officials,
engineers, developers, builders, and home buyers can use the survey to plan
land use, select sites for construction, and identify special practices needed to
ensure proper performance. Conservationists, teachers, students, and specialists
in recreation, wildlife management, waste disposal, and pollution control can use
the survey to help them understand, protect, and enhance the environment.
Great differences in soil properties can occur within short distances. Some
soils are seasonally wet or subject to flooding. Some are shallow over bedrock.
Some are too unstable to be used as a foundation for buildings or roads. Some
clayey or wet soils are poorly suited to septic tank absorption fields. A high water
table makes a soil poorly suited to basements or underground installations.
These and many other soil properties that affect land use are described in this
soil survey. Broad areas of soils are shown on the general soil map. The location
of each soil is shown on the detailed soil maps. Each soil in the survey area is
described. Information on specific uses is given for each soil. Help in using this
publication and additional information are available at the local office of the Soil
Conservation Service or the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service.
Coy A. Garrett
State Conservationist
Soil Conservation Service
vii

1
Soil Survey of
Lincoln County, North Carolina
By William E. Woody, Soil Conservation Service
Soils Surveyed by William E. Woody, Soil Conservation Service, and David V. McCloy,
North Carolina Department of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources
United States Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service,
in cooperation with
North Carolina Department of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources;
North Carolina Agricultural Research Service; North Carolina Cooperative Extension
Service; Lincoln County Board of Commissioners; and Lincoln Soil and Water
Conservation District
LINCOLN COUNTY is in the south-central part of the
Southern Piedmont area in North Carolina (fig. 1). In
1990, it had a population of 50,319. Lincolnton, the
county seat and largest town, had a population of
6,847.
The county has a total area of 196,262 acres, or 307
square miles. This total includes 7,220 acres of water
areas.
General Nature of the County
This section gives general information concerning
Lincoln County. It describes history and development;
physiography, relief, and drainage; water resources;
geology and mineral resources; and climate.
History and Development
Spanish expeditions passed through the area that is
now Lincoln County from Florida between 1528 and
1568. The first English explorers arrived in 1701. The
early settlers were Scotch -Irish, German, French, and
English. They first acquired land in the 1740's and
1750's. The Scotch -Irish and Germans came from
Pennsylvania and Virginia. The French and English
came from the eastern parts of the Carolinas. Until
approximately 1761, the settlers were in conflict with the
Figure 1.—Location of Lincoln County In North Carolina.
original Cherokee inhabitants of the area near the
Catawba and Yadkin Rivers (4, 8).
In 1778, a petition requesting the creation of a new
county west of the Catawba River was presented to the
Colonial Assembly of North Carolina. At this time Tryon
County was abolished and Lincoln County was
established. Until the formation of Cleveland County in
1841, Lincoln County included all of what is now
Lincoln, Catawba, and Gaston counties and a large part
of Cleveland County. It was one of the largest,

2 Soil Survey
wealthiest, and most populous counties in North
Carolina. In 1842, Catawba County was organized from
part of Lincoln County. In 1846, Gaston county was
organized from another part.
Lincoln County and the town of Lincolnton, which is
the county seat, were named in honor of Revolutionary
War hero General Benjamin Lincoln. He was the
commanding general of the Southern Department of the
Continental Army. Later, he was a member of the
convention that ratified the Constitution of the United
States (4, 12).
Lincoln County ranked high among the counties of
western North Carolina in agricultural development long
before the Civil War. The leading crops were corn,
wheat, rye, and oats. The production of cotton, which
was introduced before the nineteenth century, reached
506 bales by 1850 (8, 14). Cotton was a staple cash
crop by 1890. The first cotton mill in the county was
established in 1813. Since the 1950's, the agricultural
production of the county has changed from a
predominance of cotton to more diversified products,
including dairy cows, swine, small grain, soybeans,
corn, broilers, truck crops, and beef cattle (8). A large
apple industry is in the western part of the county,
which is now the second largest apple producing county
in North Carolina.
Although agriculture is still an important part of the
local economy, manufacturing is becoming increasingly
important. It has become the largest source of
employment in the county. Textiles are the single
largest sector. In 1980, retail sales were 146 million
dollars and gross farm income was 25 million dollars.
Physiography, Relief, and Drainage
The topography of Lincoln County is predominantly
rolling to hilly. Elevation ranges from 650 feet above
sea level at the southeast corner of the county to 1,480
feet at the northwest corner on Buffalo Knob. The
valleys of the larger streams are worn so deep that the
velocity of the streams has been reduced. Recurrent
overflows have resulted in large areas of bottom land.
These areas are extensive along the South Fork of the
Catawba River, particularly in the central and northern
parts of the county (7).
The county is well drained. All of the streams in the
county are perennial. Generally, drainage is into the
Catawba River. Except for the drainage west of North
Carolina Highway 274 that flows into Buffalo Creek, all
of the surface water in the western part of the county
flows into the South Fork of the Catawba River, mostly
through Howards Creek and Indian Creek. This fork
also receives the water from Clarks Creek and its
tributaries. The eastern part of the county drains directly
into the Catawba River or into Dutchmans Creek, which
eventually empties into the Catawba River (7).
Water Resources
Lincoln County has an abundant supply of water from
rivers, streams, lakes, and ground water. Most rural,
domestic water is supplied by wells. Municipal and
county water systems are supplied by surface water
from Lake Norman, the South Fork of the Catawba
River, and Indian Creek.
Bored wells and drilled wells are the two types of
wells in the county. Bored wells are the most common.
They generally range from 20 to 60 feet in depth and
from 18 to 24 inches in diameter. Drilled wells are less
common than bored wells because of higher expenses.
They are, however, more reliable than bored wells. The
average yield of a well in the county is 12 gallons per
minute. Part of the reason for this low average is that a
majority of the wells are domestic wells that are not
designed for large yields and may not have been tested
at maximum capacity (7).
Lake Norman, which is the largest lake in North
Carolina, makes up about 5,376 acres of the county. It
is on the eastern boundary of the county. It was formed
by damming the Catawba River in 1961 for electrical
power plants. Bodies of water less than 40 acres in size
make up about 1,824 acres of the county.
Geology and Mineral Resources
P.A. Carpenter, Ill, geologist, North Carolina Department of
Environment, Health, and Natural Resources, helped prepare this
section.
Lincoln County is located on the boundary between
three geologic belts. These are the Inner Piedmont belt,
the Kings Mountain belt, and the Charlotte belt.
Included in these belts are felsic, intermediate, and
mafic, igneous, intrusive rocks. Felsic rocks are light
colored, and mafic rocks are dark. Also included are
intrusive, volcanic, and sedimentary rocks, which have
been altered by intense heat and pressure to form
gneisses, schists, and phyllites (metamorphic rocks).
Most of the rocks in these belts are deeply weathered,
leaving decomposed rocks and thick soil profiles at the
land surface.
The Inner Piedmont belt is in the western half of the
county. It is separated from the Kings Mountain belt,
which is to the east, by the Kings Mountain fault. The
most common rocks in the Inner Piedmont belt are
layered biotite and hornblende gneisses and mica
schists. These gneisses and schists were intruded by
Toluca granite and Cherryville granite, which are major
felsic, granitic bodies.

Lincoln County, North Carolina 3
The Kings Mountain belt, which is northeast -trending,
is approximately 12 miles wide in the county. Rocks in
this belt are of volcanic and sedimentary origin but have
been metamorphosed to sericite mica, phyllite, sericite
schist, and quartz-sericite schist.
The Charlotte belt is in the extreme eastern part of
the county. Rocks in this belt are primarily
metamorphosed, felsic and intermediate, igneous, and
intrusive.
The county has been mined or quarried for a variety
of rocks. It lies near the northern end of the "Tin-
Spodumene belt," which contains one of the largest
reserves of lithium in the world. Tin- and lithium -bearing
minerals occur in pegmatites (very coarse grained
granitic rocks), primarily along the boundary between
the Inner Piedmont and Kings Mountain belts. Originally
tin .was mined, but only lithium is currently produced.
Small tin- and lithium -bearing pegmatites are common
southeast of Lincolnton. Lithium is used principally by
the aluminum, glass, and ceramic industries; in lithium
greases; and in storage batteries (13).
Lincoln County was an important producer of iron in
the late 1700's and early 1800's. The major period of
production was from 1820 to 1840. At this time metallic
iron was produced at a rate of as much as 900 tons per
year from deposits east of Lincolnton. Small deposits of
marble are in the county. They were quarried for lime
and as fluxing material for the iron industry. Prior to the
Civil War, small amounts of gold were produced from at
least seven mines in the county (13).
Climate
Lincoln County has long, hot summers because moist
tropical air from the Gulf of Mexico persistently covers
the area. Winters are cool and fairly short. Cold waves
are rare and moderate in 1 or 2 days. Precipitation is
fairly heavy throughout the year, and prolonged
droughts are rare. Precipitation in the summer, mainly
in the form of afternoon thunderstorms, is adequate for
most locally grown crops.
Table 1 gives data on temperature and precipitation
for the survey area as recorded at Lincolnton, North
Carolina, in the period 1952 to 1984. Table 2 shows
probable dates of the first freeze in fall and the last
freeze in spring. Table 3 provides data on length of the
growing season.
In winter, the average temperature is 41 degrees F
and the average daily minimum temperature is 30
degrees. The lowest temperature on record, which
occurred at Lincolnton on January 11, 1982, is -2
degrees. In summer, the average temperature is 76
degrees and the average daily maximum temperature is
87 degrees. The highest recorded temperature, which
occurred at Lincolnton on July 29, 1952, is 105
degrees.
Growing degree days are shown in table 1. They are
equivalent to "heat units." During the month, growing
degree days accumulate by the amount that the
average temperature each day exceeds a base
temperature (50 degrees F). The normal monthly
accumulation is used to schedule single or successive
plantings of a crop between the last freeze in spring
and the first freeze in fall.
The total annual precipitation is about 48 inches. Of
this, 25 inches, or 52 percent, usually falls in April
through September. The growing season for most crops
falls within this period. In 2 years out of 10, the rainfall
in April through September is less than 12 inches. The
heaviest 1-day rainfall during the period of record was
4.16 inches at Lincolnton on April 29, 1975.
Thunderstorms occur on about 42 days each year.
Severe local storms, including tornadoes,
occasionally strike in or near the county. They are short
of duration and cause variable and spotty damage.
Every few years in summer or autumn, a tropical
depression or remnant of a hurricane that has moved
inland causes extremely heavy rains for 1 to 3 days.
The average seasonal snowfall is 7 inches. The
greatest snow depth at any one time during the period
of record was 13 inches. On an average of 3 days a
year at least 1 inch of snow is on the ground. The
number of such days varies greatly from year to year.
The average relative humidity in midafternoon is
about 55 percent. Humidity is higher at night, and the
average at dawn is about 80 percent. The sun shines
70 percent of the time possible in summer and 60
percent in winter. The prevailing wind is from the
southwest. Average windspeed is highest, 9.0 miles per
hour, in spring.
How This Survey Was Made
This survey was made to provide information about
the soils in Lincoln County. The information includes a
description of the soils and their location and a
discussion of the suitability, limitations, and
management of the soils for specified uses. Soil
scientists observed the steepness, length, and shape of
slopes; the general pattern of drainage; the kinds of
crops and native plants growing on the soils; and the
kinds of bedrock. They studied many soil profiles. A soil
profile is the sequence of natural layers, or horizons, in
a soil (fig. 2). It extends from the surface down into the
unconsolidated material from which the soil formed. The

4 Soil Survey
Profile of Cecil Soil
0 Ap 0-6"
1' —
3' —
5' —
6' —
yellowish red
sandy clay loam
Bt 6-45" red clay
BC 45-56" red clay loam
Profile of Winnsboro Soil
C 56-70" red, yellowish red, and
reddish yellow sandy
loam saprolite
Main uses: Cropland and pasture
Limitations: High clay content
Profile of Worsham Soil
o — Ap 0-7"
BEg 7-11"
Btg1 11-15"
Btg2 15-35"
1'-
3' —
5' —
0—
I' —
3' —
4' -
Ap 0-8"
BA 8-11"
Bt 11-32"
dark brown fine
sandy loam
yellowish brown
sandy clay loam
yellowish brown clay
Bt/C 32-37" yellowish brown clay
C1 37-46" light yellowish brown
sandy loam saprolite
C2 46-60" multicolored loam
saprolite
Main uses: Pasture and woodland
Limitations: Slow permeability, high shrink -swell,
and high clay content
Profile of Chewacla Soil
dark brown fine 0
sandy loam
grayish brown sandy
clay loam
gray sandy clay with
brownish yellow mottles
light gray clay with
brownish yellow
mottles
BCg 35-55" light gray sandy clay
loam with brownish
yellow mottles
Cg 55-62" light gray sandy clay
loam with pockets of
loamy sand and dark
gray and yellowish
brown mottles
Main uses: Woodland and pasture
Limitations: Wetness, very slow permeability,
and high clay content
I' —
3' —
5' —
A 0-6"
brown loam
Bw1 6-16" brown clay loam
Bw2 16-23" strong brown clay loam
with gray mottles
Bg 23-41" gray and light gray clay
loam with strong brown
mottles
Cg1 41-53" light gray sandy clay loam
with yellowish brown and
brown mottles
Cg2 53-60" gray sandy clay
loam
Main uses: Woodland and pasture
Limitations: Flooding, wetness
Figure 2.—The soil profiles, major uses, and limitations of four contrasting soils In Lincoln County.
unconsolidated material is devoid of roots and other
living organisms and has not been changed by other
biological activity.
Soils occur in an orderly pattern that results from the
combined influence over time of climate, parent
material, relief, and plants and animals. Each kind of
soil is associated with a particular kind of landscape or
with a segment of the landscape. By observing the soils
and relating their position to specific segments of the
landscape, soil scientists develop a concept, or model,
of how the soils were formed. This model enables the
soil scientists to predict with a considerable degree of
accuracy the kind of soil at a specific location on the
landscape.
Commonly, individual soils on the landscape merge
into one another as their characteristics gradually
change. To construct an accurate soil map, however,
soil scientists must determine the boundaries between
the soils. They can observe only a limited number of
soil profiles. Nevertheless, these observations,
supplemented by an understanding of the soil -
landscape relationship, are sufficient to verify

Lincoln County, North Carolina 5
predictions of the kinds of soil in an area and to
determine the boundaries.
Soil scientists recorded the characteristics of the soil
profiles that they studied. They noted soil color, texture,
size and shape of soil aggregates, kind and amount of
rock fragments, distribution of plant roots, reaction, and
other features that enable them to identify the soils.
After describing the soils and determining their
properties, the soil scientists assigned the soils to
taxonomic classes (units). Taxonomic classes are
concepts. Each taxonomic class has a set of soil
characteristics with precisely defined limits. The classes
are used as a basis for comparison to classify soils
systematically. The system of taxonomic classification
used in the United States is based mainly on the kind
and character of soil properties and the arrangement of
horizons within the profile. After the soil scientists
classified and named the soils in the survey area, they
compared the individual soils with similar soils in the
same taxonomic class in other areas so that they could
confirm data and assemble additional data based on
experience and research.
While a soil survey is in progress, samples of some
of the soils in the area are generally collected for
laboratory analyses and for engineering tests. The data
from these analyses and tests and from field -observed
characteristics and soil properties are used to predict
behavior of the soils under different uses.
Interpretations are field tested through observation of
the soils in different uses under different levels of
management. Some interpretations are modified to fit
local conditions, and some new interpretations are
developed to meet local needs. Data are assembled
from other sources, such as research information,
production records, and field experience of specialists.
For example, data on crop yields under defined levels
of management are assembled from farm records and
from field or plot experiments on the same kinds of soil.
Soil conditions are predictable over long periods of
time, but they are not predictable from year to year. For
example, soil scientists can predict with a relatively high
degree of accuracy that a given soil will have a high
water table within certain depths in most years, but they
cannot assure that a high water table will be at a
specific level in the soil on a specific date.
Soil boundaries are drawn on aerial photographs and
each delineation is identified as a specific map unit.
Aerial photographs show trees, buildings, fields, roads,
and rivers, all of which help in accurately locating
boundaries.
Map Unit Composition
A map unit delineation on a soil map represents an
area dominated by one major kind of soil or an area
dominated by two or three kinds of soils. A map unit is
identified and named according to the taxonomic
classification of the dominant soil or soils. Within a
taxonomic class there are precisely defined limits for
the properties of the soils. On the landscape, however,
the soils are natural objects. In common with other
natural objects, they have a characteristic variability in
their properties. Thus, the range of some observed
properties may extend beyond the limits defined for a
taxonomic class. Areas of soils of a single taxonomic
class rarely, if ever, can be mapped without including
areas of soils of other taxonomic classes.
Consequently, every map unit is made up of the soil or
soils for which it is named and some soils that belong to
other taxonomic classes. In the detailed soil map units,
these latter soils are called inclusions or included soils.
In the general soil map units, they are called minor
soils.
Most inclusions have properties and behavioral
patterns similar to those of the dominant soil or soils in
the map unit, and thus they do not affect use and
management. These are called noncontrasting (similar)
inclusions. They may or may not be mentioned in the
map unit descriptions. Other inclusions, however, have
properties and behavior divergent enough to affect use
or require different management. These are contrasting
(dissimilar) inclusions. They generally occupy small
areas and cannot be shown separately on the soil maps
because of the scale used in mapping. The inclusions
of contrasting soils are identified in the map unit
descriptions. A few inclusions may not have been
observed and consequently are not mentioned in the
descriptions, especially where the soil pattern was so
complex that it was impractical to make enough
observations to identify all of the kinds of soils on the
landscape.
The presence of inclusions in a map unit in no way
diminishes the usefulness or accuracy of the soil data.
The objective of soil mapping is not to delineate pure
taxonomic classes of soils but rather to separate the
landscape into segments that have similar use and
management requirements. The delineation of such
landscape segments on the map provides sufficient
information for the development of resource plans, but
onsite investigation is needed to plan for intensive uses
in small areas.

7
General Soil Map Units
The general soil map at the back of this publication
shows broad areas that have a distinctive pattern of
soils, relief, and drainage. Each map unit on the general
soil map is a unique natural landscape. Typically, it
consists of one or more major soils and some minor
soils. It is named for the major soils. The soils making
up one unit can occur in another but in a different
pattern.
The general soil map can be used to compare the
suitability of large areas for general land uses. Areas of
suitable soils can be identified on the map. Likewise,
areas where the soils are not suitable can be identified.
Because of its small scale, the map is not suitable for
planning the management of a farm or field or for
selecting a site for a road or a building or other
structure. The soils in any one map unit differ from
place to place in slope, depth, drainage, and other
characteristics that affect management.
Some of the boundaries on the general soil map of
Lincoln County do not exactly match those on the
general soil map of Catawba and Gaston Counties. The
differences are a result of changes in the proportion of
similar soil series in the corresponding general soil map
units.
Figure 3.—RelatIonship of soils and parent material In the Cecil-Pacolet general soil map unit.

8 Soil Survey
......—
Fe/sic igneous and
metamorphic rock
Felsic, intermediate, mafic
igneous and metamorphic rock
Figure 4.—Relationship of soils and parent material in the Gaston-Pacolet-Cecil general soil map unit.
1. Cecil-Pacolet
Gently sloping to steep, well drained soils that have a
loamy surface layer and a predominantly clayey subsoil;
formed in material weathered from felsic, igneous and
metamorphic rock; on uplands
These soils are mainly in the central, northwestern,
and northeastern parts of the county. The landscape
consists of broad ridges and side slopes.
This map unit makes up 60 percent of the county. It
is about 46 percent Cecil soils, 43 percent Pacolet soils,
and 11 percent soils of minor extent (fig. 3).
The Cecil soils are on gently sloping, broad ridges.
They have a surface layer of yellowish red sandy clay
loam or brown sandy loam and a red subsoil that is
predominantly clay.
The Pacolet soils are on gently sloping to steep side
slopes and narrow ridges. They have a surface layer of
reddish brown sandy clay loam or brown sandy loam
and a red subsoil that is predominantly clay.
The minor soils include Appling, Gaston, Madison,
Rion, Helena, Worsham, and Chewacla soils. Appling
soils are on smooth ridges. Helena and Worsham soils
are around the head of drainageways and along the
drainageways. Chewacla soils are on flood plains.
Gaston soils are on the lower parts of broad ridges.
Madison and Rion soils are on narrow ridges and side
slopes.
The Cecil soils are used mainly as cropland or
pasture. The Pacolet soils are used mainly as
woodland. The gently sloping Cecil soils and the gently
sloping to strongly sloping Pacolet soils are well suited
or moderately suited to cropland, pasture, woodland,
and urban development. The moderately steep and
steep Pacolet soils are moderately suited to woodland
and pasture and poorly suited to cropland and urban
development. The hazard of erosion and the slope are
the main management concerns.
2. Gaston-Pacolet-Cecil
Gently sloping to steep; well drained soils that have a
loamy surface layer and a predominantly clayey subsoil;
formed in material weathered from felsic, intermediate,
and mafic, igneous and metamorphic rock; on uplands
These soils are mainly in the eastern and north -
central parts of the county. The landscape consists of
broad to narrow ridges and side slopes.
This map unit makes up 15 percent of the county. It
is about 45 percent Gaston soils, 23 percent Pacolet
soils, 22 percent Cecil soils, and 10 percent soils of
minor extent (fig. 4).
The Gaston soils are on broad ridges and strongly
sloping and moderately steep side slopes. They formed
in material weathered from intermediate and mafic rock.
They have a surface layer of dark reddish brown sandy
clay loam or dark brown loam and a dark red and red
subsoil that is predominantly clay.
The Pacolet soils are on strongly sloping to steep
side slopes and narrow ridges. They formed in material

Lincoln County, North Carolina 9
weathered from felsic rock. They have a surface layer
of brown sandy loam or reddish brown sandy clay loam
and a red subsoil that is predominantly clay.
The Cecil soils are on the higher parts of broad
ridges. They formed in material weathered from felsic
rock. They have a surface layer of brown sandy loam or
yellowish red sandy clay loam and a red subsoil that is
predominantly clay.
The minor soils include Winnsboro, Madison, Zion,
Mocksville, Helena, and Worsham soils. Winnsboro
soils are in gently sloping areas. Madison soils are on
narrow ridges and side slopes. Zion and Mocksville
soils are on moderately steep and steep side slopes.
Winnsboro, Zion, and Mocksville soils are
predominantly in an area west of Triangle. Helena and
Worsham soils are around the head of drainageways
and along the drainageways.
The gently sloping areas of Gaston and Cecil soils
are used mainly as cropland or pasture. The rest of this
unit is used mainly as woodland. The gently sloping to
strongly sloping areas of Gaston and Pacolet soils and
the gently sloping areas of Cecil soils are well suited or
moderately suited to cropland, pasture, woodland, and
urban development. A moderate shrink -swell potential is
a limitation in the Gaston soils. The moderately steep
and steep Gaston and Pacolet soils are poorly suited to
cropland and urban development. They are moderately
suited to woodland. The hazard of erosion and the
slope are the main management concerns.
3. Pacolet-Madison-Rion
Gently sloping to steep, well drained soils that have a
loamy surface layer and a clayey or loamy subsoil;
formed in material weathered from felsic, igneous and
metamorphic rock; on uplands
These soils are mainly northeast of Lincolnton. The
landscape consists of broad, smooth ridges; narrow
ridges; and side slopes.
This map unit makes up 11 percent of the county. It
is about 65 percent Pacolet soils, 18 percent Madison
soils, 7 percent Rion soils, and 10 percent soils of
minor extent (fig. 5).
The Pacolet soils are on gently sloping to steep side
slopes and narrow ridges. They have a surface layer of
reddish brown sandy clay loam or brown sandy loam
and a red subsoil that is predominantly clay.
The Madison soils are on gently sloping to
moderately steep side slopes and narrow ridges. They
have a surface layer of yellowish red sandy clay loam
or yellowish brown sandy loam and a subsoil that is
predominantly red clay. They have a high content of
mica flakes.
The Rion soils are on gently sloping narrow ridges
Felsic igneous and metamorphic rock
Figure 5.—Relationship of soils and parent material in the Pacolet-Madison-Rion general soil map unit.

10 Soil Survey
Bedrock
Chewacla
Riverview
Buncombe
0.5-1.5 3 55 ft.
' 1 Depth to seasonal high water table Sandy
sediments
'A mile
loamy sediments fi
Figure 6.—Relationship of soils, parent material, and seasonal high water table In the Chewacla-Riverview general soil map unit.
and strongly sloping side slopes. They have a surface
layer of yellowish brown sandy loam and a brownish
yellow subsoil that is predominantly sandy clay loam.
The minor soils include Helena and Worsham soils
around the head of drainageways and along the
drainageways and Cecil and Appling soils on broad,
smooth ridges.
The gently sloping areas of this unit are used mainly
as cropland or pasture. The strongly sloping and
moderately steep areas are used mainly as woodland.
The gently sloping and strongly sloping areas of the
major soils are well suited or moderately suited to
cropland, pasture, woodland, and urban development.
The strongly sloping and moderately steep areas are
moderately suited to woodland and poorly suited to
cropland, pasture, and urban development. The hazard
of erosion and the slope are the main management
concerns.
4. Chewacla-Riverview
Nearly level, somewhat poorly drained to well
drained soils that have a loamy surface layer and a
loamy subsoil; formed in recent alluvium; on flood
plains
These soils are along the major streams in the
county. The largest areas are along the South Fork of
the Catawba River and Clark Creek. Areas of the unit
are long and narrow and are at the lowest elevations in
the county.
This map unit makes up 6 percent of the county. It is
about 63 percent Chewacla soils, 15 percent Riverview
soils, and 22 percent soils of minor extent (fig. 6).
The Chewacla soils are somewhat poorly drained.
They are in the lower areas away from the larger
stream channels. They have a surface layer of brown
loam and a subsoil that is strong brown, brown, light
gray, and gray clay loam.
The Riverview soils are well drained. They are in the
slightly higher areas near the larger stream channels.
They have a surface layer of dark yellowish brown loam
and a subsoil that is brown and strong brown loam and
sandy loam.
The minor soils include Buncombe soils along stream
channels and Altavista soils on stream terraces at the
slightly higher elevations.
The Chewacla soils, which are used mainly as
woodland, are moderately suited to woodland. They are
poorly suited to cropland and pasture unless drained
and protected from flooding. Flooding and wetness are
the main management concerns. The Riverview soils,
which are used mainly as pasture and cropland, are
well suited to cropland, pasture, and woodland. They
are poorly suited to urban development. Occasional
flooding is the main management concern.
5. Georgeville
Gently sloping to moderately steep, well drained soils
that have a loamy surface layer and a predominantly
clayey subsoil; formed in material weathered from
sericite schist and phyllite; on uplands
These soils are mainly in the south-central part of the
county. The landscape consists of broad to narrow

Lincoln County, North Carolina 11
ridges and strongly sloping and moderately steep side
slopes.
This map unit makes up 5 percent of the county. It is
about 90 percent Georgeville soils and 10 percent soils
of minor extent.
The Georgeville soils have a surface layer of strong
brown loam or yellowish red clay loam and a red
subsoil that is predominantly clay.
The minor soils include Helena and Worsham soils
around the head of drainageways and along the
drainageways.
About three -fourths of the acreage in this unit is used
as woodland. The gently sloping and strongly sloping
Georgeville soils are well suited or moderately suited to
cropland, pasture, woodland, and urban development.
The moderately steep Georgeville soils are moderately
suited to woodland and pasture and poorly suited to
cropland and urban development. The hazard of erosion
and the slope are the main management concerns.
6. Pacolet-Madison-Urban land
Gently sloping to strongly sloping, well drained soils that
have a loamy surface layer and a predominantly clayey
subsoil and Urban land; formed in material weathered
from felsic, igneous and metamorphic rock; on uplands
This unit is in the commercial, industrial, and
residential areas of Lincolnton and other communities in
the county. It makes up 3 percent of the county. It is
about 30 percent Pacolet soils, 25 percent Madison
soils, 10 percent Urban land, and 35 percent soils of
minor extent.
The Pacolet soils are on narrow ridges and strongly
sloping side slopes. They have a surface layer of
reddish brown sandy clay loam and a red subsoil that is
predominantly clay.
The Madison soils are on narrow ridges and strongly
sloping side slopes. They have a surface layer of
yellowish red sandy clay loam and a subsoil that is
predominantly red clay. They have a high content of
mica flakes.
The Urban land consists of areas covered by
impervious material.
The minor soils include Rion soils, which are located
mainly in northeast Lincolnton, and Helena and
Worsham soils around the head of drainageways and
along the drainageways.
This unit is used almost entirely for urban purposes
and is highly unlikely to be used for cropland, pasture,
or woodland. The hazard of erosion, the slope, and
surface runoff are the main management concerns. The
gently sloping to strongly sloping Madison and Pacolet
soils are well suited or moderately suited to urban
development.

13
Detailed Soil Map Units
The map units on the detailed soil maps at the back
of this survey represent the soils in the survey area.
The map unit descriptions in this section, along with the
soil maps, can be used to determine the suitability and
potential of a soil for specific uses. They also can be
used to plan the management needed for those uses.
More information on each map unit is given under the
heading "Use and Management of the Soils."
The map units on the detailed soil maps represent
areas on the landscape and consist mainly of one or
more soils for which the units are named.
Symbols identifying the soils precede the map unit
names in the map unit descriptions. The descriptions
include general facts about the soils and give the
principal hazards and limitations to be considered in
planning for specific uses.
Soils that have profiles that are almost alike make up
a soil series. Except for differences in texture of the
surface layer or of the underlying material, all the soils
of a series have major horizons that are similar in
composition, thickness, and arrangement.
Soils of one series can differ in texture of the surface
layer or of the underlying material. They also can differ
in slope, stoniness, salinity, wetness, degree of erosion,
and other characteristics that affect their use. On the
basis of such differences, a soil series is divided into
soil phases. Most of the areas shown on the detailed
soil maps are named as phases of soil series. The
name of a soil phase commonly indicates a feature that
affects use or management. For example, Pacolet
sandy clay loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, eroded, is a
phase of the Pacolet series.
Some map units are made up of two or more major
soils. These map units are called soil complexes. A soil
complex consists of two or more dominant soils, or
miscellaneous land areas, in such an intricate pattern or
in such small areas that they cannot be shown
separately on the soil maps. The pattern and proportion
of the soils are somewhat similar in all areas. The Zion-
Winnsboro-Mocksville complex, 8 to 15 percent slopes,
is an example.
Most map units include small scattered areas of soils
other than those for which the map unit is named.
Some of these included soils have properties that differ
substantially from those of the major soils. Such
differences could significantly affect use and
management of the soils in the map unit. The included
soils are identified in each map unit description. Some
small areas of strongly contrasting soils are identified by
a special symbol on the soil maps.
This survey includes miscellaneous areas. Such
areas have little or no soil material and support little or
no vegetation. Pits, quarries, is an example.
Miscellaneous areas are shown on the soil maps. Some
that are too small to be shown are identified by a
special symbol on the soil maps.
Table 4 gives the acreage and proportionate extent
of each map unit. Other tables (see "Summary of
Tables") give properties of the soils and the limitations,
capabilities, and suitabilities for many uses. The
"Glossary" defines many of the terms used in
describing the soils.
AaA—Altavista sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes,
rarely flooded. This map unit consists mainly of very
deep, moderately well drained, nearly level Altavista
and similar soils on stream terraces, mostly along the
South Fork of the Catawba River and along Clark
Creek. Some small areas are along other major creeks.
Individual areas are irregular in shape and range from 4
to 30 acres in size.
Typically, the surface layer is yellowish brown sandy
loam 10 inches thick. The subsoil is 47 inches thick. In
sequence downward, it is yellowish brown sandy loam;
yellowish brown sandy clay loam; yellowish brown
sandy clay loam that has mottles in shades of gray,
yellow, and red; and gray sandy clay loam that has
mottles in shades of yellow and brown. The underlying
material to a depth of 62 inches is gray sandy loam that
has mottles in shades of brown and yellow.
Permeability is moderate. The shrink -swell potential
is low in the subsoil. The depth to bedrock is more than
10 feet. The seasonal high water table is 1.5 to 2.5 feet
below the surface. This soil is subject to rare flooding.
Reaction is very strongly acid to slightly acid in the
surface layer and very strongly acid to moderately acid

14 Soil Survey
in the subsoil. The hazard of erosion is moderate in
bare, unprotected areas.
Included in this unit in mapping are small areas of
dissimilar soils. These are the well drained Masada
soils on small knolls at the base of uplands and the
somewhat poorly drained Chewacla soils along small
drainageways and on the lower parts of the flood plains.
Also included are small areas of poorly drained soils in
depressions and along drainageways and moderately
well drained soils that have a clayey subsoil. The
dissimilar included soils make up about 5 to 10 percent
of the unit.
This map unit is not very extensive in Lincoln County.
Most of the acreage is used as cropland or pasture.
The rest is used as woodland.
This map unit is well suited to cultivated crops, such
as corn, soybeans, and small grain. Surface runoff and
wetness are the main limitations. A drainage system
that includes tile and open ditches may be needed. The
unit is well suited to hay and pasture. Tall fescue and
ladino clover are the main forage crops.
This map unit is well suited to woodland. Loblolly
pine, shortleaf pine, southern red oak, white oak,
hickory, sweetgum, and yellow -poplar are the most
common trees. The most common understory plants are
flowering dogwood, sourwood, American holly, black
cherry, red maple, poison ivy, and honeysuckle. No
major limitations affect woodland management.
This map unit is poorly suited to building site
development and sanitary facilities. It is moderately
suited to most types of recreational development.
Seasonal wetness and rare flooding in low areas are
the major management concerns. A drainage system
that includes land grading improves surface drainage,
and tile and open ditches help to lower the water table.
The hazard of flooding should be determined before the
use and management of specific sites are planned.
The capability subclass is Ilw. Based on loblolly pine
as the indicator species, the woodland ordination
symbol is 9A.
ApB—Appling sandy loam, 1 to 6 percent slopes.
This map unit consists mainly of very deep, well
drained, gently sloping Appling and similar soils on
broad, smooth ridges in the uplands. It is in scattered
areas throughout the county. Some of the larger units
are around Flay. Individual areas are irregular in shape
and range from 4 to 100 acres in size.
Typically, the surface layer is dark yellowish brown
sandy loam 8 inches thick. The subsoil is 39 inches
thick. In sequence downward, it is yellowish brown
sandy clay loam, yellowish brown clay, yellowish brown
clay loam, and yellowish red sandy clay loam. It has
mottles in shades of red, brown, and yellow in the
middle and lower parts. The underlying material to a
depth of 62 inches is multicolored saprolite that has a
texture of sandy loam.
Permeability is moderate. The shrink -swell potential
is low in the subsoil. The depth to bedrock is more than
6 feet. The water table is below a depth of 6 feet.
Reaction is very strongly acid to slightly acid in the
surface layer and very strongly acid or strongly acid in
the subsoil. The hazard of erosion is moderate in bare,
unprotected areas.
Included in this unit in mapping are small areas of
dissimilar soils. These are the moderately well drained,
slowly permeable Helena soils along intermittent
drainageways and at the head of drainageways. They
make up about 5 to 10 percent of the unit.
Also included are small areas of soils that are similar
to the Appling soil but have a subsoil that is red or less
clayey, are moderately eroded, or contain more mica.
Most of the acreage in this unit is used as cropland
or pasture. The rest is mainly used as woodland or for
urban development.
This map unit is well suited to cultivated crops, such
as corn, soybeans, and small grain. The slope, surface
runoff, and the hazard of erosion are the main
management concerns. Conservation practices that
help to control erosion and add organic matter to the
soil are needed. The unit is well suited to hay and
pasture. Tall fescue and ladino clover are the main
forage crops.
This map unit is well suited to woodland. Loblolly
pine, shortleaf pine, southern red oak, white oak,
hickory, sweetgum, and yellow -poplar are the most
common trees. The most common understory plants are
flowering dogwood, sourwood, blackberry, eastern
redcedar, running cedar, and red maple. No major
limitations affect woodland management.
This map unit is well suited to building site
development and recreational development. It is
moderately suited to sanitary facilities, such as septic
tank absorption fields and sewage lagoons. The
moderate permeability, a high content of clay in the
subsoil, and seepage are the main limitations. The
removal of vegetation at construction sites causes a
moderate hazard of erosion. Erosion -control measures
are needed.
The capability subclass is Ile. Based on loblolly pine
as the indicator species, the woodland ordination
symbol is 8A.
BnB—Buncombe sand, 0 to 5 percent slopes,
rarely flooded. This map unit consists mainly of very
deep, excessively drained Buncombe and similar soils
in nearly level to gently sloping areas of flood plains
adjacent to major creeks and rivers throughout the

Lincoln County, North Carolina 15
county. Some of the larger areas are northwest of
Lincolnton, along the South Fork of the Catawba River.
Individual areas are long and narrow and range from 5
to 80 acres in size.
Typically, the surface layer is dark yellowish brown
sand 10 inches thick. The underlying material to a depth
of 61 inches is yellowish brown and strong brown sand.
Permeability is rapid or very rapid. The shrink -swell
potential is low in the subsoil. The seasonal high water
table is more than 6 feet below the surface. This soil is
subject to rare flooding for brief periods during winter
and spring. The depth to bedrock is more than 10 feet.
Reaction ranges from very strongly acid to slightly acid.
Included in this unit in mapping are small areas of
dissimilar soils. These are the loamy, well drained
Riverview soils throughout the unit and the loamy,
somewhat poorly drained Chewacla soils in the slightly
lower areas, generally away from the stream channel.
Also included, generally in depressions, are a few areas
of poorly drained and somewhat poorly drained soils
that are loamy sands and sands. The dissimilar
included soils make up about 10 to 15 percent of the
unit.
Most of the acreage in this unit is used as pasture or
a source of sand for construction material. The rest is
used as woodland.
This map unit is poorly suited to most cultivated
crops, such as corn and soybeans. These crops
generally produce low yields because the soil is
droughty and has a low available water capacity. The
unit is moderately suited to hay and pasture. Tall
fescue, sericea lespedeza, and bahiagrass are the main
forage crops.
This map unit is moderately suited to woodland.
Yellow -poplar, loblolly pine, eastern cottonwood, elm,
sweetgum, northern red oak, southern red oak, and
American sycamore are the most common trees. The
most common understory plants are alder and red
mulberry. The sandy surface layer is a moderate
limitation affecting woodland management. It limits the
use of equipment and causes seedling mortality.
This map unit is poorly suited to building site
development, sanitary facilities, and recreational
development. The flooding, seepage, and the sandy
surface layer are the major management concerns. The
unit is a good source of sand for construction material.
The capability subclass is Ills. Based on yellow -
poplar as the indicator species, the woodland ordination
symbol is 8S.
CcB—Cecil sandy loam, 2 to 8 percent slopes. This
map unit consists mainly of very deep, well drained,
gently sloping Cecil and similar soils on broad ridges in
the uplands. Some of the larger areas are in the
western third of the county. Smaller areas are
throughout the county. Individual areas are irregular in
shape and range from 10 to 200 acres in size.
Typically, the surface layer is brown sandy loam 4
inches thick. The subsurface layer is yellowish brown
sandy loam 3 inches thick. The subsoil is 52 inches
thick. In the upper part it is red clay. In the lower part it
is red clay loam that has reddish yellow mottles. The
underlying material to a depth of 70 inches is red,
yellowish red, and reddish yellow saprolite that has a
texture of sandy loam. In some small areas the soil is
moderately eroded and has a surface layer of sandy
clay loam.
Permeability is moderate. The shrink -swell potential
is low in the subsoil. The depth to bedrock is more than
6.5 feet. The water table is below a depth of 6 feet.
Reaction is very strongly acid to slightly acid in the
surface layer and subsurface layer and very strongly
acid or strongly acid in the subsoil. The hazard of
erosion is moderate in bare, unprotected areas.
Included in this unit in mapping are small areas of
dissimilar soils. These are the moderately well drained,
slowly permeable Helena soils along drainageways.
They make up about 5 to 10 percent of the unit.
Also included are small areas of soils that are similar
to the Cecil soil but have a clayey subsoil that is
yellowish brown, dark red, or thinner; are moderately
eroded; or contain more mica.
Most of the acreage in this unit is hardwood forest
(fig. 7). The rest is used as cropland or pasture.
This map unit is well suited to woodland. Loblolly
pine, southern red oak, northern red oak, white oak,
hickory, and yellow -poplar are the most common trees.
The most common understory plants are flowering
dogwood, sourwood, American holly, black cherry,
eastern redcedar, red maple, and running cedar. No
major limitations affect woodland management.
This map unit is well suited to cultivated crops, such
as corn, soybeans, and small grain. The slope, surface
runoff, and the hazard of erosion are the main
management concerns. Conservation practices that
help to control erosion and add organic matter to the
soil are needed. The unit is well suited to hay and
pasture. Tall fescue and ladino clover are the main
forage crops.
This map unit is well suited to building site
development and recreational development. It is
moderately suited to sanitary facilities, such as septic
tank absorption fields and sewage lagoons. A high
content of clay in the subsoil and the moderate
permeability are the main limitations. The removal of
vegetation at construction sites causes a moderate
hazard of erosion. Erosion -control measures are
needed.

16
Figure 7.—Hardwood trees in an area of Cecil sandy loam, 2 to 8
percent slopes.
Soil Survey
The capability subclass is Ile. Based on loblolly pine
as the indicator species, the woodland ordination
symbol is 8A.
CeB2—Cecil sandy clay loam, 2 to 8 percent
slopes, eroded. This map unit consists mainly of very
deep, well drained, gently sloping Cecil and similar soils
on broad ridges in the uplands. It is located throughout
the county. Some of the larger areas are in the western
third of the county and the east -central part of the
county. Individual areas are irregular in shape and
range from 10 to 200 acres in size.
This map unit is moderately eroded. In most places
the present surface layer is a mixture of the original
surface layer and subsoil material. Typically, it is
yellowish red sandy clay loam 6 inches thick. The
subsoil is 50 inches thick. In the upper part it is red
clay. In the lower part it is red clay loam that has
reddish yellow mottles. The underlying material to a
depth of 70 inches is red, yellowish red, and reddish
yellow saprolite that has a texture of sandy loam. In
some small areas the soil is severely eroded and has a
surface layer of sandy clay or clay.
Permeability is moderate. The shrink -swell potential
is low in the subsoil. The depth to bedrock is more than
6.5 feet. The water table is below a depth of 6 feet.
Reaction is very strongly acid to slightly acid in the
surface layer and very strongly acid or strongly acid in
the subsoil. The hazard of further erosion is severe in
bare, unprotected areas.
Included in this unit in mapping are small areas of
dissimilar soils. These are the moderately well drained,
slowly permeable Helena soils along drainageways.
They make up about 5 to 10 percent of the unit.
Also included are small areas of soils that are similar
to the Cecil soil but have a subsoil that is yellowish
brown, dark red, or thinner; are moderately eroded; or
contain more mica.
Most of the acreage in this unit is used as cropland
or pasture. The rest is used as woodland.
This map unit is moderately suited to cultivated
crops, such as corn, soybeans, and small grain. The
slope, the texture of the surface layer, surface runoff,
and the hazard of further erosion are the main
management concerns. Maintaining good tilth is difficult
because of the surface layer of sandy clay loam. This
layer commonly crusts as it dries after a hard rain and
becomes cloddy if worked when wet. The crust and
clods make seedbed preparation difficult and may affect
germination and cause poor or uneven crop growth.
Conservation practices that maintain a plant cover help
to control erosion and add organic matter to the soil.
The unit is moderately suited to hay and pasture. Tall
fescue and ladino clover are the main forage crops.

Lincoln County, North Carolina 17
This map unit is moderately suited to woodland.
Loblolly pine, shortleaf pine, southern red oak, northern
red oak, white oak, hickory, and yellow -poplar are the
most common trees. The most common understory
plants are flowering dogwood, sourwood, American
holly, black cherry, eastern redcedar, red maple, and
running cedar. A high content of clay in the surface
layer is the main limitation affecting woodland
management.
This map unit is well suited to building site
development and recreational development. It is
moderately suited to sanitary facilities, such as septic
tank absorption fields and sewage lagoons. A high
content of clay in the subsoil and the moderate
permeability are the main limitations. The removal of
vegetation at construction sites causes a severe hazard
of further erosion. Erosion -control measures are
needed.
The capability subclass is Ille. Based on loblolly pine
as the indicator species, the woodland ordination
symbol is 7C.
ChA—Chewacla loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes,
frequently flooded. This map unit consists mainly of
very deep, somewhat poorly drained, nearly level
Chewacla and similar soils on flood plains along creeks
and rivers throughout the county. Some of the larger
areas are along the South Fork of the Catawba River,
Clark Creek, Indian Creek, and Killian Creek. Individual
areas are long and irregular in width. They range from 5
to more than 150 acres in size.
Typically, the surface layer is brown loam 6 inches
thick. The subsoil is 35 inches thick. In sequence
downward, it is brown clay loam, strong brown clay
loam that has gray and reddish yellow mottles, and gray
and light gray clay loam that has strong brown mottles.
The underlying material to a depth of 60 inches is gray
sandy clay loam that has yellowish brown and brown
mottles.
Permeability is moderate. The shrink -swell potential
is low in the subsoil. The seasonal high water table is
within a depth of 0.5 foot to 1.5 feet. This soil is
frequently flooded for brief periods, mostly during winter
and spring. The depth to bedrock is more than 5 feet.
Reaction ranges from very strongly acid to slightly acid.
Included in this unit in mapping are small areas of
dissimilar soils. These are the well drained Riverview
soils in the slightly higher areas closer to stream
channels; the excessively drained, sandy Buncombe
soils adjacent to the stream channel; and the
moderately well drained Altavista soils on small stream
terraces. Also included are some small areas of poorly
drained, loamy soils in depressions and close to side
slopes. These poorly drained soils make up as much as
10 percent of some mapped areas. The dissimilar
included soils make up about 10 to 15 percent of the
unit.
Most of the acreage in this unit is used as woodland.
The rest is used as pasture or cropland.
This map unit is moderately suited to woodland.
Loblolly pine, yellow -poplar, American sycamore,
sweetgum, water oak, green ash, and eastern
cottonwood are the major canopy trees. The most
common understory plants are flowering dogwood,
willow oak, sourwood, American holly, arrowhead, and
poison ivy. Wetness is the main limitation affecting
woodland management. It limits the use of equipment.
Unless drained and protected from flooding during
the growing season, this soil is poorly suited to
cultivated crops. The wetness and the frequent flooding
are the main management concerns (fig. 8). The major
crops are corn, soybeans, and small grain. This soil is
moderately suited to pasture. Tall fescue and ladino
clover are the main forage crops. Proper rotation and
timely deferment of grazing during wet periods help to
reduce compaction and maintain tilth. A lack of suitable
outlets is a limitation affecting the installation of
drainage systems.
This map unit is poorly suited to building site
development, sanitary facilities, and recreational
development because of the wetness and the flooding.
The capability subclass is IVw. Based on yellow -
poplar as the indicator species, the woodland ordination
symbol is 7W.
GaD—Gaston loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes. This
map unit consists mainly of very deep, well drained,
moderately steep Gaston and similar soils on side
slopes in the uplands. Most areas are around Triangle
and in the northwest -central part of the county, along
the South Fork of the Catawba River. Individual areas
are oblong and irregular in width. They range from 5 to
50 acres in size.
Typically, the surface layer is dark brown loam 6
inches thick. The subsoil is 46 inches thick. It is dark
red clay in the upper part, red clay in the next part, and
red clay loam in the lower part. The underlying material
to a depth of 62 inches is red and yellowish red
saprolite that has a texture of loam. In some small
areas the soil is moderately eroded and has a surface
layer of sandy clay loam.
Permeability is moderate. The shrink -swell potential
is moderate in the subsoil. The depth to bedrock is
more than 6 feet. The water table is below a depth of 6
feet. Reaction is strongly acid to slightly acid. The
hazard of erosion is very severe in bare, unprotected
areas.
Included in this unit in mapping are small areas of

18
Soil Survey
il' ; \ '.'4% ).. t . is, 4 .., •
. , . — •,;. Ntit: :Vt._ ;.__.,,,..-_, i 0:-
'ram t1 f• f, k ' 1 .'.
0 jr
..qq��• f
..r , - t,- r—
•
Figure 8.—Flooding in a cultivated area of Chewacla loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, frequently flooded.
dissimilar soils. These are Winnsboro soils on the lower
parts of the slope and Zion soils at the end of narrow
ridges. Winnsboro and Zion soils have a yellowish
brown subsoil. Winnsboro soils have a high shrink -swell
potential in the subsoil and are slowly permeable. Zion
soils have bedrock within a depth of 40 inches. The
dissimilar included soils make up about 5 to 10 percent
of the unit.
Also included are small areas of soils that are similar
to the Gaston soil but have a subsoil that is yellowish
brown, lighter red, or thinner; are moderately eroded; or
contain more mica.
Most of the acreage in this unit is used as woodland.
The rest is used mainly as pasture.
This map unit is moderately suited to woodland.
Loblolly pine, shortleaf pine, Virginia pine, southern red

Lincoln County, North Carolina 19
oak, northern red oak, white oak, hickory, yellow -poplar,
and sweetgum are the most common trees. The most
common understory plants are flowering dogwood,
American holly, eastern redcedar, sourwood, eastern
hophornbeam, muscadine grape, and brackenfern. The
slope, the hazard of erosion, and an equipment
limitation are the main management concerns.
This map unit is moderately suited to pasture. Tall
fescue and ladino clover are the main forage crops. The
slope, surface runoff, and a very severe hazard of
erosion are the main management concerns.
Conservation practices that help to control runoff and
erosion are needed in cleared areas. The unit is poorly
suited to cropland because of the slope and the severe
hazard of erosion.
This map unit is poorly suited to building site
development, sanitary facilities, and recreational
development. The slope is the major limitation. The
removal of vegetation at construction sites causes a
very severe hazard of erosion. Erosion -control
measures are needed.
The capability subclass is Vle. Based on loblolly pine
as the indicator species, the woodland ordination
symbol is 9R.
GnB2—Gaston sandy clay loam, 2 to 8 percent
slopes, eroded. This map unit consists mainly of very
deep, well drained, gently sloping Gaston and similar
soils on broad ridges in the uplands throughout the
county. The most extensive areas are around Triangle
and in the northwest -central part of the county, along
the South Fork of the Catawba River. Individual areas
are irregular in shape and range from 10 to 200 acres
in size.
This map unit is moderately eroded. In most places
the present surface layer is a mixture of the original
surface layer and subsoil material. Typically, it is dark
reddish brown sandy clay loam 8 inches thick. The
subsoil is 47 inches thick. It is dark red clay in the
upper part, red clay in the next part, and red clay loam
in the lower part. The underlying material to a depth of
62 inches is red and yellowish red saprolite that has a
texture of loam. In some small areas the soil is slightly
eroded and has a surface layer of loam.
Permeability is moderate. The shrink -swell potential
is moderate in the subsoil. The depth to bedrock is
more than 6 feet. The water table is also below a depth
of 6 feet. Reaction is strongly acid to slightly acid. The
hazard of further erosion is severe in bare, unprotected
areas.
Included in this unit in mapping are small areas of
dissimilar soils. These are the browner, slowly
permeable Winnsboro soils on the lower parts of slopes
and along small drainageways. They make up about 5
to 10 percent of the unit.
Also included are small areas of soils that are similar
to the Gaston soil but have a subsoil that is lighter red
or thinner, are slightly eroded, or contain more mica.
Most of the acreage in this unit is used as cropland
or pasture. The rest is used as woodland.
This map unit is moderately suited to cultivated
crops, such as corn, soybeans, and small grain. The
slope, the texture of the surface layer, surface runoff,
and the hazard of further erosion are the main
management concerns. Maintaining good tilth is difficult
because of the surface layer of sandy clay loam. This
layer commonly crusts as it dries after a hard rain and
becomes cloddy if worked when wet. The crust and
clods make seedbed preparation difficult and may affect
germination and cause poor or uneven crop growth.
Conservation practices that provide a plant cover help
to control erosion and add organic matter to the soil.
The unit is moderately suited to hay and pasture. Tall
fescue and ladino clover are the main forage crops.
This map unit is moderately suited to woodland.
Loblolly pine, shortleaf pine, northern red oak, southern
red oak, white oak, hickory, yellow -poplar, and
sweetgum are the most common trees. The most
common understory plants are flowering dogwood,
sourwood, winged elm, American holly, black cherry,
eastern redcedar, eastern redbud, red maple,
runningcedar, poison ivy, and honeysuckle. A high
content of clay in the surface layer is the main limitation
affecting woodland management. It limits the use of
equipment and causes seedling mortality.
This map unit is moderately suited to building site
development and sanitary facilities, such as septic tank
absorption fields and sewage lagoons. A high content of
clay in the subsoil, the moderate permeability, and the
moderate shrink -swell potential in the subsoil are the
main limitations. Because the subsoil shrinks and swells
with changes in moisture content, foundations should
be designed to resist cracking. The unit is well suited to
recreational development. The removal of vegetation at
construction sites causes a severe hazard of further
erosion. Erosion -control measures are needed.
The capability subclass is Ille. Based on loblolly pine
as the indicator species, the woodland ordination
symbol is 8C.
GnC2—Gaston sandy clay loam, 8 to 15 percent
slopes, eroded. This map unit consists mainly of very
deep, well drained, strongly sloping Gaston and similar
soils on side slopes in the uplands throughout the
county. The most extensive areas are around Triangle
and in the northwest -central part of the county, along
the South Fork of the Catawba River. Individual areas

20 Soil Survey
are oblong and irregular in width. They range from 5 to
100 acres in size.
This map unit is moderately eroded. In most places
the present surface layer is a mixture of the original
surface layer and subsoil material. Typically, it is dark
reddish brown sandy clay loam 8 inches thick. The
subsoil is 47 inches thick. It is dark red clay in the
upper part, red clay in the next part, and red clay loam
in the lower part. The underlying material to a depth of
62 inches is red and yellowish red saprolite that has a
texture of loam. In some small areas the soil is slightly
eroded and has a surface layer of loam.
Permeability is moderate. The shrink -swell potential
is moderate in the subsoil. The depth to bedrock is
more than 6 feet. The water table is below a depth of 6
feet. Reaction is strongly acid to slightly acid. The
hazard of further erosion is very severe in bare,
unprotected areas.
Included in this unit in mapping are small areas of
dissimilar soils. These are the moderately well drained,
slowly permeable Helena soils along drainageways and
Zion and Winnsboro soils at the end of ridges and on
the lower parts of the slopes. Zion and Winnsboro soils
have a yellowish brown subsoil. Zion soils have bedrock
within a depth of 40 inches. Winnsboro soils have a
high shrink -swell potential and are slowly permeable.
The dissimilar included soils make up about 5 to 15
percent of the unit.
Also included are small areas of soils that are similar
to the Gaston soil but have a subsoil that is lighter red,
less clayey, or thinner; are slightly eroded; or contain
more mica.
Most of the acreage in this unit is used as cropland
or pasture. The rest is used as woodland.
This map unit is moderately suited to cultivated
crops, such as corn, soybeans, and small grain. The
slope, the texture of the surface layer, surface runoff,
and the hazard of further erosion are the main
management concerns. Maintaining good tilth is difficult
because of the surface layer of sandy clay loam. This
layer commonly crusts as it dries after a hard rain and
becomes cloddy if worked when wet. The crust and
clods make seedbed preparation difficult and may affect
germination and cause poor or uneven crop growth.
Conservation practices that help to control erosion and
add organic matter to the soil are needed. The unit is
moderately suited to hay and pasture. Tall fescue and
ladino clover are the main forage crops.
This map unit is moderately suited to woodland.
Loblolly pine, shortleaf pine, southern red oak, northern
red oak, white oak, hickory, yellow -poplar, and
sweetgum are the most common trees. The most
common understory plants are flowering dogwood,
sourwood, winged elm, American holly, eastern
redcedar, red maple, Christmas fern, and Virginia
creeper. A high content of clay in the surface layer is
the main limitation affecting woodland management. It
limits the use of equipment and causes seedling
mortality.
This map unit is moderately suited to most types of
building site development, most types of sanitary
facilities, and recreational development. It is poorly
suited to sewage lagoons because of the slope. A high
content of clay in the subsoil, the moderate
permeability, the moderate shrink -swell potential in the
subsoil, and the slope are the main limitations affecting
building site development and sanitary facilities. The
slope is the main limitation affecting recreational
development. Because the subsoil shrinks and swells
with changes in moisture content, foundations should
be designed to resist cracking. The removal of
vegetation at construction sites causes a very severe
hazard of further erosion. Erosion -control measures are
needed.
The capability subclass is IVe. Based on loblolly pine
as the indicator species, the woodland ordination
symbol is 8C.
GrB—Georgeville loam, 2 to 8 percent slopes. This
map unit consists mainly of very deep, well drained,
gently sloping Georgeville and similar soils on broad
ridges in the uplands. Most areas are in a belt from
southeast of Lincolnton to Pumpkin Center. Individual
areas are irregular in shape and range from 4 to 100
acres in size.
Typically, the surface layer is strong brown loam 6
inches thick. The subsurface layer is brown loam 3
inches thick. The subsoil is 43 inches thick. It is
yellowish red clay loam in the upper part, red clay in the
next part, and red silty clay loam in the lower part. The
underlying material to a depth of 62 inches is red
saprolite that has mottles in shades of yellow, red, and
white and has a texture of silt loam. In some small
areas the soil is moderately eroded and has a surface
layer of clay loam.
Permeability is moderate. The shrink -swell potential
is low in the subsoil. The depth to bedrock is more than
60 inches. The water table is below a depth of 6 feet.
Reaction is very strongly acid to slightly acid in the
surface layer and very strongly acid or strongly acid in
the subsoil. The hazard of erosion is moderate in bare,
unprotected areas.
Included in this unit in mapping are small areas of
dissimilar soils. These are the moderately well drained,
slowly permeable Helena soils along intermittent
drainageways and in depressions. Also included are
soils that are less than 60 inches deep over bedrock.

Lincoln County, North Carolina 21
The dissimilar included soils make up about 5 to 10
percent of the unit.
Also included are small areas of soils that are similar
to the Georgeville soil but contain less silt, have a
subsoil that is less clayey or yellowish brown, are
moderately eroded, or have a surface layer of gravelly
loam.
Most of the acreage in this unit is used as woodland.
The rest is mainly used as cropland or pasture. A few
areas are used for urban development.
This map unit is well suited to woodland. Chestnut
oak, loblolly pine, shortleaf pine, yellow -poplar, northern
red oak, white oak, hickory, and southern red oak are
the most common trees. The most common understory
plants are flowering dogwood, black cherry, sourwood,
sassafras, mountain laurel, running cedar, and common
greenbrier. No major limitations affect woodland
management.
This map unit is well suited to cultivated crops, such
as corn, soybeans, and small grain. The slope, surface
runoff, and the hazard of erosion are the major
management concerns. Conservation practices that
help to control erosion and add organic matter to the
soil are needed. The unit is well suited to hay and
pasture. Tall fescue and ladino clover are the main
forage crops.
This map unit is well suited to building site
development and most types of recreational
development. It is moderately suited to sanitary
facilities, such as septic tank absorption fields and
sewage lagoons. A high content of clay in the subsoil
and the moderate permeability are the main limitations
affecting building site development and sanitary
facilities. Small stones are the main limitation affecting
recreational development. The removal of vegetation at
construction sites causes a moderate hazard of erosion.
Erosion -control measures are needed.
The capability subclass is Ile. Based on loblolly pine
as the indicator species, the woodland ordination
symbol is 8A.
GrC—Georgeville loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes.
This map unit consists mainly of very deep, well
drained, strongly sloping Georgeville and similar soils
on side slopes in the uplands. Most areas are in a belt
from southeast of Lincolnton to Pumpkin Center.
Individual areas are oblong and irregular in width. They
range from 4 to 60 acres in size.
Typically, the surface layer is strong brown loam 6
inches thick. The subsurface layer is brown loam 3
inches thick. The subsoil is 43 inches thick. It is
yellowish red clay loam in the upper part, red clay in the
next part, and red silty clay loam in the lower part. The
underlying material to a depth of 62 inches is red
saprolite that has mottles in shades of yellow, red, and
white and has a texture of silt loam. In some small
areas the soil is moderately eroded and has a surface
layer of clay loam.
Permeability is moderate. The shrink -swell potential
is low in the subsoil. The depth to bedrock is more than
60 inches. The water table is below a depth of 6 feet.
Reaction is very strongly acid to slightly acid in the
surface layer and very strongly acid or strongly acid in
the subsoil. The hazard of erosion is very severe in
bare, unprotected areas.
Included in this unit in mapping are small areas of
dissimilar soils. These are the moderately well drained,
slowly permeable Helena soils along drainageways.
Also included are areas of soils that are less than 60
inches deep over bedrock. The dissimilar included soils
make up about 5 to 10 percent of the unit.
Also included are small areas of soils that are similar
to the Georgeville soil but contain less silt, have a
subsoil that is less clayey or yellowish brown, are
moderately eroded, or have a surface layer of gravelly
loam.
Most of the acreage in this unit is used as woodland.
The rest is mainly used as cropland or pasture. A few
areas are used for urban development.
This map unit is well suited to woodland. Chestnut
oak, loblolly pine, shortleaf pine, yellow -poplar, northern
red oak, white oak, hickory, and southern red oak are
the most common trees. The most common understory
plants are flowering dogwood, black cherry, sourwood,
sassafras, mountain laurel, running cedar, and common
greenbrier. No major limitations affect woodland
management.
This map unit is moderately suited to cultivated
crops, such as corn, soybeans, and small grain. The
slope, surface runoff, and the hazard of erosion are the
major limitations. Conservation practices that help to
control erosion and add organic matter to the soil are
needed. The unit is well suited to hay and pasture. Tall
fescue and ladino clover are the main forage crops.
This map unit is moderately suited to building site
development, most types of sanitary facilities, and most
types of recreational development. It is poorly suited to
sewage lagoons because of the slope and to paths and
trails because of the hazard of erosion. A high content
of clay in the subsoil, the moderate permeability, and
the slope are the main limitations affecting building site
development and sanitary facilities, such as septic tank
absorption fields. The slope and small stones are the
main limitations affecting recreational development. The
removal of vegetation at construction sites causes a
very severe hazard of erosion. Erosion -control
measures are needed.
The capability subclass is IVe. Based on loblolly pine

22 Soil Survey
as the indicator species, the woodland ordination
symbol is 8A.
GrD—Georgeville loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes.
This map unit consist of very deep, well drained,
moderately steep Georgeville and similar soils on side
slopes in the uplands. Most areas are in a belt from
southeast of Lincolnton to Pumpkin Center. Individual
areas are oblong and irregular in width. They range
from 4 to 40 acres in size.
Typically, the surface layer is strong brown loam 6
inches thick. The subsurface layer is brown loam 3
inches thick. The subsoil is 43 inches thick. It is
yellowish red clay loam in the upper part, red clay in the
next part, and red silty clay loam in the lower part. The
underlying material to a depth of 62 inches is red
saprolite that has mottles in shades of yellow, red, and
white and has a texture of silt loam. In some small
areas the soil is moderately eroded and has a surface
layer of clay loam.
Permeability is moderate. The shrink -swell potential
is low in the subsoil. The depth to bedrock is more than
60 inches. The water table is below a depth of 6 feet.
Reaction is very strongly acid to slightly acid in the
surface layer and very strongly acid or strongly acid in
the subsoil. The hazard of erosion is very severe in
bare, unprotected areas.
Included in this unit in mapping are small areas of
dissimilar soils. These are Georgeville soils that have a
surface layer of gravelly loam and some boulders. They
usually are on the upper and steepest parts of the
slopes. Also included are small areas of soils that have
bedrock within a depth of 3 feet. The dissimilar included
soils make up about 5 to 15 percent of the unit.
Also included are small areas of soils that are similar
to the Georgeville soil but contain less silt, have a
subsoil that is less clayey or yellowish brown, are
moderately eroded, or have a surface layer of gravelly
loam.
Most of the acreage in this unit is used as woodland.
The rest is mainly used as pasture.
This map unit is moderately suited to woodland.
Chestnut oak, loblolly pine, shortleaf pine, yellow -
poplar, northern red oak, white oak, hickory, and
southern red oak are the most common trees. The most
common understory plants are flowering dogwood,
American holly, sourwood, eastern hophornbeam,
mountain laurel, and common greenbrier. The slope, the
hazard of erosion, and an equipment limitation are the
main management concerns.
This map unit is poorly suited to cropland. It is
moderately suited to pasture. Tall fescue and ladino
clover are the main forage crops. The slope, surface
runoff. and the hazard of erosion are the main
management concerns. Conservation practices that
help to control erosion and add organic matter to the
soil are needed.
This map unit is poorly suited to building site
development, sanitary facilities, and recreational
development because of the slope. The removal of
vegetation at construction sites causes a very severe
hazard of erosion. Erosion -control measures are
needed.
The capability subclass is Vle. Based on loblolly pine
as the indicator species, the woodland ordination
symbol is 8R.
GvB2—Georgeville clay loam, 2 to 8 percent
slopes, eroded. This map unit consists mainly of very
deep, well drained, gently sloping Georgeville and
similar soils on broad ridges in the uplands. Most areas
are in a belt from southeast of Lincolnton to Pumpkin
Center. Individual areas are irregular in shape and
range from 4 to 100 acres in size.
This map unit is moderately eroded. In most places
the present surface layer is a mixture of the original
surface layer and subsoil material. Typically, it is
yellowish red clay loam 5 inches thick. The subsoil is 41
inches thick. It is red clay loam in the upper part, red
clay in the next part, and red silty clay loam in the lower
part. The underlying material to a depth of 62 inches is
red saprolite that has mottles in shades of yellow, red,
and white and has a texture of silt loam. In some small
areas the soil is slightly eroded and has a surface layer
of loam.
Permeability is moderate. The shrink -swell potential
is low in the subsoil. The depth to bedrock is more than
60 inches. The water table is below a depth of 6 feet.
Reaction is very strongly acid to slightly acid in the
surface layer and very strongly acid or strongly acid in
the subsoil. The hazard of further erosion is severe in
bare, unprotected areas.
Included in this unit in mapping are small areas of
dissimilar soils. These are the moderately well drained,
slowly permeable Helena soils along intermittent
drainageways and in depressions. Also included are
areas of soils that are less than 60 inches deep over
bedrock. The dissimilar included soils make up about 5
to 15 percent of the unit.
Also included are small areas of soils that are similar
to the Georgeville soil but are less silty; have a subsoil
that is thinner, yellowish brown, or less clayey; or are
slightly eroded.
Most of the acreage in this unit is used as cropland
or pasture. The rest is mainly used as woodland. A few
areas are used for urban development.
This map unit is moderately suited to cultivated
crops, such as corn, soybeans, and small grain. The

Lincoln County, North Carolina 23
slope, surface runoff, and the hazard of further erosion
are the major limitations. Maintaining good tilth is
difficult because of the surface layer of clay loam. This
layer commonly crusts as it dries after a hard rain and
becomes cloddy if worked when wet. The crust and
clods make seedbed preparation difficult and may affect
germination and cause poor or uneven crop growth.
Conservation practices that help to control erosion and
add organic matter to the soil are needed. The unit is
moderately suited to hay and pasture. Tall fescue and
ladino clover are the main forage crops.
This map unit is moderately suited to woodland.
Chestnut oak, loblolly pine, northern red oak, white oak,
hickory, red maple, and post oak are the most common
trees. The most common understory plants are
flowering dogwood, black cherry, sourwood, sassafras,
mountain laurel, running cedar, and common
greenbrier. A high content of clay in the surface layer is
the main limitation affecting woodland management. It
limits the use of equipment and causes seedling
mortality.
This map unit is well suited to building site
development and most types of recreational
development. It is moderately suited to sanitary
facilities, such as septic tank absorption fields and
sewage lagoons. A high content of clay in the subsoil
and the moderate permeability are the main limitations
affecting building site development and sanitary
facilities. Small stones are the main limitation affecting
recreational development. The removal of vegetation at
construction sites causes a severe hazard of erosion.
Erosion -control measures are needed.
The capability subclass is Ille. Based on loblolly pine
as the indicator species, the woodland ordination
symbol is 6C.
GvC2—Georgeville clay loam, 8 to 15 percent
slopes, eroded. This map unit consists mainly of very
deep, well drained, strongly sloping Georgeville and
similar soils on side slopes in the uplands. Most areas
are in a belt from southeast of Lincolnton to Pumpkin
Center. Individual areas are oblong and irregular in
width. They range from 4 to 60 acres in size.
This map unit is moderately eroded. In most places
the present surface layer is a mixture of the original
surface layer and subsoil material. Typically, it is
yellowish red clay loam 5 inches thick. The subsoil is 41
inches thick. It is red clay loam in the upper part, red
clay in the next part, and red silty clay loam in the lower
part. The underlying material to a depth of 62 inches is
red saprolite that has mottles in shades of yellow, red,
and white and has a texture of silt loam. In some small
areas the soil is slightly eroded and has a surface layer
of loam.
Permeability is moderate. The shrink -swell potential
is low in the subsoil. The depth to bedrock is more than
60 inches. The water table is below a depth of 6 feet.
Reaction is very strongly acid to slightly acid in the
surface layer and very strongly acid or strongly acid in
the subsoil. The hazard of further erosion is very severe
in bare, unprotected areas.
Included in this unit in mapping are small areas of
dissimilar soils. These are the moderately well drained,
slowly permeable Helena soils along drainageways.
Also included are areas of soils that are less than 60
inches deep over bedrock. The dissimilar included soils
make up about 10 to 15 percent of the unit.
Also included are small areas of soils that are similar
to the Georgeville soil but are less silty; have a subsoil
that is thinner, yellowish brown, or less clayey; or are
slightly eroded.
Most of the acreage in this unit is used as cropland
or pasture. The rest is mainly used as woodland. A few
areas are used for urban development.
This map unit is moderately suited to cultivated
crops, such as corn, soybeans, and small grain. The
slope, surface runoff, and the hazard of further erosion
are the major limitations. Maintaining good tilth is
difficult because of the surface layer of clay loam. This
layer commonly crusts as it dries after a hard rain and
becomes cloddy if worked when wet. The crust and
clods make seedbed preparation difficult and may affect
germination and cause poor or uneven crop growth.
Conservation practices that help to control erosion and
add organic matter to the soil are needed. The unit is
moderately suited to hay and pasture. Tall fescue and
ladino clover are the main forage crops.
This map unit is moderately suited to woodland.
Chestnut oak, loblolly pine, northern red oak, white oak,
hickory, red maple, and post oak are the most common
trees. The most common understory plants are
flowering dogwood, black cherry, sourwood, sassafras,
mountain laurel, running cedar, and common
greenbrier. A high content of clay in the surface layer is
the main limitation affecting woodland management. It
limits the use of equipment and causes seedling
mortality.
This map unit is moderately suited to building site
development, most types of sanitary facilities, and most
types of recreational development. It is poorly suited to
sewage lagoons because of the slope and to paths and
trails because of the hazard of erosion. A high content
of clay in the subsoil, the moderate permeability, and
the slope are the main limitations affecting building site
development and sanitary facilities, such as septic tank
absorption fields. The slope and small stones are the
main limitations affecting recreational development. The
removal of vegetation at construction sites causes a

24 Soil Survey
very severe hazard of erosion. Erosion -control
measures are needed.
The capability subclass is IVe. Based on loblolly pine
as the indicator species, the woodland ordination
symbol is 6C.
HeB—Helena sandy loam, 1 to 6 percent slopes.
This map unit consists mainly of very deep, moderately
well drained, nearly level to gently sloping Helena and
similar soils on smooth ridges between drainageways,
on toe slopes, and along drainageways in the uplands.
It is in scattered areas throughout the county. Some of
the larger areas are north of Boger City and north of
Crouse. Individual areas are irregular in shape and
range from 5 to 40 acres in size.
Typically, the surface layer is brown sandy loam 6
inches thick. The subsurface layer is light yellowish
brown sandy loam 4 inches thick. The subsoil is 34
inches thick. In sequence downward, it is brownish
yellow sandy clay loam, strong brown and yellowish
brown sandy clay that has light gray and pale brown
mottles, and yellowish brown sandy clay loam that has
light gray and red mottles. The underlying material to a
depth of 62 inches is strong brown saprolite that has
mottles in shades of red, yellow, and gray and has a
texture of sandy loam.
Permeability is slow. The shrink -swell potential is
high in the subsoil. The seasonal high water table is 1.5
to 2.5 feet below the surface. The depth to bedrock is
more than 5 feet. Reaction is very strongly acid to
slightly acid in the surface layer and very strongly acid
or strongly acid in the subsoil. The hazard of erosion is
moderate in bare, unprotected areas.
Included in this unit in mapping are small areas of
dissimilar soils. These are the well drained, more
permeable Appling and Rion soils on small knolls and
ridgetops and the poorly drained Worsham soils in small
depressions and drainageways. Rion soils have a
subsoil that is less clayey than that of the Helena soil.
The dissimilar included soils make up about 10 to 15
percent of the unit.
Also included are small areas of soils that are similar
to the Helena soil but are less acidic.
Most of the acreage in this unit is used as pasture or
cropland. The rest is mainly used as woodland.
This map unit is moderately suited to crops, such as
corn, soybeans, and small grain. Wetness and the
hazard of erosion are the main management concerns.
A drainage system is needed in some areas. Open
ditches are the most common drainage system. Tile is
generally not used because of the slow permeability.
Tilling when the soil is wet destroys soil structure and
forms large clods, resulting in ponding and a poor
seedbed. Conservation practices that help to control
erosion and add organic matter to the soil are needed.
The unit is well suited to hay and pasture. Tall fescue
and ladino clover are the main forage crops.
This map unit is moderately suited to woodland.
Loblolly pine, shortleaf pine, yellow -poplar, sweetgum,
southern red oak, northern red oak, black oak, post oak,
white oak, and hickory are the most common trees. The
most common understory plants are flowering dogwood,
eastern redcedar, American holly, red maple, hawthorn,
sassafras, common greenbrier, blackberry, and poison
ivy. The wetness is the main limitation affecting
woodland management. Logging when the soil is wet
causes compaction, deep ruts, poor surface drainage,
and lower productivity.
This map unit is poorly suited to building site
development and most types of sanitary facilities, such
as septic tank absorption files. It is moderately suited to
sewage lagoons because of the slope. A high content of
clay in the subsoil, the slow permeability, the high
shrink -swell potential in the subsoil, and the wetness
are the major limitations affecting building site
development. Because the subsoil shrinks and swells
with changes in moisture content, foundations should
be designed to resist cracking. The wetness and the
slow permeability are the major limitations affecting
sanitary facilities. The removal of vegetation at
construction sites causes a moderate hazard of erosion.
Erosion -control measures are needed. The unit is
moderately suited to recreational development. The
wetness and the slow permeability are the main
limitations.
The capability subclass is Ile. Based on loblolly pine
as the indicator species, the woodland ordination
symbol is 8A.
MaD—Madison sandy loam, 15 to 25 percent
slopes. This map unit consists mainly of very deep, well
drained, moderately steep Madison and similar soils on
side slopes in the uplands. It is in scattered areas
throughout the county. Some of the larger areas are
located northeast of Lincolnton and northeast of Kidville.
Individual areas are oblong and irregular in width. They
range from 5 to 50 acres in size.
Typically, the surface layer is yellowish brown sandy
loam 7 inches thick. The subsoil is 25 inches thick. It is
red clay in the upper part and yellowish red clay loam in
the lower part. The underlying material to a depth of 62
inches is multicolored saprolite that has a texture of
loam. The soil has common or many flakes of mica in
the upper part and many in the lower part. In some
small areas the soil is moderately eroded and has a
surface layer of sandy clay loam.
Permeability is moderate. The shrink -swell potential
is low in the subsoil. The depth to bedrock is more

Lincoln County, North Carolina 25
than 5 feet. The water table is below a depth of 6 feet.
Reaction is very strongly acid to slightly acid in the
surface layer and very strongly acid or strongly acid in
the subsoil. The hazard of erosion is very severe in
bare, unprotected areas.
Included in this unit in mapping are small areas of
dissimilar soils. These are severely eroded soils. Gullies
are common along drainageways in some areas. The
dissimilar included soils make up about 5 to 15 percent
of the unit.
Also included are small areas of soils that are similar
to the Madison soil but contain less mica, have a
subsoil that is yellowish brown or less clayey, or are
moderately eroded.
Most of the acreage in this unit is used as woodland.
The rest is mainly used as pasture.
This map unit is moderately suited to woodland.
Loblolly pine, shortleaf pine, southern red oak, northern
red oak, hickory, yellow -poplar, and sweetgum are the
most common trees. The most common understory
plants are flowering dogwood, American holly, eastern
redcedar, sourwood, American hornbeam, and mountain
laurel. The slope, the hazard of erosion, and an
equipment limitation are the main management
concerns.
This map unit is poorly suited to cropland. It is
moderately suited to pasture. Tall fescue and ladino
clover are the main forage crops. The slope, surface
runoff, and the hazard of erosion are the main
management concerns. Conservation practices that
help to control erosion and add organic matter to the
soil are needed.
This map unit is poorly suited to building site
development, sanitary facilities, and most types of
recreational development because of the slope. The
removal of vegetation at construction sites causes a
very severe hazard of erosion. Erosion -control
measures are needed.
The capability subclass is Vle. Based on loblolly pine
as the indicator species, the woodland ordination
symbol is 8R.
MdB2—Madison sandy clay loam, 2 to 8 percent
slopes, eroded. This map unit consists mainly of very
deep, well drained, gently sloping Madison and similar
soils on broad ridges in the uplands throughout the
county. Some of the larger areas are northeast of
Lincolnton and northeast of Kidville. Individual areas are
irregular in shape and range from 10 to 80 acres in
size.
This map unit is moderately eroded. In most places
the present surface layer is a mixture of the original
surface layer and subsoil material. Typically, it is
yellowish red sandy clay loam 5 inches thick. The
subsoil is 29 inches thick. In sequence downward, it is
red clay, red clay loam that has reddish yellow mottles,
and yellowish red sandy clay loam that has reddish
yellow mottles. The underlying material to a depth of 62
inches is multicolored saprolite that has a texture of
loam. The soil has common or many flakes of mica in
the upper part and many in the lower part. In some
small areas the soil is slightly eroded and has a surface
layer of sandy loam.
Permeability is moderate. The shrink -swell potential
is low in the subsoil. The depth to bedrock is more than
5 feet. The water table is below a depth of 6 feet.
Reaction is very strongly acid to slightly acid in the
surface layer and very strongly acid or strongly acid in
the subsoil. The hazard of further erosion is severe in
bare, unprotected areas.
Included in this unit in mapping are small areas of
dissimilar soils. These are the moderately well drained,
slowly permeable Helena soils around drainageways.
Also, gullies and severely eroded soils are common
along drainageways in some areas. The dissimilar
included soils make up about 5 to 15 percent of the
unit.
Also included are small areas of soils that are similar
to the Madison soil but contain less mica; have a
subsoil that is yellowish brown, thicker, or less clayey;
or are slightly eroded.
Most of the acreage in this unit is used as cropland
or pasture. The rest is used as woodland.
This map unit is moderately suited to cultivated
crops, such as corn, soybeans, and small grain. The
slope, the texture of the surface layer, surface runoff,
and the hazard of further erosion are the main
management concerns. Maintaining good tilth is difficult
because of the surface layer of sandy clay loam. This
layer commonly crusts as it dries after a hard rain and
becomes cloddy if worked when wet. The crust and
clods make seedbed preparation difficult and may affect
germination and cause poor or uneven crop growth.
Conservation practices that help to control erosion and
add organic matter to the soil are needed. The unit is
moderately suited to hay and pasture. Tall fescue and
ladino clover are the main forage crops.
This map unit is moderately well suited to woodland.
Loblolly pine, shortleaf pine, southern red oak, northern
red oak, white oak, hickory, and yellow -poplar are the
most common trees. The most common understory
plants are flowering dogwood, sourwood, American
holly, black cherry, eastern redcedar, winged elm, red
maple, running cedar, and poison ivy. A high content of
clay in the surface layer is the main limitation affecting
woodland management. It limits the use of equipment
and causes seedling mortality.

26 Soil Survey
This map unit is well suited to building site
development and most types of recreational
development. It is moderately suited to sanitary
facilities, such as septic tank absorption fields and
sewage lagoons. A high content of clay in the subsoil,
the moderate permeability, and the slope are the main
limitations. The removal of vegetation at construction
sites causes a severe hazard of further erosion.
Erosion -control measures are needed.
The capability subclass is Ille. Based on loblolly pine
as the indicator species, the woodland ordination
symbol is 7C.
MdC2—Madison sandy clay loam, 8 to 15 percent
slopes, eroded. This map unit consists mainly of very
deep, well drained, strongly sloping Madison and similar
soils on side slopes in the uplands. It is in scattered
areas throughout the county. Some of the larger areas
are northeast of Lincolnton and northeast of Kidville.
Individual areas are oblong and irregular in width. They
range from 5 to 70 acres in size.
This map unit is moderately eroded. In most places
the present surface layer is a mixture of the original
surface layer and subsoil material. Typically, it is
yellowish red sandy clay loam 5 inches thick. The
subsoil is 29 inches thick. In sequence downward, it is
red clay, red clay loam that has reddish yellow mottles,
and yellowish red sandy clay loam that has reddish
yellow mottles. The underlying material to a depth of 62
inches is multicolored saprolite that has a texture of
loam. The soil has common or many flakes of mica in
the upper part and many in the lower part. In some
small areas the soil is slightly eroded and has a surface
layer of sandy loam.
Permeability is moderate. The shrink -swell potential
is low in the subsoil. The depth to bedrock is more than
5 feet. The water table is below a depth of 6 feet.
Reaction is very strongly acid to slightly acid in the
surface layer and very strongly acid or strongly acid in
the subsoil. The hazard of further erosion is very severe
in bare, unprotected areas.
Included in this unit in mapping are small areas of
dissimilar soils. These are the moderately well drained,
slowly permeable Helena soils around drainageways.
Also, gullies and severely eroded soils are common
along drainageways in some areas (fig. 9). The
dissimilar included soils make up about 5 to 15 percent
of the unit.
Also included are small areas of soils that are similar
to the Madison soil but contain less mica, have a
subsoil that is yellowish brown or less clayey, or are
slightly eroded.
Most of the acreage in this unit is used as woodland.
Figure 9.—Gullies In an area of Madison sandy clay loam, 8 to 15
percent slopes, eroded.
The rest is mainly used as cropland or pasture.
This map unit is moderately suited to woodland.
Loblolly pine, shortleaf pine, southern red oak, northern
red oak, white oak, hickory, and yellow -poplar are the
most common trees. The most common understory
plants are flowering dogwood, red maple, sourwood,
American holly, eastern redcedar, running cedar,
honeysuckle, and brackenfern. A high content of clay in
the surface layer is the main limitation affecting
woodland management. It limits the use of equipment
and causes seedling mortality.
This map unit is moderately suited to cultivated
crops, such as corn, soybeans, and small grain. The

Lincoln County, North Carolina 27
slope, the texture of the surface layer, surface runoff,
and the hazard of further erosion are the main
management concerns. Maintaining good tilth is difficult
because of the surface layer of sandy clay loam. This
layer commonly crusts as it dries after a hard rain and
becomes cloddy if worked when wet. The crust and
clods make seedbed preparation difficult and may affect
germination and cause poor or uneven crop growth.
Because of the slope the hazard of further erosion is
very severe if cultivated crops are grown. Conservation
practices that help to control erosion and surface runoff
and add organic matter to the soil are needed. The unit
is moderately suited to hay and pasture. Tall fescue and
ladino clover are the main forage crops.
This map unit is moderately suited to building site
development, most types of sanitary facilities, and
recreational development. It is poorly suited to sewage
lagoons because of the slope. A high content of clay in
the subsoil, the moderate permeability, and the slope
are the main limitations affecting building site
development and sanitary facilities, such as septic tank
absorption fields. The slope is the main limitation
affecting recreational development. The removal of
vegetation at construction sites causes a very severe
hazard of further erosion. Erosion -control measures are
needed.
The capability subclass is IVe. Based on loblolly pine
as the indicator species, the woodland ordination
symbol is 7C.
MsB—Masada sandy loam, 2 to 8 percent slopes.
This map unit consists mainly of very deep, well
drained, gently sloping Masada and similar soils on high
stream terraces, mostly along the South Fork of the
Catawba River and Clark Creek. Some small areas are
along other major creeks. Individual areas are irregular
in shape and range from 4 to 40 acres in size.
Typically, the surface layer is dark yellowish brown
sandy loam 8 inches thick. The subsoil is 47 inches
thick. In sequence downward, it is brown sandy clay
loam, yellowish red and strong brown sandy clay, and
yellowish brown clay loam that has reddish yellow and
red mottles. The underlying material to a depth of 62
inches is strong brown sandy clay loam that has mottles
in shades of red, brown, and yellow.
Permeability is moderate. The shrink -swell potential
is moderate in the subsoil. The depth to bedrock is
more than 6 feet. The water table is also below a depth
of 6 feet. Reaction is very strongly acid to slightly acid
in the surface layer and very strongly acid or strongly
acid in the subsoil. The hazard of erosion is moderate
in bare, unprotected areas.
Included in this unit in mapping are small areas of
dissimilar soils. These are the moderately well drained,
less clayey Altavista soils in small depressions and
along drainageways and the frequently flooded
Chewacla soils along small flood plains. Also included
are a few low areas of soils that are subject to rare
flooding. The dissimilar included soils make up about 5
to 15 percent of the unit.
Also included are small areas of soils that are similar
to the Masada soil but are moderately eroded or have a
subsoil that is dark red or less clayey.
This map unit is not very extensive in Lincoln County.
Most of the acreage is used as cropland or pasture.
The rest is used as woodland.
This map unit is well suited to cultivated crops, such
as corn, soybeans, and small grain. The slope, surface
runoff, and the hazard of erosion are the main
management concerns. Conservation practices that
help to control erosion and add organic matter to the
soil are needed. The unit is well suited to hay and
pasture. Tall fescue and ladino clover are the main
forage crops.
This map unit is well suited to woodland. Loblolly
pine, shortleaf pine, southern red oak, white oak,
hickory, sweetgum, and yellow -poplar are the most
common trees. The most common understory plants are
flowering dogwood, sourwood, American holly, black
cherry, red maple, poison ivy, and honeysuckle. No
major limitations affect woodland management.
This map unit is moderately suited to building site
development and sanitary facilities. A high content of
clay in the subsoil and the shrink -swell potential are the
main limitations affecting building site development.
Because the subsoil shrinks and swells with changes in
moisture content, foundations should be designed to
resist cracking. The moderate permeability, the high
content of clay in the subsoil, and seepage are the main
limitations affecting sanitary facilities, such as septic
tank absorption fields and sewage lagoons. The hazard
of flooding should be determined before the use and
management of specific sites are planned. The unit is
well suited to recreational development. The removal of
vegetation at construction sites causes a moderate
hazard of erosion. Erosion -control measures are
needed.
The capability subclass is Ile. Based on loblolly pine
as the indicator species, the woodland ordination
symbol is 8A.
MsC—Masada sandy loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes.
This map unit consists mainly of very deep, well
drained, strongly sloping Masada and similar soils on
side slopes of high stream terraces, mostly along the
South Fork of the Catawba River and Clark Creek.
Some small areas are along other major creeks.
Individual areas are oblong and irregular in width. They

28 Soil Survey
range from 4 to 20 acres in size.
Typically, the surface layer is dark yellowish brown
sandy loam 8 inches thick. The subsoil is 47 inches
thick. In sequence downward, it is brown sandy clay
loam, yellowish red and strong brown sandy clay, and
yellowish brown clay loam that has reddish yellow and
red mottles. The underlying material to a depth of 62
inches is strong brown sandy clay loam that has mottles
in shades of red, brown, and yellow.
Permeability is moderate. The shrink -swell potential
also is moderate. The depth to bedrock is more than 6
feet. The water table is also below a depth of 6 feet.
Reaction is very strongly acid to slightly acid in the
surface layer and very strongly acid or strongly acid in
the subsoil. The hazard of erosion is severe in bare,
unprotected areas.
Included in this unit in mapping are some areas of
soils that are similar to the Masada soil but are
moderately eroded or have a subsoil that is dark red or
less clayey.
This map unit is not very extensive in Lincoln County.
Most of the acreage is used as woodland. The rest is
used as cropland or pasture.
This map unit is well suited to woodland. Loblolly
pine, shortleaf pine, southern red oak, white oak,
hickory, sweetgum, and yellow -poplar are the most
common trees. The most common understory plants are
flowering dogwood, sourwood, American holly, black
cherry, red maple, poison ivy, and honeysuckle. No
major limitations affect woodland management.
This map unit is moderately suited to cultivated
crops, such as corn, soybeans, and small grain. The
slope, surface runoff, and the hazard of erosion are the
main management concerns. Conservation practices
that help to control erosion and add organic matter to
the soil are needed. The unit is well suited to hay and
pasture. Tall fescue and ladino clover are the main
forage crops.
This map unit is moderately suited to building site
development, most types of sanitary facilities, and most
types of recreational development. It is poorly suited to
sewage lagoons because of the slope. A high content of
clay in the subsoil, the shrink -swell potential, and the
slope are the main limitations affecting building site
development. Because the subsoil shrinks and swells
with changes in moisture content, foundations should
be designed to resist cracking. The moderate
permeability, the high content of clay in the subsoil, and
the slope are the main limitations affecting sanitary
facilities, such as septic tank absorption fields. The
slope is the main limitation affecting recreational
development. The removal of vegetation at construction
sites causes a severe hazard of erosion. Erosion -
control measures are needed.
The capability subclass is IIIe. Based on loblolly pine
as the indicator species, the woodland ordination
symbol is 8A.
PaB—Pacolet sandy loam, 2 to 8 percent slopes.
This map unit consists mainly of very deep, well
drained, gently sloping Pacolet and similar soils on
narrow ridges in the uplands. It is located throughout
the county. Some of the larger areas are northeast of
Lincolnton. Individual areas are irregular in shape and
range from 10 to 200 acres in size.
Typically, the surface layer is brown sandy loam 6
inches thick. The subsurface layer is yellowish red
sandy loam 3 inches thick. The subsoil is 26 inches
thick. It is red clay loam in the upper part, red clay in
the next part, and red clay loam in the lower part. The
underlying material to a depth of 62 inches is red
saprolite that has a texture of loam. In some small
areas the soil is moderately eroded and has a surface
layer of sandy clay loam.
Permeability is moderate. The shrink -swell potential
is low in the subsoil. The depth to bedrock is more than
5 feet. The water table is below a depth of 6 feet.
Reaction is very strongly acid to slightly acid in the
surface layer and very strongly acid to moderately acid
in the subsoil. The hazard of erosion is moderate in
bare, unprotected areas.
Included in this unit in mapping are small areas of
dissimilar soils. These are the moderately well drained
Helena soils along drainageways. They make up about
5 to 10 percent of the unit.
Also included are small areas of soils that are similar
to the Pacolet soil but have a subsoil that is thicker,
yellowish brown, or less clayey; are moderately eroded;
or contain more mica.
Most of the acreage in this unit is used as woodland.
The rest is mainly used as cropland or pasture.
This map unit is well suited to woodland. Loblolly
pine, shortleaf pine, Virginia pine, southern red oak,
northern red oak, white oak, hickory, and yellow -poplar
are the most common trees. The most common
understory plants are flowering dogwood, sourwood,
American holly, black cherry, eastern redcedar, red
maple, and running cedar. No major limitations affect
woodland management.
This map unit is well suited to cultivated crops, such
as corn, soybeans, and small grain. The slope, the
texture of the surface layer, surface runoff, and the
hazard of erosion are the main management concerns.
Conservation practices that help to control erosion and
add organic matter to the soil are needed. The unit is
well suited to hay and pasture. Tall fescue and ladino
clover are the main forage crops.
This map unit is well suited to building site

Lincoln County, North Carolina 29
development and most types of recreational
development. It is moderately suited to sanitary
facilities, such as septic tank absorption fields and
sewage lagoons. A high content of clay in the subsoil
and the moderate permeability are the main limitations.
The removal of vegetation at construction sites causes
a moderate hazard of erosion. Erosion -control
measures are needed.
The capability subclass is Ile. Based on loblolly pine
as the indicator species, the woodland ordination
symbol is 8A.
PaC—Pacolet sandy loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes.
This map unit consists mainly of very deep, well
drained, strongly sloping Pacolet and similar soils on
side slopes in the uplands. It is in scattered areas
throughout the county. The most extensive areas are in
the northwestern part of the county. Individual areas are
oblong and irregular in width. They range from 4 to 40
acres in size.
Typically, the surface layer is brown sandy loam 6
inches thick. The subsurface layer is yellowish red
sandy loam 3 inches thick. The subsoil is 26 inches
thick. It is red clay loam in the upper part, red clay in
the next part, and red clay loam in the lower part. The
underlying material to a depth of 62 inches is red
saprolite that has a texture of loam. In some small
areas the soil is moderately eroded and has a surface
layer of sandy clay loam.
Permeability is moderate. The shrink -swell potential
is low in the subsoil. The depth to bedrock is more than
5 feet. The water table is below a depth of 6 feet.
Reaction is very strongly acid to slightly acid in the
surface layer and very strongly acid to moderately acid
in the subsoil. The hazard of erosion is very severe in
bare, unprotected areas.
Included in this unit in mapping are small areas of
dissimilar soils. These are the moderately well drained,
slowly permeable Helena soils along drainageways.
They make up about 5 to 15 percent of the unit.
Also included are small areas of soils that are similar
to the Pacolet soil but have a subsoil that is thicker,
yellowish brown, or less clayey; are moderately eroded;
or contain more mica.
Most of the acreage in this unit is used as woodland.
The rest is mainly used as cropland or pasture.
This map unit is well suited to woodland. Loblolly
pine, shortleaf pine, Virginia pine, northern red oak,
white oak, southern red oak, yellow -poplar, and hickory
are the most common trees. The most common
understory plants are flowering dogwood, sourwood,
American holly, black cherry, black locust, sumac,
eastern redcedar, and red maple. No major limitations
affect woodland management.
This map unit is moderately suited to cultivated
crops, such as corn, soybeans, and small grain. The
slope, surface runoff, and the hazard of erosion are the
main management concerns. Conservation practices
that help to control erosion and add organic matter to
the soil are needed. The unit is well suited to pasture.
Tall fescue and ladino clover are the main forage crops.
This map unit is moderately suited to building site
development, most types of sanitary facilities, and most
types of recreational development. It is poorly suited to
sewage lagoons because of the slope. A high content of
clay in the subsoil, the moderate permeability, and the
slope are the main limitations affecting building site
development. The moderate permeability is a moderate
limitation affecting sanitary facilities, such as septic tank
absorption fields. The slope is the main limitation
affecting recreational development. The removal of
vegetation at construction sites causes a very severe
hazard of erosion. Erosion -control measures are
needed.
The capability subclass is IVe. Based on loblolly pine
as the indicator species, the woodland ordination
symbol is 8A.
PaD—Pacolet sandy loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes.
This map unit consists mainly of very deep, well
drained, moderately steep Pacolet and similar soils on
side slopes in the uplands. It is in scattered areas
throughout the county. Individual areas are oblong and
irregular in width. They range from 5 to 50 acres in size.
Typically, the surface layer is brown sandy loam 5
inches thick. The subsoil is 27 inches thick. It is red
clay loam in the upper part, red clay in the next part,
and red clay loam in the lower part. The underlying
material to a depth of 62 inches is multicolored saprolite
that has a texture of loam. In some small areas the soil
is moderately eroded and has a surface layer of sandy
clay loam.
Permeability is moderate. The shrink -swell potential
is low in the subsoil. The depth to bedrock is more than
5 feet. The water table is below a depth of 6 feet.
Reaction is very strongly acid to slightly acid in the
surface layer and very strongly acid to moderately acid
in the subsoil. The hazard of erosion is very severe in
bare, unprotected areas.
Included in this unit in mapping are small areas of
soils that are similar to the Pacolet soil but have a
surface layer of gravelly sandy loam, contain more
mica, have a subsoil that is yellowish brown or less
clayey, or are moderately eroded.
Most of the acreage in this unit is used as woodland.
The rest is used as pasture.
This map unit is moderately suited to woodland.
Loblolly pine, shortleaf pine, Virginia pine,

30 Soil Survey
yellow -poplar, white oak, southern red oak, northern red
oak, and hickory are the most common trees. The most
common understory plants are flowering dogwood,
American holly, eastern redcedar, sourwood, and
mountain laurel. The slope, the hazard of erosion, and
an equipment limitation are the main management
concerns.
This map unit is poorly suited to cropland. It is
moderately suited to pasture. Tall fescue and ladino
clover are the main forage crops. The slope, surface
runoff, and the hazard of erosion are the main
management concerns. Conservation practices that
help to control erosion and add organic matter to the
soil are needed.
This map unit is poorly suited to building site
development, sanitary facilities, and most types of
recreational development because of the slope. The
removal of vegetation at construction sites causes a
very severe hazard of erosion. Erosion -control
measures are needed.
The capability subclass is VIe. Based on loblolly pine
as the indicator species, the woodland ordination
symbol is 8R.
PaE—Pacolet sandy loam, 25 to 45 percent slopes.
This map unit consists mainly of very deep, well
drained, steep Pacolet and similar soils on side slopes
in the uplands. It is in scattered areas throughout the
county. Individual areas are oblong and irregular in
width. They range from 5 to 15 acres in size.
Typically, the surface layer is brown sandy loam 5
inches thick. The subsoil is 27 inches thick. It is red
clay loam in the upper part, red clay in the next part,
and red clay loam in the lower part. The underlying
material to a depth of 62 inches is multicolored saprolite
that has a texture of loam. In some small areas the soil
is moderately eroded and has a surface layer of sandy
clay loam.
Permeability is moderate. The shrink -swell potential
is low in the subsoil. The depth to bedrock is more than
5 feet. The water table is below a depth of 6 feet.
Reaction is very strongly acid to slightly acid in the
surface layer and very strongly acid to moderately acid
in the subsoil. The hazard of erosion is very severe in
bare, unprotected areas.
Included in this unit in mapping are small areas of
soils that are similar to the Pacolet soil but have a
surface layer of gravelly sandy loam; contain more
mica; have a subsoil that is thicker, yellowish brown, or
less clayey; or are moderately eroded.
This map unit is not very extensive in Lincoln County.
Most of the acreage is used as woodland. The rest is
used as pasture.
This map unit is moderately suited to woodland.
Loblolly pine, shortleaf pine, Virginia pine, southern red
oak, northern red oak, hickory, yellow -poplar, and white
oak are the most common trees. The most common
understory plants are flowering dogwood, American
holly, eastern redcedar, and mountain laurel. The slope,
the hazard of erosion, and an equipment limitation are
the main management concerns.
This map unit is generally not used as cropland. It is
poorly suited to pasture. Tall fescue and ladino clover
are the main forage crops. The slope, surface runoff,
and the hazard of erosion are the main management
concerns. Conservation practices that help to control
erosion and add organic matter to the soil are needed.
This map unit is poorly suited to building site
development, sanitary facilities, and recreational
development because of the slope. The removal of
vegetation at construction sites causes a very severe
hazard of erosion. Erosion -control measures are
needed.
The capability subclass is Vile. Based on loblolly
pine as the indicator species, the woodland ordination
symbol is 8R.
PeB2—Pacolet sandy clay loam, 2 to 8 percent
slopes, eroded. This map unit consists mainly of very
deep, well drained, gently sloping Pacolet and similar
soils on narrow ridges in the uplands. It is in scattered
areas throughout the county. The most extensive areas
are northeast of Lincolnton. Individual areas are oblong
and irregular in width. They range from 4 to 40 acres in
size.
This map unit is moderately eroded. In most places
the present surface layer is a mixture of the original
surface layer and subsoil material. Typically, it is
reddish brown sandy clay loam 7 inches thick. The
subsoil is 28 inches thick. In sequence downward, it is
red clay loam, red clay that has yellowish red mottles,
and red clay loam that has mottles in shades of red and
white. The underlying material to a depth of 62 inches is
multicolored saprolite that has a texture of loam or
sandy loam. In some small areas the soil is slightly
eroded and has a surface layer of sandy loam.
Permeability is moderate. The shrink -swell potential
is low in the subsoil. The depth to bedrock is more than
5 feet. The water table is below a depth of 6 feet.
Reaction is very strongly acid to slightly acid in the
surface layer and very strongly acid to moderately acid
in the subsoil. The hazard of further erosion is severe in
bare, unprotected areas.
Included in this unit in mapping are small areas of
dissimilar soils. These are the moderately well drained,
slowly permeable Helena soils along drainageways.
They make up about 5 to 10 percent of the unit.
Also included are small areas of soils that are similar

Lincoln County, North Carolina 31
to the Pacolet soil but have a gravelly surface layer,
have a subsoil that is yellower or less clayey, have a
higher content of mica, or are slightly eroded.
Most of the acreage in this unit is used as cropland
or pasture. The rest is used as woodland.
This map unit is moderately suited to cultivated
crops, such as corn, soybeans, and small grain. The
slope, surface runoff, and the hazard of erosion are the
main management concerns. Maintaining good tilth is
difficult because of the surface layer of sandy clay
loam. This layer commonly crusts as it dries after a
hard rain and becomes cloddy if worked when wet. The
crust and clods make seedbed preparation difficult and
may affect germination and cause poor or uneven crop
growth. Conservation practices that help to control
erosion and add organic matter to the soil are needed.
The unit is moderately suited to pasture. Tall fescue
and ladino clover are the main forage crops.
This map unit is moderately suited to woodland.
Loblolly pine, shortleaf pine, northern red oak, white
oak, southern red oak, yellow -poplar, and hickory are
the most common trees. The most common understory
plants are flowering dogwood, sourwood, American
holly, black cherry, black locust, sumac, eastern
redcedar, and red maple. A high content of clay in the
surface layer is the main limitation affecting woodland
management. It limits the use of equipment and causes
seedling mortality.
This map unit is well suited to building site
development and most types of recreational
development. It is moderately suited to sanitary
facilities, such as septic tank absorption fields and
sewage lagoons. A high content of clay in the subsoil,
the moderate permeability, and the slope are the main
limitations. The removal of vegetation at construction
sites causes a severe hazard of further erosion.
Erosion -control measures are needed.
The capability subclass is Ille. Based on loblolly pine
as the indicator species, the woodland ordination
symbol is 6C.
PeC2—Pacolet sandy clay loam, 8 to 15 percent
slopes, eroded. This map unit consists mainly of very
deep, well drained, strongly sloping Pacolet and similar
soils on side slopes in the uplands. It is in scattered
areas throughout the county. The most extensive areas
are in the northwestern part of the county. Individual
areas are oblong and irregular in width. They range
from 4 to 40 acres in size.
This map unit is moderately eroded. In most places
the present surface layer is a mixture of the original
surface layer and subsoil material. Typically, it is
reddish brown sandy clay loam 7 inches thick. The
subsoil is 28 inches thick. In sequence downward, it is
red clay loam, red clay that has yellowish red mottles,
and red clay loam that has mottles in shades of red and
white. The underlying material to a depth of 62 inches is
multicolored saprolite that has a texture of loam or
sandy loam. In some small areas the soil is slightly
eroded and has a surface layer of sandy loam.
Permeability is moderate. The shrink -swell potential
is low in the subsoil. The depth to bedrock is more than
5 feet. The water table is below a depth of 6 feet.
Reaction is very strongly acid to slightly acid in the
surface layer and very strongly acid to moderately acid
in the subsoil. The hazard of further erosion is very
severe in bare, unprotected areas.
Included in this unit in mapping are small areas of
dissimilar soils. These are the moderately well drained,
slowly permeable Helena soils along drainageways.
They make up about 5 to 10 percent of the unit.
Also included are small areas of soils that are similar
to the Pacolet soil but have a gravelly surface layer,
have a subsoil that is yellower or less clayey, have a
higher content of mica, or are slightly eroded.
Most of the acreage in this unit is used as cropland
or pasture. The rest is used as woodland.
This map unit is moderately suited to cultivated
crops, such as corn, soybeans, and small grain. The
slope, surface runoff, and the hazard of further erosion
are the main management concerns. Maintaining good
tilth is difficult because of the surface layer of sandy
clay loam. This layer commonly crusts as it dries after a
hard rain and becomes cloddy if worked when wet. The
crust and clods make seedbed preparation difficult and
may affect germination and cause poor or uneven crop
growth. Conservation practices that help to control
erosion and add organic matter to the soil are needed.
The unit is moderately suited to pasture. Tall fescue
and ladino clover are the main forage crops.
This map unit is moderately suited to woodland.
Loblolly pine, shortleaf pine, northern red oak, white
oak, southern red oak, yellow -poplar, and hickory are
the most common trees. The most common understory
plants are flowering dogwood, sourwood, American
holly, black cherry, black locust, sumac, eastern
redcedar, and red maple. A high content of clay in the
surface layer is the main limitation affecting woodland
management. It limits the use of equipment and causes
seedling mortality.
This map unit is moderately suited to building site
development, most types of sanitary facilities, and
recreational development. It is poorly suited to sewage
lagoons because of the slope. A high content of clay in
the subsoil, the moderate permeability, and the slope
are the main limitations affecting building site
development and sanitary facilities, such as septic tank
absorption fields. The removal of vegetation at

32 Soil Survey
construction sites causes a very severe hazard of
further erosion. Erosion -control measures are needed.
The capability subclass is IVe. Based on loblolly pine
as the indicator species, the woodland ordination
symbol is 6C.
PmB—Pacolet-Madison-Urban land complex, 2 to 8
percent slopes. This map unit consists mainly of very
deep, well drained, gently sloping Pacolet and Madison
soils and Urban land. It is on narrow ridges in the
uplands. The soils and Urban land that make up this
unit occur as areas so small and intermingled that
mapping them separately was not feasible at the scale
selected. Most of the acreage is in and around
Lincolnton and Boger City. The unit is about 25 to 35
percent Pacolet soil, 25 to 35 percent Madison soil, and
25 to 35 percent Urban land. Individual areas of this
unit are irregular in shape and range from 10 to 200
acres in size.
Typically, the surface layer of the Pacolet soil is
reddish brown sandy clay loam 7 inches thick. The
subsoil is 28 inches thick. In sequence downward, it is
red clay loam, red clay that has yellowish red mottles,
and red clay loam that has mottles in shades of red and
white. The underlying material to a depth of 62 inches is
multicolored saprolite that has a texture of loam or
sandy loam. In some small areas the soil is slightly
eroded and has a surface layer of sandy loam.
Permeability is moderate in the Pacolet soil. The
shrink -swell potential is low in the subsoil. The depth to
bedrock is more than 5 feet. The water table is below a
depth of 6 feet. Reaction is very strongly acid to slightly
acid in the surface layer and very strongly acid to
moderately acid in the subsoil. The hazard of erosion is
severe in bare, unprotected areas.
Typically, the surface layer of the Madison soil is
yellowish red sandy clay loam 5 inches thick. The
subsoil is 29 inches thick. In sequence downward, it is
red clay, red clay loam that has reddish yellow mottles,
and yellowish red sandy clay loam that has reddish
yellow mottles. The underlying material to a depth of 62
inches is multicolored saprolite that has a texture of
loam. The soil has common or many flakes of mica in
the upper part and many in the lower part. In some
small areas the soil is slightly eroded and has a surface
layer of sandy loam.
Permeability is moderate in the Madison soil. The
shrink -swell potential is low in the subsoil. The depth to
bedrock is more than 5 feet. The water table is below a
depth of 6 feet. Reaction is very strongly acid to slightly
acid in the surface layer and very strongly acid or
strongly acid in the subsoil. The hazard of erosion is
severe in bare, unprotected areas.
Urban land consists of areas where the soil has been
covered with buildings, streets, driveways, parking lots,
or other impervious surfaces.
Included in this unit in mapping are small areas of
dissimilar soils. These are the moderately well drained,
slowly permeable Helena soils along intermittent
drainageways. Also included are cut and fill areas
where the natural soils have been altered or covered
and the slope has been modified. These areas are
commonly adjacent to the Urban land. The dissimilar
inclusions make up about 10 to 15 percent of the
unit.
Also included are small areas of soils that are similar
to the Pacolet and Madison soils but have a subsoil that
is thicker, yellower, or less clayey.
The Pacolet and Madison soils are well suited to
building site development and most types of
recreational development. They are moderately suited
to sanitary facilities. A high content of clay in the subsoil
and the moderate permeability are the main limitations
affecting sanitary facilities. The removal of vegetation at
construction sites causes a severe hazard of erosion.
Erosion -control measures are needed.
Onsite investigation is needed before the use and
management of specific sites are planned.
This map unit has not been assigned a capability
subclass or a woodland ordination symbol.
PmC—Pacolet-Madison-Urban land complex, 8 to
15 percent slopes. This map unit consists mainly of
very deep, well drained Pacolet and Madison soils and
Urban land. It is on strongly sloping side slopes in the
uplands. The soils and Urban land that make up this
unit occur as areas so small and intermingled that
mapping them separately was not feasible at the scale
selected. Most of the acreage is in and around
Lincolnton and Boger City. The unit is about 25 to 35
percent Pacolet soil, 25 to 30 percent Madison soil, and
25 to 50 percent Urban land. Individual areas of this
unit are oblong and irregular in width. They range from
4 to 20 acres in size.
Typically, the surface layer of the Pacolet soil is
reddish brown sandy clay loam 7 inches thick. The
subsoil is 28 inches thick. In sequence downward, it is
red clay loam, red clay that has yellowish red mottles,
and red clay loam that has mottles in shades of red and
white. The underlying material to a depth of 62 inches is
multicolored saprolite that has a texture of loam or
sandy loam. In some small areas the soil is slightly
eroded and has a surface layer of sandy loam.
Permeability is moderate in the Pacolet soil. The
shrink -swell potential is low in the subsoil. The depth to
bedrock is more than 5 feet. The water table is below a
depth of 6 feet. Reaction is very strongly acid to slightly
acid in the surface layer and very strongly acid to

Lincoln County, North Carolina 33
moderately acid in the subsoil. The hazard of erosion is
very severe in bare, unprotected areas.
Typically, the surface layer of the Madison soil is
yellowish red sandy clay loam 5 inches thick. The
subsoil is 29 inches thick. In sequence downward, it is
red clay, red clay loam that has reddish yellow mottles,
and yellowish red sandy clay loam that has reddish
yellow mottles. The underlying material to a depth of 62
inches is multicolored saprolite that has a texture of
loam. The soil has common or many flakes of mica in
the upper part and many in the lower part. In some
small areas the soil is slightly eroded and has a surface
layer of sandy loam.
Permeability is moderate in the Madison soil. The
shrink -swell potential is low in the subsoil. The depth to
bedrock is more than 5 feet. The water table is below a
depth of 6 feet. Reaction is very strongly acid to slightly
acid in the surface layer and very strongly acid or
strongly acid in the subsoil. The hazard of erosion is
very severe in bare, unprotected areas.
Urban land consists of areas where the soil has been
covered with buildings, streets, driveways, parking lots,
or other impervious surfaces.
Included in this unit in mapping are small areas of
dissimilar soils. These are the moderately well drained,
slowly permeable Helena soils along intermittent
drainageways. Also included are cut and fill areas
where the natural soils have been altered or covered
and the slope has been modified. These areas are
commonly adjacent to the Urban land. The dissimilar
inclusions make up about 10 to 15 percent of the
unit.
Also included are small areas of soils that are similar
to the Pacolet and Madison soils but have a subsoil that
is thicker, yellower, or less clayey.
The Pacolet and Madison soils are moderately suited
to building site development, most types of sanitary
facilities, and most types of recreational development. A
high content of clay in the subsoil, moderately
permeability, and the slope are the main limitations. The
unit is poorly suited to sewage lagoons because of the
slope. The removal of vegetation at construction sites
causes a very severe hazard of erosion. Erosion -control
measures are needed.
Onsite investigation is needed before the use and
management of specific sites are planned.
This map unit has not been assigned a capability
subclass or a woodland ordination symbol.
Pt —Pits, quarries. This map unit consists of open
excavations from which the soil has been removed,
exposing either rock or other material that supports few
or no plants. The underlying material has been quarried
for construction aggregate or for such minerals as mica
and lithium (fig. 10). Individual areas are irregular in
shape and are as much as 300 feet deep. Areas less
than 4 acres in size are shown on the soil maps with a
special symbol. Some areas intermittently contain
water.
Onsite investigation is needed before the use and
management of specific areas are planned.
This map unit has not been assigned a capability
subclass or a woodland ordination symbol.
RnB—Rion sandy loam, 2 to 8 percent slopes. This
map unit consists mainly of deep, well drained, gently
sloping Rion and similar soils on narrow ridges in the
uplands. It is in scattered areas throughout the county.
Some of the larger areas are north of Lincolnton and
Boger City. Individual areas are irregular in shape and
range from 4 to 40 acres in size.
Typically, the surface layer is yellowish brown sandy
loam 5 inches thick. The subsoil is 27 inches thick. It is
brownish yellow sandy clay loam in the upper part and
brownish yellow sandy loam in the lower part. The
underlying material to a depth of 62 inches is light
yellowish brown and pale brown saprolite. It has mottles
in shades of yellow, brown, and gray. It has a texture of
sandy loam and has lenses of loamy sand.
Permeability is moderate. The shrink -swell potential
is low in the subsoil. The depth to bedrock is more than
5 feet. The water table is below a depth of 6 feet.
Reaction is very strongly acid to slightly acid in the
surface layer and very strongly acid to moderately acid
in the subsoil. The hazard of erosion is moderate in
bare, unprotected areas.
Included in this unit in mapping are small areas of
dissimilar soils. These are the clayey, moderately well
drained, slowly permeable Helena soils along
intermittent drainageways and in depressions. They
make up about 5 to 10 percent of the unit.
Also included are small areas of soils that are similar
to the Rion soil but have a subsoil that is red or clayey,
are moderately eroded, or contain more mica.
Most of the acreage in this unit is used as cropland
or pasture. The rest is mainly used as woodland or for
urban development.
This soil is well suited to cultivated crops, such as
corn, soybeans, and small grain. The slope, surface
runoff, and the hazard of erosion are the main
management concerns. Conservation practices that
help to control erosion and add organic matter to the
soil are needed. The unit is well suited to hay and
pasture (fig. 11). Tall fescue and ladino clover are the
main forage crops.
This map unit is well suited to woodland. Loblolly
pine, shortleaf pine, post oak, southern red oak,
northern red oak, white oak, hickory, sweetgum, and

34
Figure 10.—A quarry where lithium and construction aggregates are mined.
yellow -poplar are the most common trees. The most
common understory plants are flowering dogwood,
sourwood, blackberry, eastern redcedar, running cedar,
and red maple. No major limitations affect woodland
management.
This map unit is well suited to building site
development and most types of recreational
development. It is moderately suited to most types of
sanitary facilities, such as septic tank absorption fields,
because of the moderate permeability. It is poorly suited
to sewage lagoons because of seepage. No major
limitations affect building site development or
recreational development. The instability of cutbanks is
a limitation in shallow excavations. The removal of
vegetation at construction sites causes a moderate
Soil Survey
hazard of erosion. Erosion -control measures are
needed.
The capability subclass is Ile. Based on loblolly pine
as the indicator species, the woodland ordination
symbol is 8A.
RnC—Rion sandy loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes.
This map unit consists mainly of deep, well drained,
strongly sloping Rion and similar soils on side slopes in
the uplands. It is in scattered areas throughout the
county. Some of the larger areas are north of Lincolnton
and Boger City. Individual areas are oblong and
irregular in width. They range from 4 to 40 acres in size.
Typically, the surface layer is yellowish brown sandy
loam 5 inches thick. The subsoil is 27 inches thick. It is

Lincoln County, North Carolina 35
brownish yellow sandy clay loam in the upper part and
brownish yellow sandy loam in the lower part. The
underlying material to a depth of 62 inches is light
yellowish brown and pale brown saprolite. It has mottles
in shades of yellow, brown, and gray. It has a texture of
sandy loam and has lenses of loamy sand.
Permeability is moderate. The shrink -swell potential
is low in the subsoil. The depth to bedrock is more than
5 feet. The water table is below a depth of 6 feet.
Reaction is very strongly acid to slightly acid. The
hazard of erosion is very severe in bare, unprotected
areas.
Included in this unit in mapping are small areas of
dissimilar soils. These are the clayey, moderately well
drained, slowly permeable Helena soils along
intermittent drainageways and in depressions. They
make up about 5 to 10 percent of the unit.
Also included are small areas of soils that are similar
to the Rion soil but have a subsoil that is red or clayey,
are moderately eroded, or contain more mica.
Most of the acreage in this unit is used as woodland.
The rest is used as cropland or pasture.
This map unit is well suited to woodland. Loblolly
pine, shortleaf pine, northern red oak, post oak,
southern red oak, white oak, yellow -poplar, sweetgum,
and hickory are the most common trees. The most
common understory plants are flowering dogwood,
sourwood, American holly, eastern redcedar, red maple,
fiN.��Eiu3r ..
Figure 11.—An area of Rion sandy loam, 2 to 8 percent slopes, used as hayland.

36 Soil Survey
running cedar, and poison ivy. No major limitations
affect woodland management.
This map unit is moderately suited to cultivated
crops, such as corn, soybeans, and small grain. The
slope, surface runoff, and the hazard of erosion are the
main management concerns. Conservation practices
that help to control erosion and add organic matter to
the soil are needed. The unit is well suited to pasture.
Tall fescue and ladino clover are the main forage crops.
This map unit is moderately suited to building site
development and recreational development. The slope
is the main limitation. The instability of cutbanks is a
limitation in shallow excavations. The unit is moderately
suited to most types of sanitary facilities, such as septic
tank absorption fields, because of the slope and the
moderate permeability. It is poorly suited to sewage
lagoons because of the slope and seepage. The
removal of vegetation at construction sites causes a
very severe hazard of erosion. Erosion -control
measures are needed.
The capability subclass is IVe. Based on loblolly pine
as the indicator species, the woodland ordination
symbol is 8A.
RvA—Riverview loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes,
occasionally flooded. This map unit consists mainly of
very deep, well drained, nearly level Riverview and
similar soils on flood plains along creeks and rivers
throughout the county. Some of the larger areas are
along the South Fork of the Catawba River and Clark
Creek. Individual areas are long and irregular in width.
They range from 5 to 75 acres in size.
Typically, the surface layer is dark yellowish brown
loam 8 inches thick. The subsoil is 39 inches thick. It is
brown and strong brown loam in the upper part and
strong brown sandy loam in the lower part. The
underlying material to a depth of 60 inches is strong
brown sandy loam.
Permeability is moderate. The shrink -swell potential
is low in the subsoil. The seasonal high water table is 3
to 5 feet below the surface. This soil is occasionally
flooded for brief periods during winter and spring. The
depth to bedrock is more than 5 feet. Reaction is very
strongly acid to slightly acid in the surface layer and
very strongly acid to moderately acid in the subsoil.
Included in this unit in mapping are small areas of
dissimilar soils. These are the somewhat poorly drained
Chewacla soils in the slightly lower areas, usually away
from the stream channel, and the excessively drained,
sandy Buncombe soils adjacent to the stream channel.
Also included are a few areas of well drained, loamy
soils that have bedrock at a depth of 3 to 4 feet along
the narrower flood plains. The dissimilar included soils
make up about 10 to 15 percent of the unit.
Most of the acreage in this unit is used as cropland
or pasture. The rest is used as woodland.
This map unit is well suited to cultivated crops, such
as corn, soybeans, and small grain. These crops,
however, may be damaged by the occasional flooding.
The unit is well suited to hay and pasture. Tall fescue
and ladino clover are the main forage crops. Proper
rotation and timely deferment of grazing during wet
periods help to reduce compaction and maintain tilth.
This map unit well suited to woodland. Yellow -poplar,
American sycamore, water oak, willow oak, sweetgum,
eastern cottonwood, loblolly pine, and black walnut are
the most common trees. The most common understory
plants are flowering dogwood, boxelder, sourwood,
American holly, green ash, red mulberry, and poison
ivy. Wetness and the flooding are moderate limitations
affecting woodland management. They limit the use of
equipment and cause seedling mortality.
This map unit is poorly suited to building site
development and sanitary facilities because of the
wetness and the flooding. Because of the flooding, it is
moderately suited to most types of recreational
development and poorly suited to camp areas.
The capability subclass is Ilw. Based on yellow -
poplar as the indicator species, the woodland ordination
symbol is 9W.
SeB—Sedgefield fine sandy loam, 1 to 4 percent
slopes. This map unit consists mainly of very deep,
moderately well drained, nearly level to gently sloping
Sedgefield and similar soils on smooth ridges, on toe
slopes, and along drainageways in the uplands. Some
of the larger areas are south of Lincolnton and west of
Triangle. Individual areas are irregular in shape and
range from 5 to 40 acres in size.
Typically, the surface layer is dark grayish brown fine
sandy loam 6 inches thick. The subsurface layer is
yellowish brown fine sandy loam 4 inches thick. The
subsoil is 28 inches thick. In sequence downward, it is
yellowish brown clay that has mottles in shades of
brown and red, light olive brown clay that has light gray
mottles, and yellowish brown clay and clay loam having
mottles in shades of gray and brown. The underlying
material to a depth of 62 inches is multicolored saprolite
that has a texture of sandy loam.
Permeability is slow. The shrink -swell potential is
high in the subsoil. The seasonal high water table is 1.0
to 1.5 feet below the surface. The depth to bedrock is
more than 5 feet. Reaction is very strongly acid to
slightly acid in the upper horizons and moderately acid
to moderately alkaline in the lower horizons. The hazard
of erosion is moderate in bare, unprotected areas.
Included in this unit in mapping are small areas of

Lincoln County, North Carolina 37
dissimilar soils. These are the well drained Winnsboro
soils on small knolls and ridgetops and the poorly
drained Worsham soils in depressions and along
drainageways. The dissimilar included soils make up
about 10 to 15 percent of the unit.
Also included are small areas of soils that are similar
to the Sedgefield soil but have a gravelly surface layer
or are more acidic.
This map unit is not very extensive in Lincoln County.
Most of the acreage is used as cropland or pasture.
The rest is mainly used as woodland.
This map unit is moderately suited to cultivated
crops, such as corn, soybeans, and small grain.
Wetness and the hazard of erosion are the main
management concerns. A drainage system is needed in
some areas. Open ditches are the most common
drainage system. Tile is generally not used because of
the slow permeability. Tilling when the soil is wet
destroys soil structure and forms large clods, resulting
in ponding and a poor seedbed. Conservation practices
that help to control erosion and add organic matter to
the soil are needed. The unit is well suited to hay and
pasture. Tall fescue and ladino clover are the main
forage crops.
This map unit is moderately suited to woodland.
Loblolly pine, shortleaf pine, yellow -poplar, sweetgum,
southern red oak, northern red oak, black oak, white
oak, and hickory are the most common trees. The most
common understory plants are flowering dogwood,
eastern redcedar, American holly, red maple, hawthorn,
sassafras, common greenbrier, blackberry, and poison
ivy. Wetness is the main limitation affecting woodland
management. It moderately limits the use of equipment.
Logging when the soil is wet causes compaction, deep
ruts, poor surface drainage, and lower productivity.
This map unit is poorly suited to building site
development and sanitary facilities. A high content of
clay in the subsoil, the slow permeability, the high
shrink -swell potential, and the wetness are the major
limitations affecting building site development. Because
the subsoil shrinks and swells with changes in moisture
content, foundations should be designed to resist
cracking. The wetness and the slow permeability are
the major limitations affecting sanitary facilities, such as
septic tank absorption fields. The unit is moderately
suited to most types of recreational development. It is,
however, poorly suited to camp areas and playgrounds.
The wetness and the slow permeability are the main
limitations affecting recreational development. The
removal of vegetation at construction sites causes a
moderate hazard of erosion. Erosion -control measures
are needed.
The capability subclass is Ile. Based on loblolly pine
as the indicator species, the woodland ordination
symbol is 8w.
Ud—Udorthents, loamy. This map unit consists of
borrow areas, landfills, and cut and fill areas. In areas
of this unit all of the original soil has been altered by
cutting, filling, and shaping. Slope varies highly.
Individual areas are rectangular in shape and range
from 5 to 200 acres in size.
Borrow areas consist of areas from which all of the
original soil has been excavated to saprolite or bedrock
for use as fill material in construction. The cuts are as
much as 25 feet deep. The base slope in these cuts is
generally level or gently sloping. The side slopes are
very steep to nearly vertical. The more recently
excavated areas are bare and subject to accelerated
erosion. The older areas are eroded, but many of them
have stabilized under pine or other vegetation. Borrow
areas range from 4 to more than 50 acres in size.
Borrow areas less than 4 acres in size are shown on
the soil maps with a special symbol.
Landfills are excavated areas where deeply graded
trenches have been backfilled with alternate layers of
solid refuse and soil material. The trenches are as
much as 30 feet deep. After a final cover is added, the
areas are nearly level to gently sloping. Most areas are
seeded to grass or planted to trees. Areas of landfill are
unsuitable for most building purposes because of
subsidence and the danger of methane gas from the
decomposition of refuse.
Cut and fill areas consist of areas from which the soil
has been removed and placed in an adjacent area.
These areas are subject to accelerated erosion.
Erosion -control measures are needed. Areas of flood
plains that have been filled in from adjacent hillsides
and used for farming and areas where soil has been
removed from construction sites and deposited nearby
are examples of cut and fill areas.
Onsite investigation is needed before the use and
management of specific areas are planned.
This map unit has not been assigned a capability
subclass or a woodland ordination symbol.
Ur —Urban land. This map unit consist of areas
where more than 85 percent of the surface area is
covered with asphalt, concrete, buildings, or other
impervious cover. Most areas are in or near the
business districts of Lincolnton and Boger City.
Individual areas are irregular in shape and range from 5
to 300 acres in size.
Areas of Urban land have been greatly altered by
cutting, filling, grading, and shaping. The original
landscape, topography, and commonly the drainage
pattern, have been changed. The soils between the

38 Soil Survey
urban facilities are used for lawns, playgrounds,
cemeteries, parks, or drainageways.
The major problem in this unit is excessive runoff of
water from roofs, streets, and parking lots. This runoff
increases the hazard of flooding in low areas. Onsite
investigation is needed before the use and management
of specific areas are planned.
This map unit has not been assigned a capability
subclass or a woodland ordination symbol.
WnB—Winnsboro fine sandy loam, 2 to 8 percent
slopes. This map unit consists mainly of deep, well
drained, gently sloping Winnsboro and similar soils on
broad ridges in the uplands. It is in scattered areas
throughout the county. Some of the larger areas are
west of Triangle. Individual areas are irregular in shape
and range from 4 to 60 acres in size.
Typically, the surface layer is dark brown fine sandy
loam 8 inches thick. The subsoil is 29 inches thick. In
the upper part it is yellowish brown sandy clay loam. In
the lower part it is yellowish brown clay that has
brownish yellow mottles. The underlying material to a
depth of 60 inches is light yellowish brown or
multicolored saprolite that has a texture of sandy loam
or loam. The soil has few or common manganese
concretions and black streaks throughout.
Permeability is slow. The shrink -swell potential is
high in the subsoil. The water table is below a depth of
6 feet. The depth to bedrock is more than 5 feet.
Reaction is strongly acid to slightly acid in the surface
layer and slightly acid to mildly alkaline in the subsoil.
The hazard of erosion is moderate in bare, unprotected
areas.
Included in this unit is mapping are small areas of
dissimilar soils. These are the red, more permeable
Gaston soils on small knolls and ridgetops, the
moderately well drained Sedgefield soils in depressions
and along drainageways, and Zion and Mocksville soils
on side slopes. Zion soils have weathered bedrock at a
depth of 20 to 40 inches. Mocksville soils have a
subsoil that is less clayey than that of the Winnsboro
soil. The dissimilar included soils make up about 10 to
15 percent of the unit.
Also included are small areas of soils that are similar
to the Winnsboro soil but are moderately eroded and
have a surface layer of clay loam.
Most of the acreage in this unit is used as woodland.
The rest is mainly used as cropland or pasture. A few
small areas are used for urban development.
This map unit is well suited to woodland. Loblolly
pine, Virginia pine, shortleaf pine, red maple, southern
red oak, white oak, post oak, northern red oak,
sweetgum, and yellow -poplar are the most common
trees. The most common understory plants are
flowering dogwood, eastern redcedar, American holly,
sourwood, running cedar, and poison ivy. No major
limitations affect woodland management.
This map unit is moderately suited to cultivated
crops, such as corn, soybeans, and small grain. The
slope, surface runoff, and the hazard of erosion are the
main management concerns. Conservation practices
that help to control erosion and add organic matter to
the soil are needed. The unit is well suited to hay and
pasture. Tall fescue and ladino clover are the main
forage crops.
This map unit is poorly suited to building site
development and some types of sanitary facilities. It is
moderately suited to sewage lagoons because of the
slope. A high content of clay in the subsoil, the slow
permeability, and the high shrink -swell potential are the
major limitations affecting building site development and
sanitary facilities, such as septic tank absorption fields.
Because the subsoil shrinks and swells with changes in
moisture content, foundations should be designed to
resist cracking. The unit is moderately suited to
recreational development. The slow permeability and
the slope are the main limitations affecting most types
of recreational development. The removal of vegetation
at construction sites causes a moderate hazard of
erosion. Erosion -control measures are needed.
The capability subclass is Ile. Based on loblolly pine
as the indicator species, the woodland ordination
symbol is 7A.
WoA—Worsham fine sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent
slopes. This map unit consists mainly of deep, poorly
drained, nearly level Worsham and similar soils on
uplands around intermittent drainageways, at the head
of drainageways, and in depressions. This map unit is
in scattered areas throughout the county. Individual
areas are oblong and range from 4 to 20 acres in size.
Typically, the surface layer is dark brown fine sandy
loam 7 inches thick. The subsoil is 48 inches thick. In
sequence downward, it is grayish brown sandy clay
loam, gray sandy clay and clay having brownish yellow
mottles, and light gray sandy clay loam that has
brownish yellow mottles. The underlying material to a
depth of 62 inches is light gray saprolite that has
mottles in shades of gray and brown and has a texture
of sandy clay loam.
Permeability is very slow. The shrink -swell potential
is moderate in the subsoil. The seasonal high water
table is within a depth of 1 foot, mostly during winter
and spring. The depth to bedrock is more than 5 feet.
Reaction is very strongly acid to slightly acid in the
surface layer and very strongly acid or strongly acid in
the subsoil.
Included in this unit in mapping are small areas of

Lincoln County, North Carolina 39
dissimilar soils. These are the moderately well drained
Helena and Sedgefield soils on small knolls. Also
included are some small intermingled areas of poorly
drained soils that have a subsoil that is less clayey than
that of the Worsham soil and some areas that have
more than 20 inches of overburden. The dissimilar
inclusions make up about 10 to 15 percent of the unit.
Most of the acreage in this unit is used as woodland.
The rest is mainly used as pasture.
This map unit is poorly suited to woodland.
Sweetgum, loblolly pine, Virginia pine, willow oak,
blackgum, and yellow -poplar are the most common
trees. The most common understory plants are red
mulberry, willow, common greenbrier, sedge,
arrowhead, alder, and poison ivy. Wetness is the main
limitation affecting woodland management. It severely
limits the use of equipment and causes seedling
mortality. Logging when the soil is wet causes
compaction, deep ruts, poor surface drainage, and
lower productivity.
This map unit is poorly suited to cultivated crops,
such as corn, soybeans, and small grain. The wetness
is the main limitation. Open ditches are the most
common drainage system. Tilling when the soil is wet
destroys soil structure and causes compaction, resulting
in ponding and a poor seedbed. The unit is moderately
suited to hay and pasture. Tall fescue and ladino clover
are the main forage crops.
This map unit is poorly suited to building site
development, sanitary facilities, and recreational
development. The wetness and the slow permeability
are the major limitations.
The capability subclass is IVw. Based on yellow -
poplar as the indicator species, the woodland ordination
symbol is 6W.
ZmE—Zion-Mocksville complex, 25 to 45 percent
slopes. This map unit consists mainly of Zion and
Mocksville soils on steep side slopes in the uplands.
The most extensive areas are west of Triangle. These
soils occur as areas so intricately mixed or so small that
mapping them separately was not practical at the scale
selected. The unit is about 40 to 50 percent moderately
deep, well drained Zion soil and 40 to 45 percent very
deep, well drained Mocksville soil. Individual areas of
this unit are oblong and irregular in width. They range
from 5 to 15 acres in size.
Typically, the surface layer of the Zion soil is brown
fine sandy loam 4 inches thick. The subsurface layer is
yellowish brown fine sandy loam 4 inches thick. The
subsoil is 15 inches thick. It is yellowish brown clay in
the upper part and yellowish brown clay loam in the
lower part. The underlying material to a depth of 28
inches is yellowish brown saprolite that has a texture of
fine sandy loam. The soil has few or common
manganese concretions and black streaks throughout.
Multicolored, weathered bedrock that is difficult to dig
with a spade is below the saprolite. Hard bedrock is at
a depth of 35 inches.
Permeability is slow in the Zion soil. The shrink -swell
potential is high in the subsoil. The depth to bedrock
ranges from 20 to 40 inches. The water table is below a
depth of 6 feet. Reaction is very strongly acid to
moderately acid in the surface layer and strongly acid to
neutral in the subsoil. The hazard of erosion is very
severe in bare, unprotected areas.
Typically, the surface layer of the Mocksville soil is
dark yellowish brown fine sandy loam 4 inches thick.
The subsoil is 23 inches thick. In the upper part it is
yellowish brown sandy clay loam. In the lower part it is
yellowish brown sandy loam that has mottles in shades
of brown and yellow. The underlying material to a depth
of 62 inches is multicolored saprolite that has a texture
of sandy loam. The soil has few to many dark minerals.
Permeability is moderate in the Mocksville soil. The
shrink -swell potential is low in the subsoil. The depth to
bedrock is more than 5 feet. The water table is below a
depth of 6 feet. Reaction is strongly acid to neutral in
the surface layer and moderately acid to neutral in the
subsoil. The hazard of erosion is very severe in bare,
unprotected areas.
Included in this unit in mapping are small
intermingled areas of dissimilar soils. These are the red
Madison soils. They are more acidic than the Zion and
Mocksville soils and have a high content of mica. They
make up about 5 to 10 percent of the unit.
This map unit is not very extensive in Lincoln County.
It is used as woodland.
This map unit is moderately suited to woodland.
Loblolly pine, shortleaf pine, Virginia pine, yellow -
poplar, southern red oak, northern red oak, post oak,
white oak, and hickory are the most common trees. The
most common understory plants are flowering dogwood,
American holly, eastern redcedar, sourwood, and
mountain laurel. The slope, the hazard of erosion, and
an equipment limitation are the major management
concerns.
This map unit is poorly suited to cropland, pasture,
building site development, sanitary facilities, and
recreational development because of the slope.
The capability subclass is Vile. Based on loblolly
pine as the indicator species, the woodland ordination
symbol is 6R in areas of the Zion soil and 8R in areas
of the Mocksville soil.
ZwC—Zion-Winnsboro-Mocksville complex, 8 to 15
percent slopes. This map unit consists mainly of Zion,
Winnsboro, and Mocksville soils on strongly sloping

40 Soil Survey
side slopes in the uplands. It is in scattered areas
throughout the county. The most extensive areas are
west of Triangle. These soils occur as areas so
intricately mixed or so small that mapping them
separately was not practical at the scale selected. The
unit is about 35 percent moderately deep, well drained
Zion soil; 30 percent deep, well drained Winnsboro soil;
and 25 percent very deep, well drained Mocksville soil.
Individual areas of this unit are oblong and irregular in
width. They range from 5 to 40 acres in size.
Typically, the surface layer of the Zion soil is brown
fine sandy loam 4 inches thick. The subsurface layer is
yellowish brown fine sandy loam 4 inches thick. The
subsoil is 15 inches thick. It is yellowish brown clay in
the upper part and yellowish brown clay loam in the
lower part. The underlying material to a depth of 28
inches is yellowish brown saprolite that has a texture of
fine sandy loam. The soil has few or common
manganese concretions and black streaks throughout.
Multicolored, weathered bedrock that is difficult to dig
with a spade is below the saprolite. Hard bedrock is at
a depth of 35 inches.
Permeability is slow in the Zion soil. The shrink -swell
potential is high in the subsoil. The depth to bedrock
ranges from 20 to 40 inches. The water table is below a
depth of 6 feet. Reaction is very strongly acid to
moderately acid in surface layer and strongly acid to
neutral in the subsoil. The hazard of erosion is very
severe in bare, unprotected areas.
Typically, the surface layer of the Winnsboro soil is
dark brown fine sandy loam 8 inches thick. The subsoil
is 29 inches thick. In the upper part it is yellowish brown
sandy clay loam. In the lower part it is yellowish brown
clay that has brownish yellow mottles. The underlying
material to a depth of 60 inches is brown or
multicolored saprolite that has a texture of sandy loam
or loam. The soil has few or common manganese
concretions and black streaks throughout.
Permeability is slow in the Winnsboro soil. The
shrink -swell potential is high in the subsoil. The water
table is below a depth of 6 feet. The depth to bedrock is
more than 5 feet. Reaction is strongly acid to slightly
acid in the surface layer and slightly acid to mildly
alkaline in the subsoil. The hazard of erosion is very
severe in bare, unprotected areas.
Typically, the surface layer of the Mocksville soil is
dark yellowish brown fine sandy loam 4 inches thick.
The subsoil is 23 inches thick. In the upper part it is
yellowish brown sandy clay loam. In the lower part it is
yellowish brown sandy loam that has mottles in shades
of brown and yellow. The underlying material to a depth
of 62 inches is multicolored saprolite that has a texture
of sandy loam.
Permeability is moderate in the Mocksville soil. The
shrink -swell potential is low in the subsoil. The depth to
bedrock is more than 5 feet. The water table is below a
depth of 6 feet. Reaction is strongly acid to neutral in
the surface layer and moderately acid to neutral in the
subsoil. The hazard of erosion is very severe in bare,
unprotected areas.
Included in this unit in mapping are small areas of
dissimilar soils. These are Gaston, Pacolet, and
Madison soils. They have a red subsoil and are very
deep. Also, Madison soils have a high content of mica.
The dissimilar included soils make up about 5 to 10
percent of the unit.
This map unit is not very extensive in Lincoln County.
Most of the acreage is used as woodland. The rest is
mainly used as cropland or pasture.
This map unit is well suited to woodland. Loblolly
pine, Virginia pine, shortleaf pine, white oak, northern
red oak, southern red oak, post oak, sweetgum, and
yellow -poplar are the most common trees. The most
common understory plants are eastern redcedar,
American holly, and sourwood. No major limitations
affect woodland management. The Zion soil, however,
is subject to windthrow because it is moderately deep
over bedrock.
This map unit is moderately suited to cultivated
crops, such as corn, soybeans, and small grain. The
slope, surface runoff, and the hazard of erosion are the
main management concerns. Conservation practices
that help to control erosion and add organic matter to
the soil are needed. This map unit is well suited to
pasture. Tall fescue and ladino clover are the main
forage crops.
This map unit is poorly suited to building site
development and sanitary facilities. It is moderately
suited to most types of recreational development. The
slope is the main limitation affecting recreational
development. A high content of clay in the subsoil, the
shrink -swell potential, the slow permeability, depth to
bedrock, and the slope are the major limitations
affecting building site development and sanitary
facilities in areas of the Zion soil. A high content of clay
in the subsoil, the shrink -swell potential, the slow
permeability, and the slope are the major limitations
affecting building site development and sanitary
facilities in areas of the Winnsboro soil. Because the
subsoil shrinks and swells with changes in moisture
content, foundations in areas of the Zion and Winnsboro
soils should be designed to resist cracking. The slope
and the moderate permeability are the main limitations
affecting building site development and sanitary
facilities in areas of the Mocksville soil. The removal of
vegetation at construction sites causes a very severe
hazard of erosion. Erosion -control measures are
needed.

Lincoln County, North Carolina 41
Because the areas of soils in the unit are so
intricately mixed, onsite investigation is needed before
the use and management of specific sites are planned.
The capability subclass is IVe. Based on loblolly pine
as the indicator species, the woodland ordination
symbol is 6D in areas of the Zion soil, 7A in areas of
the Winnsboro soil, and 8A in areas of the Mocksville
soil.
ZwD—Zion-Winnsboro-Mocksville complex, 15 to
25 percent slopes. This map unit consists mainly of
Zion, Winnsboro, and Mocksville soils on moderately
steep side slopes in the uplands. It is in scattered areas
throughout the county. The most extensive areas are
west of Triangle. These soils occur as areas so
intricately mixed or so small that mapping them
separately was not practical at the scale selected. The
unit is about 35 percent moderately deep, well drained
Zion soil; 30 percent deep, well drained Winnsboro soil;
and 25 percent very deep, well drained Mocksville soil.
Individual areas of this unit are oblong and irregular in
width. They range from 5 to 50 acres in size.
Typically, the surface layer of the Zion soil is brown
fine sandy loam 4 inches thick. The subsurface layer is
yellowish brown fine sandy loam 4 inches thick. The
subsoil is 15 inches thick. It is yellowish brown clay in
the upper part and yellowish brown clay loam in the
lower part. The underlying material to a depth of 28
inches is yellowish brown saprolite that has a texture of
fine sandy loam. The soil has few or common
manganese concretions and black streaks throughout.
Multicolored, weathered bedrock that is difficult to dig
with a spade is below the saprolite. Hard bedrock is at
a depth of 35 inches.
Permeability is slow in the Zion soil. The shrink -swell
potential is high in the subsoil. The depth to bedrock
ranges from 20 to 40 inches. The water table is below a
depth of 6 feet. The soil is very strongly acid to
moderately acid in the surface layer and strongly acid to
neutral in the subsoil. The hazard of erosion is very
severe in bare, unprotected areas.
Typically, the surface layer of the Winnsboro soil is
dark brown fine sandy loam 8 inches thick. The subsoil
is 29 inches thick. In the upper part it is yellowish brown
sandy clay loam. In the lower part it is yellowish brown
clay that has brownish yellow mottles. The underlying
material to a depth of 60 inches is brown or
multicolored saprolite that has a texture of sandy loam
or loam. The soil has few or common manganese
concretions and black streaks throughout.
Permeability is slow in the Winnsboro soil. The
shrink -swell potential is high in the subsoil. The water
table is below a depth of 6 feet. The depth to bedrock is
more than 5 feet. Reaction is strongly acid to slightly
acid in the surface layer and slightly acid to mildly
alkaline in the subsoil. The hazard of erosion is very
severe in bare, unprotected areas.
Typically, the surface layer of the Mocksville soil is
dark yellowish brown fine sandy loam 4 inches thick.
The subsoil is 23 inches thick. In the upper part it is
yellowish brown sandy clay loam. In the lower part it is
yellowish brown sandy loam that has mottles in shades
of brown and yellow. The underlying material to a depth
of 62 inches is multicolored saprolite that has a texture
of sandy loam.
Permeability is moderate in the Mocksville soil. The
shrink -swell potential is low in the subsoil. The depth to
bedrock is more than 5 feet. The water table is below a
depth of 6 feet. Reaction is strongly acid to neutral in
the surface layer and moderately acid to neutral in the
subsoil. The hazard of erosion is very severe in bare,
unprotected areas.
Included in this unit in mapping are small areas of
dissimilar soils. These are Gaston, Pacolet, and
Madison soils. They have a red subsoil and are very
deep. Also, Madison soils have a high content of mica.
The dissimilar included soils make up about 5 to 10
percent of the unit.
This map unit is not very extensive in Lincoln County.
Most of the acreage is used as woodland. The rest is
mainly used as pasture.
This map unit is moderately suited to woodland.
Loblolly pine, Virginia pine, shortleaf pine, white oak,
northern red oak, southern red oak, post oak,
sweetgum, and yellow -poplar are the most common
trees. The most common understory plants are eastern
redcedar, American holly, and sourwood. The slope, the
hazard of erosion, and an equipment limitation are the
main management concerns.
This map unit is poorly suited to cultivated crops,
such as corn, soybeans, and small grain. The slope,
surface runoff, and the hazard of erosion are the main
management concerns. Conservation practices that
help to control erosion and add organic matter to the
soil are needed. This map unit is moderately suited to
pasture. Tall fescue and ladino clover are the main
forage crops.
This map unit is poorly suited to building site
development, sanitary facilities, and recreational
development. The depth to bedrock, the shrink -swell
potential, and the slope are the major limitations
affecting building site development, sanitary facilities,
and recreational development in areas of the Zion soil.
A high content of clay in the subsoil, the shrink -swell
potential, the slow permeability, and the slope are the
major limitations affecting building site development,
sanitary facilities, and recreational development in areas
of the Winnsboro soil. Because the subsoil shrinks and

42
swells with changes in moisture content, foundations in
areas of the Zion and Winnsboro soils should be
designed to resist cracking. The slope is the main
limitation affecting building site development, sanitary
facilities, and recreational development in areas of the
Mocksville soil. Removal of vegetation at construction
sites causes a very severe hazard of erosion. Erosion -
control measures are needed.
Because the areas of soils in the unit are so
intricately mixed, onsite investigation is needed before
the use and management of specific sites are planned.
The capability subclass is Vle. Based on loblolly pine
as the indicator species, the woodland ordination
symbol is 6R in areas of the Zion soil, 7R in areas of
the Winnsboro soil, and 8R in areas of the Mocksville
soil.

43
Prime Farmland
In this section, prime farmland is defined. The soils in
Lincoln County that are considered prime farmland are
listed in table 5.
About 90,955 acres, or 47 percent of the county, is
prime farmland. The northwest -central part of the
county is dominantly prime farmland. Many small areas
of prime farmland are scattered throughout the
remainder of the county. An additional 12,835 acres, or
about 7 percent of the county, is areas of soils that are
considered prime farmland where drainage measures or
flood control, or both, are applied.
Prime farmland is one of several kinds of important
farmland defined by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
It is of major importance in meeting the Nation's short -
and long-range needs for food and fiber. The acreage
of high -quality farmland is limited, and the U.S.
Department of Agriculture recognizes that government
at local, State, and Federal levels, as well as
individuals, must encourage and facilitate the wise use
of our Nation's prime farmland.
Prime farmland soils, as defined by the U.S.
Department of Agriculture, are soils that are best suited
to food, feed, forage, fiber, and oilseed crops. Such
soils have properties that favor the economic production
of sustained high yields of crops. The soils need only to
be treated and managed by acceptable farming
methods. The moisture supply must be adequate, and
the growing season must be sufficiently long. Prime
farmland soils produce the highest yields with minimal
expenditure of energy and economic resources.
Farming these soils results in the least damage to the
environment.
Prime farmland soils may presently be used as
cropland, pasture, or woodland or for other purposes.
They are used for food or fiber or are available for
these uses. Urban or built-up land, public land, and
water areas cannot be considered prime farmland.
Urban or built-up land is any contiguous unit of land 10
acres or more in size that is used for such purposes as
housing, industrial, and commercial sites, sites for
institutions or public buildings, small parks, golf
courses, cemeteries, railroad yards, airports, sanitary
landfills, sewage treatment plants, and water -control
structures. Public land is land not available for farming
in National forests, National parks, military reservations,
and State parks.
Prime farmland soils usually receive an adequate
and dependable supply of moisture from precipitation or
irrigation. The temperature and growing season are
favorable. The acidity or alkalinity level of the soils is
acceptable. The soils have few or no rocks and are
permeable to water and air. They are not excessively
erodible or saturated with water for long periods and
are not frequently flooded during the growing season.
The slope ranges mainly from 0 to 8 percent.
The map units in table 5 are considered prime
farmland in Lincoln County. The location of each map
unit is shown on the detailed soil maps at the back of
this publication. The extent of each unit is given in table
4. The soil qualities that affect use and management
are described in the section "Detailed Soil Map Units."
This list does not constitute a recommendation for a
particular land use.
Some soils that have a high water table and all soils
that are frequently flooded during the growing season
qualify as prime farmland only in areas where these
limitations have been overcome by drainage measures
or flood control. If applicable, the need for drainage or
flood control measures is indicated in parentheses after
the map unit name in table 5. Onsite evaluation is
necessary to determine whether or not limitations have
been overcome by corrective measures.

45
Use and Management of the Soils
This soil survey is an inventory and evaluation of the
soils in the survey area. It can be used to adjust land
uses to the limitations and potentials of natural
resources and the environment. Also, it can help to
prevent soil -related failures in land uses.
In preparing a soil survey, soil scientists,
conservationists, engineers, and others collect
extensive field data about the nature and behavioral
characteristics of the soils. They collect data on erosion,
droughtiness, flooding, and other factors that affect
various soil uses and management. Field experience
and collected data on soil properties and performance
are used as a basis for predicting soil behavior.
Information in this section can be used to plan the
use and management of soils for crops and pasture; as
woodland; as sites for buildings, sanitary facilities,
highways and other transportation systems, and parks
and other recreational facilities; and for wildlife habitat.
It can be used to identify the potentials and limitations
of each soil for specific land uses and to help to prevent
construction failures caused by unfavorable soil
properties.
Generally, the soils in Lincoln County that are well
suited to crops also are well suited to urban uses. The
data concerning specific soils in the county can be used
in planning future land use patterns. The potential for
farming should be considered relative to any soil
limitations and the potential for nonfarm development.
Planners and others using soil survey information
can evaluate the effect of specific land uses on
productivity and on the environment in all or part of the
survey area. The survey can help planners to maintain
or create a land use pattern that is in harmony with
nature.
Contractors can use this survey to locate sources of
sand and gravel, roadfill, and topsoil. They can use it to
identify areas where bedrock, wetness, or very firm soil
layers can cause difficulty in excavation.
Health officials, highway officials, engineers, and
others may also find this survey useful. The survey can
help them plan the safe disposal of wastes and locate
sites for pavements, sidewalks, campgrounds,
playgrounds, lawns, and trees and shrubs.
Crops and Pasture
Ben Robinson, district conservationist, and Bobby G. Brock,
agronomist, Soil Conservation Service, helped prepare this section.
General management needed for crops and pasture
is suggested in this section. The crops or pasture plants
best suited to the soils are identified; the system of land
capability classification used by the Soil Conservation
Service is explained; and the estimated yields of the
main crops and hay and pasture plants are listed for
each soil.
Planners of management systems for individual fields
or farms should consider the detailed information given
in the description of each soil under the heading
"Detailed Soil Map Units" and in the tables. Specific
information can be obtained from the local office of the
Soil Conservation Service or the North Carolina
Cooperative Extension Service.
In 1984, approximately 52,000 acres, or 26 percent
of Lincoln County, was used as cropland. Of this total,
16,282 acres was used for row crops, mainly corn and
soybeans; 6,534 acres for close -growing crops, mainly
wheat; 6,734 acres for harvested hay; and 1,000 acres
for orchard crops, mainly apples. The rest of the
cropland was idle, used for conservation, or used for
miscellaneous purposes. Approximately 24,900 acres,
or 13 percent of the county, was used for pasture. A
small acreage was used for truck crops, such as
tomatoes, squash, and sweet corn.
Cropland Management
Erosion is the main management concern affecting
sustained, productive farming in the county. Because of
the rolling topography of the county, most of the soils in
the uplands are sufficiently steep that intense
conservation practices are required to maintain
productivity. The majority of the cropland in the uplands
consists of eroded soils that have lost 25 to 75 percent
of the topsoil.
Critical eroding areas, such as gullies and steep
banks, are high sediment producing areas in the county.
Many of the gullies are along the edge of fields and
began as unprotected terrace outlets. Active gullies are

46 Soil Survey
throughout the county. Stabilizing these gullies can be
very expensive. Many roadside ditches and banks also
produce large amounts of sediment.
Erosion is damaging to soils that have a clayey
subsoil, such as Cecil and Gaston soils, for several
reasons. As subsoil material is incorporated into the
surface layer, the available water capacity declines, the
need for lime and fertilizer increases, and soil porosity
decreases. Cecil and Gaston soils tend to crust,
especially in severely eroded areas. This crust limits
infiltration and causes rapid surface runoff, increasing
the hazard of further erosion.
Many sloping areas have clayey spots where tilling or
preparing a good seedbed is difficult because erosion
has removed the original, friable surface layer. Such
spots are common in areas of the moderately eroded
soils, such as Cecil, Gaston, and Madison soils.
A resource management system that provides a
protective surface cover, helps to control runoff, and
increases the rate of water infiltration reduces the
hazard of erosion. A cropping system that maintains a
plant cover for extended periods can keep losses due to
erosion to amounts that do not reduce the productive
capacity of the soil. Including grasses and legumes in
the cropping system helps to control erosion in sloping
areas, provides nitrogen, and improves tilth.
Since the 1950's, terraces have been the major
conservation practice in the county. Many of the
terraces have been poorly maintained, including the
outlets. This poor maintenance reduces the usefulness
of the terraces for controlling erosion. Crop rotations
and other conservation measures involving vegetation
are needed in many areas to control erosion. No -till
farming was first used in the county in 1965. It involves
planting a crop in a cover crop, sod, or the residue of a
previous crop while minimizing soil disturbance. It is the
most important component of a resource management
system in the county.
Striperopping is a viable alternative to installing
terraces. It allows farm equipment to be used more
efficiently and promotes the inclusion of grasses and
legumes in the crop rotation. It can be used with no -till
planting to provide excellent erosion control. Alfalfa for
hay is commonly used in alternate strips.
No -till farming effectively reduces the hazard of
erosion and conserves soil moisture. It provides a
substantial plant cover by minimizing tillage and soil
disturbance. It increases the infiltration rate of rainfall,
helps to control runoff, and helps to control erosion in
sloping areas. It is practical and economical and can be
adapted to most of the soils in the county. It is more
difficult to apply on soils that have a high content of
clay in the surface layer.
Diversions reduce the length of a slope and help to
control runoff and erosion by intercepting excess
surface runoff and safely disposing of the water to a
suitable outlet, such as a grassed waterway or a field
border. They can best be constructed on slopes of 8
percent or less. Grassed waterways, which are usually
planted to tall fescue, provide safe disposal of water
from areas where runoff concentrates or from diversions
and terraces. Field borders help filter sediment laden
runoff around the field. Diversions, grassed waterways,
and field borders are practical and highly effective on
soils that have a uniform slope. Examples are Appling,
Cecil, and Georgeville soils.
Pasture Management
The major plants in areas of pasture and hayland are
tall fescue and ladino clover. Other plants that are
better adapted to summer weather include perennial
grasses, such as hybrid bermudagrasses, common
bermudagrass, and switchgrass, and legumes, such as
alfalfa and sericea lespedeza. Producers of livestock
need to plant a combination of species that are best
adapted to the soils. Growing adapted species and
using good management techniques, such as proper
annual applications of fertilizer, weed control, and
rotation grazing, improve pasture and hayland.
The deep, well drained soils, such as Cecil, Gaston,
and Georgeville soils, are suited to all of the major
grasses and legumes in the county. Fescue, ladino
clover, and common bermudagrass produce 5 to 9
animal -unit -months on these soils each year. Hybrid
bermudagrass and switchgrass produce 10 animal -unit -
months. An animal -unit -month is the amount of feed or
forage required to feed one animal unit (one cow, one
horse, one mule, five sheep, or five goats) for 30 days.
A well-rounded management program for pasture and
hayland includes species, such as bermudagrass, that
are adapted to summer and cool -season grasses or
grass -legume mixtures. If proper fencing is installed to
allow for rotation of grazing stock and an intensive
management program for the application of fertilizer is
used, pastures can produce sufficient forage for grazing
from March through November, and alfalfa, sericea
lespedeza, red clover, orchardgrass, and hybrid
bermudagrass can be used for hay during the winter
(fig. 12). These combinations provide a successful
management program for pasture and hayland.
Perennials are normally preferred in forage programs
because of better erosion -control benefits and lower
production costs.
Drainage
About 10 percent of the pasture and cropland in
Lincoln County has a drainage problem. A considerable

Lincoln County, North Carolina
,
4
rdo-
Figure 12.—An area of alfalfa, which will be harvested as hay and used as winter feed.
part of the cropland in the county is on flood plains,
mostly along the South Fork of the Catawba River and
along the major creeks. Flooding and wetness are the
main management concerns affecting crops and pasture
in these areas. Intensive networks of ditches and tiles
have been used to make the soils suitable for farming.
Wetness is also a problem in some soils on uplands.
Seasonal wetness is a limitation in Helena, Sedgefield,
and Worsham soils.
Tillage can worsen drainage problems by creating
low areas and blocking surface drainage. Installing a tile
drainage system is difficult in some areas because of a
lack of suitable outlets and a high content of clay in the
47
subsoil. Open ditches are common. The somewhat
poorly drained Chewacla soils are on flood plains and
are frequently flooded. Crop production is generally not
practical on these soils because of the flooding and an
equipment limitation. In drained areas that are either
protected from flooding or not frequently flooded during
the growing season, however, the Chewacla soils can
be very productive. Wet spots, seeps, and springs occur
in some areas in the county. In such areas tile drainage
and ditches are useful for transporting water to a
suitable outlet.
The design of both surface and subsurface drainage
systems varies with the kind of soil. In most areas of

48 Soil Survey
the poorly drained to moderate well drained soils used
for intensive row cropping, a combination of surface
drainage and tile drainage is needed. Drains must be
spaced more closely in the slowly permeable soils than
in the more permeable soils.
Management of drainage in conformance with
regulations influencing wetlands may require special
permits and extra planning. The local office of the Soil
Conservation Service should be contacted for
identification of hydric soils and potential wetlands.
Information about the design and applicability of
systems to control erosion or modify drainage for each
type of soil also can be obtained from the local office of
the Soil Conservation Service or from the Lincoln Soil
and Water Conservation District.
Truck Crops
Many vegetables and small fruits are grown
commercially in the county. A small acreage throughout
the county is used for apples, melons, strawberries,
sweet corn, squash, tomatoes, peppers, and other
vegetables and small fruits.
Deep soils that have good drainage and that warm
up early in spring are especially well suited to many
vegetables, apples, and small fruits. Cecil, Pacolet, and
Gaston soils are good examples.
The latest information and suggestions about growing
vegetables and fruits can be obtained from the local
office of the Cooperative Extension Service or the Soil
Conservation Service.
Chemical Weed Control
The use of herbicides for weed control is a common
practice on the cropland in Lincoln County. It decreases
the need for tillage and is an integral part of modern
farming. Selected soil properties, such as organic
matter content and texture of the surface layer, affect
the rate of herbicide application. Estimates of both of
these properties were determined for the soils in the
county. Table 16 shows a general range of organic
matter content in the surface layer of the soils. The
texture of the surface layer is shown in the USDA
texture column in table 15.
In some areas the organic matter content projected
for the different soils is outside the range shown in the
table. The content can be higher in soils that have
received high amounts of animal or manmade waste.
Soils that have recently been brought into cultivation
may have a higher content of organic matter in the
surface layer than similar soils that have been cultivated
for a long time. Conservation tillage can increase the
content of organic matter in the surface layer. A lower
content of organic matter is common where the surface
layer has been partly or completely removed by erosion
or land smoothing. Current soil tests should be used for
specific organic matter determinations.
Soil Fertility
The soils in Lincoln County generally are low in
natural fertility. They are naturally acid, except for a few
areas of basic soils. Additions of lime and fertilizer are
needed for the production of most kinds of crops.
Liming requirements are a major concern on
cropland. The acidity level in the soil affects the
availability of many nutrients to plants and the activity of
beneficial bacteria. Lime also neutralizes exchangeable
aluminum in the soil and thus counteracts the adverse
effects high levels of aluminum have on many crops.
Liming adds calcium (from calcitic lime) or calcium and
magnesium (from dolomitic lime) to the soil.
A soil test is a guide to what amount and kind of lime
should be used. The desired pH levels may differ,
depending on the soil properties and the crop to be
grown.
Nitrogen fertilizer is required for most crops. It is
generally not required, however, for clover, in some
rotations of soybeans, or for alfalfa that is established.
A reliable soil test is not available for predicting nitrogen
requirements. Appropriate rates of nitrogen application
are described in the section "Yields per Acre."
Soil tests can indicate the need for phosphorus and
potassium fertilizer. They are needed because
phosphorus and potassium tend to build up in the soil.
Yields per Acre
The average yields per acre that can be expected of
the principal crops under a high level of management
are shown in table 6. In any given year, yields may be
higher or lower than those indicated in the table
because of variations in rainfall and other climatic
factors.
The yields are based mainly on the experience and
records of farmers, conservationists, and extension
agents. Available yield data from nearby counties and
results of field trials and demonstrations also are
considered.
The management needed to obtain the indicated
yields of the various crops depends on the kind of soil
and the crop. Management can include drainage,
erosion control, and protection from flooding; the proper
planting and seeding rates; suitable high -yielding crop
varieties; appropriate and timely tillage; control of
weeds, plant diseases, and harmful insects; favorable
soil reaction and optimum levels of nitrogen,
phosphorus, potassium, and trace elements for each
crop; effective use of crop residue, barnyard manure,
and green manure crops; and harvesting that ensures
the smallest possible loss.

Lincoln County, North Carolina 49
A high level of management includes maintaining
proper soil reaction and fertility levels as indicated by
standard soil tests. The application rate of nitrogen for
corn on soils that have a yield potential of 125 to 150
bushels per acre should be 140 to 160 pounds per
acre. If the yield potential for corn is 100 bushels per
acre or less, a rate of 100 to 120 pounds of nitrogen
per acre should be used. The application of nitrogen in
excess of that required for potential yields generally is
not recommended. The excess nitrogen fertilizer that is
not utilized by a crop is an unnecessary expense and
causes a hazard of water pollution. If corn or cotton is
grown after the harvest of soybeans, nitrogen rates can
be reduced by about 20 to 30 pounds per acre.
Because nitrogen can be readily leached from sandy
soils, applications may be needed on these soils more
than once during the growing season.
The estimated yields reflect the productive capacity
of each soil for each of the principal crops. Yields are
likely to increase as new production technology is
developed. The productivity of a given soil compared
with that of other soils, however, is not likely to change.
Crops other than those shown in table 6 are grown in
the survey area, but estimated yields are not listed
because the acreage of such crops is small. The local
office of the Soil Conservation Service or of the North
Carolina Cooperative Extension Service can provide
information about the management and productivity of
the soils for those crops.
Land Capability Classification
Land capability classification shows, in a general
way, the suitability of soils for use as cropland (17).
Crops that require special management are excluded.
The soils are grouped according to their limitations for
field crops, the risk of damage if they are used for
crops, and the way they respond to management. The
criteria used in grouping the soils do not include major
and generally expensive landforming that would change
slope, depth, or other characteristics of the soils, nor do
they include possible but unlikely major reclamation
projects. Capability classification is not a substitute for
interpretations designed to show suitability and
limitations of groups of soils for woodland and for
engineering purposes.
In the capability system, soils are generally grouped
at three levels —capability class, subclass, and unit.
Only class and subclass are used in this survey.
Capability classes, the broadest groups, are
designated by Roman numerals I through VIII. The
numerals indicate progressively greater limitations and
narrower choices for practical use. The classes are
defined as follows:
Class I soils have few limitations that restrict their
use.
Class II soils have moderate limitations that reduce
the choice of plants or that require moderate
conservation practices.
Class III soils have severe limitations that reduce the
choice of plants or that require special conservation
practices, or both.
Class IV soils have very severe limitations that
reduce the choice of plants or that require very careful
management, or both.
Class V soils are not likely to erode, but they have
other limitations, impractical to remove, that limit their
use.
Class VI soils have severe limitations that make them
generally unsuitable for cultivation.
Class VII soils have very severe limitations that make
them unsuitable for cultivation.
Class VIII soils and miscellaneous areas have
limitations that nearly preclude their use for commercial
crop production.
Capability subclasses are soil groups within one
class. They are designated by adding a small letter, e,
w, s, or c, to the class numeral, for example, Ile. The
letter e shows that the main hazard is the risk of
erosion unless a close -growing plant cover is
maintained; w shows that water in or on the soil
interferes with plant growth or cultivation (in some soils
the wetness can be partly corrected by artificial
drainage); s shows that the soil is limited mainly
because it is shallow, droughty, or stony; and c, used in
only some parts of the United States, shows that the
chief limitation is climate that is very cold or very dry.
There are no subclasses in class I because the soils
of this class have few limitations. The soils in class V
are subject to little or no erosion, but they have other
limitations that restrict their use to pasture, woodland,
wildlife habitat, or recreation. Class V contains only the
subclasses indicated by w, s, or c.
The capability classification of each map unit is given
in the section "Detailed Soil Map Units" and in table 6.
Woodland Management and Productivity
Albert B. Coffey, forester, Soil Conservation Service, helped
prepare this section.
Forest managers in Lincoln County are faced with the
challenge of producing greater yields from smaller
areas. Meeting this challenge requires intensive
management and silvicultural practices. Many modern
silvicultural techniques resemble those long practiced in
agriculture. They include establishing, weeding, and
thinning a desirable young stand; propagating the more
productive species and genetic varieties; providing short

50
Figure 13.—A stand of loblolly pine In Lincoln County.
rotations and complete fiber utilization; controlling
insects, diseases, and weeds; and improving tree
growth by applications of fertilizer and the installation of
a drainage system. Even though timber crops require
decades to grow, the goal of intensive management is
similar to the goal of intensive agriculture. This goal is
to produce the greatest yield of the most valuable crop
as quickly as possible.
Commercial forests cover 91,949 acres, or about 49
percent of the land area of Lincoln County (16).
Commercial forest is land that is producing or is
Soil Survey
capable of producing crops of industrial wood and that
has not been withdrawn from timber production. Loblolly
pine is the most important timber species in the county
because it grows fast, is adapted to the soil and
climate, brings the highest average sale value per acre,
and is easy to establish and manage (fig. 13).
For purposes of forest inventory, the predominant
forest types identified in Lincoln County are described in
the following paragraphs (11, 16).
Loblolly-shortleaf pine. This forest type covers 29,975
acres. It is more than 50 percent loblolly pine and

Lincoln County, North Carolina 51
shortleaf pine. Commonly included trees are red oak,
white oak, gum, hickory, and yellow -poplar.
Oak -pine. This forest type covers 6,510 acres. It is
more than 50 percent hardwoods. Pines make up 25 to
50 percent of the stand. Commonly included trees are
upland oaks, gum, hickory, and yellow -poplar. If left
undisturbed, this forest type and the loblolly-shortleaf
pine forest type develop into a forest of predominantly
oak and other upland hardwoods. The understory
usually consists of hardwood seedlings and saplings,
which are more tolerant of shade than pine seedlings
and saplings. In shaded understory, hardwoods
compete for light and moisture so strongly that few pine
seedlings are able to survive. If mature stands of pine
are cut, the dense understory of young hardwoods
becomes dominant.
Oak -hickory. This forest type covers 48,955 acres. It
is more than 50 percent upland oaks and hickory.
Commonly included trees are elm, red maple, and
yellow -poplar.
Elm -ash -cottonwood. This forest type covers 6,509
acres. Elm, ash, and cottonwood, singly or in
combination, comprise a plurality of the stockings in this
forest type. Commonly included trees are willow,
sycamore, beech, and maple.
One of the first steps in planning intensive woodland
management is to determine the potential productivity of
the soil for several alternative tree species. The most
productive and valued trees are then selected for each
soil type. Site and yield information enables a forest
manager to estimate future wood supplies. These
estimates are the basis of realistic decisions concerning
expenses and profits associated with intensive
woodland management, land acquisition, or industrial
investments.
The potential productivity of woodland depends on
physiography, soil properties, climate, and the effects of
past management. Specific soil properties and site
characteristics, including soil depth, texture, structure,
and depth to the water table, affect forest productivity
primarily by influencing available water capacity,
aeration, and root development. The net effects of the
interaction of these soil properties and site
characteristics determine the potential site productivity.
Other site factors are also important. The gradient
and length of slopes affect water movement and
availability. In mountainous areas, elevation and aspect
affect the amount of sunlight a site receives and the
rate of evaporation. Sites on south -facing slopes are
warmer and drier than those on north -facing slopes.
The best sites are generally on north- and east -facing
slopes in the lower areas, in sheltered coves, and in
gently sloping concave areas. The amount of rainfall
and length of growing season influence site productivity.
This soil survey can be used by woodland managers
planning ways to increase the productivity of forest
land. Some soils respond better to applications of
fertilizer than others, and some are more susceptible to
erosion after roads are built and timber is harvested.
Some soils require special reforestation efforts. In the
section "Detailed Soil Map Units," the description of
each map unit in the survey area suitable for timber
includes information about productivity, limitations in
harvesting timber, and management concerns in
producing timber. Table 7 summarizes this forestry
information and rates the soils for a number of factors
to be considered in management. Slight, moderate, and
severe are used to indicate the degree of the major soil
limitations to be considered in forest management.
In each map unit description, important or common
woodland plants are listed by their common names (9).
Local plants are listed in table 8 by their common and
scientific names (10).
Table 7 lists the ordination symbol for each soil. The
first part of the ordination symbol, a number, indicates
the potential productivity of a soil for the indicator
species in cubic meters per hectare per year. The larger
the number, the greater the potential productivity.
Potential productivity is based on the site index and the
point where mean annual increment is the greatest.
The second part of the ordination symbol, a letter,
indicates the major kind of soil limitation affecting use
and management. The letter R indicates a soil that has
a significant limitation because of the slope. The letter X
indicates that a soil has restrictions because of stones
or rocks on the surface. The letter W indicates a soil in
which excessive water, either seasonal or year-round,
causes a significant limitation. The letter T indicates a
soil that has, within the root zone, excessive alkalinity
or acidity, sodium salts, or other toxic substances that
limit the development of desirable trees. The letter D
indicates a soil that has a limitation because of a
restricted rooting depth, such as a shallow soil that is
underlain by hard bedrock, a hardpan, or other layers
that restrict roots. The letter C indicates a soil that has
a limitation because of the kind or amount of clay in the
upper part of the profile. The letter S indicates a dry,
sandy soil. The letter F indicates a soil that has a large
amount of coarse fragments. The letter A indicates a
soil having no significant limitations that affect forest
use and management. If a soil has more than one
limitation, the priority is as follows: R, X, W, T, D, C, S,
and F.
Ratings of the erosion hazard indicate the probability
that damage may occur if site preparation or harvesting
activities expose the soil. The risk is slight if no
particular preventive measures are needed under
ordinary conditions; moderate if erosion -control

52 Soil Survey
measures are needed for particular silvicultural
activities; and severe if special precautions are needed
to control erosion for most silvicultural activities. Ratings
of moderate or severe indicate the need for construction
of higher standard roads, additional maintenance of
roads, additional care in planning harvesting and
reforestation activities, or the use of special equipment.
Ratings of equipment limitation indicate limits on the
use of forest management equipment, year-round or
seasonal, because of such soil characteristics as slope,
wetness, stoniness, and susceptibility of the surface
layer to compaction. As slope gradient and length
increase, the use of wheeled equipment becomes more
difficult. On the steeper slopes, tracked equipment is
needed. The rating is slight if equipment use is
restricted by wetness for less than 2 months and if
special equipment is not needed. The rating is moderate
if slopes are so steep that wheeled equipment cannot
be operated safely across the slope, if wetness restricts
equipment use from 2 to 6 months per year, if stoniness
restricts the use of ground -based equipment, or if
special equipment is needed to prevent or minimize
compaction. The rating is severe if slopes are so steep
that tracked equipment cannot be operated safely
across the slope, if wetness restricts equipment use for
more than 6 months per year, if stoniness restricts the
use of ground -based equipment, or if special equipment
is needed to prevent or minimize compaction. Ratings
of moderate or severe indicate a need to choose the
best suited equipment and to carefully plan the timing of
harvesting and other management activities.
Ratings of seedling mortality refer to the probability of
the death of the naturally occurring or properly planted
seedlings of good stock in periods of normal rainfall, as
influenced by kinds of soil or topographic features.
Seedling mortality is caused primarily by too much
water or too little water. The factors used in rating a soil
for seedling mortality are texture of the surface layer,
depth to a seasonal high water table and the length of
the period when the water table is high, rock fragments
in the surface layer, rooting depth, and the aspect of
the slope. The mortality rate generally is highest on
soils that have a sandy or clayey surface layer. The risk
is slight if, after site preparation, expected mortality is
less than 25 percent; moderate if expected mortality is
between 25 and 50 percent; and severe if expected
mortality exceeds 50 percent. Ratings of moderate or
severe indicate that it may be necessary to use
containerized or larger than usual planting stock or to
make special site preparations, such as bedding,
furrowing, installing a surface drainage system, and
providing artificial shade for seedlings. Reinforcement
planting is often needed if the risk is moderate or
severe.
The potential productivity of common trees on a soil is
expressed as a site index and a volume number. The
predominant common trees are listed in table 7 in the
order of their observed occurrence. Additional species
that commonly occur on the soils may be listed in the
detailed soil map unit descriptions. Generally, only two
or three tree species dominate. The first tree listed for
each soil is the indicator species for that soil. An
indicator species is a tree that is common in the area
and that is generally the most productive on a given
soil.
For soils that are commonly used for timber
production, the yield is predicted in cubic feet per acre
per year. It is predicted at the point where mean annual
increment culminates. The estimates of the productivity
of the soils in this survey are based on loblolly pine and
yellow -poplar (3, 6).
The site index is determined by taking height
measurements and determining the age of selected
trees within stands of a given species. This index is the
average height, in feet, that the trees attain in a
specified number of years (50 years in this survey).
This index applies to fully stocked, even -aged,
unmanaged stands. Site index values shown in table 7
are based on measurements at selected sites in Lincoln
County or other counties, or both. Productivity of a site
can be improved through management practices, such
as bedding, ditching, managing water, applying fertilizer,
and planting genetically improved species.
The volume is the yield likely to be produced by the
most important trees, expressed in cubic feet per acre
per year.
Trees to plant are those that are used for
reforestation or, under suitable conditions, natural
regeneration. They are suited to the soils and can
produce a commercial wood crop. The desired product,
topographic position (such as a low, wet area), and
personal preference are three factors among many that
can influence the choice of trees for use in
reforestation. If hardwoods are desired on a forest site,
natural reproduction from seeds and sprouts of
acceptable species is effective. Special site preparation
may be required.
Recreation
In table 9, the soils of the survey area are rated
according to the limitations that affect their suitability for
recreation. The ratings are based on restrictive soil
features, such as wetness, slope, and texture of the
surface layer. Susceptibility to flooding is considered.
Not considered in the ratings, but important in
evaluating a site, are the location and accessibility of
the area, the size and shape of the area and its scenic

Lincoln County, North Carolina
♦w
"1.
53
1 .;'��,,k,. f
--Sri �k'"t,F"r$VS'•T. �i* ,,
Figure 14.—A recreational area of Chewacla loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, frequently flooded.
quality, vegetation, access to water, potential water
impoundment sites, and access to public sewer lines.
The capacity of the soil to absorb septic tank effluent
and the ability of the soil to support vegetation also are
important. Soils subject to flooding are limited for
recreational uses by the duration and intensity of
flooding and the season when flooding occurs. In
planning recreational facilities, onsite assessment of the
height, duration, intensity, and frequency of flooding is
essential (fig. 14).
In table 9, the degree of soil limitation is expressed
as slight, moderate, or severe. Slight means that soil
properties are generally favorable and that limitations
are minor and easily overcome. Moderate means that
limitations can be overcome or alleviated by planning,
design, or special maintenance. Severe means that soil
properties are unfavorable and that limitations can be
offset only by costly soil reclamation, special design,
intensive maintenance, limited use, or by a combination
of these measures.
The information in table 9 can be supplemented by
other information in this survey, for example,
interpretations for septic tank absorption fields in table
12 and interpretations for dwellings without basements
and for local roads and streets in table 11.
Camp areas require site preparation, such as shaping

54 Soil Survey
and leveling the tent and parking areas, stabilizing
roads and intensively used areas, and installing sanitary
facilities and utility lines. Camp areas are subject to
heavy foot traffic and some vehicular traffic. The best
soils have gentle slopes and are not wet or subject to
flooding during the period of use. The surface has few
or no stones or boulders, absorbs rainfall readily but
remains firm, and is not dusty when dry. Strong slopes
and stones or boulders can greatly increase the cost of
constructing campsites.
Picnic areas are subject to heavy foot traffic. Most
vehicular traffic is confined to access roads and parking
areas. The best soils for picnic areas are firm when wet,
are not dusty when dry, are not subject to flooding
during the period of use, and do not have slopes,
stones, or boulders that increase the cost of shaping
sites or of building access roads and parking areas.
Playgrounds require soils that can withstand intensive
foot traffic. The best soils are almost level and are not
wet or subject to flooding during the season of use. The
surface is free of stones and boulders, is firm after
rains, and is not dusty when dry. If grading is needed,
the depth of the soil over bedrock should be
considered.
Paths and trails for hiking and horseback riding
should require little or no cutting and filling. The best
soils are not wet, are firm after rains, are not dusty
when dry, and are not subject to flooding more than
once a year during the period of use. They have
moderate slopes and few or no stones or boulders on
the surface.
Golf fairways are subject to heavy foot traffic and
some light vehicular traffic. Cutting or filling may be
required. The best soils for use as golf fairways are firm
when wet, are not dusty when dry, and are not subject
to prolonged flooding during the period of use. They
have moderate slopes and no stones or boulders on the
surface. The suitability of the soil for tees or greens is
not considered in rating the soils.
Wildlife Habitat
Jack Mason, wildlife biologist, Division of Wildlife Management,
North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, and John P.
Edwards, biologist, Soil Conservation Service, helped to prepare this
section.
Wildlife species are associated with specific plant
communities, which are directly related to particular
kinds of soil. The soils of Lincoln County produce a
wide variety of plants that provide food and cover for
many species of wildlife.
Upland game in the county include deer, quail, rabbit,
squirrel, and mourning dove. Furbearers include red
fox, gray fox, raccoon, muskrat, mink, skunk, and
opossum. Several species of waterfowl, such as black
duck, mallard, wood duck, green -winged teal, blue
heron, green heron, and Canada goose, frequent the
tributaries in the county. Fair to moderate populations of
nongame wildlife, including numerous songbirds,
raptors, woodpeckers, small mammals, amphibians, and
reptiles, are in the county. A stocking project for deer
was completed by the North Carolina Wildlife
Resources Commission in 1983. The potential for a
continued increase in the deer population is very high.
Soils affect the kind and amount of vegetation that is
available to wildlife as food and cover. They also affect
the construction of water impoundments. The kind and
abundance of wildlife depends largely on the amount
and distribution of food, cover, and water. Wildlife
habitat can be created or improved by planting
appropriate vegetation, by maintaining the existing plant
cover, or by promoting the natural establishment of
desirable plants.
In table 10, the soils in the survey area are rated
according to their potential for providing habitat for
various kinds of wildlife. This information can be used in
planning parks, wildlife refuges, nature study areas, and
other developments for wildlife; in selecting soils that
are suitable for establishing, improving, or maintaining
specific elements of wildlife habitat; and in determining
the intensity of management needed for each element
of the habitat. The ratings in table 10 are intended to be
used as a guide and are not site specific. Onsite
investigation is needed for individual management
plans.
The potential of the soil is rated good, fair, poor, or
very poor. A rating of good indicates that the element or
kind of habitat is easily established, improved, or
maintained. Few or no limitations affect management,
and satisfactory results can be expected. A rating of fair
indicates that the element or kind of habitat can be
established, improved, or maintained in most places.
Moderately intensive management is required for
satisfactory results. A rating of poor indicates that
limitations are severe for the designated element or
kind of habitat. Habitat can be created, improved, or
maintained in most places, but management is difficult
and must be intensive. A rating of very poor indicates
that restrictions for the element or kind of habitat are
very severe and that unsatisfactory results can be
expected. Creating, improving, or maintaining habitat is
impractical or impossible.
The elements of wildlife habitat are described in the
following paragraphs.
Grain and seed crops are domestic grains and seed -
producing herbaceous plants. Soil properties and
features that affect the growth of grain and seed crops

Lincoln County, North Carolina 55
are depth of the root zone, texture of the surface layer,
available water capacity, wetness, slope, surface
stoniness, and flooding. Soil temperature and soil
moisture also are considerations. Examples of grain
and seed crops are corn, wheat, oats, and millet.
Grasses and legumes are domestic perennial grasses
and herbaceous legumes. Soil properties and features
that affect the growth of grasses and legumes are depth
of the root zone, texture of the surface layer, available
water capacity, wetness, surface stoniness, flooding,
and slope. Soil temperature and soil moisture also are
considerations. Examples of grasses and legumes are
fescue, lovegrass, bromegrass, clover, shrub
lespedeza, annual lespedeza, partridge pea, and alfalfa.
Wild herbaceous plants are native or naturally
established grasses and forbs, including weeds. Soil
properties and features that affect the growth of these
plants are depth of the root zone, texture of the surface
layer, available water capacity, wetness, surface
stoniness, and flooding. Soil temperature and soil
moisture also are considerations. Examples of wild
herbaceous plants are bluestem, ragweed, beggarweed,
and pokeberry.
Hardwood trees and woody understory produce nuts
or other fruit, buds, catkins, twigs, bark, and foliage.
Soil properties and features that affect the growth of
hardwoods and shrubs are depth of the root zone,
available water capacity, and wetness. Examples of
these plants are oak, poplar, cherry, sweetgum, apple,
hawthorn, dogwood, hickory, blackberry, and blueberry.
Examples of fruit -producing shrubs that are suitable for
planting on soils rated good are autumn -olive and
crabapple.
Coniferous plants furnish browse and seeds. Soil
properties and features that affect the growth of
coniferous trees, shrubs, and ground cover are depth of
the root zone, available water capacity, and wetness.
Examples of coniferous plants are pine and cedar.
Wetland plants are annual and perennial wild
herbaceous plants that grow on moist or wet sites.
Submerged or floating aquatic plants are excluded. Soil
properties and features affecting wetland plants are
texture of the surface layer, wetness, reaction, slope,
and surface stoniness. Examples of wetland plants are
smartweed, cattail, rushes, and sedges.
Shallow water areas have an average depth of less
than 5 feet. Some are naturally wet areas. Others are
created by dams, levees, or other water -control
structures. Soil properties and features affecting shallow
water areas are depth to bedrock, wetness, surface
stoniness, slope, and permeability. Examples of shallow
water areas are marshes, waterfowl feeding areas, and
ponds.
The habitat for various kinds of wildlife is described
in the following paragraphs.
Habitat for openland wildlife consists of cropland,
pasture, and areas that are overgrown with grasses,
herbs, shrubs, and vines. These areas produce grain
and seed crops, grasses and legumes, and wild
herbaceous plants. Wildlife attracted to these areas
include bobwhite quail, meadowlark, field sparrow,
raptors, cottontail rabbit, red fox, and other small
mammals.
Habitat for woodland wildlife consists of areas of
deciduous plants or coniferous plants or both and
associated grasses, legumes, and wild herbaceous
plants. Wildlife attracted to these areas include wild
turkey, ruffed grouse, woodcock, thrushes,
woodpeckers, squirrels, gray fox, raccoon, and white-
tailed deer.
Habitat for wetland wildlife consists of open, marshy
or swampy shallow water areas. Some of the wildlife
attracted to such areas are muskrat, raccoon, mink,
beaver, waterfowl, and many species of songbirds,
small mammals, reptiles, and amphibians.
Engineering
This section provides information for planning land
uses related to urban development and to water
management. Soils are rated for various uses, and the
most limiting features are identified. Ratings are given
for building site development, sanitary facilities,
construction materials, and water management. The
ratings are based on observed performance of the soils
and on the estimated data and test data in the "Soil
Properties" section.
Information in this section is intended for land use
planning, for evaluating land use alternatives, and for
planning site investigations prior to design and
construction. The information, however, has limitations.
For example, estimates and other data generally apply
only to that part of the soil within a depth of 5 or 6 feet.
Because of the map scale, small areas of different soils
may be included within the mapped areas of a specific
soil.
The information is not site specific and does not
eliminate the need for onsite investigation of the soils or
for testing and analysis by personnel experienced in the
design and construction of engineering works.
Government ordinances and regulations that restrict
certain land uses or impose specific design criteria were
not considered in preparing the information in this
section. Local ordinances and regulations should be
considered in planning, in site selection, and in design.
Soil properties, site features, and observed
performance were considered in determining the ratings

56 Soil Survey
in this section. During the fieldwork for this soil survey,
determinations were made about grain -size distribution,
liquid limit, plasticity index, soil reaction, depth to
bedrock, hardness of bedrock within 5 or 6 feet of the
surface, soil wetness, depth to a seasonal high water
table, slope, likelihood of flooding, natural soil structure
aggregation, and soil density. Data were collected about
kinds of clay minerals, mineralogy of the sand and silt
fractions, and the kinds of adsorbed cations. Estimates
were made for erodibility, permeability, corrosivity, the
shrink -swell potential, available water capacity, and
other behavioral characteristics affecting engineering
uses.
This information can be used to evaluate the
potential of areas for residential, commercial, industrial,
and recreational uses; make preliminary estimates of
construction conditions; evaluate alternative routes for
roads, streets, highways, pipelines, and underground
cables; evaluate alternative sites for sanitary landfills,
septic tank absorption fields, and sewage lagoons; plan
detailed onsite investigations of soils and geology;
locate potential sources of gravel, sand, earthfill, and
topsoil; plan drainage systems, irrigation systems,
ponds, terraces, and other structures for soil and water
conservation; and predict performance of proposed
small structures and pavements by comparing the
performance of existing similar structures on the same
or similar soils.
The information in the tables, along with the soil
maps, the soil descriptions, and other data provided in
this survey, can be used to make additional
interpretations.
Some of the terms used in this soil survey have a
special meaning in soil science and are defined in the
"Glossary."
Building Site Development
Table 11 shows the degree and kind of soil
limitations that affect shallow excavations, dwellings
with and without basements, small commercial
buildings, local roads and streets, and lawns and
landscaping. The limitations are considered slight if soil
properties and site features are generally favorable for
the indicated use and limitations are minor and easily
overcome; moderate if soil properties or site features
are not favorable for the indicated use and special
planning, design, or maintenance is needed to
overcome or minimize the limitations; and severe if soil
properties or site features are so unfavorable or so
difficult to overcome that special design, significant
increases in construction costs, and possibly increased
maintenance are required. Special feasibility studies
may be required where the soil limitations are severe.
Shallow excavations are trenches or holes dug to a
maximum depth of 5 or 6 feet for basements, graves,
utility lines, open ditches, and other purposes. The
ratings are based on soil properties, site features, and
observed performance of the soils. The ease of digging,
filling, and compacting is affected by the depth to
bedrock, stone content, soil texture, and slope. The
time of the year that excavations can be made is
affected by the depth to a seasonal high water table
and the susceptibility of the soil to flooding. The
resistance of the excavation walls or banks to sloughing
or caving is affected by soil texture and depth to the
water table.
Dwellings and small commercial buildings are
structures built on shallow foundations on undisturbed
soil. The load limit is the same as that for single-family
dwellings no higher than three stories. Ratings are
made for small commercial buildings without
basements, for dwellings with basements, and for
dwellings without basements. The ratings are based on
soil properties, site features, and observed performance
of the soils. A high water table, flooding, and shrinking
and swelling can cause the movement of footings. The
depth to a high water table, depth to bedrock, large
stones, and flooding affect the ease of excavation and
construction. Landscaping and grading that require cuts
and fills of more than 5 or 6 feet are not considered.
Local roads and streets have an all-weather surface
and carry automobile and light truck traffic all year.
They have a subgrade of cut or fill soil material; a base
of gravel, crushed rock, or stabilized soil material; and a
flexible or rigid surface. Cuts and fills are generally
limited to less than 6 feet. The ratings are based on soil
properties, site features, and observed performance of
the soils. The depth to bedrock, depth to a high water
table, flooding, large stones, and slope affect the ease
of excavating and grading. Soil strength (as inferred
from the engineering classification of the soil), the
shrink -swell potential, and depth to a high water table
affect the traffic -supporting capacity.
Lawns and landscaping require soils on which turf
and ornamental trees and shrubs can be established
and maintained. The ratings are based on soil
properties, site features, and observed performance of
the soils. Soil reaction, depth to a high water table,
depth to bedrock, and the available water capacity in
the upper 40 inches affect plant growth. Flooding,
wetness, slope, stoniness, and the amount of sand,
clay, or organic matter in the surface layer affect
trafficability after vegetation is established. Soil tests
are essential to determine liming and fertilizer needs.
Help in making soil tests or in deciding what soil
additive, if any, should be used can be obtained from

Lincoln County, North Carolina 57
the office of the Lincoln County Soil and Water
Conservation District or the local office of the North
Carolina Cooperative Extension Service.
Sanitary Facilities
Table 12 shows the degree and the kind of soil
limitations that affect septic tank absorption fields,
sewage lagoons, and sanitary landfills. The limitations
are considered slight if soil properties and site features
are generally favorable for the indicated use and
limitations are minor and easily overcome; moderate if
soil properties or site features are not favorable for the
indicated use and special planning, design, or
maintenance is needed to overcome or minimize the
limitations; and severe if soil properties or site features
are so unfavorable or so difficult to overcome that
special design, significant increases in construction
costs, and possibly increased maintenance are
required.
Table 12 also shows the suitability of the soils for
use as daily cover for landfill. A rating of good indicates
that soil properties and site features are favorable for
the use and that good performance and low
maintenance can be expected; fair indicates that soil
properties and site features are moderately favorable
for the use and one or more soil properties or site
features make the soil less desirable than the soils
rated good; and poor indicates that one or more soil
properties or site features are unfavorable for the use
and overcoming the unfavorable properties requires
special design, extra maintenance, or costly alteration.
Septic tank absorption fields are areas in which
effluent from a septic tank is distributed into the soil
through subsurface tiles or perforated pipe. Only that
part of the soil between depths of 24 and 72 inches is
evaluated. The ratings are based on soil properties, site
features, and observed performance of the soils.
Permeability, depth to a high water table, depth to
bedrock, and flooding affect absorption of the effluent.
Large stones and bedrock interfere with installation.
Unsatisfactory performance of septic tank absorption
fields, including excessively slow absorption of effluent,
surfacing of effluent, and hillside seepage, can affect
public health. Ground water can be polluted if highly
permeable sand and gravel or fractured bedrock is less
than 4 feet below the base of the absorption field, if
slope is excessive, or if the water table is near the
surface. There must be unsaturated soil material
beneath the absorption field to filter the effluent
effectively. Many local ordinances require that this
material be of a certain thickness.
Sewage lagoons are shallow ponds constructed to
hold sewage while aerobic bacteria decompose the
solid and liquid wastes. Lagoons should have a nearly
level floor surrounded by cut slopes or embankments of
compacted soil. Lagoons generally are designed to hold
the sewage within a depth of 2 to 5 feet. Nearly
impervious soil material for the lagoon floor and sides is
required to minimize seepage and contamination of
ground water. The animal waste lagoons commonly
used in farming operations are not considered in the
ratings. They are generally deeper than the lagoons
referred to in the table and rely on anaerobic bacteria to
decompose waste materials.
Table 12 gives ratings for the natural soil that makes
up the lagoon floor. The surface layer and, generally, 1
or 2 feet of soil material below the surface layer are
excavated to provide material for the embankments.
The ratings are based on soil properties, site features,
and observed performance of the soils. Considered in
the ratings are slope, permeability, depth to a high
water table, depth to bedrock, flooding, large stones,
and content of organic matter.
Excessive seepage resulting from rapid permeability
in the soil or a water table that is high enough to raise
the level of sewage in the lagoon causes a lagoon to
function unsatisfactorily. Pollution results if seepage is
excessive or if floodwater overtops the lagoon. A high
content of organic matter is detrimental to proper
functioning of the lagoon because it inhibits aerobic
activity. Slope or bedrock can cause construction
problems, and large stones can hinder compaction of
the lagoon floor.
Sanitary landfills are areas where solid waste is
disposed of by burying it in soil. There are two types of
landfill —trench and area. In a trench landfill, the waste
is placed in a trench. It is spread, compacted, and
covered daily with a thin layer of soil excavated at the
site. In an area landfill, the waste is placed in
successive layers on the surface of the soil. The waste
is spread, compacted, and covered daily with a thin
layer of soil from a source away from the site.
Both types of landfill must be able to bear heavy
vehicular traffic. Both types involve a risk of ground-
water pollution. Ease of excavation and revegetation
should be considered.
The ratings in table 12 are based on soil properties,
site features, and observed performance of the soils.
Permeability, depth to bedrock, depth to a water table,
slope, and flooding affect both types of landfill. Texture,
stones and boulders, highly organic layers, soil reaction,
and content of salts and sodium affect trench landfills.
Unless otherwise stated, the ratings apply only to that
part of the soil within a depth of about 6 feet. For
deeper trenches, a limitation rated slight or moderate
may not be valid. Onsite investigation is needed.

58 Soil Survey
Daily cover for landfill is the soil material that is used
to cover compacted solid waste in an area sanitary
landfill. The soil material is obtained offsite, transported
to the landfill, and spread over the waste.
Soil texture, wetness, coarse fragments, and slope
affect the ease of removing and spreading the material
during wet and dry periods. Loamy or silty soils that are
free of large stones or excess gravel are the best cover
for a landfill. Clayey soils are sticky or cloddy and are
difficult to spread; sandy soils are subject to soil
blowing.
After soil material has been removed, the soil
material remaining in the borrow area must be thick
enough over bedrock or the water table to permit
revegetation. The soil material used as final cover for a
landfill should be suitable for plants. The surface layer
generally has the best workability, more organic matter,
and the best potential for plants. Material from the
surface layer should be stockpiled for use as the final
cover.
Construction Materials
Table 13 gives information about the soils as a
source of roadfill, sand, gravel, and topsoil. The soils
are rated good, fair, or poor as a source of roadfill and
topsoil. They are rated as a probable or improbable
source of sand and gravel. The ratings are based on
soil properties and site features that affect the removal
of the soil and its use as construction material. Normal
compaction, minor processing, and other standard
construction practices are assumed. Each soil is
evaluated to a depth of 5 or 6 feet.
Roadfill is soil material that is excavated in one place
and used in road embankments in another place. in this
table, the soils are rated as a source of roadfill for low
embankments, generally less than 6 feet high and less
exacting in design than higher embankments.
The ratings are for the soil material below the surface
layer to a depth of 5 or 6 feet. It is assumed that soil
layers will be mixed during excavating and spreading.
Many soils have layers of contrasting suitability within
their profile. The table showing engineering index
properties provides detailed information about each soil
layer. This information can help to determine the
suitability of each layer for use as roadfill. The
performance of soil after it is stabilized with lime or
cement is not considered in the ratings.
The ratings are based on soil properties, site
features, and observed performance of the soils. The
thickness of suitable material is a major consideration.
The ease of excavation is affected by large stones,
depth to a high water table, and slope. How well the soil
performs in place after it has been compacted and
drained is determined by its strength (as inferred from
the engineering classification of the soil) and the shrink -
swell potential.
Soils rated good contain significant amounts of sand
or gravel or both. They have at least 5 feet of suitable
material, a low shrink -swell potential, few cobbles and
stones, and slopes of 15 percent or less. Depth to the
water table is more than 3 feet. Soils rated fair have
more than 35 percent silt- and clay -sized particles and
have a plasticity index of less than 10. They have a
moderate shrink -swell potential, slopes of 15 to 25
percent, or many stones. Depth to the water table is 1
to 3 feet. Soils rated poor have a plasticity index of
more than 10, a high shrink -swell potential, many
stones, or slopes of more than 25 percent. They are
wet and have a water table at a depth of less than 1
foot. These soils have layers of suitable material, but
the material is less than 3 feet thick.
Sand and gravel are natural aggregates suitable for
commercial use with a minimum of processing. They
are used in many kinds of construction. Specifications
for each use vary widely. In table 13, only the
probability of finding material in suitable quantity is
evaluated. The suitability of the material for specific
purposes is not evaluated, nor are factors that affect
excavation of the material.
The properties used to evaluate the soil as a source
of sand or gravel are gradation of grain sizes (as
indicated by the engineering classification of the soil),
the thickness of suitable material, and the content of
rock fragments. Kinds of rock, acidity, and stratification
are given in the soil series descriptions. Gradation of
grain sizes is given in the table on engineering index
properties.
A soil rated as a probable source has a layer of
clean sand or gravel or a layer of sand or gravel that is
as much as 12 percent silty fines. This material must be
at least 3 feet thick and less than 50 percent, by weight,
large stones. All other soils are rated as an improbable
source. Coarse fragments of soft bedrock, such as
highly weathered granite gneiss or schist, are not
considered to be sand and gravel.
Topsoil is used to cover an area so that vegetation
can be established and maintained. The upper 40
inches of a soil is evaluated for use as topsoil. Also
evaluated is the reclamation potential of the borrow
area.
Plant growth is affected by toxic material and by such
properties as soil reaction, available water capacity, and
fertility. The ease of excavating, loading, and spreading
is affected by rock fragments, slope, depth to a water
table, soil texture, and thickness of suitable material.
Reclamation of the borrow area is affected by slope,

Lincoln County, North Carolina 59
depth to a water table, rock fragments, depth to
bedrock, and toxic material.
Soils rated good have friable, loamy material to a
depth of at least 40 inches. They are free of stones and
cobbles, have little or no gravel, and have slopes of
less than 8 percent. They are naturally fertile or
respond well to fertilizer and are not so wet that
excavation is difficult.
Soils rated fair are sandy soils, loamy soils that have
a relatively high content of clay, soils that have only 20
to 40 inches of suitable material, soils that have an
appreciable amount of gravel or stones, or soils that
have slopes of 8 to 15 percent. The soils are not so wet
that excavation is difficult.
Soils rated poor are very sandy or clayey, have less
than 20 inches of suitable material, have a large
amount of gravel or stones, have slopes of more than
15 percent, or have a seasonal high water table at or
near the surface.
The surface layer of most soils is generally preferred
for topsoil because of its organic matter content.
Organic matter greatly increases the absorption and
retention of moisture and releases a variety of plant
nutrients as it decomposes.
Water Management
Table 14 gives information on the soil properties and
site features that affect water management. The degree
and kind of soil limitations are given for pond reservoir
areas; embankments, dikes, and levees; and aquifer -fed
excavated ponds. The limitations are considered slight if
soil properties and site features are generally favorable
for the indicated use and limitations are minor and are
easily overcome; moderate if soil properties or site
features are not favorable for the indicated use and
special planning, design, or maintenance is needed to
overcome or minimize the limitations; and severe if soil
properties or site features are so unfavorable or so
difficult to overcome that special design, significant
increase in construction costs, and possibly increased
maintenance are required.
This table also gives the restrictive features that
affect each soil for drainage, terraces and diversions,
and grassed waterways.
Pond reservoir areas hold water behind a dam or
embankment. Soils best suited to this use have low
seepage potential in the upper 60 inches. The seepage
potential is determined by the permeability of the soil
and the depth to fractured bedrock or other permeable
material. Excessive slope can affect the storage
capacity of the reservoir area. Ponds that are less than
about 2 acres in size are not shown on the soil maps
because of the scale of mapping.
Embankments, dikes, and levees are raised structures
of soil material, generally less than 20 feet high,
constructed to impound water or to protect land against
overflow. In this table, the soils are rated as a source of
material for embankment fill. The ratings apply to the
soil material below the surface layer to a depth of about
5 feet. It is assumed that soil layers will be uniformly
mixed and compacted during construction.
The ratings do not indicate the ability of the natural
soil to support an embankment. Soil properties to a
depth greater than the height of the embankment can
affect performance and safety of the embankment.
Generally, deeper onsite investigation is needed to
determine these properties.
Soil material in embankments must be resistant to
seepage, piping, and erosion and have favorable
compaction characteristics. Unfavorable features
include less than 5 feet of suitable material and a high
content of stones or boulders. The depth to a high
water table affects the amount of usable material. It
also affects trafficability.
Aquifer -fed excavated ponds are pits or dugouts that
extend to a ground -water aquifer or to a depth below a
permanent water table. Excluded are ponds that are fed
only by surface runoff and embankment ponds that
impound water 3 feet or more above the original
surface. Excavated ponds are affected by depth to a
permanent water table and permeability in the aquifer.
The depth to bedrock and the content of large stones
affect the ease of excavation.
Drainage is the removal of excess surface and
subsurface water from the soil. How easily and
effectively the soil is drained depends on the depth to
bedrock or to other layers that affect the rate of water
movement, permeability, depth to a high water table or
depth of standing water if the soil is subject to ponding,
slope, and susceptibility to flooding. Excavating and
grading and the stability of ditchbanks are affected by
depth to bedrock, large stones, slope, and the hazard of
cutbanks caving. The productivity of the soil after
drainage is adversely affected by extreme acidity or by
toxic substances in the root zone, such as salts,
sodium, or sulfur. Availability of drainage outlets is not
considered in the ratings.
Terraces and diversions are embankments or a
combination of channels and ridges constructed across
a slope to help to control erosion and conserve
moisture by intercepting runoff. Slope, wetness, large
stones, and depth to bedrock affect the construction of
terraces and diversions. Maintenance of terraces and
diversions is adversely affected by a restricted rooting
depth, a severe hazard of soil blowing or water erosion,
an excessively coarse texture, and restricted
permeability.

60
Grassed waterways are natural or constructed
channels, generally broad and shallow, that conduct
surface water to outlets at a nonerosive velocity. Large
stones, wetness, slope, and depth to bedrock affect the
construction of grassed waterways. Low available water
capacity, restricted rooting depth, and restricted
permeability adversely affect the growth and
maintenance of the grass after construction.

61
Soil Properties
Data relating to soil properties are collected during
the course of the soil survey. The data and the
estimates of soil and water features, listed in tables, are
explained on the following pages.
Soil properties are determined by field examination of
the soils and by laboratory index testing of some
benchmark soils. Established standard procedures are
followed (15). During the survey, many shallow borings
are made and examined to identify and classify the soils
and to delineate them on the soil maps. Samples are
taken from some typical profiles and tested in the
laboratory to determine grain -size distribution, plasticity,
and compaction characteristics. These results are
reported in table 18.
Estimates of soil properties are based on field
examinations, on laboratory tests of samples from the
survey area, and on laboratory tests of samples of
similar soils in nearby areas. Tests verify field
observations, verify properties that cannot be estimated
accurately by field observation, and help to characterize
key soils.
The estimates of soil properties shown in the tables
include the range of grain -size distribution and Atterberg
limits, the engineering classification, and the physical
and chemical properties of the major layers of each soil.
Pertinent soil and water features also are given.
Engineering Index Properties
Table 15 gives estimates of the engineering
classification and of the range of index properties for
the major layers of each soil in the survey area. Most
soils have layers of contrasting properties within the
upper 5 or 6 feet.
Depth to the upper and lower boundaries of each
layer is indicated. The range in depth and information
on other properties of each layer are given for each soil
series under the heading "Soil Series and Their
Morphology."
Texture is given in the standard terms used by the
U.S. Department of Agriculture. These terms are
defined according to percentages, by weight, of sand,
silt, and clay in the fraction of the soil that is less than 2
millimeters in diameter. "Loam," for example, is soil that
is 7 to 27 percent clay, 28 to 50 percent silt, and less
than 52 percent sand. If the content of particles coarser
than sand is as much as 15 percent, by volume, an
appropriate modifier is added, for example, "gravelly."
Textural terms are defined in the "Glossary."
Classification of the soils is determined according to
the Unified soil classification system (2) and the system
adopted by the American Association of State Highway
and Transportation Officials (1).
The Unified system classifies soils according to
properties that affect their use as construction material.
Soils are classified according to grain -size distribution
of the fraction less than 3 inches in diameter and
according to plasticity index, liquid limit, and organic
matter content. Sandy and gravelly soils are identified
as GW, GP, GM, GC, SW, SP, SM, and SC, and silty
and clayey soils as ML, CL, OL, MH, CH, and OH. Soils
exhibiting engineering properties of two groups can
have a dual classification, for example, SP-SM.
The AASHTO system classifies soils according to
those properties that affect roadway construction and
maintenance. In this system, the fraction of a mineral
soil that is less than 3 inches in diameter is classified in
one of seven groups from A-1 through A-7 on the basis
of grain -size distribution, liquid limit, and plasticity index.
Soils in group A-1 are coarse grained and low in
content of fines (silt and clay). At the other extreme,
soils in group A-7 are fine grained.
If laboratory data are available, the A-1, A-2, and A-7
groups are further classified as A-1-a, A-1-b, A-2-4,
A-2-5, A-2-6, A-2-7, A-7-5, or A-7-6. As an additional
refinement, the suitability of a soil as subgrade material
can be indicated by a group index number. Group index
numbers range from 0 for the best subgrade material to
20, or higher, for the poorest. The AASHTO
classification for soils tested, with group index numbers
in parentheses, is given in table 18.
Rock fragments larger than 3 inches in diameter are
indicated as a percentage of the total soil on a dry -
weight basis. The percentages are estimates
determined mainly by converting volume percentage in
the field to weight percentage.

62 Soil Survey
Percentage (of soil particles) passing designated
sieves is the percentage of the soil fraction less than 3
inches in diameter based on an ovendry weight. The
sieves, numbers 4, 10, 40, and 200 (USA Standard
Series), have openings of 4.76, 2.00, 0.420, and 0.074
millimeters, respectively. Estimates are based on
laboratory tests of soils sampled in the survey area and
in nearby areas and on estimates made in the field.
Liquid limit and plasticity index (Atterberg limits)
indicate the plasticity characteristics of a soil. The
estimates are based on test data from the survey area
or from nearby areas and on field examination.
Physical and Chemical Properties
Table 16 shows estimates of some characteristics
and features that affect soil behavior. These estimates
are given for the major layers of each soil in the survey
area. The estimates are based on field observations
and on test data for these and similar soils.
Clay as a soil separate, or component, consists of
mineral soil particles that are less than 0.002 millimeter
in diameter. In this table, the estimated content of clay
in each major soil layer is given as a percentage, by
weight, of the soil material that is less than 2 millimeters
in diameter.
The amount and kind of clay greatly affect the fertility
and physical condition of the soil. They determine the
ability of the soil to adsorb cations and to retain
moisture. They influence the shrink -swell potential,
permeability, plasticity, the ease of soil dispersion, and
other soil properties. The amount and kind of clay in a
soil also affect tillage and earthmoving operations.
Moist bulk density is the weight of soil (ovendry) per
unit volume. Volume is measured when the soil is at
field moisture capacity, that is, the moisture content at
1/2-bar moisture tension. Weight is determined after
drying the soil at 105 degrees C. In this table, the
estimated moist bulk density of each major soil horizon
is expressed in grams per cubic centimeter of soil
material that is less than 2 millimeters in diameter. Bulk
density data are used to compute shrink -swell potential,
available water capacity, total pore space, and other
soil properties. The moist bulk density of a soil indicates
the pore space available for water and roots. A bulk
density of more than 1.6 can restrict water storage and
root penetration. Moist bulk density is influenced by
texture, kind of clay, content of organic matter, and soil
structure.
Permeability refers to the ability of a soil to transmit
water or air. The estimates indicate the rate of
movement of water through the soil when the soil is
saturated. They are based on soil characteristics
observed in the field, particularly structure, porosity, and
texture. Permeability is considered in the design of soil
drainage systems and septic tank absorption fields.
Available water capacity refers to the quantity of
water that the soil is capable of storing for use by
plants. The capacity for water storage in each major soil
layer is stated in inches of water per inch of soil. The
capacity varies, depending on soil properties that affect
the retention of water and the depth of the root zone.
The most important properties are the content of
organic matter, soil texture, bulk density, and soil
structure. Available water capacity is an important factor
in the choice of plants or crops to be grown and in the
design and management of irrigation systems. Available
water capacity is not an estimate of the quantity of
water actually available to plants at any given time. It is
the difference between the amount of soil water at field
moisture capacity and the amount at wilting point.
Soil reaction is a measure of acidity or alkalinity and
is expressed as a range in pH values. The range in pH
of each major horizon is based on many field tests. For
many soils, values have been verified by laboratory
analyses. Soil reaction is important in selecting crops
and other plants, in evaluating soil amendments for
fertility and stabilization, and in determining the risk of
corrosion.
Shrink -swell potential is the potential for volume
change in a soil with a loss or gain in moisture. Volume
change occurs mainly because of the interaction of clay
minerals with water and varies with the amount and
type of clay minerals in the soil. The size of the load on
the soil and the magnitude of the change in soil
moisture content influence the amount of swelling of
soils in place. Laboratory measurements of swelling of
undisturbed clods were made for many soils. For
others, swelling was estimated on the basis of the kind
and amount of clay minerals in the soil and on
measurements of similar soils.
If the shrink -swell potential is rated moderate to very
high, shrinking and swelling can cause damage to
buildings, roads, and other structures. Special design is
often needed.
The shrink -swell potential classes are based on the
change in length of an unconfined clod as moisture
content is increased from air-dry to field capacity. The
classes are low, a change of less than 3 percent;
moderate, 3 to 6 percent; and high, more than 6
percent. Very high, more than 9 percent, is sometimes
used.
Erosion factor K indicates the susceptibility of a soil
to sheet and rill erosion by water. Factor K is one of six
factors used in the Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE)
to predict the average annual rate of soil loss by sheet
and rill erosion. Losses are expressed in tons per acre
per year. These estimates are based primarily on

Lincoln County, North Carolina 63
percentage of silt, sand, and organic matter (up to 4
percent) and on soil structure and permeability. Values
of K range from 0.02 to 0.69. The higher the value, the
more susceptible the soil is to sheet and rill erosion by
water.
Erosion factor T is an estimate of the maximum
average annual rate of soil erosion by wind or water
that can occur over a sustained period without affecting
crop productivity. The rate is expressed in tons per acre
per year.
Organic matter is the plant and animal residue in the
soil at various stages of decomposition. In table 16, the
estimated content of organic matter is expressed as a
percentage, by weight, of the soil material that is less
than 2 millimeters in diameter.
The content of organic matter in a soil can be
maintained or increased by returning crop residue to the
soil. Organic matter affects the available water capacity,
infiltration rate, and tilth. It is a source of nitrogen and
other nutrients for crops.
Soil and Water Features
Table 17 gives estimates of various soil and water
features. The estimates are used in land use planning
that involves engineering considerations.
Hydrologic soil groups are used to estimate runoff
from precipitation. Soils are assigned to one of four
groups. They are grouped according to the infiltration of
water when the soils are thoroughly wet and receive
precipitation from long -duration storms.
The four hydrologic soil groups are:
Group A. Soils having a high infiltration rate (low
runoff potential) when thoroughly wet. These consist
mainly of deep or very deep, well drained to excessively
drained sands or gravelly sands. These soils have a
high rate of water transmission.
Group B. Soils having a moderate infiltration rate
when thoroughly wet. These consist chiefly of
moderately deep to very deep, moderately well drained
or well drained soils that have moderately fine texture to
moderately coarse texture. These soils have a
moderate rate of water transmission.
Group C. Soils having a slow infiltration rate when
thoroughly wet. These consist chiefly of soils having a
layer that impedes the downward movement of water or
soils of moderately fine texture or fine texture. These
soils have a slow rate of water transmission.
Group D. Soils having a very slow infiltration rate
(high runoff potential) when thoroughly wet. These
consist chiefly of clays that have a high shrink -swell
potential, soils that have a permanent high water table,
soils that have a claypan or clay layer at or near the
surface, and soils that are shallow over nearly
impervious material. These soils have a very slow rate
of water transmission.
Flooding, the temporary covering of the surface by
flowing water, is caused by overflowing streams or by
runoff from adjacent slopes. Shallow water standing or
flowing for short periods after rainfall or snowmelt is not
considered flooding. Standing water in swamps and
marshes or in a closed depression is considered
ponding.
Table 17 gives the frequency and duration of flooding
and the time of year when flooding is most likely.
Frequency, duration, and probable dates of
occurrence are estimated. Frequency is expressed as
none, rare, occasional, or frequent. None means that
flooding is not probable. Rare means that flooding is
unlikely but possible under unusual weather conditions
(the chance of flooding is nearly 0 percent to 5 percent
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).
Frequent means that flooding occurs often under normal
weather conditions (the chance of flooding is more than
50 percent in any year). Duration is expressed as very
brief (less than 2 days), brief (2 to 7 days), and long
(more than 7 days). Probable dates are expressed in
months. About two-thirds to three -fourths of all flooding
occurs during the stated period.
The information on flooding is based on evidence in
the soil profile, namely thin strata of gravel, sand, silt, or
clay deposited by floodwater; irregular decrease in
organic matter content with increasing depth; and little
or no horizon development.
Also considered is local information about the extent
and levels of flooding and the relation of each soil on
the landscape to historic floods. Information on the
extent of flooding based on soil data is less specific
than that provided by detailed engineering surveys that
delineate flood -prone areas at specific flood frequency
levels.
High water table (seasonal) is the highest level of a
saturated zone in the soil in most years. The estimates
are based mainly on the evidence of a saturated zone,
namely grayish colors or mottles in the soil. Indicated in
table 17 are the depth to the seasonal high water table;
the kind of water table, that is, perched or apparent; and
the months of the year that the water table commonly is
highest. A water table that is seasonally high for less
than 1 month is not indicated in table 17.
An apparent water table is a thick zone of free water
in the soil. It is indicated by the level at which water
stands in an uncased borehole after adequate time is
allowed for adjustment in the surrounding soil. A
perched water table is water standing above an

64
unsaturated zone. In places an upper, or perched, water
table is separated from a lower one by a dry zone.
Two numbers in the column showing depth to the
water table indicate the normal range in depth to a
saturated zone. Depth is given to the nearest half foot.
The first numeral in the range indicates the highest
water level. "More than 6.0" indicates that the water
table is below a depth of 6 feet.
Depth to bedrock is given if bedrock is within a depth
of 5 feet. The depth is based on many soil borings and
on observations during soil mapping. The rock is
specified as either soft or hard. If the rock is soft or
fractured, excavations can be made with trenching
machines, backhoes, or small rippers. If the rock is hard
or massive, blasting or special equipment generally is
needed for excavation.
Risk of corrosion pertains to potential soil -induced
electrochemical or chemical action that dissolves or
weakens uncoated steel or concrete. The rate of
corrosion of uncoated steel is related to such factors as
soil moisture, particle -size distribution, acidity, and
electrical conductivity of the soil. The rate of corrosion
of concrete is based mainly on the sulfate and sodium
content, texture, moisture content, and acidity of the
soil. Special site examination and design may be
needed if the combination of factors results in a severe
hazard of corrosion. The steel in installations that
intersect soil boundaries or soil layers is more
susceptible to corrosion than steel in installations that
are entirely within one kind of soil or within one soil
layer.
For uncoated steel, the risk of corrosion, expressed
as low, moderate, or high, is based on soil drainage
class, total acidity, electrical resistivity near field
capacity, and electrical conductivity of the saturation
extract.
For concrete, the risk of corrosion also is expressed
as low, moderate, or high. It is based on soil texture,
acidity, and the amount of sulfates in the saturation
extract.
Engineering Index Test Data
Table 18 shows laboratory test data for several
pedons sampled at carefully selected sites in the survey
area. The pedons are typical of the series and are
described in the section "Soil Series and Their
Morphology." The soil samples were tested by the
North Carolina Department of Transportation and
Highway Safety, Materials and Test Unit, Raleigh, North
Carolina.
The testing methods generally are those of the
American Association of State Highway and
Transportation Officials (AASHTO) or the American
Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM).
The tests and methods are AASHTO classification—
M 145 (AASHTO), D 3282 (ASTM); Unified
classification—D 2487 (ASTM); Mechanical analysis—T
88 (AASHTO), D 422 (ASTM), D 2217 (ASTM); Liquid
limit—T 89 (AASHTO), D 423 (ASTM); Plasticity
index—T 90 (AASHTO), D 4318 (ASTM); and Moisture
density—T 99 (AASHTO), D 698 (ASTM).

65
Classification of the Soils
The system of soil classification used by the National
Cooperative Soil Survey has six categories (18).
Beginning with the broadest, these categories are the
order, suborder, great group, subgroup, family, and
series. Classification is based on soil properties
observed in the field or inferred from those observations
or on laboratory measurements. Table 19 shows the
classification of the soils in the survey area. The
categories are defined in the following paragraphs.
ORDER. Eleven soil orders are recognized. The
differences among orders reflect the dominant soil -
forming processes and the degree of soil formation.
Each order is identified by a word ending in sol. An
example is Ultisol.
SUBORDER. Each order is divided into suborders,
primarily on the basis of properties that influence soil
genesis and are important to plant growth or properties
that reflect the most important variables within the
orders. The last syllable in the name of a suborder
indicates the order. An example is Udult (Ud, meaning
humid, plus ult, from Ultisol).
GREAT GROUP. Each suborder is divided into great
groups on the basis of close similarities in kind,
arrangement, and degree of development of pedogenic
horizons; soil moisture and temperature regimes; and
base status. Each great group is identified by the name
of a suborder and by a prefix that indicates a property
of the soil. An example is Kanhapludults (Kan, meaning
low activity clays; plus hapl, meaning minimal
horizonation; plus udult, the suborder of the Ultisols that
occurs in humid climates).
SUBGROUP. Each great group has a typic subgroup.
Other subgroups are intergrades or extragrades. The
typic is the central concept of the great group; it is not
necessarily the most extensive. Intergrades are
transitions to other orders, suborders, or great groups.
Extragrades have some properties that are not
representative of the great group but do not indicate
transitions to any other known kind of soil. Each
subgroup is identified by one or more adjectives
preceding the name of the great group. The adjective
Typic identifies the subgroup that typifies the great
group. An example is Typic Kanhapludults.
FAMILY. Families are established within a subgroup
on the basis of physical and chemical properties and
other characteristics that affect management. Generally,
the properties are those of horizons below plow depth
where there is much biological activity. Among the
properties and characteristics considered are particle -
size class, mineral content, temperature regime, depth
of the root zone, consistence, moisture equivalent,
slope, and permanent cracks. A family name consists of
the name of a subgroup preceded by terms that indicate
soil properties. An example is clayey, kaolinitic, thermic
Typic Kanhapludults.
SERIES. The series consists of soils that have
similar horizons in their profile. The horizons are similar
in color, texture, structure, reaction, consistence,
mineral and chemical composition, and arrangement in
the profile. There can be some variation in the texture
of the surface layer or of the underlying material within
a series.
Soil Series and Their Morphology
In this section, each soil series recognized in the
survey area is described. The descriptions are arranged
in alphabetic order.
Characteristics of the soil and the material in which it
formed are identified for each series. A pedon, a small
three-dimensional area of soil, that is typical of the
series in the survey area is described. The location of
the typical pedon is described and is located on the
soils maps by a special symbol. The detailed
description of each soil horizon follows standards in the
"Soil Survey Manual" (19). Many of the technical terms
used in the descriptions are defined in "Soil Taxonomy"
(18). Unless otherwise stated, colors in the descriptions
are for moist soil. Following the pedon description is the
range of important characteristics of the soils in the
series.
The map units of each soil series are described in
the section "Detailed Soil Map Units."
Altavista Series
The Altavista series consists of moderately well
drained, moderately permeable soils on stream

66 Soil Survey
terraces. These soils formed in alluvium. Slopes range
from 0 to 2 percent. The soils are fine -loamy, mixed,
thermic Aquic Hapludults.
Altavista soils are commonly adjacent to Masada,
Chewacla, and Riverview soils. The well drained
Masada soils have more clay in the subsoil than the
Altavista soil and are in the higher areas on the
terraces. The somewhat poorly drained Chewacla and
well drained Riverview soils are on flood plains.
Typical pedon of Altavista sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent
slopes, rarely flooded; about 3.0 miles northwest of
Lincolnton, 1.5 miles northeast on Secondary Road
1268 from the intersection of Secondary Roads 1005
and 1268, about 900 feet west of the intersection of
Secondary Roads 1268 and 1269:
Ap-0 to 10 inches; yellowish brown (10YR 5/4) sandy
loam; weak fine granular structure; very friable;
common fine roots; moderately acid; abrupt smooth
boundary.
BE-10 to 14 inches; light yellowish brown (10YR 6/4)
sandy loam; weak fine subangular blocky structure;
friable; common fine roots; few fine flakes of mica;
strongly acid; clear wavy boundary.
Bt1-14 to 23 inches; yellowish brown (10YR 5/6)
sandy clay loam; weak medium subangular blocky
structure; friable, slightly sticky; few fine roots;
common faint clay films on faces of peds; few fine
flakes of mica; strongly acid; clear wavy boundary.
Bt2-23 to 35 inches; yellowish brown (10YR 5/6)
sandy clay loam; common medium distinct light
brownish gray (10YR 6/2) mottles; weak medium
subangular blocky structure; friable, slightly sticky;
few fine roots; common faint clay films on faces of
peds; few fine flakes of mica; strongly acid; clear
wavy boundary.
Bt3-35 to 49 inches; yellowish brown (10YR 5/4)
sandy clay loam; many medium distinct light
brownish gray (10YR 6/2), common medium distinct
brownish yellow (10YR 6/8), and few fine prominent
yellowish red (5YR 5/8) mottles; weak medium
subangular blocky structure; friable, slightly sticky;
common faint clay films on faces of peds; few fine
flakes of mica; strongly acid; gradual wavy
boundary.
BCg-49 to 57 inches; gray (10YR 6/1) sandy clay
loam; common medium prominent brownish yellow
(10YR 6/6) and faint pale brown (10YR 6/3) mottles;
weak fine subangular blocky structure; friable; few
fine flakes of mica; strongly acid; gradual wavy
boundary.
Cg-57 to 62 inches; gray (10YR 6/1) sandy loam;
common medium prominent brownish yellow
(10YR 6/6) and many coarse faint pale brown
(10YR 6/3) mottles; massive; very friable; few
pebbles; few fine flakes of mica; strongly acid.
The thickness of the solum ranges from 35 to 60
inches. The depth to bedrock is more than 10 feet. Few
or common flakes of mica are in the B and C horizons
in most pedons. Reaction ranges from very strongly
acid to slightly acid in the A, Ap, E, and BE horizons
and from very strongly acid to moderately acid in the Bt,
BC, and C horizons.
The A or Ap horizon has hue of 7.5YR to 2.5Y, value
of 4 to 6, and chroma of 1 to 4. The E horizon, if it
occurs, has hue of 10YR or 2.5Y, value of 5 to 7, and
chroma of 3 to 8. It is sandy loam or loamy sand.
The BE horizon has hue of 7.5YR to 2.5Y, value of 5
to 7, and chroma of 3 to 8. It is sandy loam or loam.
The Bt horizon has hue of 7.5YR to 2.5Y, value of 5
to 7, and chroma of 3 to 8. It has mottles with chroma
of 2 or less in the upper 24 inches. In some pedons it
has mottles in shades of brown or red and a few red
concretions in the lower part. In some pedons a Btg
horizon is below the Bt horizon. It has hue of 10YR or
2.5Y, value of 5 to 7, and chroma of 1 or 2. The Bt and
Btg horizons are clay loam or sandy clay loam.
The BCg horizon has the same colors as the Btg
horizon. The BC horizon, if it occurs, has the same
colors as the Bt horizon. The BCg and BC horizons are
sandy loam, loam, or sandy clay loam.
The Cg horizon has the same colors as the BCg
horizon. The C horizon, if it occurs, has colors similar to
those of the BC horizon. The Cg and C horizons vary in
texture but typically are sandy or loamy.
Appling Series
The Appling series consists of well drained,
moderately permeable soils on smooth, broad ridges in
the uplands. These soils formed in material that
weathered from felsic, igneous and metamorphic rock,
such as granite and gneiss. Slopes range from 1 to 6
percent. The soils are clayey, kaolinitic, thermic Typic
Kanhapludults.
Appling soils are commonly adjacent to Cecil,
Pacolet, Rion, and Helena soils. Cecil and Pacolet soils
have a red Bt horizon. Rion soils have a thinner and
less clayey Bt horizon than the Appling soils. Pacolet
and Rion soils are on side slopes, and Cecil soils are
on broad ridges. Helena soils are moderately well
drained and are along drainageways.
Typical pedon of Appling sandy loam, 1 to 6 percent
slopes; about 0.5 mile north of Flay on North Carolina
Highway 274, about 50 feet west of the road in a
cultivated field:

Lincoln County, North Carolina 67
Ap-0 to 8 inches; dark yellowish brown (10YR 4/4)
sandy loam; weak fine granular structure; very
friable; common fine and medium roots; moderately
acid; clear smooth boundary.
BA-8 to 12 inches; yellowish brown (10YR 5/6) sandy
clay loam; weak medium subangular blocky
structure; friable; common faint clay films on faces
of peds; few fine roots; few fine flakes of mica;
strongly acid; clear wavy boundary.
Bt1-12 to 19 inches; yellowish brown (10YR 5/6) clay;
moderate medium subangular blocky structure; firm,
slightly sticky and slightly plastic; common distinct
clay films on faces of peds; few fine roots; few fine
pores; few fine flakes of mica; very strongly acid;
gradual wavy boundary.
Bt2-19 to 33 inches; yellowish brown (10YR 5/8) clay;
few medium distinct strong brown (7.5YR 5/8) and
few fine prominent red (2.5YR 5/8) mottles;
moderate medium subangular blocky structure; firm,
sticky and plastic; common distinct clay films on
faces of peds; few fine pores; few fine flakes of
mica; very strongly acid; gradual wavy boundary.
Bt3-33 to 41 inches; yellowish brown (10YR 5/8) clay
loam; many coarse prominent red (2.5YR 4/8) and
common medium distinct reddish yellow (7.5YR 6/8)
mottles; weak medium subangular blocky structure;
firm, slightly sticky and slightly plastic; common faint
clay films on faces of peds; few fine flakes of mica;
very strongly acid; gradual wavy boundary.
BC-41 to 47 inches; yellowish red (5YR 5/6) sandy
clay loam; many coarse distinct red (2.5YR 4/6),
many medium distinct brownish yellow (10YR 6/6),
and many fine distinct very pale brown (10YR 7/4)
mottles; weak fine subangular blocky structure;
friable; few fine flakes of mica; very strongly acid;
gradual wavy boundary.
C-47 to 62 inches; multicolored saprolite that has a
texture of sandy loam and has seams of clay loam;
massive; friable; few fine flakes of mica; very
strongly acid.
The thickness of the solum ranges from 40 to 60
inches. The depth to bedrock is more than 6 feet. The
soil is very strongly acid to slightly acid in the A, Ap,
and E horizons and very strongly acid or strongly acid
in the Bt, BC, and C horizons. Few or common flakes of
mica are in most pedons.
The A or Ap horizon has hue of 5YR to 2.5Y, value
of 4 or 5, and chroma of 2 to 4. The E horizon, if it
occurs, has hue of 7.5YR to 2.5Y, value of 5 or 6, and
chroma of 3 to 6. It is sandy loam.
The BA horizon or the BE horizon, if it occurs, has
hue of 5YR to 10YR, value of 5 or 6, and chroma of 3
to 8. It is sandy clay loam.
The Bt horizon has hue of 5YR to 10YR, value of 5
or 6, and chroma of 6 to 8. It is clay, sandy clay, or clay
loam. It has few to many mottles in shades of red,
yellow, or brown in the middle and lower parts.
The BC horizon has colors similar to those of the Bt
horizon. It is sandy clay loam, sandy clay, or clay loam.
The C horizon is brownish or multicolored saprolite
that weathered from felsic, igneous and metamorphic
rock. It varies in texture but typically is loamy.
Buncombe Series
The Buncombe series consists of rarely flooded,
excessively drained, rapidly and very rapidly permeable
soils on flood plains. These soils formed in sandy
alluvium. Slopes range from 0 to 5 percent. The soils
are mixed, thermic Typic Udipsamments.
Buncombe soils are adjacent to Chewacla and
Riverview soils. The loamy, somewhat poorly drained
Chewacla soils and the loamy, well drained Riverview
soils are on the lower parts of the flood plain, usually
away from the stream channel.
Typical pedon of Buncombe sand, 0 to 5 percent
slopes, rarely flooded; about 5.0 miles northwest of
Lincolnton, 1.3 miles west on Secondary Road 1271
from the intersection of Secondary Roads 1005 and
1271, about 2,000 feet west of the road along the South
Fork of the Catawba River:
Ap-0 to 10 inches; dark yellowish brown (10YR 4/4)
sand; weak fine granular structure; very friable,
nonsticky and nonplastic; common fine and medium
roots; few fine flakes of mica; slightly acid; abrupt
smooth boundary.
C1-10 to 30 inches; yellowish brown (10YR 5/6) sand;
single grained; loose; few fine roots; few fine flakes
of mica; slightly acid; gradual wavy boundary.
C2-30 to 41 inches; strong brown (7.5YR 5/8) sand;
loose; few fine roots; common fine flakes of mica;
moderately acid; gradual wavy boundary.
C3-41 to 61 inches; strong brown (7.5YR 4/6) sand;
single grained; loose; common fine and medium
flakes of mica; moderately acid.
Sandy horizons extend to a depth of 40 inches or
more. The depth to bedrock is more than 10 feet. Few
to many flakes of mica are in most pedons. Reaction
ranges from very strongly acid to slightly acid.
The A or Ap horizon has hue of 10YR or 2.5Y, value
of 3 to 5, and chroma of 2 to 6.
The C horizon has hue of 5YR to 2.5Y, value of 4 to
8, and chroma of 3 to 8. Colors with a chroma of 2 or
less are below a depth of 40 inches in some pedons.
The C horizon to a depth of 40 inches is sand or loamy

68 Soil Survey
sand. Below a depth of 40 inches, it ranges from sand
to loam.
Cecil Series
The Cecil series consists of well drained, moderately
permeable soils on broad ridges in the uplands. These
soils formed in material that weathered from felsic,
igneous and metamorphic rock, such as granite and
gneiss. Slopes range from 2 to 8 percent. The soils are
clayey, kaolinitic, thermic Typic Kanhapludults.
Cecil soils are commonly adjacent to Appling,
Gaston, Madison, and Pacolet soils. Appling soils have
a yellower Bt horizon than the Cecil soils, and Pacolet
and Madison soils have a thinner subsoil. Gaston soils
are dark red in the upper part of the Bt horizon.
Madison soils have a high content of mica. Appling soils
are on the smoother landscapes. Gaston soils are on
the lower landscapes. Madison and Pacolet soils are on
narrow ridges and side slopes.
Typical pedon of Cecil sandy clay loam, 2 to 8
percent slopes, eroded; about 2.5 miles west of Cat
Square, 1,200 feet northwest on Secondary Road 1111
from the intersection of Secondary Roads 1113 and
1111, about 30 feet west of the road:
Ap-0 to 6 inches; yellowish red (5YR 4/6) sandy clay
loam; weak medium granular structure; very friable,
slightly sticky and slightly plastic; many fine and
common medium roots; slightly acid; clear smooth
boundary.
Bt1-6 to 34 inches; red (2.5YR 4/6) clay; moderate
medium subangular blocky structure; firm, sticky
and plastic; few fine roots; common distinct clay
films on faces of peds; few fine flakes of mica;
strongly acid; gradual smooth boundary.
Bt2-34 to 45 inches; red (2.5YR 4/6) clay; few fine
prominent reddish yellow (7.5YR 6/6) mottles;
moderate medium subangular blocky structure; firm,
sticky and plastic; few very fine roots; common
distinct clay films on faces of peds; few fine flakes
of mica; strongly acid; gradual wavy boundary.
BC-45 to 56 inches; red (2.5YR 4/8) clay loam;
common medium prominent reddish yellow (7.5YR
6/6) mottles; weak medium subangular blocky
structure; friable, slightly sticky and slightly plastic;
few distinct clay films on faces of peds; common
fine flakes of mica; few medium pockets of relic
rock; strongly acid; gradual wavy boundary.
C-56 to 70 inches; red (2.5YR 4/6), yellowish red (5YR
5/6), and reddish yellow (7.5YR 6/6) saprolite that
has a texture of sandy loam; massive; friable;
common fine flakes of mica; fine veins of soft,
white, quartzlike rock; strongly acid.
The thickness of the solum ranges from 40 to 60
inches. The depth to bedrock is more than 6.5 feet.
Reaction is very strongly acid to slightly acid in the A,
Ap, and E horizons and very strongly acid or strongly
acid in the Bt, BC, and C horizons. Few or common
flakes of mica are in most pedons.
In eroded areas the A or Ap horizon has hue of
2.5YR or 5YR, value of 4 or 5, and chroma of 4 to 8
and is sandy clay loam. In uneroded or slightly eroded
areas, the A or Ap horizon has hue of 7.5YR or 10YR,
value of 4 or 5, and chroma of 3 to 8 and is sandy
loam.
The E horizon, if it occurs, has hue of 7.5YR or
10YR, value of 4 to 6, and chroma of 3 to 8. It is sandy
loam or fine sandy loam.
The Bt horizon dominantly has hue of 1OR or 2.5YR,
value of 4 or 5, and chroma of 6 to 8. In some pedons
where the soil is not mottled, hue is 5YR. Texture is
clay or clay loam.
The BC horizon has hue of 2.5YR or 5YR, value of 4
to 6, and chroma of 4 to 8. It is clay loam or sandy clay
loam.
The C horizon is reddish or multicolored saprolite
that weathered from felsic, igneous and metamorphic
rock. It varies in texture but typically is loamy.
Chewacla Series
The Chewacla series consists of frequently flooded,
somewhat poorly drained, moderately permeable soils
on flood plains. These soils formed in recent alluvium.
Slopes are 0 to 2 percent. The soils are fine -loamy,
mixed, thermic Fluvaquentic Dystrochrepts.
Chewacla soils are commonly adjacent to Riverview
and Buncombe soils. Riverview soils are well drained
and are in the slightly higher positions, usually near the
stream channel. The excessively drained, sandy
Buncombe soils generally are adjacent to the stream
channel.
Typical pedon of Chewacla loam, 0 to 2 percent
slopes, frequently flooded; about 1.5 miles northwest of
Lincolnton, 0.75 mile north on Secondary Road 1005
from the intersection of Secondary Roads 1008 and
1005, about 1,300 feet west of the road along the South
Fork of the Catawba River:
A-0 to 6 inches; brown (7.5YR 4/4) loam; weak
medium granular structure; friable; common fine and
medium roots; few fine flakes of mica; slightly acid;
clear wavy boundary.
Bw1-6 to 16 inches; brown (7.5YR 4/4) clay loam; few
medium distinct brown (10YR 5/3) mottles; weak
medium subangular blocky structure; friable, slightly
sticky and slightly plastic; common fine and medium
roots; few fine flakes of mica; few fine black

Lincoln County, North Carolina 69
streaks; moderately acid; clear smooth boundary.
Bw2-16 to 23 inches; strong brown (7.5YR 4/6) clay
loam; common medium prominent gray (10YR 5/1)
and few fine distinct reddish yellow (7.5YR 6/6)
mottles; weak fine subangular blocky structure;
friable, slightly sticky and slightly plastic; few fine
and medium roots; common fine and medium flakes
of mica; few fine black streaks; moderately acid;
clear smooth boundary.
Bg-23 to 41 inches; gray (10YR 5/1) and light gray
(10YR 7/1) clay loam; common medium prominent
strong brown (7.5YR 4/6) mottles; weak fine
subangular blocky structure; friable, slightly sticky
and slightly plastic; common fine flakes of mica; few
fine black streaks; moderately acid; gradual wavy
boundary.
Cg1-41 to 53 inches; light gray (10YR 6/1) sandy clay
loam; common fine and medium prominent
yellowish brown (10YR 5/6) and few fine faint brown
mottles; massive; friable, slightly sticky and slightly
plastic; common fine flakes of mica; few medium
black streaks; moderately acid; gradual wavy
boundary.
Cg2-53 to 60 inches; gray (10YR 5/1) sandy clay
loam; massive; friable, slightly sticky and slightly
plastic; common fine flakes of mica; few quartz
pebbles; moderately acid.
The thickness of the solum ranges from 20 to 65
inches. The depth to bedrock is more than 5 feet. Few
or common flakes of mica are throughout the soil. The
soil ranges from very strongly acid to slightly acid.
The Ap or A horizon has hue of 5YR to 10YR, value
of 3 to 5, and chroma of 1 to 4. Where value is 3, the
horizon is less than 7 inches thick.
The Bw horizon has hue of 7.5YR to 2.5Y, value of 4
to 7, and chroma of 3 to 8. It has mottles with chroma
of 2 or less within 24 inches of the surface. It is loam,
clay loam, sandy clay loam, fine sandy loam, or sandy
loam.
The Bg horizon has hue of 10YR or 2.5Y, value of 4
to 7, and chroma of 1 or 2. It has the same textures as
the Bw horizon.
The Cg horizon has colors similar to those of the Bg
horizon. If it is within a depth of 40 inches, it is loamy
alluvium. If it is below a depth of 40 inches, it varies in
texture.
Gaston Series
The Gaston series consists of well drained,
moderately permeable soils on broad ridges and side
slopes in the uplands. These soils formed in material
that weathered from intermediate and mafic rock, such
as gabbro, diorite, and hornblende gneiss. Slopes range
from 2 to 25 percent. The soils are clayey, mixed,
thermic Humic Hapludults.
Gaston soils are commonly adjacent to Cecil,
Madison, and Winnsboro soils. Cecil and Madison soils
have kaolinitic mineralogy. Also, Madison soils have a
thinner subsoil than the Gaston soils and have a high
content of mica. Cecil soils are on ridgetops. Madison
soils are on narrow ridges and side slopes. Winnsboro
soils are less acid than the Gaston soil, have a thinner
subsoil, and are on the lower parts of the slope.
Typical pedon of Gaston sandy clay loam, 2 to 8
percent slopes, eroded; about 2.0 miles northwest of
Lincolnton on Secondary Road 1008, about 2,000 feet
northwest of the intersection of Secondary Roads 1008
and 1219, about 75 feet east of Secondary Road 1008,
in a cultivated field:
Ap-0 to 8 inches; dark reddish brown (5YR 3/4) sandy
clay loam; moderate medium granular structure;
friable; many fine roots; slightly acid; clear smooth
boundary.
Bt1-8 to 18 inches; dark red (2.5YR 3/6) clay;
moderate medium subangular blocky structure; firm,
sticky and plastic; common fine and few medium
roots; common distinct clay films on faces of peds;
few black streaks; few fine flakes of mica;
moderately acid; gradual wavy boundary.
Bt2-18 to 46 inches; red (2.5YR 4/6) clay; moderate
medium subangular blocky structure; firm, sticky
and plastic; few fine roots; common distinct clay
films on faces of peds; few medium flakes of mica;
few black streaks; moderately acid; clear wavy
boundary.
BC-46 to 55 inches; red (2.5YR 4/6) clay loam; few
medium prominent reddish yellow (7.5YR 6/8)
mottles; weak medium subangular blocky structure;
firm, slightly sticky and plastic; common fine flakes
of mica; few pockets of weathered black minerals;
moderately acid; clear wavy boundary.
C-55 to 62 inches; red (2.5YR 4/6) and yellowish red
(5YR 5/6) saprolite that has a texture of sandy clay
loam and pockets of clay loam; common medium
distinct reddish yellow (7.5YR 6/8) mottles; massive;
common black specks and streaks; common fine
flakes of mica; moderately acid.
The thickness of the solum ranges from 40 to 60
inches. The depth to bedrock is more than 6 feet. The
soil is strongly acid to slightly acid. Most pedons have
few or common flakes of mica in the Bt horizon and few
to many flakes of mica in the BC and C horizons.
In eroded areas the A or Ap has hue of 2.5YR or
5YR, value of 3, and chroma of 3 to 6 and is sandy clay
loam. In uneroded areas the A horizon has hue of 5YR

70 Soil Survey
or 7.5YR, has value of less than 4, has chroma of 3 to
6, is at least 6 inches thick, and is loam.
The Bt horizon has hue of 1OR or 2.5YR, value of 3
or 4, and chroma of 4 to 8. In most pedons it has dark
streaks or stains. It is clay or clay loam.
The BC horizon has hue of 2.5YR or 5YR, value of 4
to 6, and chroma of 6 to 8. It is clay loam, sandy clay
loam, or loam.
The C horizon is reddish or multicolored saprolite
that weathered from intermediate, igneous and
metamorphic rock. It varies in texture but typically is
loamy.
Georgeville Series
The Georgeville series consists of well drained,
moderately permeable soils on broad ridges and side
slopes in the uplands. These soils formed in material
that weathered from sericite schist and phyllite. Slopes
range from 2 to 25 percent. The soils are clayey,
kaolinitic, thermic Typic Hapludults.
Georgeville soils are commonly adjacent to Cecil,
Gaston, and Pacolet soils. The adjacent soils have less
silt than the Georgeville soils and are in areas where
felsic and intermediate felsic rock or mafic rock are
predominant. Also, Gaston soils are dark red in the
upper part of the Bt horizon and Pacolet soils have a
thinner subsoil than the Georgeville soil.
Typical pedon of Georgeville loam, 2 to 8 percent
slopes; about 2.75 miles southeast of Lincolnton, 0.7
mile southwest on Secondary Road 1641 from the
intersection of Secondary Roads 1001 and 1641, about
100 feet northwest of the road:
A-0 to 6 inches; strong brown (7.5YR 4/6) loam; weak
fine granular structure; slightly sticky and slightly
plastic; common or many fine to coarse roots;
moderately acid; clear smooth boundary.
E-6 to 9 inches; brown (10YR 4/3) loam; weak fine
granular structure; friable, slightly sticky and slightly
plastic; common fine to coarse roots; strongly acid;
clear smooth boundary.
Bt1-9 to 18 inches; yellowish red (5YR 4/6) clay loam;
moderate medium subangular blocky structure;
friable, slightly sticky and slightly plastic; few faint
clay films on faces of peds; few fine and medium
roots; strongly acid; clear smooth boundary.
Bt2-18 to 43 inches; red (2.5YR 5/6) clay; moderate
medium subangular blocky structure; firm, sticky
and plastic; common discontinuous distinct clay
films on face of peds; few fine roots; strongly acid;
gradual smooth boundary.
BC-43 to 52 inches; red (2.5YR 4/6) silty clay loam;
weak medium subangular blocky structure; firm,
slightly sticky and slightly plastic; few distinct clay
films on faces of peds; few fine roots; strongly acid;
gradual wavy boundary.
C-52 to 62 inches; red (2.5YR 4/8) saprolite that has a
texture of silt loam; common coarse prominent white
(10YR 8/1), common coarse prominent yellow
(10YR 7/6), and common coarse distinct red (10R
5/6) mottles; friable; common soft fragments of
schist; strongly acid.
The thickness of the solum ranges from 40 to 60
inches. The content of coarse fragments ranges from 0
to 10 percent, by volume, in the A and Bt horizons. The
depth to bedrock is more than 5 feet. Reaction is very
strongly acid to slightly acid in the A, Ap, and E
horizons and very strongly acid or strongly acid in the
Bt, BC, and C horizons.
In uneroded or slightly eroded areas, the Ap or A
horizon has hue of 7.5YR or 10YR, value of 4 or 5, and
chroma of 3 to 8 and is loam. In eroded areas the A or
Ap horizon has hue of 2.5YR or 5YR, value of 4 or 5,
and chroma of 4 to 8 and is clay loam.
The E horizon, if it occurs, has hue of 7.5YR or
10YR, value of 4 or 5, and chroma of 3 to 6. It is loam
or very fine sandy loam.
The Bt horizon dominantly has hue of 2.5YR or 10R,
value of 4 or 5, and chroma of 6 to 8. In many pedons,
however, it has hue of 5YR in the upper part. It is clay
loam or clay.
The BC horizon has hue of 1 OR to 5YR, value of 4 or
5, and chroma of 6 to 8. In some pedons it is mottled in
shades of yellow or brown. It is loam, silt loam, clay
loam, or silty clay loam.
The C horizon is reddish or multicolored saprolite
that weathered from sericite schist and phyllite. It
typically has a texture of silt loam, very fine sandy loam,
or fine sandy loam.
Helena Series
The Helena series consists of moderately well
drained, slowly permeable soils in the uplands on
smooth ridges between drainageways, on toe slopes,
and along the drainageways. These soils formed in
material that weathered from felsic, igneous and
metamorphic rock, such as granite and granite gneiss.
Slopes range from 1 to 6 percent. The soils are clayey,
mixed, thermic Aquic Hapludults.
Helena soils are commonly adjacent to Appling, Rion,
and Worsham soils. Appling and Rion soils are well
drained and are on ridges and side slopes. Also,
Appling soils have kaolinitic mineralogy and Rion soils
are less clayey than the Helena soils. Worsham soils
are poorly drained and are in the lower areas.
Typical pedon of Helena sandy loam, 1 to 6 percent
slopes; about 1 mile northwest of Roseland on

Lincoln County, North Carolina 71
Secondary Road 123, about 300 yards northeast on
Secondary Road 1228 from the intersection of
Secondary Roads 1232 and 1228, about 800 feet
northwest of the road:
Ap-0 to 6 inches; brown (10YR 5/3) sandy loam; weak
medium granular structure; very friable; common
fine and medium roots; moderately acid; abrupt
smooth boundary.
E-6 to 10 inches; light yellowish brown (2.5Y 6/4)
sandy loam; weak medium granular structure; very
friable; few fine roots; few fine and medium pebbles;
moderately acid; clear wavy boundary.
BE-10 to 14 inches; brownish yellow (10YR 6/6) sandy
clay loam; weak fine subangular blocky structure;
friable, slightly sticky and slightly plastic; few fine
and medium roots; few faint clay films on faces of
peds; few fine and medium pebbles; strongly acid;
clear wavy boundary.
Bt1-14 to 19 inches; strong brown (7.5YR 5/8) sandy
clay; moderate medium angular blocky structure;
firm, sticky and plastic; few fine roots; common faint
clay films on faces of peds; few fine flakes of mica;
strongly acid; clear wavy boundary.
Bt2-19 to 35 inches; yellowish brown (10YR 5/8)
sandy clay; common medium prominent light gray
(10YR 7/1) and pale brown (10YR 6/3) mottles;
weak medium angular blocky structure; firm, sticky
and plastic; common faint clay films on faces of
peds; few flakes of mica; very strongly acid; gradual
wavy boundary.
BC-35 to 44 inches; yellowish brown (10YR 5/8) sandy
clay loam; many coarse prominent light gray (10YR
7/1) and few fine distinct red (2.5YR 4/6) mottles;
weak fine subangular blocky structure; firm, slightly
sticky and slightly plastic; few faint clay films on
faces of peds; common flakes of mica; common
pockets of sandy clay; few fine and medium quartz
pebbles; strongly acid; clear wavy boundary.
C-44 to 62 inches; strong brown (7.5YR 5/6) saprolite
that has a texture of sandy loam; common medium
distinct yellowish red (5YR 4/6) and brownish yellow
(10YR 6/8) and common coarse prominent gray
(10YR 6/1) mottles; massive; friable; few coarse
veins of white and gray clay; common flakes of
mica; strongly acid.
The thickness of the solum ranges from 40 to 60
inches. The depth to bedrock is more than 5 feet.
Reaction is very strongly acid to slightly acid in the A,
Ap, and E horizons and very strongly acid or strongly
acid in the Bt, BC, and C horizons.
The A or Ap horizon has hue of 10YR, value of 4 to
6, and chroma of 1 to 4. The E horizon, if it occurs, has
hue of 10YR or 2.5Y, value of 5 to 7, and chroma of 2
to 4. It is sandy loam or loamy sand.
The BE horizon, if it occurs, has hue of 7.5YR to
2.5Y, value of 5 to 7, and chroma of 3 to 8. It is sandy
clay loam or clay loam.
The Bt horizon has hue of 7.5YR to 2.5Y, value of 5
to 7, and chroma of 3 to 8. It has mottles with chroma
of 2 or less in the upper 24 inches. In some pedons a
gray Btg horizon is below the Bt horizon. The Bt and
Btg horizons are sandy clay, clay, or clay loam.
The BC horizon has colors similar to those of the Bt
horizon and includes shades of gray, light gray, and
white. It is clay loam, sandy clay loam, or sandy loam.
The C horizon is brownish or multicolored saprolite
that weathered from felsic, igneous and metamorphic
rock. It varies in texture but typically is sandy loam, fine
sandy loam, loam, or sandy clay loam.
Madison Series
The Madison series consists of well drained,
moderately permeable soils on narrow ridges and side
slopes in the uplands. These soils formed in material
that weathered from felsic, micaceous, metamorphic
rock, such as mica schist and mica gneiss. Slopes
range from 2 to 25 percent. The soils are clayey,
kaolinitic, thermic Typic Kanhapludults.
Madison soils are commonly adjacent to Pacolet and
Rion soils. The adjacent soils are in the same
landscape positions as the Madison soils. They have
less mica than the Madison soils. Also, Rion soils are
less clayey.
Typical pedon of Madison sandy clay loam, 2 to 8
percent slopes, eroded; about 2.0 miles northeast of
Lincolnton, 0.6 mile east on Secondary Road 1283 from
the intersection of U.S. Highway 321 and Secondary
Road 1283, about 700 feet west of the end of
Secondary Road 1283:
Ap-0 to 5 inches; yellowish red (5YR 5/8) sandy clay
loam; weak medium granular structure; very friable;
common fine and medium roots; common fine
flakes of mica; slightly acid; clear smooth boundary.
Bt1-5 to 17 inches; red (2.5YR 4/6) clay; moderate
medium subangular blocky structure; firm, sticky
and plastic; common fine and medium roots;
common fine pores; common faint clay films on
faces of peds; common fine flakes of mica; strongly
acid; gradual wavy boundary.
Bt2-17 to 26 inches; red (2.5YR 4/8) clay loam; few
medium prominent reddish yellow (7.5YR 6/8)
mottles; weak medium subangular blocky structure;
firm, sticky and plastic; few fine and medium roots;
common fine pores; common faint clay films on
faces of peds; many fine flakes of mica; strongly
acid; gradual wavy boundary.

72 Soil Survey
BC-26 to 34 inches; yellowish red (5YR 5/8) sandy
clay loam; common medium distinct reddish yellow
(7.5YR 6/8) mottles; weak medium subangular
blocky structure; friable; many fine flakes of mica
that have a greasy consistence; pockets of saprolite
that crushes easily to loam; strongly acid; gradual
wavy boundary.
C1-34 to 51 inches; mottled red (2.5YR 5/8) and
yellowish red (5YR 5/8) saprolite that has a texture
of loam; massive; friable; many fine flakes of mica
that have a greasy consistence; very strongly acid;
gradual wavy boundary.
C2-51 to 62 inches; mottled red (2.5YR 5/8), yellowish
red (5YR 5/8), reddish yellow (7.5YR 6/8), reddish
brown (5YR 5/4), and pale brown (10YR 6/3)
saprolite that has a texture of loam; massive;
friable; many fine flakes of mica that have a greasy
consistence; few medium fragments of schist; very
strongly acid.
The thickness of the solum ranges from 20 to 40
inches. The depth to bedrock is more than 5 feet. The
upper horizons have few to many flakes of mica, and
the lower horizons have many. Reaction is very strongly
acid to slightly acid in the A, Ap, and E horizons and
very strongly acid or strongly acid in the Bt, BC, and C
horizons.
In eroded areas the A or Ap horizon has hue of 5YR
or 7.5YR, value of 4 or 5, and chroma of 4 to 8 and is
sandy clay loam. In uneroded or slightly eroded areas,
the A or Ap horizon has hue of 7.5YR or 10YR, value of
3 to 5, and chroma of 3 to 8 and is sandy loam.
The E horizon, if it occurs, has hue of 7.5YR or
10YR, value of 4 to 6, and chroma of 3 to 6. It is sandy
loam or fine sandy loam.
The Bt horizon has hue of 1 OR to 5YR, value of 4 to
6, and chroma of 6 to 8. It is clay, sandy clay, or clay
loam.
The BC horizon has colors similar to those of the Bt
horizon. It is clay loam, sandy clay loam, or loam.
The C horizon is reddish or multicolored saprolite
that weathered from felsic, micaceous, metamorphic
rock. It varies in texture but typically is sandy loam,
loam, or sandy clay loam.
Masada Series
The Masada series consists of well drained,
moderately permeable soils on high stream terraces.
These soils formed in old alluvium. Slopes range from 2
to 15 percent. The soils are clayey, mixed, thermic
Typic Hapludults.
Masada soils are commonly adjacent to Altavista,
Riverview, and Chewacla soils. The moderately well
drained Altavista soils have a less clayey subsoil than
the Masada soils, are in a lower landscape position,
and are subject to rare flooding. The well drained
Riverview soils and the somewhat poorly drained
Chewacla soils are on flood plains.
Typical pedon of Masada sandy loam, 2 to 8 percent
slopes; about 3.0 miles northwest of Lincolnton, 1.5
miles northwest on Secondary Road 1268 from the
intersection of Secondary Roads 1005 and 1268, about
1,200 feet southwest of the road:
Ap-0 to 8 inches; dark yellowish brown (10YR 4/4)
sandy loam; weak fine granular structure; very
friable; many fine roots; strongly acid; clear smooth
boundary.
BA-8 to 15 inches; brown (7.5YR 5/4) sandy clay
loam; weak fine subangular blocky structure; friable,
slightly sticky and slightly plastic; common fine
roots; strongly acid; clear wavy boundary.
Bt1-15 to 28 inches; yellowish red (5YR 4/6) sandy
clay; weak medium subangular blocky structure;
firm, sticky and plastic; common fine roots; common
faint clay films on faces of peds; very strongly acid;
clear wavy boundary.
Bt2-28 to 45 inches; strong brown (7.5YR 5/6) sandy
clay; weak medium subangular blocky structure;
firm, sticky and plastic; few fine roots; common faint
clay films on faces of peds; very strongly acid; clear
wavy boundary.
BC-45 to 55 inches; yellowish brown (10YR 5/8) clay
loam; common medium distinct reddish yellow
(7.5YR 6/8) and few medium prominent red (2.5YR
4/6) mottles; weak fine subangular blocky structure;
friable, slightly sticky and slightly plastic; few faint
clay films on faces of peds; very strongly acid;
gradual wavy boundary.
C-55 to 62 inches; strong brown (7.5YR 5/8) sandy
clay loam; common medium distinct light red (2.5YR
6/8), brown (7.5YR 5/4), and brownish yellow (10YR
6/8) mottles; massive; friable; very strongly acid.
The thickness of the solum ranges from 40 to 60
inches. The depth to bedrock is more than 6 feet.
Reaction is very strongly acid to slightly acid in the A
and Ap horizons and very strongly acid or strongly acid
in the Bt, BC, and C horizons.
The Ap or A horizon has hue of 7.5YR to 2.5Y, value
of 3 to 8, and chroma of 1 to 8.
The BA horizon, if it occurs, has hue of 5YR to
10YR, value of 4 to 8, and chroma of 3 to 8. It is sandy
clay loam.
The Bt horizon has hue of 2.5YR to 10YR, value of 4
to 6, and chroma of 4 to 8. It has hue of 2.5YR only in
the lower part. It is clay loam, sandy clay, or clay.

Lincoln County, North Carolina 73
The BC horizon has hue of 2.5YR to 10YR, value of
4 to 6, and chroma of 4 to 8. It commonly has high-
chroma mottles. It is clay loam, sandy clay loam, or
clay.
The C horizon is brownish or multicolored sandy
loam, sandy clay loam, or clay loam.
Mocksville Series
The Mocksville series consists of well drained,
moderately permeable soils on gently sloping to steep
side slopes in the uplands. These soils formed in
material that weathered from intermediate and mafic,
igneous and metamorphic rock, such as diorite, gabbro,
and hornblende gneiss. Slopes range from 8 to 45
percent. The soils are fine -loamy, mixed, thermic Typic
Hapludalfs.
Mocksville soils are intermixed with areas of
Winnsboro and Zion soils and commonly are adjacent
to Gaston soils. Winnsboro and Zion soils have a clayey
Bt horizon. Also, Zion soils have bedrock at a depth of
20 to 40 inches. Gaston soils have a dark red, clayey Bt
horizon and are near ridgetops.
Typical pedon of Mocksville fine sandy loam, in an
area of Zion-Winnsboro-Mocksville complex, 8 to 15
percent slopes; about 2.0 miles southwest of Triangle,
0.9 mile south on Secondary Road 1386 from the
intersection of Secondary Roads 1380 and 1386, about
200 feet west of the road:
A-0 to 4 inches; dark yellowish brown (10YR 4/4) fine
sandy loam; weak fine granular structure; very
friable; common fine and medium roots; few fine
flakes of mica; few fine grains of dark minerals;
moderately acid; clear wavy boundary.
Bt-4 to 21 inches; yellowish brown (10YR 5/4) sandy
clay loam; weak medium subangular blocky
structure; friable; common fine roots; few fine flakes
of mica; common fine grains of dark minerals;
slightly acid; gradual wavy boundary.
BC-21 to 27 inches; yellowish brown (10YR 5/4) sandy
loam; common medium distinct strong brown
(7.5YR 5/8) and common fine prominent yellow
(10YR 7/8) mottles; weak fine subangular blocky
structure; common medium pockets of saprolite;
common fine flakes of mica; common fine grains of
dark minerals; few fine roots; slightly acid; gradual
wavy boundary.
C-27 to 62 inches; mottled light yellowish brown
(10YR 6/4), brown (10YR 5/3), and strong brown
(7.5YR 5/8) saprolite that has a texture of sandy
loam; massive; very friable; common fine flakes of
mica; common fine grains of dark minerals; neutral.
The thickness of the solum ranges from 18 to 40
inches. The depth to bedrock is more than 5 feet. Few
or common flakes of mica are throughout the soil. The
content of dark minerals ranges from few to many.
Reaction ranges from strongly acid to neutral in the A
horizon, from moderately acid to neutral in the B
horizons, and from slightly acid to mildly alkaline in the
C horizon.
The A horizon has hue of 10YR or 2.5Y, value of 3 to
5, and chroma of 2 to 4. The E horizon, if it occurs, has
hue of 7.5YR to 2.5Y, value of 4 to 7, and chroma of 2
to 8. It is fine sandy loam, sandy loam, or loam.
The Bt horizon has hue of 7.5YR to 2.5Y, value of 4
to 6, and chroma of 3 to 8. It is clay loam, sandy clay
loam, or loam.
The BC horizon, if it occurs, has colors similar to
those of the Bt horizon. It is sandy loam, fine sandy
loam, or loam.
The C horizon is brownish, mottled, or multicolored
saprolite that weathered from intermediate or mafic,
igneous and metamorphic rock. It has a texture of
sandy loam, fine sandy loam, loam, loamy fine sand, or
loamy sand.
Pacolet Series
The Pacolet series consists of well drained,
moderately permeable soils on narrow ridges and side
slopes in the uplands. These soils formed in material
that weathered from felsic, igneous and metamorphic
rock, such as granite and gneiss. Slopes range from 2
to 45 percent. The soils are clayey, kaolinitic, thermic
Typic Kanhapludults.
Pacolet soils are commonly adjacent to Cecil,
Madison, and Rion soils. Cecil soils are on broad ridges
and have a thicker subsoil than the Pacolet soils.
Madison soils have a high content of mica. Rion soils
have a yellower and less clayey Bt horizon than the
Pacolet soils. Madison and Rion soils are in the same
landscape positions as the Pacolet soils.
Typical pedon of Pacolet sandy clay loam, 8 to 15
percent slopes, eroded; about 2.0 miles north of Hulls
Crossroads, 1,300 feet northwest of the intersection of
Secondary Roads 1113 and 1111:
Ap-0 to 7 inches; reddish brown (5YR 4/4) sandy clay
loam; moderate medium granular structure; friable,
slightly sticky and slightly plastic; many fine and
medium roots; slightly acid; clear wavy boundary.
Bt1-7 to 11 inches; red (2.5YR 4/6) clay loam;
moderate medium blocky structure; firm, sticky and
plastic; few faint clay films on faces of peds;
common fine and medium roots; few fine flakes of
mica; moderately acid; gradual wavy boundary.
Bt2-11 to 26 inches; red (2.5YR 4/6) clay; few fine

74 Soil Survey
distinct yellowish red (5YR 5/8) mottles; moderate
medium subangular blocky structure; firm, sticky
and plastic; common faint clay films on faces of
peds; common fine and medium roots; few fine
flakes of mica; moderately acid; gradual wavy
boundary.
BC-26 to 35 inches; red (2.5YR 4/6) clay loam; many
medium distinct yellowish red (5YR 5/8) and few
fine prominent pinkish white (5YR 8/2) mottles;
moderate medium subangular blocky structure; firm,
slightly sticky and slightly plastic; few fine and
medium roots; few fine flakes of mica; common
medium fragments of weathered feldspar; strongly
acid; gradual wavy boundary.
C1-35 to 40 inches; red (2.5YR 4/6) saprolite that has
a texture of loam; many medium prominent pinkish
white (5YR 8/2) and common medium distinct
yellowish red (5YR 5/8) mottles; massive; friable,
slightly sticky and slightly plastic; few medium roots;
common fine flakes of mica; many medium
fragments of weathered feldspar; very strongly acid;
gradual wavy boundary.
C2-40 to 62 inches; mottled red (2.5YR 4/6), yellowish
red (5YR 5/8), pinkish white (5YR 8/2), and black
(5YR 2.5/1) saprolite that has a texture of sandy
loam; massive; friable; few medium roots; common
fine flakes of mica; very strongly acid.
The thickness of the solum ranges from 20 to 40
inches. The depth to bedrock is more than 5 feet.
Reaction is very strongly acid to slightly acid in the A,
Ap, and E horizons and very strongly acid to moderately
acid in the Bt, BC, and C horizons. Few or common
flakes of mica are in most pedons.
In eroded areas the A or Ap horizon has hue of 5YR
or 7.5YR, value of 4 or 5, and chroma of 3 to 8 and is
sandy clay loam. In uneroded or slightly eroded areas,
the A or Ap horizon has hue of 5YR to 10YR, value of 4
or 5, and chroma of 1 to 4 and is sandy loam.
The E horizon, if it occurs, has hue of 5YR to 10YR,
value of 4 to 6, and chroma of 3 to 8. It is sandy loam
or fine sandy loam.
The Bt horizon has hue of 1 OR or 2.5YR, value of 4
or 5, and chroma of 6 to 8. It is clay loam, sandy clay,
or clay.
The BC horizon, if it occurs, has colors similar to
those of the Bt horizon, or it is mottled in shades of red,
yellow, or brown. It is clay loam, sandy clay loam, loam,
or sandy loam.
The C horizon is reddish or multicolored saprolite
that weathered from felsic, igneous and metamorphic
rock. It has a texture of sandy loam, fine sandy loam, or
loam.
Rion Series
The Rion series consists of well drained, moderately
permeable soils on narrow ridges and side slopes in the
uplands. These soils formed in residuum that weathered
from felsic, igneous and metamorphic rock, such as
gneiss and granite. Slopes range from 2 to 15 percent.
The soils are fine -loamy, mixed, thermic Typic
Hapludults.
Rion soils are commonly adjacent to Appling, Helena,
Madison, and Pacolet soils. Appling, Madison, and
Pacolet soils have a clayey Bt horizon. Also, Appling
soils have a thicker subsoil than the Rion soil and
Madison soils have a high content of mica. Appling soils
are on the broader ridges. The moderately well drained
Helena soils are along drainageways. Madison and
Pacolet soils are in the same landscape positions as
the Rion soils.
Typical pedon of Rion sandy loam, 2 to 8 percent
slopes; about 1.5 miles northeast of Lincolnton, 2,700
feet northwest of the intersection of Secondary Roads
1282 and 1333:
Ap-0 to 5 inches; yellowish brown (10YR 5/4) sandy
loam; weak medium granular structure; very friable;
common fine and medium roots; common fine and
medium flakes of mica; strongly acid; abrupt smooth
boundary.
Bt1-5 to 12 inches; brownish yellow (10YR 6/6) sandy
clay loam; weak medium subangular blocky
structure; friable, slightly sticky and slightly plastic;
few fine and medium roots; common fine and
medium flakes of mica; very strongly acid; clear
smooth boundary.
Bt2-12 to 24 inches; brownish yellow (10YR 6/6)
sandy clay loam with lenses of sandy loam; weak
medium subangular blocky structure; friable; few
medium roots; common fine and medium flakes of
mica; very strongly acid; clear smooth boundary.
BC-24 to 32 inches; brownish yellow (10YR 6/6) sandy
loam; weak medium subangular blocky structure;
very friable; common fine and medium flakes of
mica; very strongly acid; gradual smooth boundary.
C-32 to 62 inches; light yellowish brown (10YR 6/4)
and very pale brown (10YR 7/3) saprolite that has a
texture of sandy loam and lenses of loamy sand;
common medium distinct yellow (10YR 7/8),
common medium faint pale brown (10YR 6/3), and
few fine distinct very dark gray (10YR 3/1) mottles;
massive; very friable; common fine and medium
flakes of mica; very strongly acid.
The thickness of the solum ranges from 20 to 40
inches. The depth to bedrock is more than 5 feet.
Reaction is very strongly acid to slightly acid in the A,

Lincoln County, North Carolina 75
Ap, and E horizons and very strongly acid to moderately
acid in the Bt, BC, and C horizons. Few or common
flakes of mica are in most pedons.
The A or Ap horizon has hue of 7.5YR or 10YR,
value of 4 to 6, and chroma of 2 to 6. The E horizon, if
it occurs, has hue of 7.5YR or 10YR, value of 4 to 6,
and chroma of 3 to 6. It is sandy loam or loamy sand.
The Bt horizon has hue of 2.5YR to 10YR, value of 5
or 6, and chroma of 4 to 8. It is sandy clay loam, sandy
loam, or clay loam. The number of mottles in shades of
red, yellow, and brown ranges from none to common.
Also, in some pedons this horizon has mottles in
shades of gray in the lower part.
The BC horizon has colors similar to those of the Bt
horizon. It is sandy clay loam or sandy loam. The
number of mottles in shades of red, yellow, brown, gray,
and white ranges from none to many.
The C horizon is brownish or multicolored saprolite
that weathered from felsic, igneous and metamorphic
rock. It typically has a texture of sandy loam or loamy
sand.
Riverview Series
The Riverview series consists of occasionally
flooded, well drained, moderately permeable soils on
flood plains. These soils formed in recent alluvium.
Slopes range from 0 to 2 percent. The soils are fine -
loamy, mixed, thermic Fluventic Dystrochrepts.
Riverview soils are adjacent to Chewacla and
Buncombe soils. Chewacla soils are somewhat poorly
drained and are in the lower parts of the flood plains.
The excessively drained, sandy Buncombe soils
generally are adjacent to the stream channel.
Typical pedon of Riverview loam, 0 to 2 percent
slopes, occasionally flooded; about 1.5 miles northwest
of Lincolnton, 0.6 mile north of the intersection of
Secondary Roads 1008 and 1005, about 1,600 feet
west of the road along the South Fork of the Catawba
River:
Ap-0 to 8 inches; dark yellowish brown (10YR 4/4)
loam; weak fine granular structure; friable; common
fine and medium roots; common fine flakes of mica;
slightly acid; clear smooth boundary.
Bw1-8 to 22 inches; brown (7.5YR 4/4) loam; weak
medium subangular blocky structure; friable; few
fine roots; common fine flakes of mica; moderately
acid; gradual wavy boundary.
Bw2-22 to 40 inches; strong brown (7.5YR 4/6) loam;
moderate medium subangular blocky structure;
friable; few fine roots; common fine flakes of mica;
moderately acid; gradual wavy boundary.
BC-40 to 47 inches; strong brown (7.5YR 5/6) sandy
loam; weak medium subangular blocky structure;
friable; few fine roots; few fine flakes of mica;
moderately acid; gradual wavy boundary.
C-47 to 60 inches; strong brown (7.5YR 5/6) sandy
loam; massive; very friable, nonsticky and
nonplastic; few fine flakes of mica; strongly acid.
The thickness of the solum ranges from 24 to 60
inches. The depth to bedrock is more than 5 feet. Few
or common flakes of mica are throughout the soil.
Reaction ranges from very strongly acid to slightly acid
in the A or Ap horizon and from very strongly acid to
moderately acid in the Bw, BC, and C horizons.
The Ap or A horizon has hue of 7.5YR or 10YR,
value of 3 to 5, and chroma of 2 to 4. Where value is 3
and chroma is 2, the horizon is less than 7 inches thick.
The Bw horizon dominantly has hue of 7.5YR, value
of 4 or 5, and chroma of 3 to 6 or hue of 10YR, value of
3 to 5, and chroma of 4 to 8. In some pedons, however,
part of the horizon has hue of 5YR, value of 4 or 5, and
chroma of 3 or 4. The number of mottles having chroma
of 2 or less in the Bw horizon ranges from none to
common at a depth of 24 inches or more. The Bw
horizon is sandy clay loam, loam, silt loam, or silty clay
loam.
The BC horizon has colors similar to those of the Bw
horizon. It is sandy clay loam, loam, sandy loam, or fine
sandy loam.
In some pedons a buried A or B horizon or both is
below a depth of 25 inches. The buried horizons have
colors and textures similar to those of the A and B
horizons.
The C horizon has hue of 7.5YR or 10YR, value of 4
to 8, and chroma of 4 to 8. In some pedons it has few
or common gray mottles. It is fine sandy loam, sandy
loam, loamy fine sand, loamy sand, or sand.
Sedgefield Series
The Sedgefield series consists of moderately well
drained, slowly permeable soils in the uplands on
smooth ridges, on toe slopes, and along drainageways.
These soils formed in material that weathered from
intermediate and mafic rock, such as gabbro, diorite,
and hornblende gneiss. Slopes range from 1 to 4
percent. The soils are fine, mixed, thermic Aquultic
Hapludalfs.
Sedgefield soils are commonly adjacent to Gaston
and Winnsboro soils. The well drained Gaston soils
have a dark red subsoil, are more permeable than the
Sedgefield soils, and are on knolls and ridgetops.
Winnsboro soils are well drained, have weathered
bedrock at a depth of 40 to 70 inches, and are in the
higher landscape positions.
Typical pedon of Sedgefield fine sandy loam, 1 to 4
percent slopes; about 4.0 miles south of Lincolnton on

76 Soil Survey
Secondary Road 1252, about 0.5 mile west on
Secondary Road 1617 from the intersection of
Secondary Roads 1252 and 1617, about 2,400 feet
north of the road in a pasture:
Ap-0 to 6 inches; dark grayish brown (10YR 4/2) fine
sandy loam; weak fine granular structure; very
friable, nonsticky and nonplastic; many fine and
medium roots; common fine and medium rounded
iron -manganese concretions; slightly acid; clear
smooth boundary.
E-6 to 10 inches; yellowish brown (10YR 5/4) fine
sandy loam; weak fine granular structure; very
friable, nonsticky and nonplastic; many fine and
medium roots; common fine and medium rounded
iron -manganese concretions; slightly acid; clear
smooth boundary.
Bt1-10 to 18 inches; yellowish brown (10YR 5/6) clay;
few fine distinct grayish brown (10YR 5/2) and light
yellowish brown (10YR 6/4) and few fine prominent
yellowish red (5YR 5/6) mottles; moderate medium
angular blocky structure parting to moderate
medium prismatic; very firm, very sticky and very
plastic; few fine roots between peds; many
prominent clay films on faces of peds; common fine
rounded iron -manganese concretions; slightly acid;
gradual smooth boundary.
Bt2-18 to 28 inches; light olive brown (2.5Y 5/4) clay;
few fine prominent light gray (10YR 7/1) mottles;
moderate medium angular blocky structure parting
to moderate medium prismatic; very firm, very sticky
and very plastic; few fine roots between peds; many
prominent clay films on faces of peds; common fine
rounded iron -manganese concretions; neutral;
gradual smooth boundary.
Bt3-28 to 33 inches; yellowish brown (10YR 5/4) clay;
few medium distinct light gray (10YR 7/1) mottles;
moderate medium angular blocky structure; very
firm, very sticky and very plastic; few fine roots
between peds; many distinct clay films on faces of
peds; common fine flakes of mica; common streaks
of relic rock; neutral; gradual smooth boundary.
BC-33 to 38 inches; yellowish brown (10YR 5/4) clay
loam; common medium distinct grayish brown
(10YR 5/2) mottles; weak medium subangular
blocky structure; firm, sticky and plastic; few fine
roots between peds; few patchy distinct clay films
on vertical faces of peds; common coarse pockets
of green and brown saprolite that has a texture of
sandy loam; moderately alkaline; clear wavy
boundary.
C-38 to 62 inches; multicolored saprolite that has a
texture of sandy loam; massive; friable; common
green and black minerals; moderately alkaline.
The thickness of the solum ranges from 20 to 40
inches. The depth to bedrock is more than 5 feet. The A
horizon and the upper part of the Bt horizon are very
strongly acid to slightly acid. The lower part of the Bt
horizon and the BC and C horizons are moderately acid
to moderately alkaline.
The A or Ap horizon has hue of 10YR or 2.5Y, value
of 4 or 5, and chroma of 1 to 3. The E horizon, if it
occurs, has hue of 10YR or 2.5Y, value of 5 to 7, and
chroma of 3 or 4. It is fine sandy loam, sandy loam, or
loam.
The Bt horizon has hue of 7.5YR to 5Y, value of 5 or
6, and chroma of 3 to 8. It has mottles with chroma of 2
or less in the upper 10 inches. In some pedons a gray
Btg horizon is below the Bt horizon. The Bt and Btg
horizons are clay, sandy clay, or clay loam.
The BC horizon has colors similar to those of the Bt
horizon and includes shades of gray, light gray, and
white. It is clay loam, sandy clay loam, or sandy loam.
The C horizon is multicolored saprolite that
weathered from mixed felsic and mafic, igneous and
metamorphic rock. It varies in texture but typically is
loamy.
Udorthents
Udorthents consist of areas where the natural soil
has been altered by excavation or covered by earthy fill
material. These areas are well drained or moderately
well drained. The excavated areas mainly are borrow
pits from which the soil has been removed and used as
foundation material for roads or buildings. In most
excavated areas, the exposed substratum is loam,
sandy loam, or sandy clay loam. The fill areas are sites
where at least 20 inches of loamy, earthy fill material
covers the natural soil, borrow pits, landfills, natural
drainageways, or low areas. Slopes range from nearly
level to steep, and some areas are undulating.
A typical pedon is not given for these soils because
of their variability. The fill areas are more than 20
inches deep and as thick as 30 feet in places. Landfills
have layers of material other than soil covered by loamy
soil material.
Udorthents have colors in shades of red, brown,
yellow, and gray. Texture is variable but typically is
loamy. Reaction ranges from extremely acid to slightly
acid.
Winnsboro Series
The Winnsboro series consists of well drained, slowly
permeable soils on broad ridges in the uplands. These
soils formed in material that weathered from
intermediate and mafic, igneous and metamorphic rock,
such as diabase, hornblende gneiss, diorite, and

Lincoln County, North Carolina 77
gabbro. Slopes range from 2 to 25 percent. The soils
are fine, mixed, thermic Typic Hapludalfs.
Winnsboro soils are commonly adjacent to Gaston,
Zion, and Mocksville soils. Gaston soils have a dark red
subsoil, are more permeable than the Winnsboro soils,
and are on knolls and ridgetops. Zion soils have
weathered bedrock at a depth of 20 to 40 inches.
Mocksville soils have a fine -loamy Bt horizon. Zion and
Mocksville soils are on side slopes.
Typical pedon of Winnsboro fine sandy loam, 2 to 8
percent slopes; about 3.0 miles north of Lowesville, 0.6
mile north on North Carolina Highway 16 from the
intersection of North Carolina Highways 73 and 16,
about 1,000 feet west on Secondary Road 1393 from
the intersection of North Carolina Highway 16 and
Secondary Road 1393, about 300 feet south of the
road:
Ap-0 to 8 inches; dark brown (10YR 4/3) fine sandy
loam; weak fine granular structure; very friable;
common fine and medium roots; few fine and
medium manganese concretions; moderately acid;
clear wavy boundary.
BA-8 to 11 inches; yellowish brown (10YR 5/4) sandy
clay loam; few fine faint brownish yellow mottles;
weak medium subangular blocky structure; friable;
common fine and medium roots; few fine
manganese concretions; moderately acid; abrupt
smooth boundary.
Bt1-11 to 25 inches; yellowish brown (10YR 5/6) clay;
moderate medium angular blocky structure; very
firm, sticky and plastic; many distinct clay films on
faces of peds; few fine roots; common fine
manganese concretions and streaks; slightly acid;
gradual wavy boundary.
Bt2-25 to 32 inches; yellowish brown (10YR 5/4 and
5/6) clay; few medium distinct brownish yellow
(10YR 6/6) mottles; moderate medium angular
blocky structure; very firm, sticky and plastic;
common distinct clay films on faces of peds; few
fine root channels; common fine manganese
concretions and streaks; neutral; gradual wavy
boundary.
Bt/C-32 to 37 inches; yellowish brown (10YR 5/4) clay
(Bt); weak medium angular blocky structure; firm,
sticky and plastic; few distinct clay films on faces of
peds; few fine roots; common streaks of black; few
fine manganese concretions; common medium
pockets of saprolite (C) that has a texture of loam;
neutral; gradual wavy boundary.
C1-37 to 46 inches; light yellowish brown (2.5Y 6/4)
saprolite that has a texture of sandy loam; common
mottles in shades of brown and yellow; massive;
friable; common streaks of black; few fine black
concretions; mildly alkaline; gradual irregular
boundary.
C2-46 to 60 inches; multicolored saprolite that has a
texture of loam; massive; friable; mildly alkaline.
The thickness of the solum ranges from 20 to 40
inches. The depth to hard bedrock is more than 5 feet.
Reaction is strongly acid to slightly acid in the A, Ap,
and E horizons and slightly acid to mildly alkaline in the
Bt, BC, and C horizons. Few or common manganese
concretions are in most pedons.
The Ap or A horizon has hue of 7.5YR to 2.5Y, value
of 4 or 5, and chroma of 2 to 4. The E horizon, if it
occurs, has hue of 7.5YR to 2.5Y, value of 4 to 6, and
chroma of 2 to 8. It is fine sandy loam, sandy loam, or
loam.
The BA horizon, if it occurs, has hue of 7.5YR or
10YR and value and chroma of 4 to 6. It is sandy clay
loam or clay loam.
The Bt horizon and the Bt part of the Bt/C horizon
have hue of 7.5YR to 2.5Y, value of 4 to 6, and chroma
of 4 to 8. They are clay or clay loam.
The BC horizon, if it occurs, is mottled in shades of
brown, yellow, olive, or black. It is clay loam, loam, or
sandy clay loam.
The C horizon and C part of the Bt/C horizon are
multicolored saprolite that weathered from intermediate
and mafic rock. They typically have a texture of loam,
sandy loam, or sandy clay loam.
The Winnsboro soils in Lincoln County are a
taxadjunct to the series because they have as much as
81 percent clay in the Bt horizon. This difference,
however, does not affect the overall use, management,
and interpretations of the soils.
Worsham Series
The Worsham series consists of poorly drained, very
slowly permeable soils on uplands around intermittent
drainageways, at the head of drainageways, and in
depressions. These soils formed in a mixture of
colluvium and local alluvium or residuum derived from
felsic, igneous and metamorphic rock, such as granite
and gneiss. Slopes range from 0 to 2 percent. The soils
are clayey, mixed, thermic Typic Ochraquults.
Worsham soils are commonly adjacent to Helena
soils, which are moderately well drained and in the
slightly higher areas.
Typical pedon of Worsham fine sandy loam, 0 to 2
percent slopes; about 2.5 miles northwest of Hulls
Crossroads on Secondary Road 1114, about 0.4 mile
north on Secondary Road 1114 from the intersection of
Secondary Roads 1114 and 1115, about 1,000 feet
west of the road in a wooded drainage area:

78 Soil Survey
Ap-0 to 7 inches; dark brown (10YR 4/3) fine sandy
loam; weak fine granular structure; very friable;
many fine and medium roots; few fine flakes of
mica; strongly acid; abrupt smooth boundary.
BEg-7 to 11 inches; grayish brown (10YR 5/2) sandy
clay loam; weak fine subangular blocky structure;
friable, slightly sticky and slightly plastic; common
fine and medium roots; few fine flakes of mica;
strongly acid; clear smooth boundary.
Btg1-11 to 15 inches; gray (10YR 5/1) sandy clay;
common medium prominent brownish yellow (10YR
6/8) mottles; moderate medium subangular blocky
structure; firm, sticky and plastic; few fine roots; few
distinct clay films on faces of peds; few fine flakes
of mica; strongly acid; gradual wavy boundary.
Btg2-15 to 35 inches; gray (10YR 5/1) clay; common
medium prominent brownish yellow (10YR 6/8)
mottles; weak coarse subangular blocky structure;
very firm, sticky and plastic; few fine roots; common
distinct clay films on faces of peds; few fine flakes
of mica; strongly acid; gradual wavy boundary.
BCg-35 to 55 inches; light gray (10YR 6/1) sandy clay
loam; common medium distinct brownish yellow
(10YR 6/8) mottles; weak coarse subangular blocky
structure; firm, slightly sticky and slightly plastic; few
fine roots; common fine flakes of mica; strongly
acid; gradual wavy boundary.
Cg-55 to 62 inches; light gray (10YR 6/1) sandy clay
loam with pockets of loamy sand; common medium
distinct dark gray (10YR 4/1) and few fine prominent
yellowish brown (10YR 5/8) mottles; massive; firm
in place; common fine flakes of mica; strongly acid.
The thickness of the solum ranges from 40 to 80
inches. The depth to bedrock is more than 5 feet.
Reaction is very strongly acid to slightly acid in the A,
Ap, and E horizons and very strongly acid or strongly
acid in the Btg, BCg, and Cg horizons. Few or common
flakes of mica are in most pedons.
The Ap or A horizon has hue of 10YR or 2.5Y or is
neutral in hue. It has value of 2 to 4 and chroma of 0 to
3.
The BEg horizon, if it occurs, has hue of 10YR to 5Y
or is neutral in hue. It has value of 4 to 6 and chroma of
0 to 2. It is sandy clay loam or sandy loam.
The Btg horizon has hue of 10YR to 5Y or is neutral
in hue. It has value of 5 or 6 and chroma of 0 to 2. It is
clay, sandy clay, or clay loam.
The BCg horizon has colors similar to those of the
Btg horizon. It is sandy clay loam or clay loam.
The Cg horizon has colors similar to those of BCg
horizon and is colluvium and alluvium or saprolite that
weathered from felsic, igneous and metamorphic rock. It
is sandy clay loam, clay loam, or sandy loam.
Zion Series
The Zion series consists of well drained, moderately
deep, slowly permeable soils on strongly sloping to
steep side slopes in the uplands. These soils formed in
material that weathered from intermediate and mafic,
igneous and metamorphic rock, such as diabase,
hornblende gneiss, diorite, and gabbro. Slopes range
from 8 to 45 percent. The soils are fine, mixed, thermic
Ultic Hapludalfs.
Zion soils are intermixed with areas of Winnsboro
and Mocksville soils and commonly are adjacent to
Gaston soils. Winnsboro, Mocksville, and Gaston soils
have bedrock below a depth of 60 inches. Mocksville
soils have a fine -loamy Bt horizon. Gaston soils have a
dark red subsoil, are more permeable than the Zion
soils, and are on ridgetops.
Typical pedon of Zion fine sandy loam, in an area of
Zion-Winnsboro-Mocksville complex, 15 to 25 percent
slopes; about 2.8 miles northwest of Lowesville, 1,200
feet north on Secondary Road 1383 from the
intersection of Secondary Roads 1511 and 1383, about
1,800 feet south on a private road, 70 feet north of the
road:
A-0 to 4 inches; brown (10YR 5/3) fine sandy loam;
weak fine granular structure; very friable; many fine
and common medium roots; common fine black
concretions; strongly acid; clear smooth boundary.
E-4 to 8 inches; yellowish brown (10YR 5/6) fine
sandy loam; weak fine granular structure; very
friable; common fine and medium roots; few fine
and medium black concretions; strongly acid; clear
smooth boundary.
Bt-8 to 18 inches; yellowish brown (10YR 5/6) clay;
moderate medium angular blocky structure; firm,
sticky and plastic; few fine roots; few prominent clay
skins on vertical faces of peds; few fine black
concretions; few medium pockets of saprolite;
moderately acid; gradual wavy boundary.
BC-18 to 23 inches; yellowish brown (10YR 5/6) clay
loam; weak medium subangular blocky structure;
firm, sticky and plastic; few distinct clay films on
faces of peds; few fine roots; common streaks of
black material; common coarse pockets of saprolite
that has a texture of fine sandy loam; moderately
acid; gradual wavy boundary.
C-23 to 28 inches; yellowish brown (10YR 5/6)
saprolite that has a texture of fine sandy loam;
massive; friable; common streaks of black, white,
and brownish yellow minerals; neutral; gradual wavy
boundary.
Cr-28 to 35 inches; multicolored, weathered, mafic
rock; partially consolidated, but can be dug with

Lincoln County, North Carolina 79
difficulty with a spade; few pockets of clay loam
filling seams; common hard rock fragments; diffuse
broken boundary.
R-35 inches; hard, mafic rock.
The thickness of the solum ranges from 20 to 38
inches. The depth to bedrock ranges from 20 to 40
inches. Reaction is very strongly acid to moderately
acid in the A and E horizons and in the upper part of
the Bt horizon. It is strongly acid to neutral in the lower
part of the Bt horizon and in the C horizon. The soils
have few or common manganese concretions and black
streaks throughout.
The A horizon has hue of 10YR or 2.5Y, value of 4
or 5, and chroma of 2 or 3. The E horizon, if it occurs,
has hue of 10YR, value of 4 to 6, and chroma of 3 to 6.
It is fine sandy loam, sandy loam, or loam.
The Bt horizon has hue of 7.5YR to 2.5Y, value of 4
to 6, and chroma of 4 to 8. It is clay or clay loam.
The BC horizon, if it occurs, has colors similar to
those of the Bt horizon. It is clay loam, sandy clay loam,
or loam.
The C horizon is brownish or multicolored saprolite
that weathered from intermediate and mafic, igneous
and metamorphic rock. It varies in texture but typically
is loamy.
The Cr horizon is multicolored, weathered,
intermediate and mafic, igneous and metamorphic rock
that can be dug with difficulty with hand tools.

81
Formation of the Soils
This section describes the five major factors of soil
formation and the effects of these factors on the soils in
Lincoln County. It also gives information about the
general geology of the county and the relationship
between parent material and geology.
Factors of Soil Formation
Soils are formed by processes of the environment
acting upon geologic agents, such as metamorphic,
igneous, and sedimentary rock and fluvial stream
sediments. The characteristics of a soil are determined
by the combined influence of parent material, climate,
organisms, relief, and time. These five factors are
responsible for the profile development and chemical
properties that differentiate soils (5).
Parent Material and General Geology
Parent material is the unconsolidated mass from
which a soil forms. The character of this mass affects
the kind of profile that develops and the degree of this
development. In Lincoln County parent material is a
major factor determining what kind of soil forms, and it
can be correlated to some degree to geologic
formations. The general soil map can serve as an
approximate guide to the geology of the county.
Generally, the soils of the Cecil-Pacolet general soil
map unit formed in material weathered from felsic,
igneous and metamorphic rock, such as granite, gneiss,
biotite gneiss, biotite-muscovite schist, augen gneiss,
and pegmatite. The soils of the Gaston-Pacolet-Cecil
general soil map unit formed in intermingled areas of
material weathered from intermediate, mafic, and felsic,
igneous and metamorphic rock, such as diorite, gabbro,
hornblende, gneiss, and granite. The soils of the
Pacolet-Madison-Rion general soil map unit formed in
material weathered from felsic, igneous and
metamorphic rock, such as mica gneiss, mica schists,
Cherryville granite, biotite-muscovite schists, and
coarse grained rocks of granitic composition. The soils
of the Chewacla-Riverview general soil map unit formed
in recent alluvium. The soils of the Georgeville general
soil map unit formed in material weathered from phyllite
or sericite schist.
Parent material is largely responsible for the
chemical and mineralogical composition of soils and for
the major differences among the soils in the county.
Major differences in parent material, such as texture,
can be observed in the field. Less distinct differences,
such as mineralogical composition, can be determined
only by careful laboratory analysis.
Climate
Climate affects the physical, chemical, and biological
relationships in soil, primarily through the effects of
precipitation and temperature. The rate of rock
weathering and of organic matter decomposition are
highly influenced by precipitation and temperature. The
amount of leaching in a soil is related to the amount of
rainfall and its movement through the soil. The kind and
growth of organisms and the speed of chemical and
physical reactions in a soil are influenced by
temperature.
Lincoln County has a warm, humid climate. It
occupies a moderate plateau that ranges in elevation
from 650 to 1,480 feet above sea level. Because
mountains to the west of the county have a modifying
effect, changes in temperature and precipitation are
gradual. The climate favors rapid chemical processes,
resulting in decomposition of organic matter and
weathering of rock. The mild temperatures and
abundant rainfall cause intense leaching and oxidizing.
The effects of climate have noticeably influenced the
formation of the soils in the county. The mild
temperatures throughout the year and the abundant
rainfall have resulted in depletion of organic matter and
considerable leaching of soluble bases. Because
variations in climate are small across the county,
climate has probably not caused major local differences
among the soils. The most important effect of climate
on soil formation in the county is the alteration of parent
material caused by changes in temperature and amount
of precipitation and by influences on plant and animal
life.

82
Organisms
Plants and animals influence the formation and
differentiation of soil horizons. The type and number of
organisms in and on a soil are determined in part by
climate and in part by the nature of the soil material,
relief, and the age of the soil. Bacteria, fungi, and other
micro-organisms aid in the weathering of rocks and the
decomposition of organic matter. The plants and
animals that live on a soil are the primary source of
organic material.
Under normal conditions plants largely determine the
kinds and amounts of organic matter in a soil and the
way in which the organic matter is added. Plants are
also important to changes of base status and to the
leaching process of a soil through the nutrient cycle.
Animals convert complex compounds into simpler
forms, add organic matter to soil, and modify certain
chemical and physical properties of soil. In Lincoln
County most of the organic material accumulates on the
surface. It is acted upon by micro-organisms, fungi,
earthworms, and other forms of life and by direct
chemical reaction. It is mixed with the uppermost
mineral part of the soil by the activities of earthworms
and other small invertebrates. Rodents have had little
effect on the formation of soils in the county.
In areas of native forest in the county, not enough
bases are brought to the surface by plants to counteract
the effects of leaching. Generally, the soils of the
county formed under hardwood forest. Trees took up
elements from the subsoil and added organic matter to
the surface by depositing leaves, roots, twigs, and
eventually branches and trunks. The organic material
on the surface was acted upon by organisms and
underwent chemical reactions.
Organic material decomposes rapidly in the county
because of the moderate temperature, the abundant
moisture supply, and the character of the organic
material. It decays so rapidly that little of it accumulates
in the soil.
Relief
Relief causes differences in free drainage, surface
runoff, soil temperature, and the extent of geologic
erosion. In Lincoln County relief is largely determined
by the kind of underlying bedrock, the geology of the
area, and the amount of dissection of the landscape by
streams.
Relief affects the percolation of water through the soil
profile. The movement of water through the profile is
important to soil development because it aids chemical
reactions and is necessary for leaching.
Relief affects the depth of soils. Slopes in the county
range from 0 to 45 percent. On uplands the soils that
have slopes of less than 10 percent generally have
deeper, better defined profiles than the steeper soils.
Examples are the well developed Appling, Cecil, and
Gaston soils. On most soils that have slopes of 15
percent or more, geologic erosion removes soil material
almost as quickly as it forms. As a result, most of the
strongly sloping to steep soils have a thinner solum
than the less sloping soils. Examples are Pacolet and
Zion soils, which are neither as deep nor as well
developed as the less sloping soils.
Relief affects drainage. A high water table, for
example, is usually related to nearly level relief. Helena
and Worsham soils on uplands are not as well drained
as the steeper soils because they are nearly level and
thus the internal movement of water is slow.
Soils at the lower elevations generally are less
sloping than those at the higher elevations and receive
runoff from the adjacent higher areas. This water tends
to accumulate in the nearly level to depressional areas.
Examples are the somewhat poorly drained Chewacla
soils on flood plains and the poorly drained Worsham
soils in depressions on uplands.
Time
The length of time that soil material has been
exposed to soil forming processes is responsible for
some differences among soils. The length of time
required for a well defined soil profile to form depends
on the other factors of soil formation. Less time is
required for the development of a soil profile in coarse
textured material than in similar but fine textured
material. Less time is required for profile development
in a warm, humid area where the plant cover is dense
than in a cold, dry area where the plant cover is sparse.
The age of soils varies considerably, and the length
of time that a soil has been developing is generally
reflected in the profile. Old soils generally have better
defined horizons than young soils. In Lincoln County the
effects of time as a soil forming factor are more
apparent in the older soils, such as Cecil and Appling
soils, than in the younger soils. These older soils have
more distinct horizons than such younger soils as
Chewacla and Riverview soils, which formed in
alluvium. The Chewacla and Riverview soils on flood
plains have not been in place long enough to have
strongly developed horizons.

83
References
(1) American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials.
1986. Standard specifications for highway materials and methods of
sampling and testing. Ed. 14, 2 vols.
(2) American Society for Testing and Materials. 1993. Standard
classification of soils for engineering purposes. ASTM Stand. D 2487.
(3) Beck, Donald E. 1962. Yellow -poplar site index curves. U.S. Dep.
Agric., Forest Serv., Southeast. Forest Exp. Stn. Res. Note 180.
(4) Brown, M.A., and M.C. York. 1986. Our enduring past —A survey of 235
years of life and architecture in Lincoln County, North Carolina.
(5) Buol, S.W., F.D. Hole, and R.J. McCracken. 1989. Soil genesis and
classification. 3d. ed.
(6) Coile, T.S., and F.X. Schumacher. 1953. Site index of young stands of
loblolly and shortleaf pines in the Piedmont Plateau Region. J. For. 51:
432-435.
(7) LeGrande, H.E., and J.J. Mundorff. 1952. Geology and ground water in
the Charlotte area, North Carolina. U.S. Dep. Inter. Bull. 63., pp 58-61.
(8) Lincoln County Historical Society. 1975. Lincoln County North Carolina,
1779-1997. Past -present -future.
(9) Little, Elbert L., Jr. 1979. Checklist of United States trees (native and
naturalized). U.S. Dept. Agric., Forest Serv., Agric. Handb. 541.
(10) Radford, A.E., H.E. Ahles, and C.R. Bell. 1983. Manual of the vascular
flora of the Carolinas.
(11) Society of American Foresters. 1980. Forest cover types of the United
States and Canada.
(12) Stroup, C.M. 1969. A pictorial walk through Lincoln County.
(13) Stucky, J.D. 1965. North Carolina: Its geology and mineral resources.
N.C. Dep. Conserv. and Dev.
(14) United States Department of Agriculture.1916. Soil survey of Lincoln
County, North Carolina.

84
(15) United States Department of Agriculture. 1984 (rev.). Procedures for
collecting soil samples and methods of analysis for soil survey. Soil
Surv. Invest. Rep. 1.
(16) United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service. 1985. Forest
statistics for the Piedmont of North Carolina, 1984. Southeast. Forest
Exp. Stn. Resour. Bull. SE-76.
(17) United States Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service.
1961. Land capability classification. U.S. Dep. Agric. Handb. 210.
(18) United States Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service.
1975. Soil taxonomy: A basic system of soil classification for making
and interpreting soil surveys. U.S. Dep. Agric. Handb. 436.
(19) United States Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service.
1993. Soil survey manual. Soil Surv. Staff, U.S. Dep. Agric. Handb. 18.

85
Glossary
Aeration, soil. The exchange of air in soil with air from
the atmosphere. The air in a well aerated soil is
similar to that in the atmosphere; the air in a
poorly aerated soil is considerably higher in carbon
dioxide and lower in oxygen.
Aggregate, soil. Many fine particles held in a single
mass or cluster. Natural soil aggregates, such as
granules, blocks, or prisms, are called peds. Clods
are aggregates produced by tillage or logging.
Alluvium. Material, such as sand, silt, or clay,
deposited on land by streams.
Area reclaim (in tables). An area difficult to reclaim
after the removal of soil for construction and other
uses. Revegetation and erosion control are
extremely difficult.
Association, soil. A group of soils or miscellaneous
areas geographically associated in a characteristic
repeating pattern and defined and delineated as a
single map unit.
Atterberg limits. Atterberg limits are measured for soil
materials passing the No. 40 sieve. They include
the liquid limit (LL), which is the moisture content
at which the soil passes from a plastic to a liquid
state, and the plasticity index (PI), which is the
water content corresponding to an arbitrary limit
between the plastic and semisolid states of
consistency of a soil.
Available water capacity (available moisture
capacity). The capacity of soils to hold water
available for use by most plants. It is commonly
defined as the difference between the amount of
soil water at field moisture capacity and the
amount at wilting point. It is commonly expressed
as inches of water per inch of soil. The capacity, in
inches, in a 60-inch profile or to a limiting layer is
expressed as:
Very low 0 to 3
Low 3 to 6
Moderate 6 to 9
High 9 to 12
Very high more than 12
Base saturation. The degree to which material having
cation -exchange properties is saturated with
exchangeable bases (sum of Ca, Mg, Na, K),
expressed as a percentage of the total cation -
exchange capacity.
Bedrock. The solid rock that underlies the soil and
other unconsolidated material or that is exposed at
the surface.
Boulders. Rock fragments larger than 2 feet (60
centimeters) in diameter.
Clay. As a soil separate, the mineral soil particles less
than 0.002 millimeter in diameter. As a soil textural
class, soil material that is 40 percent or more clay,
less than 45 percent sand, and less than 40
percent silt.
Clayey. A general textural term that includes sandy
clay, silty clay, and clay. According to family level
criteria in the taxonomic system, a specific textural
name referring to fine earth (particles less than 2
millimeters in size) containing 35 percent or more
clay, by weight, within the control section. The
content of rock fragments is less than 35 percent,
by volume.
Clay film. A thin coating of oriented clay on the surface
of a soil aggregate or lining pores or root
channels. Synonyms: clay coating, clay skin.
CMAI (cumulative mean annual increment). The age
or rotation at which growing stock of a forest
produces the greatest annual growth (for that time
period). It is the age at which periodic annual
growth and mean annual growth are equal.
Coarse fragments. If round, mineral or rock particles 2
millimeters to 25 centimeters (10 inches) in
diameter; if flat, mineral or rock particles
(flagstone) 15 to 38 centimeters (6 to 15 inches)
long.
Coarse textured soil. Sand or loamy sand.
Cobblestone (or cobble). A rounded or partly rounded
fragment of rock 3 to 10 inches (7.6 to 25
centimeters) in diameter.
Colluvium. Soil material or rock fragments, or both,
moved by creep, slide, or local wash and
deposited at the base of steep slopes.
Complex slope. Irregular or variable slope. Planning or
establishing terraces, diversions, and other water-

86 Soil Survey
control structures on a complex slope is difficult.
Complex, soil. A map unit of two or more kinds of soil
or miscellaneous areas in such an intricate pattern
or so small in area that it is not practical to map
them separately at the selected scale of mapping.
The pattern and proportion of the soils or
miscellaneous areas are somewhat similar in all
areas.
Concretions. Grains, pellets, or nodules of various
sizes, shapes, and colors consisting of
concentrated compounds or cemented soil grains.
The composition of most concretions is unlike that
of the surrounding soil. Calcium carbonate and
iron oxide are common compounds in concretions.
Conservation tillage. A tillage system that does not
invert the soil and that leaves a protective amount
of crop residue on the surface throughout the year.
Consistence, soil. The feel of the soil and the ease
with which a lump can be crushed by the fingers.
Terms commonly used to describe consistence
are:
Loose.—Noncoherent when dry or moist; does not
hold together in a mass.
Friable. —When moist, crushes easily under gentle
pressure between thumb and forefinger and can
be pressed together into a lump.
Firm. —When moist, crushes under moderate
pressure between thumb and forefinger, but
resistance is distinctly noticeable.
Plastic. —When wet, readily deformed by moderate
pressure but can be pressed into a lump; will form
a "wire" when rolled between thumb and
forefinger.
Sticky. —When wet, adheres to other material and
tends to stretch somewhat and pull apart rather
than to pull free from other material.
Hard. —When dry, moderately resistant to
pressure; can be broken with difficulty between
thumb and forefinger.
Soft. —When dry, breaks into powder or individual
grains under very slight pressure.
Cemented. —Hard; little affected by moistening.
Contour striperopping. Growing crops in strips that
follow the contour. Strips of grass or close -growing
crops are alternated with strips of clean -tilled
crops or summer fallow.
Control section. The part of the soil on which
classification is based. The thickness varies
among different kinds of soil, but for many it is that
part of the soil profile between depths of 10 inches
and 40 or 80 inches.
Cover crop. A close -growing crop grown primarily to
improve and protect the soil between periods of
regular crop production, or a crop grown between
trees and vines in orchards and vineyards.
Crop residue management. Use of that portion of the
plant or crop left in the field after harvest for
protection or improvement of the soil.
Dbh (diameter at breast height). The diameter of a
tree at 4.5 feet above the ground level on the
uphill side.
Deferred grazing. Postponing grazing or resting grazing
land for a prescribed period.
Delineation. The process of drawing or plotting features
on a map with lines and symbols.
Depth class. Refers to the depth to a root -restricting
layer. Unless otherwise stated, this layer is
understood to be consolidated bedrock. The depth
classes in this survey are:
Very shallow less than 10 inches
Shallow 10 to 20 inches
Moderately deep
Deep
Very deep
20 to 40 inches
40 to 60 inches
more than 60 inches
Depth to rock (in tables). Bedrock is too near the
surface for the specified use.
Diversion (or diversion terrace). A ridge of earth,
generally a terrace, built to protect downslope
areas by diverting runoff from its natural course.
Drainage class (natural). Refers to the frequency and
duration of periods of saturation or partial
saturation during soil formation, as opposed to
altered drainage, which is commonly the result of
artificial drainage or irrigation but may be caused
by the sudden deepening of channels or the
blocking of drainage outlets. Seven classes of
natural soil drainage are recognized:
Excessively drained. —Water is removed from the
soil very rapidly. Excessively drained soils are
commonly very coarse textured, rocky, or shallow.
Some are steep. All are free of the mottling related
to wetness.
Somewhat excessively drained. —Water is removed
from the soil rapidly. Many somewhat excessively
drained soils are sandy and rapidly pervious.
Some are shallow. Some are so steep that much
of the water they receive is lost as runoff. All are
free of the mottling related to wetness.
Well drained. —Water is removed from the soil
readily, but not rapidly. It is available to plants
throughout most of the growing season, and
wetness does not inhibit growth of roots for
significant periods during most growing seasons.
Well drained soils are commonly medium textured.
They are mainly free of mottling.
Moderately well drained. —Water is removed from
the soil somewhat slowly during some periods.
Moderately well drained soils are wet for only a

Lincoln County, North Carolina 87
short time during the growing season, but
periodically they are wet long enough that most
mesophytic crops are affected. They commonly
have a slowly pervious layer within or directly
below the solum or periodically receive high
rainfall, or both.
Somewhat poorly drained. —Water is removed
slowly enough that the soil is wet for significant
periods during the growing season. Wetness
markedly restricts the growth of mesophytic crops
unless artificial drainage is provided. Somewhat
poorly drained soils commonly have a slowly
pervious layer, a high water table, additional water
from seepage, nearly continuous rainfall, or a
combination of these.
Poorly drained. —Water is removed so slowly that
the soil is saturated periodically during the growing
season or remains wet for long periods. Free
water is commonly at or near the surface for long
enough during the growing season that most
mesophytic crops cannot be grown unless the soil
is artificially drained. The soil is not continuously
saturated in layers directly below plow depth. Poor
drainage results from a high water table, a slowly
pervious layer within the profile, seepage, nearly
continuous rainfall, or a combination of these.
Very poorly drained. —Water is removed from the
soil so slowly that free water remains at or on the
surface during most of the growing season. Unless
the soil is artificially drained, most mesophytic
crops cannot be grown. Very poorly drained soils
are commonly level or depressed and are
frequently ponded. Yet, where rainfall is high and
nearly continuous, they can have moderate or high
slope gradients.
Drainage, surface. Runoff, or surface flow of water,
from an area.
Engineering index test data. Laboratory test and
mechanical analysis of selected soils in the
county.
Erosion. The wearing away of the land surface by
water, wind, ice, or other geologic agents and by
such processes as gravitational creep.
Erosion (geologic) —Erosion caused by geologic
processes acting over long geologic periods and
resulting in the wearing away of mountains and
the building up of such landscape features as
flood plains and coastal plains. Synonym: natural
erosion.
Erosion (accelerated) —Erosion much more rapid
than geologic erosion, mainly as a result of human
or animal activities or of a catastrophe in nature,
such as fire, that exposes the surface.
Erosion classes. Classes based on estimates of past
erosion. The classes are as follows:
Class 1.—Soils that have lost some of the original
A horizon but on the average less than 25 percent
of the original A horizon or of the uppermost 8
inches (if the original A horizon was less than 8
inches thick). Throughout most of the area, the
thickness of the surface layer is within the normal
range of variability of the uneroded soil. Class 1
erosion typically is not designated in the name of
the map unit or in the map symbol.
Class 2.—Soils that have lost an average of 25 to
75 percent of the original A horizon or of the
uppermost 8 inches (if the original A horizon was
less than 8 inches thick). Throughout most
cultivated areas of class 2 erosion, the surface
layer consists of a mixture of the original A horizon
and material from below. Some areas may have
intricate patterns ranging from uneroded spots to
spots where all of the original A horizon has been
removed.
Class 3.—Soils that have lost an average of 75
percent or more of the original A horizon or of the
uppermost 8 inches (if the original A horizon was
less than 8 inches thick). In most areas of class 3
erosion, material that was below the original A
horizon is exposed. The plow layer consists
entirely or largely of this material.
Class 4.—Soils that have lost all of the original A
horizon or of the uppermost 8 inches (if the
original A horizon was less than 8 inches thick)
plus some or all of the deeper horizons throughout
most of the area. The original soil can be identified
only in spots. Some areas may be smooth, but
most have an intricate pattern of gullies.
Erosion hazard. Terms describing the potential for
future erosion, inherent in the soil itself, in
inadequately protected areas. The following
definitions are based on estimated annual soil loss
in tons per acre (values determined by the
Universal Soil Loss Equation assuming bare soil
conditions and using rainfall and climate factors for
North Carolina):
0 tons per acre none
Less than 1 ton per acre slight
1 to 5 tons per acre moderate
5 to 10 tons per acre severe
More than 10 tons per acre very severe
Evapotranspiration. The combined loss of water from a
given area through surface evaporation and
through transpiration by plants during a specified
period of time.
Excess fines (in tables). Excess silt and clay in the soil.
The soil does not provide a source of gravel or
sand for construction purposes.

88 Soil Survey
Felsic rock. A general term for light colored igneous
rock and some metamorphic crystalline rock.
Fertility, soil. The quality that enables a soil to provide
plant nutrients, in adequate amounts and in proper
balance, for the growth of specified plants when
light, moisture, temperature, tilth, and other growth
factors are favorable.
Field moisture capacity. The moisture content of a soil,
expressed as a percentage of the ovendry weight,
after the gravitational, or free, water has drained
away; the field moisture content 2 or 3 days after
a soaking rain; also called normal field capacity,
normal moisture capacity, or capillary capacity.
Fine textured soil. Sandy clay, silty clay, or clay.
First bottom. The normal flood plain of a stream,
subject to frequent or occasional flooding.
Flooding. The temporary covering of the surface by
flowing water from any source, such as
overflowing streams, runoff from adjacent or
surrounding slopes, and inflow from high tides.
The frequency of flooding generally is expressed
as none, rare, occasional, or frequent. None
means that flooding is not probable. Rare means
that flooding is unlikely but possible under unusual
weather conditions (the chance of flooding is
nearly 0 to 5 percent 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). Frequent means
that flooding occurs often under normal weather
conditions (the chance of flooding is more than 50
percent in any year). The duration of flooding is
expressed as very brief (less than 2 days), brief (2
to 7 days), long (7 days to 1 month), and very long
(more than 1 month).
Flood plain. A nearly level alluvial plain that borders a
stream and is subject to flooding unless protected
artificially.
Foot slope. The inclined surface at the base of a hill.
Forest type. A classification of forest land based on the
species forming the majority of live -tree stocking.
Genesis, soil. The mode of origin of the soil. Refers
especially to the processes or soil -forming factors
responsible for the formation of the solum, or true
soil, from the unconsolidated parent material.
Gneiss. A coarse grained metamorphic rock in which
bands rich in granular minerals alternate with
bands in which schistose minerals predominate. It
is commonly formed by the metamorphism of
granite.
Granite. A coarse grained igneous rock dominated by
light colored minerals, consisting of about 50
percent orthoclase and 25 percent quartz with the
balance being plagioclase feldspars and
ferromagnesian silicates. Granites and
granodiorites comprise 95 percent of all intrusive
rocks.
Grassed waterway. A natural or constructed waterway,
typically broad and shallow, seeded to grass as
protection against erosion. Conducts surface water
away from cropland.
Gravel. Rounded or angular fragments of rock as much
as 3 inches (2 millimeters to 7.6 centimeters) in
diameter. An individual piece is a pebble.
Gravelly soil material. Material that is 15 to 50 percent,
by volume, rounded or angular rock fragments, not
prominently flattened, as much as 3 inches (7.6
centimeters) in diameter.
Gully. A miniature valley with steep sides cut by
running water and through which water ordinarily
runs only after rainfall. The distinction between a
gully and a rill is one of depth. A gully generally is
an obstacle to farm machinery and is too deep to
be obliterated by ordinary tillage; a rill is of lesser
depth and can be smoothed over by ordinary
tillage.
Horizon, soil. A layer of soil, approximately parallel to
the surface, having distinct characteristics
produced by soil -forming processes. In the
identification of soil horizons, an uppercase letter
represents the major horizons. Numbers or
lowercase letters that follow represent subdivisions
of the major horizons. An explanation of the
subdivisions is given in the "Soil Survey Manual."
The major horizons are as follows:
O horizon. —An organic layer of fresh and
decaying plant residue at the surface of a mineral
soil.
A horizon. —The mineral horizon at or near the
surface in which an accumulation of humified
organic matter is mixed with the mineral material.
Also, a plowed surface horizon, most of which was
originally part of a B horizon.
E horizon. —The mineral horizon in which the main
feature is loss of silicate clay, iron, aluminum, or
some combination of these.
B horizon. —The mineral horizon below an 0, A, or
E horizon. The B horizon is in part a layer of
transition from the overlying horizon to the
underlying C horizon. The B horizon also has
distinctive characteristics, such as accumulation of
clay, sesquioxides, humus, or a combination of
these; prismatic or blocky structure; redder or
browner colors than those in the A horizon; or a
combination of these. The combined A and B
horizons are generally called the solum, or true
soil. If a soil does not have a B horizon, the A
horizon alone is the solum.

Lincoln County, North Carolina 89
C horizon. —The mineral horizon or layer,
excluding indurated bedrock, that is little affected
by soil -forming processes and does not have the
properties typical of the A or B horizon. The
material of a C horizon may be either like or unlike
that in which the solum formed. If the material is
known to differ from that in the solum, an Arabic
numeral, commonly a 2, precedes the letter C.
Cr horizon. —Soft, consolidated bedrock beneath
the soil.
R layer. —Consolidated rock (unweathered
bedrock) beneath the soil. The bedrock commonly
underlies a C horizon but can be directly below an
A or a B horizon.
Hydrologic soil groups. Refers to soils grouped
according to their runoff -producing characteristics.
The chief consideration is the inherent capacity of
soil bare of vegetation to permit infiltration. The
slope and the kind of plant cover are not
considered but are separate factors in predicting
runoff. Soils are assigned to four groups. In group
A are soils having a high infiltration rate when
thoroughly wet and having a low runoff potential.
They are mainly deep, well drained, and sandy or
gravelly. In group D, at the other extreme, are
soils having a very slow infiltration rate and thus a
high runoff potential. They have a claypan or clay
layer at or near the surface, have a permanent
high water table, or are shallow over nearly
impervious bedrock or other material. A soil is
assigned to two hydrologic groups if part of the
acreage is artificially drained and part is
undrained.
igneous rock. Rock formed by solidification of molten
rock, generally crystalline in nature.
Intermediate rock. Igneous or metamorphic crystalline
rock that is intermediate in composition between
mafic and felsic rock.
Knoll. A small, low, rounded hill rising above adjacent
landforms.
Large stones (in tables). Rock fragments 3 inches (7.6
centimeters) or more across. Large stones
adversely affect the specified use of the soil.
Leaching. The removal of soluble material from soil or
other material by percolating water.
Liquid limit. The moisture content at which the soil
passes from a plastic to a liquid state.
Loam. Soil material that is 7 to 27 percent clay
particles, 28 to 50 percent silt particles, and less
than 52 percent sand particles.
Loamy. A general textural term that includes coarse
sandy loam, sandy loam, fine sandy loam, very
fine sandy loam, loam, silt loam, silt, clay loam,
sandy clay loam, and silty clay loam. According to
family level criteria in the soil taxonomic system, a
specific textural name referring to fine earth
(particles less than 2 millimeters in size) of loamy
very fine sand or finer textured material that
contains less than 35 percent clay, by weight,
within the control section. The content of rock
fragments is less than 35 percent, by volume.
Low strength. The soil is not strong enough to support
loads.
Mafic rock. A dark rock composed predominantly of
magnesium silicates. It contains little quartz,
feldspar, or muscovite mica.
Mean annual increment. The average yearly volume of
a stand of trees from the year of origin to the age
under consideration.
Medium textured soil. Very fine sandy loam, loam, silt
loam, or silt.
Metamorphic rock. Rock of any origin altered in
mineralogical composition, chemical composition,
or structure by heat, pressure, and movement.
Nearly all such rocks are crystalline.
Micas. A group of silicate minerals characterized by
sheet or scale cleavage. Biotite is the
ferromagnesian black mica. Muscovite is the
potassic white mica.
Mineral soil. Soil that is mainly mineral material and
low in organic material. Its bulk density is more
than that of organic soil.
Minimum tillage. Only the tillage essential to crop
production and prevention of soil damage.
Miscellaneous area. An area that has little or no
natural soil and supports little or no vegetation.
Moderately coarse textured soil. Coarse sandy loam,
sandy loam, or fine sandy loam.
Moderately fine textured soil. Clay loam, sandy clay
loam, or silty clay loam.
Morphology, soil. The physical makeup of the soil,
including the texture, structure, porosity,
consistence, color, and other physical, mineral,
and biological properties of the various horizons,
and the thickness and arrangement of those
horizons in the soil profile.
Mottling, soil. Irregular spots of different colors that
vary in number and size. Mottling generally
indicates poor aeration and impeded drainage.
Descriptive terms are as follows: abundance —few,
common, and many, size —fine, medium, and
coarse; and contrast —faint, distinct, and prominent.
The size measurements are of the diameter along
the greatest dimension. Fine indicates less than 5
millimeters (about 0.2 inch); medium, from 5 to 15
millimeters (about 0.2 to 0.6 inch); and coarse,
more than 15 millimeters (about 0.6 inch).

90 Soil Survey
Neutral soil. A soil having a pH value of 6.6 to 7.3.
(See Reaction, soil.)
Nutrient, plant. Any element taken in by a plant
essential to its growth. Plant nutrients are mainly
nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium,
magnesium, sulfur, iron, manganese, copper,
boron, and zinc obtained from the soil and carbon,
hydrogen, and oxygen obtained from the air and
water.
Organic matter. Plant and animal residue in the soil in
various stages of decomposition.
Overstory. The portion of the trees in a forest stand
forming the upper crown cover.
Parent material. The unconsolidated organic and
mineral material in which soil forms.
Ped. An individual natural soil aggregate, such as a
granule, a prism, or a block.
Pedon. The smallest volume that can be called "a soil."
A pedon is three dimensional and large enough to
permit study of all horizons. Its area ranges from
about 10 to 100 square feet (1 square meter to 10
square meters), depending on the variability of the
soil.
Percolation. The downward movement of water through
the soil.
Peres slowly (in tables). The slow movement of water
through the soil adversely affects the specified
use.
Permeability. The quality of the soil that enables water
to move through the profile. Permeability is
measured as the number of inches per hour that
water moves through the saturated soil. Terms
describing permeability are:
Very slow less than 0.06 inch
Slow 0.06 to 0.2 inch
Moderately slow 0.2 to 0.6 inch
Moderate 0.6 inch to 2.0 inches
Moderately rapid 2.0 to 6.0 inches
Rapid 6.0 to 20 inches
Very rapid more than 20 inches
Phase, soil. A subdivision of a soil series based on
features that affect its use and management, such
as slope, stoniness, and thickness.
pH value. A numerical designation of acidity and
alkalinity in soil. (See Reaction, soil.)
Piedmont. The physiographic region of central North
Carolina characterized by rolling landscapes
formed from the weathering of residual rock
material.
Piping (in tables). Subsurface tunnels or pipelike
cavities are formed by water moving through the
soil.
Plasticity index. The numerical difference between the
liquid limit and the plastic limit; the range in
moisture content within which the soil remains
plastic.
Plastic limit. The moisture content at which a soil
changes from semisolid to plastic.
Ponding. Standing water on soils in closed
depressions. Unless the soils are artificially
drained, the water can be removed only by
percolation or evapotranspiration.
Poor filter (in tables). Because of rapid or very rapid
permeability, the soil may not adequately filter
effluent from a waste disposal system.
Productivity, soil. The capability of a soil for producing
a specified plant or sequence of plants under
specific management.
Profile, soil. A vertical section of the soil extending
through all its horizons and into the parent
material.
Reaction, soil. A measure of the acidity or alkalinity of
a soil, expressed in pH values. A soil that tests to
pH 7.0 is described as precisely neutral in reaction
because it is neither acid nor alkaline. The
degrees of acidity or alkalinity, expressed as pH
values, are:
Ultra acid below 3.5
Extremely acid 3.5 to 4.4
Very strongly acid 4.5 to 5.0
Strongly acid 5.1 to 5.5
Moderately acid 5.6 to 6.0
Slightly acid 6.1 to 6.5
Neutral 6.6 to 7.3
Mildly alkaline 7.4 to 7.8
Moderately alkaline 7.9 to 8.4
Strongly alkaline 8.5 to 9.0
Very strongly alkaline 9.1 and higher
Relief. The elevations or inequalities of a land surface,
considered collectively.
Residuum (residual soil material). Unconsolidated,
weathered or partly weathered mineral material
that accumulated as consolidated rock
disintegrated in place.
Road cut. A sloping surface made by mechanical
means during road construction. It is generally on
the uphill section of a road.
Rock fragments. Rock or mineral fragments having a
diameter of 2 millimeters or more; for example,
pebbles, cobbles, stones, and boulders.
Rooting depth (in tables). Shallow root zone. The soil
is shallow over a layer that greatly restricts roots.
Root zone. The part of the soil that can be penetrated
by plant roots.
Runoff. The precipitation discharged into stream
channels from an area. The water that flows off
the surface of the land without sinking into the soil
is called surface runoff. Water that enters the soil
before reaching surface streams is called ground-

Lincoln County, North Carolina 91
water runoff or seepage flow from ground water.
Runoff class (surface). Refers to the rate at which
water flows away from the soil over the surface
without infiltrating. Six classes of rate of runoff are
recognized:
Ponded.—Little of the precipitation and water that
runs onto the soil escapes as runoff, and free
water stands on the surface for significant periods.
The amount of water that is removed from ponded
areas by movement through the soil, by plants, or
by evaporation is usually greater than the total
rainfall. Ponding normally occurs on level and
nearly level soils in depressions. The water depth
may fluctuate greatly.
Very slow. —Surface water flows away slowly, and
free water stands on the surface for long periods
or immediately enters the soil. Most of the water
passes through the soil, is used by plants, or
evaporates. The soils are commonly level or
nearly level or are very open and porous.
Slow. —Surface water flows away so slowly that
free water stands on the surface for moderate
periods or enters the soil rapidly. Most of the water
passes through the soil, is used by plants, or
evaporates. The soils are nearly level or very
gently sloping, or they are steeper but absorb
precipitation very rapidly.
Medium. —Surface water flows away so rapidly that
free water stands on the surface for only short
periods. Part of the precipitation enters the soil
and is used by plants, is lost by evaporation, or
moves into underground channels. The soils are
nearly level or gently sloping and absorb
precipitation at a moderate rate, or they are
steeper but absorb water rapidly.
Rapid. —Surface water flows away so rapidly that
the period of concentration is brief and free water
does not stand on the surface. Only a small part of
the water enters the soil. The soils are mainly
moderately steep or steep and have moderate or
slow rates of absorption.
Very rapid. —Surface water flows away so rapidly
that the period of concentration is very brief and
free water does not stand on the surface. Only a
small part of the water enters the soil. The soils
are mainly steep or very steep and absorb
precipitation slowly.
Sand. As a soil separate, individual rock or mineral
fragments from 0.05 millimeter to 2.0 millimeters in
diameter. Most sand grains consist of quartz. As a
soil textural class, a soil that is 85 percent or more
sand and not more than 10 percent clay.
Sandy. A general textural term that includes coarse
sand, sand, fine sand, very fine sand, loamy
coarse sand, loamy sand, loamy fine sand, and
loamy very fine sand. According to family level
criteria in the soil taxonomic system, a specific
textural name referring to fine earth (particles less
than 2 millimeters in size) of sand or loamy sand
that contains less than 50 percent very fine sand,
by weight, within the control section. The content
of rock fragments is less than 35 percent, by
volume.
Saprolite (soil science). Unconsolidated residual
material underlying the soil and grading to hard
bedrock below.
Schist. A metamorphic rock dominated by fibrous or
platy minerals. It has schistose cleavage and is a
product of regional metamorphism.
Seasonal high water table. The highest level of a
saturated zone (the apparent or perched water
table) over a continuous period of more than 2
weeks in most years, but not a permanent water
table.
Seepage (in tables). The movement of water through
the soil adversely affects the specified use.
Series, soil. A group of soils that have profiles that are
almost alike, except for differences in texture of
the surface layer or of the underlying material. All
the soils of a series have horizons that are similar
in composition, thickness, and arrangement.
Shrink -swell (in tables). The shrinking of soil when dry
and the swelling when wet. Shrinking and swelling
can damage roads, dams, building foundations,
and other structures. It can also damage plant
roots.
Silt. As a soil separate, individual mineral particles that
range in diameter from the upper limit of clay
(0.002 millimeter) to the lower limit of very fine
sand (0.05 millimeter). As a soil textural class, soil
that is 80 percent or more silt and less than 12
percent clay.
Site index. A designation of the quality of a forest site
based on the height of the dominant stand at an
arbitrarily chosen age. For example, if the average
height attained by dominant and codominant trees
in a fully stocked stand at the age of 50 years is
75 feet, the site index is 75 feet.
Slope. The inclination of the land surface from the
horizontal. Percentage of slope is the vertical
distance divided by horizontal distance, then
multiplied by 100. Thus, a slope of 20 percent is a
drop of 20 feet in 100 feet of horizontal distance.
In this survey area slope classes are as follows:
Nearly level 0 to 2 percent
Gently sloping 2 to 8 percent

92 Soil Survey
Strongly sloping 8 to 15 percent
Moderately steep 15 to 25 percent
Steep 25 to 45 percent
Slope (in tables). Slope is great enough that special
practices are required to ensure satisfactory
performance of the soil for a specific use.
Small stones (in tables). Rock fragments less than 3
inches (7.6 centimeters) in diameter. Small stones
adversely affect the specified use of the soil.
Soil. A natural, three-dimensional body at the earth's
surface. It is capable of supporting plants and has
properties resulting from the integrated effect of
climate and living matter acting on earthy parent
material, as conditioned by relief over periods of
time.
Soil compaction. An alteration of soil structure that
ultimately can affect the biological and chemical
properties of the soil. Soil compaction decreases
the extent of voids and increases bulk density.
Soil map unit. A kind of soil or miscellaneous area or a
combination of two or more soils or one or more
soils and one or more miscellaneous areas that
can be shown at the scale of mapping for the
defined purposes and objectives of the soil survey.
They are generally designed to reflect significant
differences in use and management.
Soil separates. Mineral particles less than 2 millimeters
in equivalent diameter and ranging between
specified size limits. The names and sizes, in
millimeters, of separates recognized in the United
States are as follows:
Very coarse sand 2.0 to 1.0
Coarse sand 1.0 to 0.5
Medium sand 0.5 to 0.25
Fine sand 0.25 to 0.10
Very fine sand 0.10 to 0.05
Silt 0.05 to 0.002
Clay less than 0.002
Soil strength. Load supporting capacity of a soil at
specific moisture and density conditions.
Solum. The upper part of a soil profile, above the C
horizon, in which the processes of soil formation
are active. The solum in soil consists of the A, E,
and B horizons. Generally, the characteristics of
the material in these horizons are unlike those of
the underlying material. The living roots and plant
and animal activities are largely confined to the
solum.
Stones. Rock fragments 10 to 24 inches (25 to 60
centimeters) in diameter if rounded or 15 to 24
inches (38 to 60 centimeters) in length if flat.
Stony. Refers to a soil containing stones in numbers
that interfere with or prevent tillage.
Striperopping. Growing crops in a systematic
arrangement of strips or bands that provide
vegetative barriers to soil blowing and water
erosion.
Structure, soil. The arrangement of primary soil
particles into compound particles or aggregates.
The principal forms of soil structure are —platy
(laminated), prismatic (vertical axis of aggregates
longer than horizontal), columnar (prisms with
rounded tops), blocky (angular or subangular), and
granular. Structureless soils are either single
grained (each grain by itself, as in dune sand) or
massive (the particles adhering without any regular
cleavage, as in many hardpans).
Subsoil. Technically, the B horizon; roughly, the part of
the solum below plow depth.
Subsurface layer. Technically, the E horizon. Generally
refers to a leached horizon lighter in color and
lower in organic matter content than the overlying
surface layer.
Suitability ratings. Ratings for the degree of suitability
of soils for pasture, crops, woodland, and
engineering uses. The ratings and the general
criteria used for their selection are as follows:
Well suited. —The intended use may be initiated
and maintained by using only the standard
materials and methods typically required for that
use. Good results can be expected.
Moderately suited. —The limitations affecting the
intended use make special planning, design, or
maintenance necessary.
Poorly suited. —The intended use is difficult or
costly to initiate and maintain because of certain
soil properties, such as steep slopes, a high
hazard of erosion, a high water table, low fertility,
and a hazard of flooding. Major soil reclamation,
special design, or intensive management practices
are needed.
Surface layer. The soil ordinarily moved in tillage, or its
equivalent in uncultivated soil, ranging in depth
from 4 to 10 inches (10 to 25 centimeters).
Frequently designated as the "plow layer," or the
"Ap horizon."
Taxadjuncts. Soils that cannot be classified in a series
recognized in the classification system. Such soils
are named for a series they strongly resemble and
are designated as taxadjuncts to that series
because they differ in ways too small to be of
consequence in interpreting their use and
behavior.
Terrace. An embankment, or ridge, constructed across
sloping soils on the contour or at a slight angle to
the contour. The terrace intercepts surface runoff

Lincoln County, North Carolina 93
so that water soaks into the soil or flows slowly to
a prepared outlet.
Terrace (geologic). An old alluvial plain, ordinarily flat or
undulating, bordering a river, a lake, or the sea.
Texture, soil. The relative proportions of sand, silt, and
clay particles in a mass of soil. The basic textural
classes, in order of increasing proportion of fine
particles, are sand, loamy sand, sandy loam, loam,
silt loam, silt, sandy clay loam, clay loam, silty clay
loam, sandy clay, silty clay, and clay. The sand,
loamy sand, and sandy loam classes may be
further divided by specifying "coarse," "fine," or
"very fine." The textural classes are defined as
follows:
Sands (coarse sand, sand, fine sand, and very fine
sand). —Soil material in which the content of sand
is 85 or more percent and the percentage of silt
plus 1.5 times the percentage of clay does not
exceed 15.
Loamy sands (loamy coarse sand, loamy sand,
loamy fine sand, and loamy very fine sand). —Soil
material in which, at the upper limit, the content of
sand is 85 to 90 percent and the percentage of silt
plus 1.5 times the percentage of clay is not less
than 15; at the lower limit, the content of sand is
70 to 85 percent, and the percentage of silt plus
twice the percentage of clay does not exceed 30.
Sandy loans (coarse sandy loam, sandy loam, fine
sandy loam, and very fine sandy loam). —Soil
material in which the content of clay is 20 percent
or less, the percentage of silt plus twice the
percentage of clay exceeds 30, and the content of
sand is 52 percent or more or soil material in
which the content of clay is less than 7 percent,
the content of silt is less than 50 percent, and the
content of sand is 43 and 52 percent.
Loam. —Soil material that contains 7 to 27 percent
clay, 28 to 50 percent silt, and less than 52
percent sand.
Silt loam. —Soil material that contains 50 or more
percent silt and 12 to 27 percent clay or 50 to 80
percent silt and less than 12 percent clay.
Silt. —Soil material that contains 80 or more
percent silt and less than 12 percent clay.
Sandy clay loam. —Soil material that contains 20 to
35 percent clay, less than 28 percent silt, and 45
or more percent sand.
Clay loam. —Soil material that contains 27 to 40
percent clay and 20 to 45 percent sand.
Silty clay loam. —Soil material that contains 27 to
40 percent clay and less than 20 percent sand.
Sandy clay. —Soil material that contains 35 or
more percent clay and 45 or more percent sand.
Silty clay. —Soil material that contains 40 or more
percent clay and 40 or more percent silt.
Clay. —Soil material that contains 40 or more
percent clay, less than 45 percent sand, and less
than 40 percent silt.
Thin layer (in tables). Otherwise suitable soil material
that is too thin for the specified use.
Tilth, soil. The physical condition of the soil as related
to tillage, seedbed preparation, seedling
emergence, and root penetration.
Toe slope. The outermost inclined surface at the base
of a hill; part of a foot slope.
Topography. The relative positions and elevations of
the natural or manmade features of an area that
describe the configuration of its surface.
Topsoil. The upper part of the soil, which is the most
favorable material for plant growth. It is ordinarily
rich in organic matter and is used to topdress
roadbanks, lawns, and land affected by mining.
Underlying material. Technically the C horizon; the part
of the soil below the biologically altered A and B
horizons.
Understory. The trees and other woody species
growing under a more or less continuous cover of
branches and foliage formed collectively by the
upper portions of adjacent trees and other woody
growth.
Unstable fill (in tables). Risk of caving or sloughing on
banks of fill material.
Upland (geology). Land at a higher elevation, in
general, than the alluvial plain or stream terrace;
land above the lowlands along streams.
Water table (apparent). A thick zone of free water in
the soil. The apparent water table is indicated by
the level at which water stands in an uncased
borehole after adequate time is allowed for
adjustment in the surrounding soil.
Water table (perched). A saturated zone of water in the
soil standing above an unsaturated zone.
Water table (seasonal high). The highest level of a
saturated zone in the soil (the apparent or perched
water table) over a continuous period of more than
2 weeks in most years, but not a permanent water
table.
Weathering. All physical and chemical changes
produced by atmospheric agents in rocks or other
deposits at or near the earth's surface. These
changes result in disintegration and decomposition
of the material.
Wetness. A general term applied to soils that hold
water at or near the surface long enough to be a
common management problem.
Wilting point (or permanent wilting point). The

94
moisture content of soil, on an ovendry basis, at
which a plant (specifically a sunflower) wilts so
much that it does not recover when placed in a
humid, dark chamber.
Yield (forest land). The volume of wood fiber from
harvested trees taken from a certain unit of area.
Yield is usually measured in board feet or cubic
feet per acre.

Tables

96 Soil Survey
TABLE 1.--TEMPERATURE AND PRECIPITATION
(Recorded in the period 1952-84 at Lincolnton, North Carolina)
Temperature I Precipitation
I I I I 2 years in I I 12 years in 101
I 1 1 1 10 will have-- 1 Average I 1 will have-- I Average
Month IAveragelAveragelAveragel I (number of Average I number of
( daily 1 daily 1 daily I Maximum I Minimum I growing I I Less I More (days with
(maximumlminimuml temperature temperature degree I (than--(than--10.10 inch
I I I I higher I lower I days* I I I I or more
I I I 1 than-- I than-- I I I I I
Average
snowfall
1 0 1 0 1 0
1 F I F I F
January 49.3 27.7 38.5
February53.0 29.9 41.5
March 61.4 37.4 49.4
April 71.4 46.2 58.8
May 78.9 55.6 67.3
June 85.1 62.7 73.9
July 88.0 66.3 77.2
August 87.3 65.5 76.4
September82.1 59.3 70.7
October 72.4 47.2 59.8
November62.4 37.6 50.0
December52.7 31.0 41.9
Yearly:
Average---
Extreme ---
Total
70.3
47.2
58.8
1 0 I 0
1 F I F
73
74
82
90
92
96
99
98
95
87
81
72
99
4
8
17
27
36
48
55
53
42
28
17
9
2
Units I In 1 In I In I I In
22 3.80 2.00 5.13 7 2.7
21 4.15 2.09 5.78 7 2.5
123 4.84 3.04 6.43 9 1.3
271 3.64 1.85 5.39 6 .0
536 4.59 2.53 6.39 7 .0
717 4.24 2.43 5.76 7 .0
843 4.20 1.98 6.41 7 .0
818 4.06 1.74 6.22 7 .0
621 3.88 1.59 5.66 5 .0
313 3.35 1.37 5.25 5 .0
72 2.93 1.40 3.76 5 .0
43 3.89 1.77 5.82 6 .6
4,400
47.57
42.01
53.44
78
7.1
* A growing degree day is a unit of heat available for plant growth. It can be calculated by adding the
maximum and minimum daily temperatures, dividing the sum by 2, and subtracting the temperature below which
growth is minimal for the principal crops in the area (50 degrees F).

Lincoln County, North Carolina 97
TABLE 2.--FREEZE DATES IN SPRING AND FALL
(Recorded in the period 1952-84 at Lincolnton, North Carolina)
Probability
Temperature
1
24 °F 1 28 °F I 32 °F
or lower 1 or lower 1 or lower
Last freezing
temperature
in spring:
1 year in 10
later than--
2 years in 10
later than--
5 years in 10
later than --
First freezing
temperature
in fall:
1 year in 10
earlier than--
2 years in 10
earlier than--
5 years in 10
earlier than --
Mar. 30 Apr. 9
Mar. 22 Apr. 3
Mar. 6 Mar. 22
Nov. 7 Oct. 24
Nov. 12 Oct. 29
Nov. 22 Nov. 8
Apr. 22
Apr. 17
Apr. 7
Oct. 14
Oct. 19
Oct. 30
TABLE 3.--GROWING SEASON
(Recorded in the period 1952-84 at Lincolnton,
North Carolina)
Probability
Daily minimum temperature
during growing season
Higher I Higher I Higher
than I than I than
24 °F I 28 °F I 32 °F
9 years in 10
8 years in 10
5 years in 10
2 years in 10
1 year in 10
Days
231
241
260
279
291
Days I Days
208
216
231
247
256
187
193
205
218
224

98 Soil Survey
TABLE 4.--ACREAGE AND PROPORTIONATE EXTENT OF THE SOILS
Map I
symbolI
Soil name
Acres (Percent
AaA
ApB
BnB
CcB
CeB2
ChA
GaD
GnB2
GnC2
GrB
GrC
GrD
GvB2
GvC2
HeB
MAD
MdB2
MdC2
MsB
MsC
PaB
PaC
PaD
PaE
PeB2
PeC2
PmB
PmC
Pt
RnB
RnC
RvA
SeB
Ud
Ur
WnB
WoA
ZmE
ZwC
ZwD
Altavista sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, rarely flooded
Appling sandy loam, 1 to 6 percent slopes
Buncombe sand, 0 to 5 percent slopes, rarely flooded
Cecil sandy loam, 2 to 8 percent slopes
Cecil sandy clay loam, 2 to 8 percent slopes, eroded
Chewacla loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, frequently flooded
Gaston loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes
Gaston sandy clay loam, 2 to 8 percent slopes, eroded
Gaston sandy clay loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, eroded
Georgeville loam, 2 to 8 percent slopes
Georgeville loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes
Georgeville loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes
Georgeville clay loam, 2 to 8 percent slopes, eroded
Georgeville clay loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, eroded
Helena sandy loam, 1 to 6 percent slopes
Madison sandy loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes
Madison sandy clay loam, 2 to 8 percent slopes, eroded
Madison sandy clay loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, eroded
Masada sandy loam, 2 to 8 percent slopes
Masada sandy loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes
Pacolet sandy loam, 2 to 8 percent slopes
Pacolet sandy loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes
Pacolet sandy loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes
Pacolet sandy loam, 25 to 45 percent slopes
Pacolet sandy clay loam, 2 to 8 percent slopes, eroded
Pacolet sandy clay loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, eroded
Pacolet-Madison-Urban land complex, 2 to 8 percent slopes
Pacolet-Madison-Urban land complex, 8 to 15 percent slopes
Pits, quarries
Rion sandy loam, 2 to 8 percent slopes
Rion sandy loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes
Riverview loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionally flooded
Sedgefield fine sandy loam, 1 to 4 percent slopes
Udorthents, loamy
Urban land
Winnsboro fine sandy loam, 2 to 8 percent slopes
Worsham fine sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes
Zion-Mocksville complex, 25 to 45 percent slopes
Zion-Winnsboro-Mocksville complex, 8 to 15 percent slopes
Zion-Winnsboro-Mocksville complex, 15 to 25 percent slopes
Water
Total
348 0.2
941 0.5
241 0.1
4,584 2.3
56,191 28.6
10,348 5.3
1,933 1.0
10,790 5.5
5,366 2.7
2,252 1.1
1,796 0.9
1,313 0.7
1,841 1.0
1,022 0.5
1,310 0.7
1,216 0.6
2,183 1.1
1,387 0.7
475 0.2
115 0.1
1,958 1.0
7,504 3.8
16,103 8.2
1,801 0.9
6,261 3.2
37,616 19.2
3,035 1.6
463 0.2
130 0.1
1,194 0.6
763 0.4
2,487 1.3
205 0.1
324 0.2
620 0.3
462 0.2
1,497 0.8
87
428 0.2
452 0.2
7,220 3.7
196,262 100.0
* Less than 0.1 percent.

Lincoln County, North Carolina 99
TABLE 5.--PRIME FARMLAND
(Only the soils considered prime farmland are listed. Urban or built-up areas of the soils listed are not
considered prime farmland. If a soil is prime farmland only under certain conditions, the conditions
are specified in parentheses after the soil name)
Map I
symbol I
Soil name
AaA
ApB
CcB
CeB2
ChA
GnB2
GrB
GvB2
HeB
MdB2
MsB
PaB
PeB2
RnB
RvA
SeB
WnB
Altavista sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, rarely flooded
Appling sandy loam, 1 to 6 percent slopes
Cecil sandy loam, 2 to 8 percent slopes
Cecil sandy clay loam, 2 to 8 percent slopes, eroded
Chewacla loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, frequently flooded (where drained and either protected from
flooding or not frequently flooded during the growing season)
Gaston sandy clay loam, 2 to 8 percent slopes, eroded
Georgeville loam, 2 to 8 percent slopes
Georgeville clay loam, 2 to 8 percent slopes, eroded
Helena sandy loam, 1 to 6 percent slopes
Madison sandy clay loam, 2 to 8 percent slopes, eroded
Masada sandy loam, 2 to 8 percent slopes
Pacolet sandy loam, 2 to 8 percent slopes
Pacolet sandy clay loam, 2 to 8 percent slopes, eroded
Rion sandy loam, 2 to 8 percent slopes
Riverview loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionally flooded (where protected from flooding or not
frequently flooded during the growing season)
Sedgefield fine sandy loam, 1 to 4 percent slopes
Winnsboro fine sandy loam, 2 to 8 percent slopes

100 Soil Survey
TABLE 6.--LAND CAPABILITY AND YIELDS PER ACRE OF CROPS AND PASTURE
(Yields are those that can be expected under a high level of management. Absence of a yield indicates that the
soil is not suited to the crop or the crop generally is not grown on the soil)
I I I
Soil name and I Land I I
map symbol 'capability' Corn I Soybeans
I I I
I I
I I
Wheat (Corn silage)
Oats I
Pasture I Grass -
(legume hay
Bu I Bu
AaA IIw
Altavista
ApB IIe
Appling
BnB Ills
Buncombe
CcB IIe
Cecil
CeB2 IIIe
Cecil
ChA IVw
Chewacla
GaD VIe
Gaston
GnB2 IIIe
Gaston
GnC2 IVe
Gaston
GrB IIe
Georgeville
GrC IVe
Georgeville
GrD VIe
Georgeville
GvB2 IIIe
Georgeville
GvC2 IVe
Georgeville
HeB IIe
Helena
MAD VIe
Madison
MdB2 IIIe
Madison
MdC2 IVe
Madison
MsB lie
Masada
See footnotes at end of table.
125
95
40
95
80
80
90
80
95
80
80
65
80
70
55
115
40
35
15
35
30
30
35
25
35
25
30
20
30
25
20
40
Bu
55
50
20
50
45
30
50
40
50
40
45
35
45
40
30
50
Tons
20
16
9
16
14
15.5
15.5
14
16
14
15.5
12
14
Bu I
75
70
35
70
65
40
70
60
70
60
65
55
65
60
45
70
AUM* I Tons
6.3 3.7
6.8 4.0
3.4 2.0
6.8 4.0
6.0 3.5
5.1 3.0
4.3
6.8 4.0
6.0 3.5
6.8 4.0
6.0 3.5
4.3
6.0 3.5
5.1 3.0
6.0 3.5
4.3
5.1 3.0
4.5 2.7
6.8 4.0

Lincoln County, North Carolina 101
TABLE 6.--LAND CAPABILITY AND YIELDS PER ACRE OF CROPS AND PASTURE --Continued
I I I I I I I I
Soil name and I Land I I I I I I I
map symbol 'capability' Corn I Soybeans I Wheat (Corn silage) Oats I Pasture I Grass-
i I I I I I I Ilegume hay
MaC
Masada
PaB
Pacolet
PaC
Pacolet
PaD
Pacolet
PaE
Pacolet
PeB2
Pacolet
PeC2
Pacolet
PmB**.
Pacolet-
Madison-Urban
land
PmC**.
Pacolet-
Madison-Urban
land
RnB
Rion
RnC
Rion
RvA
Riverview
SeB
Sedge field
WnB
Winnsboro
WoA
Worsham
ZmE
Zion-Mocksville
ZwC
Zion-Winnsboro-
Mocksville
ZwD
Zion-Winnsboro-
Mocksville
I I Bu I Bu I Bu I Tons I Bu I AUM*
IIIe
IIe
IVe
VIe
VIIe
IIIe
IVe
IIe
IVe
IIw
Ile
IIe
IVw
VIIe
IVe
VIe
95
80
65
70
55
85
70
130
85
85
70
60
35
30
25
25
20
35
25
40
35
35
25
20
40
45
35
40
30
50
40
55
50
50
30
30
16
14
12
13
11
14.8
13
21
14.8
14.8
13
11.7
60
65
55
60
45
70
60
80
70
70
45
45
6.0
6.0
5.1
4.3
5.1
4.6
6.8
6.0
7.7
6.8
6.8
5.1
5.1
Tons
3.5
3.5
3.0
3.0
2.7
4.0
3.5
4.5
4.0
4.0
3.0
3.0
* Animal -unit -month: The amount of forage or feed required to feed one animal unit one cow, one horse, one
mule, five sheep, or five goats) for 30 days.
** See description of the map unit for composition and behavior characteristics of the map unit.

102
TABLE 7.--WOODLAND MANAGEMENT AND PRODUCTIVITY
Soil Survey
(Only the soils suitable for production of commercial trees are listed. Absence of an entry indicates that
information was not available)
Management concerns
Potential productivity
Soil name and
map symbol
Ordi- Equip -
nation Erosion ment Seedling
symbol hazard limita- mortal-
tion ity
Common trees
Site
index
Volume*
Trees to plant
AaA
9A
Slight
Slight
Slight
Loblolly pine
91
133
Loblolly pine.
Altavista
White oak
77
59
Shortleaf pine
---
---
Sweetgum
---
---
Red maple
---
---
Yellow-poplar
---
---
Southern red oak
---
---
Hickory
---
---
ApB
Appling
8A
Slight
Slight
Slight
Loblolly pine
Shortleaf pine
84
65
118
99
Loblolly pine,
shortleaf pine.
White oak
64
47
Yellow -poplar
81
73
Sweetgum
---
---
Southern red oak
---
---
Hickory
---
---
BnB
Buncombe
8S
Slight
Moderate
Moderate
Yellow -poplar
American sycamore
100
---
107
---
Loblolly pine,
Yellow -poplar.
Sweetgum
---
---
Loblolly pine
90
131
Northern red oak
---
---
Southern red oak
---
---
Elm
---
---
Eastern cottonwood
---
---
CcB
Cecil
8A
Slight
Slight
Slight
Loblolly pine
Shortleaf pine
83
67
116
---
Loblolly pine,
shortleaf pine.
White oak
79
61
Northern red oak
81
63
Southern red oak
79
61
Yellow -poplar
92
93
Hickory
---
---
CeB2
Cecil
7C
Slight
Moderate
Moderate
Loblolly pine
Shortleaf pine
72
63
96
95
Loblolly pine,
shortleaf pine.
White oak
64
47
Northern red oak
---
---
Southern red oak
---
---
Hickory
---
---
Yellow-poplar
---
---
ChA
Chewacla
7W
Slight
Moderate
Slight
Yellow -poplar
Loblolly pine
95
95
98
142
Yellow -poplar,
loblolly pine,
Sweetgum
---
---
sweetgum.
Water oak
---
---
Eastern cottonwood
---
---
Green ash
---
---
Willow oak
---
---
American sycamore
---
---
See footnotes at end of table.

Lincoln County, North Carolina
TABLE 7.--WOODLAND MANAGEMENT AND PRODUCTIVITY --Continued
103
Soil name and
map symbol
Ordi-
nation
symbol
Management concerns
Potential productivity
Trees to plant
Erosion
hazard
Equip -
ment
limita-
tion
Seedling
mortal-
ity
Common trees Site
index
Volume*
GaD
9R
Moderate
Moderate
Slight
Loblolly pine
88
127
Loblolly pine.
Gaston
Shortleaf pine
---
---
Virginia pine
---
---
Yellow-poplar
---
---
White oak
---
---
Southern red oak
---
---
Sweetgum
---
---
Hickory
---
---
Northern red oak
---
---
GnB2, GnC2
BC
Slight
Moderate
Moderate
Loblolly pine
85
120
Loblolly pine.
Gaston
Shortleaf pine
---
---
Yellow-poplar
---
---
White oak
---
---
Southern red oak
---
---
Sweetgum
---
---
Northern red oak
---
---
Hickory
---
---
GrB, GrC
8A
Slight
Slight
Slight
Loblolly pine
81
112
Loblolly pine.
Georgeville
Shortleaf pine
66
101
White oak
---
---
Southern red oak
67
49
Chestnut oak
---
---
Yellow-poplar
---
---
Northern red oak
---
---
Hickory
---
---
GrD
8R
Moderate
Moderate
Slight
Loblolly pine
81
112
Loblolly pine.
Georgeville
Shortleaf pine
66
101
White oak
---
---
Southern red oak
---
---
Chestnut oak
---
---
Yellow-poplar
---
---
Northern red oak
---
---
Hickory
---
---
GvB2, GvC2
6C
Slight
Moderate
Moderate
Loblolly pine
70
93
Loblolly pine.
Georgeville
Chestnut oak
---
---
Northern red oak
---
---
White oak
---
---
Hickory
---
---
Red maple
---
---
Post oak
---
---
Hea
Helena
8A
Slight
Slight
Slight
Loblolly pine
Shortleaf pine
84
66
118
101
Loblolly pine,
yellow -poplar.
White oak
---
---
Yellow-poplar
---
---
Sweetgum
---
---
Northern red oak
---
---
Southern red oak
---
---
Black oak
---
---
Hickory
---
---
Post oak
---
---
See footnotes at end of table.

104 Soil Survey
TABLE 7.--WOODLAND MANAGEMENT AND PRODUCTIVITY --Continued
Soil name and
map symbol
I I Management concerns
IOrdi- I I Equip- I
InationlErosion I ment 'Seedling
Isymbollhazard I limita-Imortal-
I I I tion I ity
Potential productivity I
I I I
Common trees 'Site (Volume*I
'index' I
I I I
Trees to plant
MaD
Madison
MdB2, MdC2
Madison
MsB, MaC
Masada
PaB, PaC
Pacolet
PaD, PaE
Pacolet
PeB2, PeC2
Pacolet
RnB, RnC
Rion
8R
7C
8A
8A
8R
6C
8A
Moderate
Slight
Slight
Slight
Moderate
Slight
Slight
See footnotes at end of table.
Moderate
Moderate
Slight
Slight
Moderate
Moderate
Slight
Slight
Moderate
Slight
Slight
Slight
Moderate
Slight
Loblolly pine
Shortleaf pine
Southern red oak
Yellow -poplar
Northern red oak
Hickory
Sweetgum
Loblolly pine
Shortleaf pine
Northern red oak
White oak
Southern red oak
Hickory
Yellow -poplar
Loblolly pine
Southern red oak
Shortleaf pine
Yellow -poplar
White oak
Hickory
Sweetgum
Loblolly pine
Shortleaf pine
Yellow -poplar
Virginia pine
Northern red oak
Hickory
White oak
Southern red oak
Loblolly pine
Shortleaf pine
Yellow -poplar
Virginia pine
Northern red oak
Hickory
White oak
Southern red oak
Loblolly pine
Shortleaf pine
Yellow -poplar
Southern red oak
Northern red oak
White oak
Hickory
Loblolly pine
Post oak
Shortleaf pine
Southern red oak
Sweetgum
White oak
Yellow -poplar
Northern red oak
Hickory
80
64
75
96
75
72
62
66
80
70
76
80
78
70
90
78
70
90
70
60
80
80
65
70
80
80
70
90
110
97
57
100
57
96
92
48
110
52
110
71
107
110
90
107
110
90
93
88
71
110
48
110
62
79
52
90
Loblolly pine,
shortleaf pine.
Loblolly pine,
shortleaf pine.
Loblolly pine.
Loblolly pine,
shortleaf pine.
Loblolly pine.
Loblolly pine,
ahortleaf pine.
Loblolly pine.

Lincoln County, North Carolina 105
TABLE 7.--WOODLAND MANAGEMENT AND PRODUCTIVITY --Continued
Soil name and
map symbol
I I
Management concerns
Potential productivity
lOrdi-
InationlErosion
IsymbolIhazard
Equip- I
ment ISeedlingI
limita-Imortal- I
tion I ity I
Common trees
ISite
!index
Volume*
Trees to plant
RvA
Riverview
SeB
Sedgefield
WnB
Winnsboro
WoA
Worsham
ZmE**:
Zion
Mocksville
9W
8W
7A
6W
6R
8R
Slight
Slight
Slight
Slight
Severe
Severe
See footnotes at end of table.
Moderate
Moderate
Slight
Severe
Severe
Severe
Moderate
Slight
Slight
Severe
Slight
Slight
Yellow -poplar
Loblolly pine
Sweetgum
American sycamore Water oak
Willow oak
Eastern cottonwood Black walnut
Loblolly pine
Shortleaf pine
Southern red oak
Northern red oak
Sweetgum
Yellow -poplar
White oak
Black oak
Hickory
Loblolly pine
Shortleaf pine
Virginia pine
Post oak
Red maple
Southern red oak
Sweetgum
White oak
Yellow -poplar
Northern red oak
Yellow -poplar
Loblolly pine
Southern red oak
Virginia pine
Sweet gum
Willow oak
Blackgum
Loblolly pine
Shortleaf pine
Virginia pine
Yellow -poplar
Northern red oak
Southern red oak
Post oak
White oak
Hickory
Loblolly pine
Virginia pine
Shortleaf pine
Northern red oak
Hickory
White oak
Yellow -poplar
Southern red oak
Post oak
100
110
100
80
73
63
63
55
84
78
69
88
91
88
80
80
70
60
60
70
82
80
78
83
124
154
138
8
98
95
96
38
66
75
51
86
92
127
62
122
93
88
91
52
114
122
126
664
Loblolly pine,
sweetgum, yellow -
poplar.
Loblolly pine,
shortleaf pine.
Loblolly pine.
Loblolly pine,
yellow -poplar.
Loblolly pine.
Loblolly pine,
shortleaf pine.

106 Soil Survey
TABLE 7.--WOODLAND MANAGEMENT AND PRODUCTIVITY --Continued
Soil name and
map symbol
I I Management concerns I
Potential productivity
lOrdi- I I Equip- I I I I
InationlErosion I ment (Seedling) Common trees (Site (Volume*
Isymbollhazard I limita-Imortal- I 'index'
I I I tion l ity I I I
Trees to plant
ZwC**:
Zion
Winnsboro
Mockaville
ZwD**:
Zion
Winnsboro
6D
7A
8A
6R
7R
Slight
Slight
Slight
Moderate
Moderate
See footnotes at end of table.
Slight
Slight
Slight
Moderate
Moderate
Slight
Slight
Slight
Slight
Slight
Loblolly pine
Northern red oak
Shortleaf pine
Virginia pine
Yellow -poplar
White oak
Southern red oak
Post oak
Sweetgum
Loblolly pine
Shortleaf pine
Virginia pine
Post oak
Southern red oak
Sweetgum
White oak
Yellow -poplar
Northern red oak
Loblolly pine
Virginia pine
Shortleaf pine
Northern red oak
White oak
Sweetgum
Blackgum
Post oak
Southern red oak
Yellow -poplar
Loblolly pine
Virginia pine
Shortleaf pine
White oak
Northern red oak
Southern red oak
Post oak
Sweetgum
Yellow -poplar
Loblolly pine
Shortleaf pine
Virginia pine
Post oak
Southern red oak
Sweetgum
White oak
Yellow -poplar
Northern red oak
70
70
60
60
73
63
63
55
84
78
69
88
82
80
78
83
70
60
60
70
73
63
63
55
84
78
69
88
93
52
88
91
98
95
96
38
66
75
51
86
114
122
126
65
93
91
88
52
98
95
96
38
66
75
51
86
Loblolly pine.
Loblolly pine.
Loblolly pine,
shortleaf pine.
Loblolly pine.
Loblolly pine.

Lincoln County, North Carolina 107
TABLE 7.--WOODLAND MANAGEMENT AND PRODUCTIVITY --Continued
Soil name and
map symbol
I Management concerns I Potential productivity I
Ordi- 1 I Equip- 1 I I I 1
nationlErosion I went 'Seedling' Common trees 'Site (Volume*I Trees to plant
symbollhazard I limita-(mortal- I lindexl I
I I tion I ity I I I I
ZwD**:
Mocksville
8R
Moderate
Moderate
Slight
Loblolly pine
Virginia pine
Shortleaf pine
Northern red oak
White oak
Sweetgum
Blackgum
Post oak
Southern red oak
Yellow -poplar
82
80
78
83
114
122
126
65
Loblolly pine,
shortleaf pine.
* Volume is the yield in cubic feet per acre per year calculated at the age of culmination of mean annual
increment for fully stocked natural stands.
** See description of the map unit for composition and behavior characteristics of the map unit.

108 Soil Survey
TABLE 8.--COMMON AND SCIENTIFIC NAMES OF WOODLAND PLANTS
Common Name
Scientific Name
Alder
American holly
American sycamore
Arrowhead
Blackberry
Black cherry
Blackgum
Blackjack oak
Black locust
Black oak
Black walnut
Brackenfern
Chestnut oak
Christmas fern
Common greenbrier
Eastern cottonwood
Eastern redcedar
Elm
Flowering dogwood
Green ash
Hickory
Honeysuckle
Loblolly pine
Mountain laurel
Muscadine grape
Northern red oak
Poison ivy
Post oak
Red maple
Red mulberry
Running cedar
Sassafras
Alnus
Ilex opaca
Platanus occidentalis
Sagittaria
Rubus
Prunus serotina
Nyssa sylvatica
Quercus marilandica
Robinia pseudoacacia
Quercus velutina
Juglans nigra
Pteridium aquilinum
Quercus prinus
Polystichum acrostichoides
Smilax rotundifolia
Populus deltoides
Juniperus Virginiana
Ulmus
Cornus florida
Fraxinus pennaylvanica
Carya
Lonicera
Pinus taeda
Kalmia latifolia
Vitis rotundifolia
Quercus rubra
Toxicodendron radicans
Quercus stellata
Acer rubrum
Morus rubra
Lycopodium clavatum
Sassafras albidum

Lincoln County, North Carolina 109
TABLE 8.--COMMON AND SCIENTIFIC NAMES OF WOODLAND PLANTS --Continued
Common Name
Scientific Name
Sedge
Shortleaf pine
Sourwood
Southern red oak
Sumac
Sweetgum
Virginia creeper
Virginia pine
Water oak
White oak
Willow
Willow oak
Winged elm
Yellow -poplar
Carex
Pinus echinata
Oxydendrum arboreum
Quercus falcata
Rhus
Liquidambar styraciflua
Parthenocissus quinquefolia
Pinus virginiana
Quercus nigra
Quercus alba
Salix
Quercus phellos
Ulmus alata
Liriodendron tulipifera

110 Soil Survey
TABLE 9.--RECREATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
(Some terms that describe restrictive soil features are defined in the "Glossary." See text for
definitions of "slight," "moderate," and "severe." Absence of an entry indicates that the soil
was not rated)
Soil name and
map symbol
Camp areas
Picnic areas
Playgrounds
I I
IPaths and trails!
I I
I I
Golf fairways
AaA
Altavista
ApB
Appling
BnB
Buncombe
CcB, CeB2
Cecil
ChA
Chewacla
GaD
Gaston
GnB2
Gaston
GnC2
Gaston
GrB
Georgeville
GrC
Georgeville
GrD
Georgeville
GvB2
Georgeville
GvC2
Georgeville
HeB
Helena
MaD
Madison
MdB2
Madison
MdC2
Madison
Severe:
flooding.
Slight
Severe:
flooding,
too sandy.
Slight
Severe:
flooding,
wetness.
Severe:
slope.
Slight
Moderate:
slope.
Slight
Moderate:
slope.
Severe:
slope.
Slight
Moderate:
slope.
Moderate:
wetness,
percs slowly.
Severe:
slope.
Slight
Moderate:
slope.
Moderate:
wetness.
Slight
Severe:
too sandy.
Slight
Severe:
wetness.
Severe:
slope.
Slight
Moderate:
slope.
Slight
Moderate:
slope.
Severe:
slope.
Slight
Moderate:
slope.
Moderate:
wetness,
percs slowly.
Severe:
slope.
Slight
Moderate:
slope.
Moderate:
wetness.
Moderate:
slope,
small stones.
Severe:
too sandy.
Moderate:
slope.
Severe:
wetness,
flooding.
Severe:
slope.
Moderate:
slope,
small atones.
Severe:
slope.
Moderate:
slope,
small stones.
Severe:
slope.
Severe:
slope.
Moderate:
slope.
Severe:
slope.
Moderate:
slope,
wetness,
pares slowly.
Severe:
slope.
Moderate:
slope,
small stones.
Severe:
slope.
Moderate:
wetness.
Slight
Severe:
too sandy.
Slight
Severe:
wetness.
Moderate:
slope.
Slight
Slight
Slight
Severe:
erodes easily.
Severe:
erodes easily.
Slight
Severe:
erodes easily.
Moderate:
wetness.
Moderate:
slope.
Slight
Slight
Moderate:
wetness.
Slight.
Severe:
droughty.
Slight.
Severe:
wetness,
flooding.
Severe:
slope.
Slight.
Moderate:
slope.
Slight.
Moderate:
slope.
Severe:
slope.
Slight.
Moderate:
slope.
Moderate:
wetness.
Severe:
slope.
Slight.
Moderate:
slope.

Lincoln County, North Carolina 111
TABLE 9.--RECREATIONAL DEVELOPMENT --Continued
Soil name and I
map symbol I
Camp areas
Picnic areas
Playgrounds
I I
(Paths and trails) Golf fairways
I I
I I
MsB
Masada
MaC
Masada
PaB
Pacolet
PaC
Pacolet
PaD
Pacolet
PaE
Pacolet
PeB2
Pacolet
PeC2
Pacolet
PmB*:
Pacolet
Madison
Urban land.
PmC*:
Pacolet
Madison
Urban land.
Pt*.
Pits
RnB
Rion
RnC
Rion
RvA
Riverview
SeB
Sedgefield
Slight
Moderate:
slope.
Slight
Moderate:
slope.
Severe:
slope.
Severe:
slope.
Slight
Moderate:
slope.
Slight
Slight
Moderate:
slope.
Moderate:
slope.
Slight
Moderate:
slope.
Severe:
flooding.
Severe:
wetness.
Slight
Moderate:
slope.
Slight
Moderate:
slope.
Severe:
slope.
Severe:
slope.
Slight
Moderate:
slope.
Slight
Slight
Moderate:
slope.
Moderate:
slope.
Slight
Moderate:
slope.
Slight
Moderate:
wetness,
perca slowly.
Moderate:
slope,
small stones.
Severe:
slope.
Moderate:
slope,
small stones.
Severe:
slope.
Severe:
slope.
Severe:
slope.
Moderate:
slope.
Severe:
slope.
Moderate:
slope.
Moderate:
slope,
small stones.
Severe:
slope.
Severe:
slope.
Moderate:
slope.
Severe:
slope.
Moderate:
flooding.
Severe:
wetness.
Slight
Slight
Slight
Slight
Moderate:
slope.
Severe:
slope.
Slight
Slight
Slight
Slight
Slight
Slight
Slight
Slight
Slight
Moderate:
wetness.
Slight.
Moderate:
slope.
Slight.
Moderate:
slope.
Severe:
slope.
Severe:
slope.
Slight.
Moderate:
slope.
Slight.
Slight.
Moderate:
slope.
Moderate:
slope.
Moderate:
droughty.
Moderate:
droughty,
slope.
Moderate:
flooding.
Moderate:
wetness.
See footnote at end of table.

112 Soil Survey
TABLE 9.--RECREATIONAL DEVELOPMENT --Continued
Soil name and
map symbol
Camp areas
Picnic areas
Playgrounds
(Paths
and trailsI Golf fairways
Ud*.
Udorthents
Ur*.
Urban land
WnB
Winnsboro
WoA
Worsham
ZmE*:
Zion
Mockaville
ZwC*:
Zion
Winnsboro
Mockaville
ZwD*:
Zion
Winnsboro
Mockaville
Moderate:
percs slowly.
Severe:
wetness,
percs slowly.
Severe:
slope.
Severe:
slope.
Moderate:
slope,
percs slowly.
Moderate:
slope,
pares slowly.
Moderate:
slope.
Severe:
slope.
Severe:
slope.
Severe:
slope.
Moderate:
percs slowly.
Severe:
wetness,
percs slowly.
Severe:
slope.
Severe:
slope.
Moderate:
slope,
perca slowly.
Moderate:
slope,
percs slowly.
Moderate:
slope.
Severe:
slope.
Severe:
slope.
Severe:
slope.
Moderate:
slope,
small stones,
perca slowly.
Severe:
wetness,
percs slowly.
Severe:
slope.
Severe:
slope.
Severe:
slope.
Severe:
slope.
Severe:
slope.
Severe:
slope.
Severe:
slope.
Severe:
slope.
Slight
Severe:
wetness.
Severe:
slope.
Severe:
slope.
Slight
Slight
Slight
Moderate:
slope.
Moderate:
slope.
Moderate:
slope.
Slight.
Severe:
wetness.
Severe:
slope.
Severe:
slope.
Moderate:
droughty,
slope,
depth to rock.
Moderate:
slope.
Moderate:
slope.
Severe:
slope.
Severe:
slope.
Severe:
slope.
* See description of the map unit for composition and behavior characteristics of the map unit.

Lincoln County, North Carolina 113
TABLE 10.--WILDLIFE HABITAT
(See text for definitions of "good," "fair," "poor," and "very poor." Absence of an entry indicates that the
soil was not rated)
Potential for habitat elements 'Potential as habitat for --
Soil name and I
map symbol I Grain
land seed
I crops
Wild
Grasses herba-
and ceous
legumes plants
I I I I I
Hardwood' Conif- !Wetland 'Shallow lopenlandlWoodland
trees I erous I plants I water Iwildlifelwildlife
I plants I I areas I
Wetland
wildlife
AaA
Altavista
ApB
Appling
BnB
Buncombe
CcB
Cecil
CeB2
Cecil
ChA
Chewacla
GaD
Gaston
GnB2
Gaston
GnC2
Gaston
GrB
Georgeville
GrC
Georgeville
GrD
Georgeville
GvB2
Georgeville
GvC2
Georgeville
HeB
Helena
MaD
Madison
MdB2
Madison
MdC2
Madison
MsB
Masada
MsC
Masada
Good Good Good Good Good Poor Poor Good Good Poor.
Good Good Good Good Good Poor Very Good Good
poor.
Poor Poor Fair Poor Poor Very Very Poor Poor
poor. poor.
Good Good Good Good Good Poor Very Good Good
poor.
Very
poor.
Very
poor.
Very
poor.
Fair Good Good Good Good Poor Very Good Good Very
poor. poor.
Poor Fair Fair Good Good Fair Fair Fair Good Fair.
Poor Fair Good Good Good Very Very Fair Good
poor. poor.
Fair Fair Fair Fair Fair Poor Very Fair Fair
poor.
Poor Fair Fair Fair Fair Very Very Fair Fair
poor. poor.
Good Good Good Good Good Poor Very Good Good
poor.
Fair Good Good Good Good Very Very Fair Good
poor. poor.
Poor Fair Good Good Good Very Very Fair Good
poor. poor.
Fair Fair Fair Fair Fair Poor Very Fair Fair
poor.
Poor Fair Fair Fair Fair Very Very Fair Fair
poor. poor.
Good Good Good Good Good Poor Very Good Good
poor.
Poor Fair Good Good Good Very Very Fair Good
poor. poor.
Fair Fair Fair Fair Fair Poor Very Fair Fair
poor.
Poor Fair Fair Fair Fair Very Very Fair Fair
poor. poor.
Good Good Good Good Good Poor Very Good Good
poor.
Fair Good Good Good Good Very Very Good Good
poor. poor.
Very
poor.
Very
poor.
Very
poor.
Very
poor.
Very
poor.
Very
poor.
Very
poor.
Very
poor.
Very
poor.
Very
poor.
Very
poor.
Very
poor.
Very
poor.
Very
poor.

114
TABLE 10.--WILDLIFE HABITAT --Continued
1
Soil name and
map symbol
Soil Survey
Potential for habitat elements (Potential as habitat for--
Grain
and seed
crops
1 Wild 1
Grasses I herbs- 'Hardwood
and 1 ceous 1 trees
legumes I plants 1
1 I I
Conif- 'Wetland 'Shallow 1Openland
erous 1 plants 1 water 'wildlife
plants 1 I areas 1
1
WoodlandIWetland
wildlifelwildlife
1
PaB
Pacolet
PaC
Pacolet
PaD
Pacolet
PaE
Pacolet
PeB2
Pacolet
PeC2
Pacolet
PmB*:
Pacolet
Madison
Urban land.
PmC*:
Pacolet
Madison
Urban land.
Pt*.
Pits
RnB
Rion
RnC
Rion
RvA
Riverview
SeB
Sedgefield
Ud*.
Udorthents
Ur*.
Urban land
Good Good Good Good Good Poor Very
poor.
Fair Good Good Good Good Very Very
poor. poor.
Poor Fair Good Good Good Very Very
poor. poor.
Very Poor Good Good Good Very Very
poor. poor. poor.
Fair Fair Fair Fair Fair Poor Very
poor.
Poor Fair Fair Fair Fair Very Very
poor. poor.
Fair Fair Fair Fair Fair Poor Very
poor.
Fair Fair Fair Fair Fair Poor
Poor Fair Fair Fair Fair Very
poor.
Poor Fair Fair Fair Fair Very
poor.
Fair Good Good Fair Fair Poor
Very
poor.
Very
poor.
Very
poor.
Very
poor.
Fair Good Good Fair Fair Very Very
poor. poor.
Good Good Good Good Poor Poor
Good Good Good Good Good Poor
See footnote at end of table.
Very
poor.
Good Good
Good Good
Fair Good
Poor Good
Fair Fair
Fair Fair
Fair Fair
Fair Fair
Fair Fair
Fair Fair
Good Fair
Good Fair
Good Good
Good Good
Very
poor.
Very
poor.
Very
poor.
Very
poor.
Very
poor.
Very
poor.
Very
poor.
Very
poor.
Very
poor.
Very
poor.
Very
poor.
Very
poor.
Poor.
Very
poor.

Lincoln County, North Carolina 115
TABLE 10.--WILDLIFE HABITAT --Continued
Soil name and
map symbol
Potential for habitat elements IPotential as habitat for --
I I Wild I I I I I I I
Grain 'Grasses I herbs- 'Hardwood' Conif- 'Wetland 'Shallow IOpenlandlWoodlandlWetland
and seed! and I ceous I trees I erous I plants I water Iwildlifelwildlifelwildlife
crops 'legumes I plants I I plants I ! areas I I I
WnB
Winnsboro
WoA
Worsham
ZmE*:
Zion
Mocksville
ZWC*:
Zion
Winnsboro
Mocksville
ZwD*:
Zion
Winnsboro
Mocksville
Fair Good Good Good Good Poor Very Good Good Very
poor. poor.
Poor Fair Fair Fair Fair Good Good Fair Fair Good.
Very Poor Good Fair Fair Very Very Poor Fair
poor. poor. poor.
Very Poor Good Good Good Very Very Poor Good
poor. poor. poor.
Fair Good Good Fair Fair Very Very Fair Fair
poor, poor.
Fair Good Good Good Good Very Very Good Good
poor, poor.
Fair Good Good Good Good Very Very Good Good
poor. poor.
Poor Fair Good Fair Fair Very Very Fair Fair
poor. poor.
Poor Fair Good Good Good Very Very Fair Good
poor, poor.
Poor Fair Good Good Good Very Very Fair Good
poor. poor.
Very
poor.
Very
poor.
Very
poor.
Very
poor.
Very
poor.
Very
poor.
Very
poor.
Very
poor.
* See description of the map unit for composition and behavior characteristics of the map unit.

116 Soil Survey
TABLE 11.--BUILDING SITE DEVELOPMENT
(Some terms that describe restrictive soil features are defined in the "Glossary." See text for definitions of
"slight," "moderate," and "severe." Absence of an entry indicates that the soil was not rated. The
information in this table indicates the dominant soil condition but does not eliminate the need for onsite
investigation)
Soil name and
map symbol
Shallow
excavations
Dwellings
without
basements
Dwellings
with
basements
Small
commercial
buildings
Local roads
and streets
Lawns and
landscaping
AaA
Altavista
ApB
Appling
BnB
Buncombe
CcB, CeB2
Cecil
ChA
Chewacla
GaD
Gaston
GnB2
Gaston
GnC2
Gaston
GrB
Georgeville
GrC
Georgeville
GrD
Georgeville
GvB2
Georgeville
GvC2
Georgeville
HeB
Helena
MaD
Madison
MdB2
Madison
Severe:
wetness.
Moderate:
too clayey.
Severe:
cutbanks cave.
Moderate:
too clayey.
Severe:
wetness.
Severe:
slope.
Moderate:
too clayey.
Moderate:
too clayey,
slope.
Moderate:
too clayey.
Moderate:
too clayey,
slope.
Severe:
slope.
Moderate:
too clayey.
Moderate:
too clayey,
slope.
Severe:
wetness.
Severe:
slope.
Moderate:
too clayey.
Severe: Severe: Severe:
flooding. flooding, flooding.
wetness.
Slight Slight Moderate:
slope.
Severe: Severe: Severe:
flooding. flooding. flooding.
Slight Slight Moderate:
slope.
Severe: Severe: Severe:
flooding, flooding, flooding,
wetness. wetness. wetness.
Severe:
slope.
Moderate:
shrink -swell.
Moderate:
slope,
shrink -swell.
Slight
Moderate:
slope.
Severe:
slope.
Slight
Moderate:
slope.
Severe:
shrink -swell.
Severe:
slope.
Slight
Severe:
slope.
Moderate:
shrink -swell.
Moderate:
slope,
shrink -swell.
Slight
Moderate:
slope.
Severe:
slope.
Slight
Moderate:
slope.
Severe:
wetness,
shrink -swell.
Severe:
slope.
Slight
Severe:
slope.
Moderate:
shrink -swell,
slope.
Severe:
slope.
Moderate:
slope.
Severe:
slope.
Severe:
slope.
Moderate:
slope.
Severe:
slope.
Severe:
shrink -swell.
Severe:
slope.
Moderate:
slope.
Moderate:
wetness,
flooding,
low strength.
Moderate:
low strength.
Moderate:
flooding.
Moderate:
low strength.
Severe:
low strength,
wetness,
flooding.
Severe:
low strength,
slope.
Severe:
low strength.
Severe:
low strength.
Moderate:
low strength.
Moderate:
low strength,
slope.
Severe:
slope.
Moderate:
low strength.
Moderate:
low strength,
slope.
Severe:
low strength,
shrink -swell.
Severe:
slope.
Moderate:
low strength.
Moderate:
wetness.
Slight.
Severe:
droughty.
Slight.
Severe:
wetness,
flooding.
Severe:
slope.
Slight.
Moderate:
slope.
Slight.
Moderate:
slope.
Severe:
slope.
Slight.
Moderate:
slope.
Moderate:
wetness.
Severe:
slope.
Slight.

Lincoln County, North Carolina 117
TABLE il.--BUILDING SITE DEVELOPMENT --Continued
Soil name and
map symbol
Shallow 1
excavations 1
1
Dwellings
without
basements
Dwellings
with
basements
1
Small 1
commercial 1
buildings I
Local roads
and streets
Lawns and
landscaping
MdC2
Madison
MsB
Masada
MsC
Masada
PaB
Pacolet
PaC
Pacolet
PaD, PaE
Pacolet
PeB2
Pacolet
PeC2
Pacolet
PmB*:
Pacolet
Madison
Urban land.
PmC*:
Pacolet
Madison
Urban land.
Pt*.
Pits
RnB
Rion
RnC
Rion
RvA
Riverview
Moderate:
too clayey,
slope.
Moderate:
too clayey.
Moderate:
too clayey,
slope.
Moderate:
too clayey.
Moderate:
too clayey,
slope.
Severe:
slope.
Moderate:
too clayey.
Moderate:
too clayey,
slope.
Moderate:
too clayey.
Moderate:
too clayey.
Moderate:
too clayey,
slope.
Moderate:
too clayey,
slope.
Severe:
cutbanks cave.
Severe:
cutbanks cave.
Severe:
cutbanks cave.
See footnote at end of table.
Moderate:
slope.
Moderate:
shrink -swell.
Moderate:
shrink -swell,
slope.
Slight
Moderate:
slope.
Severe:
slope.
Slight
Moderate:
slope.
Slight
Slight
Moderate:
slope.
Moderate:
slope.
Slight
Moderate:
slope.
Severe:
flooding.
Moderate:
slope.
Moderate:
shrink -swell.
Moderate:
slope,
shrink -swell.
Slight
Moderate:
slope.
Severe:
slope.
Slight
Moderate:
slope.
Slight
Slight
Moderate:
slope.
Moderate:
slope.
Slight
Moderate:
slope.
Severe:
flooding.
Severe:
slope.
Moderate:
shrink -swell,
slope.
Severe:
slope.
Moderate:
slope.
Severe:
slope.
Severe:
slope.
Moderate:
slope.
Severe:
slope.
Moderate:
slope.
Moderate:
slope.
Severe:
slope.
Severe:
slope.
Moderate:
slope.
Severe:
slope.
Severe:
flooding.
Moderate:
low strength,
slope.
Severe:
low strength.
Severe:
low strength.
Moderate:
low strength.
Moderate:
low strength,
slope.
Severe:
slope.
Moderate:
low strength.
Moderate:
low strength,
slope.
Moderate:
low strength.
Moderate:
low strength.
Moderate:
low strength,
slope.
Moderate:
low strength,
slope.
Slight
Moderate:
slope.
Severe:
flooding.
Moderate:
slope.
Slight.
Moderate:
slope.
Slight.
Moderate:
slope.
Severe:
slope.
Slight.
Moderate:
slope.
Slight.
Slight.
Moderate:
slope.
Moderate:
slope.
Moderate:
droughty.
Moderate:
droughty,
slope.
Moderate:
flooding.

118 Soil Survey
TABLE 11.--BUILDING SITE DEVELOPMENT --Continued
Soil name and
map symbol
Shallow
excavations
Dwellings
without
basements
Dwellings
with
basements
Small
commercial
buildings
Local roads
and streets
Lawns and
landscaping
Sea
Sedgefield
Ud*.
Udorthents
Ur*.
Urban land
WnB
Winnsboro
WoA
Worsham
ZmE*:
Zion
Mocksville
ZwC*:
Zion
Winnsboro
Mocksville
ZwD*:
Zion
Winnsboro
Mocksville
Severe:
wetness.
Moderate:
too clayey.
Severe:
wetness.
Severe:
depth to rock,
slope.
Severe:
cutbanks cave,
slope.
Severe:
depth to rock.
Moderate:
slope,
too clayey.
Severe:
cutbanks cave.
Severe:
depth to rock,
slope.
Severe:
slope.
Severe:
cutbanks cave,
slope.
Severe:
wetness,
shrink -swell.
Severe:
shrink -swell.
Severe:
wetness.
Severe:
shrink -swell,
slope.
Severe:
slope.
Severe:
shrink -swell.
Severe:
shrink -swell.
Moderate:
slope.
Severe:
shrink -swell,
slope.
Severe:
slope.
Severe:
slope.
Severe:
wetness,
shrink -swell.
Slight
Severe:
wetness.
Severe:
depth to rock,
slope,
shrink -swell.
Severe:
slope.
Severe:
depth to rock,
shrink -swell.
Moderate:
slope.
Moderate:
slope.
Severe:
depth to rock,
slope,
shrink -swell.
Severe:
slope.
Severe:
slope.
Severe:
wetness,
shrink -swell.
Moderate:
shrink -swell.
Severe:
wetness.
Severe:
shrink -swell,
slope.
Severe:
slope.
Severe:
shrink -swell,
slope.
Severe:
slope,
shrink -swell.
Severe:
slope.
Severe:
shrink -swell,
slope.
Severe:
slope,
shrink -swell.
Severe:
slope.
Severe:
low strength,
shrink -swell.
Severe:
shrink -swell.
Severe:
wetness,
low strength.
Severe:
shrink -swell,
low strength,
slope.
Severe:
slope.
Severe:
shrink -swell,
low strength.
Severe:
shrink -swell,
low strength.
Moderate:
slope.
Severe:
shrink -swell,
low strength,
slope.
Severe:
slope,
shrink -swell,
low strength.
Severe:
slope.
Moderate:
wetness.
Slight.
Severe:
wetness.
Severe:
slope.
Severe:
slope.
Moderate:
droughty,
slope,
depth to rock.
Moderate:
slope.
Moderate:
slope.
Severe:
slope.
Severe:
slope.
Severe:
slope.
* See description of the map unit for composition and behavior characteristics of the map unit.

Lincoln County, North Carolina 119
TABLE 12.--SANITARY FACILITIES
(Some terms that describe restrictive soil features are defined in the "Glossary." See text for definitions
of "slight," "poor," and other terms. Absence of an entry indicates that the soil was not rated. The
information in this table indicates the dominant soil condition but does not eliminate the need for
onsite investigation)
Soil name and
map symbol
I I I
Septic tank I Sewage lagoon I Trench I Area I Daily cover
absorption I areas I sanitary
fields I I landfill I sanitaryI for landfill
I landfill
I
AaA
Altavista
ApB
Appling
BnB
Buncombe
CcB, CeB2
Cecil
ChA
Chewacla
GaD
Gaston
GnB2
Gaston
GnC2
Gaston
GrB
Georgeville
GrC
Georgeville
GrD
Georgeville
GvB2
Georgeville
GvC2
Georgeville
HeB
Helena
Severe:
wetness.
Moderate:
percs slowly.
Severe:
poor filter.
Moderate:
percs slowly.
Severe:
flooding,
wetness.
Severe:
slope.
Moderate:
percs slowly.
Moderate:
percs slowly,
slope.
Moderate:
percs slowly.
Moderate:
percs slowly,
slope.
Severe:
slope.
Moderate:
percs slowly.
Moderate:
percs slowly,
slope.
Severe:
wetness,
percs slowly.
Severe:
wetness.
Moderate:
seepage,
slope.
Severe:
seepage.
Moderate:
seepage,
slope.
Severe:
flooding,
wetness.
Severe:
slope.
Moderate:
seepage,
slope.
Severe:
slope.
Moderate:
seepage,
slope.
Severe:
slope.
Severe:
slope.
Moderate:
seepage,
slope.
Severe:
slope.
Moderate:
slope.
Severe:
wetness.
Moderate:
too clayey.
Severe:
seepage,
too sandy.
Moderate:
too clayey.
Severe:
flooding,
wetness.
Severe:
slope,
too clayey.
Severe:
too clayey.
Severe:
too clayey.
Moderate:
too clayey.
Moderate:
slope,
too clayey.
Severe:
slope.
Moderate:
too clayey.
Moderate:
slope,
too clayey.
Severe:
wetness,
too clayey.
Severe:
wetness.
Slight
Severe:
seepage.
Slight
Severe:
flooding,
wetness.
Severe:
slope.
Slight
Moderate:
slope.
Slight
Moderate:
slope.
Severe:
slope.
Slight
Moderate:
slope.
Moderate:
wetness.
Fair:
wetness,
too clayey.
Fair:
too clayey,
hard to pack.
Poor:
seepage,
too sandy.
Fair:
too clayey,
hard to pack.
Poor:
hard to pack,
wetness.
Poor:
too clayey,
hard to pack,
slope.
Poor:
too clayey,
hard to pack.
Poor:
too clayey,
hard to pack.
Fair:
too clayey,
hard to pack.
Fair:
too clayey,
hard to pack,
slope.
Poor:
slope.
Fair:
too clayey,
hard to pack.
Fair:
too clayey,
hard to pack,
slope.
Poor:
too clayey,
hard to pack.

120 Soil Survey
TABLE 12.--SANITARY FACILITIES --Continued
Soil name and
map symbol
Septic tank
absorption
fields
Sewage lagoon
areas
Trench
sanitary
landfill
Area
sanitary
landfill
Daily cover
for landfill
MaD
Madison
MdB2
Madison
MdC2
Madison
MsB
Masada
MsC
Masada
PaB
Pacolet
PaC
Pacolet
PaD, PaE
Pacolet
PeB2
Pacolet
PeC2
Pacolet
PmB*:
Pacolet
Madison
Urban land.
PmC*:
Pacolet
Madison
Urban land.
Severe:
slope.
Moderate:
percs slowly.
Moderate:
percs slowly,
slope.
Moderate:
percs slowly.
Moderate:
percs slowly,
slope.
Moderate:
percs slowly.
Moderate:
percs slowly,
slope.
Severe:
slope.
Moderate:
percs slowly.
Moderate:
percs slowly,
slope.
Moderate:
percs slowly.
Moderate:
percs slowly.
Moderate:
percs slowly,
slope.
Moderate:
peres slowly,
slope.
See footnote at end of table.
Severe:
slope.
Moderate:
seepage,
slope.
Severe:
slope.
Moderate:
seepage,
slope.
Severe:
slope.
Moderate:
seepage,
slope.
Severe:
slope.
Severe:
slope.
Moderate:
seepage,
slope.
Severe:
slope.
Moderate:
seepage,
slope.
Moderate:
seepage,
slope.
Severe:
slope.
Severe:
slope.
Severe:
slope.
Moderate:
too clayey.
Moderate:
slope,
too clayey.
Severe:
too clayey.
Severe:
too clayey.
Slight
Moderate:
slope.
Severe:
slope.
Slight
Moderate:
slope.
Slight
Moderate:
too clayey.
Moderate:
slope.
Moderate:
slope,
too clayey.
Severe:
slope.
Slight
Moderate:
slope.
Slight
Moderate:
slope.
Slight
Moderate:
slope.
Severe:
slope.
Slight
Moderate:
slope.
Slight
Slight
Moderate:
slope.
Moderate:
slope.
Poor:
slope.
Fair:
too clayey.
Fair:
too clayey.
Poor:
too clayey,
hard to pack.
Poor:
too clayey,
hard to pack.
Fair:
too clayey.
Fair:
too clayey,
slope.
Poor:
slope.
Fair:
too clayey.
Fair:
too clayey,
slope.
Fair:
too clayey.
Fair:
too clayey.
Fair:
too clayey,
slope.
Fair:
too clayey.

Lincoln County, North Carolina 121
TABLE 12.--SANITARY FACILITIES --Continued
Soil name and
map symbol
Septic tank
absorption
fields
Sewage lagoon
areas
Trench
sanitary
landfill
Area
sanitary
landfill
Daily cover
for landfill
Pt*.
Pits
RnB
Rion
RnC
Rion
RvA
Riverview
SeB
Sedgefield
Ud*.
Udorthents
Ur*.
Urban land
WnB
Winnsboro
WoA
Worsham
ZmE*:
Zion
Mocksville
ZwC*:
Zion
Winnsboro
Mocksville
Moderate:
percs slowly.
Moderate:
slope,
percs slowly.
Severe:
flooding,
wetness.
Severe:
wetness,
percs slowly.
Severe:
percs slowly.
Severe:
percs slowly,
wetness.
Severe:
depth to rock,
percs slowly,
slope.
Severe:
slope.
Severe:
depth to rock,
pares slowly.
Severe:
percs slowly.
Moderate:
percs slowly,
slope.
See footnote at end of table.
Severe:
seepage.
Severe:
seepage,
slope.
Severe:
seepage,
flooding,
wetness.
Moderate:
seepage,
slope.
Moderate:
slope.
Slight
Severe:
depth to rock,
slope.
Severe:
seepage,
slope.
Severe:
depth to rock,
slope.
Severe:
slope.
Severe:
seepage,
slope.
Severe:
seepage.
Severe:
seepage.
Severe:
flooding,
seepage,
wetness.
Severe:
wetness,
too clayey.
Slight
Severe:
wetness,
too clayey.
Severe:
depth to rock,
slope,
too clayey.
Severe:
seepage,
slope.
Severe:
depth to rock,
too clayey.
Moderate:
slope.
Severe:
seepage.
Severe:
seepage.
Severe:
seepage.
Severe:
flooding,
seepage,
wetness.
Severe:
wetness.
Slight
Severe:
wetness.
Severe:
depth to rock,
slope.
Severe:
seepage,
slope.
Severe:
depth to rock.
Moderate:
slope.
Severe:
seepage.
Fair:
too clayey.
Fair:
too clayey,
slope.
Fair:
wetness.
Poor:
too clayey,
hard to pack,
wetness.
Poor:
small stones.
Poor:
too clayey,
hard to pack,
wetness.
Poor:
depth to rock,
too clayey,
hard to pack.
Poor:
slope.
Poor:
depth to rock,
too clayey,
hard to pack.
Poor:
small stones.
Fair:
too sandy,
slope.

122 Soil Survey
TABLE 12.--SANITARY FACILITIES --Continued
Soil name and
map symbol
Septic tank
absorption
fields
Sewage lagoon
areas
Trench I Area
sanitary I sanitary
landfill I landfill
Daily cover
for landfill
ZwD*:
Zion
Winnsboro
Mocksville
Severe:
depth to rock,
percs slowly,
slope.
Severe:
peres slowly,
slope.
Severe:
slope.
Severe:
depth to rock,
slope.
Severe:
slope.
Severe:
seepage,
slope.
Severe:
depth to rock,
slope,
too clayey.
Severe:
slope.
Severe:
seepage,
slope.
Severe:
depth to rock,
slope.
Severe:
slope.
Severe:
seepage,
slope.
Poor:
depth to rock,
too clayey,
hard to pack.
Poor:
slope,
small stones.
Poor:
slope.
* See description of the map unit for composition and behavior characteristics of the map unit.

Lincoln County, North Carolina 123
TABLE 13.--CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS
(Some terms that describe restrictive soil features are defined in the "Glossary." See text for definitions
of "good," "fair," and other terms. Absence of an entry indicates that the soil was not rated. The
information in this table indicates the dominant soil condition but does not eliminate the need for
onsite investigation)
I I
Soil name and I Roadfill I
map symbol I I
I
Sand
Gravel
Topsoil
AaA
Altavista
ApB
Appling
BnB
Buncombe
CcB, CeB2
Cecil
ChA
Chewacla
GaD
Gaston
GnB2, GnC2
Gaston
GrB, GrC
Georgeville
GrD
Georgeville
GvB2, GvC2
Georgeville
HeB
Helena
MaD
Madison
MdB2, MdC2
Madison
MsB, MsC
Masada
PaB, PaC
Pacolet
PaD
Pacolet
Fair:
wetness,
low strength.
Fair:
low strength.
Good
Fair:
low strength.
Poor:
low strength,
wetness.
Poor:
low strength.
Poor:
low strength.
Good
Fair:
slope.
Good
Poor:
low strength,
shrink -swell.
Fair:
low strength,
slope.
Fair:
low strength.
Fair:
shrink -swell,
low strength.
Good
Fair:
slope.
Improbable: Improbable: Fair:
excess fines. excess fines. too clayey.
Improbable: improbable: Poor:
excess fines. excess fines. too clayey.
Probable Improbable: Poor:
too sandy. too sandy.
improbable: Improbable: Poor:
excess fines. excess fines. too clayey.
Improbable: Improbable: Poor:
excess fines. excess fines. wetness.
improbable: Improbable: Poor:
excess fines. excess fines. too clayey,
slope.
Improbable: Improbable: Poor:
excess fines. excess fines. too clayey.
Improbable: Improbable: Poor:
excess fines. excess fines. too clayey.
Improbable: Improbable: Poor:
excess fines. excess fines. too clayey,
slope.
Improbable: Improbable: Poor:
excess fines. excess fines. too clayey.
Improbable: Improbable: Poor:
excess fines. excess fines. too clayey.
Improbable: Improbable: Poor:
excess fines. excess fines. too clayey,
slope.
Improbable: Improbable: Poor:
excess fines. excess fines. too clayey.
Improbable: Improbable: Poor:
excess fines. excess fines. area reclaim,
too clayey,
small stones.
Improbable: Improbable: Poor:
excess fines. excess fines. too clayey.
Improbable: Improbable: Poor:
excess fines. excess fines. too clayey,
slope.

124 Soil Survey
TABLE 13.--CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS --Continued
Soil name and
map symbol
Roadfill
Sand
Gravel
Topsoil
PaE
Pacolet
PeB2, PeC2
Pacolet
PmB*, PmC*:
Pacolet
Madison
Urban land.
Pt*.
Pits
RnB
Rion
RnC
Rion
RvA
Riverview
SeB
Sedgefield
Ud*.
Udorthents
Ur*.
Urban land
WnB
Winnsboro
WoA
Worsham
ZmE*:
Zion
Mocksville
Poor:
slope.
Good
Good
Fair:
low strength.
Good
Good
Good
Poor:
low strength,
shrink -swell.
Good
Poor:
wetness,
low strength.
Poor:
depth to rock,
shrink -swell,
low strength.
Poor:
slope.
See footnote at end of table.
Improbable:
excess fines.
Improbable:
excess fines.
Improbable:
excess fines.
Improbable:
excess fines.
Improbable:
excess fines.
Improbable:
excess fines.
Improbable:
excess fines.
Improbable:
excess fines.
Improbable:
excess fines.
Improbable:
excess fines.
Improbable:
excess fines.
Improbable:
excess fines.
Improbable:
excess fines.
Improbable:
excess fines.
Improbable:
excess fines.
Improbable:
excess fines.
Improbable:
excess fines.
Improbable:
excess fines.
Improbable:
excess fines.
Improbable:
excess fines.
Improbable:
excess fines.
Improbable:
excess fines.
Improbable:
excess fines.
Improbable:
excess fines.
Poor:
too clayey,
slope.
Poor:
too clayey.
Poor:
too clayey.
Poor:
too clayey.
Fair:
too clayey.
Fair:
too clayey,
slope.
Fair:
too clayey.
Poor:
too clayey.
Poor:
too clayey.
Poor:
wetness,
too clayey.
Poor:
small stones,
slope.
Poor:
slope.

Lincoln County, North Carolina 125
TABLE 13.--CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS --Continued
I I
Soil name and I Roadfill
map symbol I I
Sand
Gravel
Topsoil
ZwC*:
Zion
Winnsboro
Mocksville
ZwD*:
Zion
Winnsboro
Mocksville
Poor:
depth to rock,
low strength.
Good
Good
Poor:
depth to rock,
shrink -swell,
low strength.
Fair:
slope.
Fair:
slope.
Improbable:
excess fines.
Improbable:
excess fines.
Improbable:
excess fines.
Improbable:
excess fines.
Improbable:
excess fines.
Improbable:
excess fines.
Improbable:
excess fines.
Improbable:
excess fines.
Improbable:
excess fines.
Improbable:
excess fines.
Improbable:
excess fines.
Improbable:
excess fines.
Poor:
too clayey.
Poor:
small stones,
area reclaim.
Fair:
too sandy,
small stones,
slope.
Poor:
small stones,
slope.
Poor:
slope,
too clayey.
Poor:
slope.
* See description of the map unit for composition and behavior characteristics of the map unit.

126 Soil Survey
TABLE 14.--WATER MANAGEMENT
(Some terms that describe restrictive soil features are defined in the "Glossary." See text for definitions of
"slight," "moderate," and "severe." Absence of an entry indicates that the soil was not evaluated. The
information in this table indicates the dominant soil condition but does not eliminate the need for onsite
investigation)
Soil name and
map symbol
Limitations for --
Features affecting --
Pond
reservoir
areas
I Embankments,
I dikes, and
I levees
I Aquifer -fed I
I excavated I Drainage
I ponds I
Terraces
I and
1 diversions
Grassed
waterways
AaA
Altavista
ApB
Appling
BnB
Buncombe
CcB
Cecil
CeB2
Cecil
ChA
Chewacla
Moderate:
seepage.
Moderate:
seepage,
slope.
Severe:
seepage.
Moderate:
seepage,
slope.
Moderate:
seepage,
slope.
Moderate:
seepage.
GaD Severe:
Gaston slope.
GnB2 Moderate:
Gaston seepage,
slope.
GnC2 Severe:
Gaston slope.
GrB Moderate:
Georgeville slope,
seepage.
GrC, GrD Severe:
Georgeville slope.
GvB2 Moderate:
Georgeville slope,
seepage.
GvC2 Severe:
Georgeville slope.
HeB Moderate:
Helena slope.
MaD
Madison
Severe:
slope.
Severe:
piping,
wetness.
Severe:
hard to pack.
Severe:
seepage,
piping.
Severe:
hard to pack.
Severe:
hard to pack.
Severe:
piping,
hard to pack,
wetness.
Severe:
hard to pack.
Severe:
hard to pack.
Severe:
hard to pack.
Severe:
hard to pack.
Severe:
hard to pack.
Severe:
hard to pack.
Severe:
hard to pack.
Severe:
hard to pack.
Severe:
piping,
hard to pack.
Moderate:
deep to water,
slow refill.
Severe:
no water.
Severe:
no water.
Severe:
no water.
Severe:
no water.
Moderate:
slow refill.
Severe:
no water.
Severe:
no water.
Severe:
no water.
Severe:
no water.
Severe:
no water.
Severe:
no water.
Severe:
no water.
Severe:
no water.
Severe:
no water.
Favorable
Deep to water
Deep to water
Deep to water
Deep to water
Flooding
Deep to water
Deep to water
Deep to water
Deep to water
Deep to water
Deep to water
Deep to water
Peres slowly,
slope.
Deep to water
Wetness,
soil blowing.
Soil blowing ---
Too sandy,
soil blowing.
Favorable
Favorable
Wetness
Slope
Favorable
Slope
Erodes easily
Slope,
erodes easily.
Erodes easily
Slope,
erodes easily.
Wetness,
soil blowing,
percs slowly.
Slope,
soil blowing.
Favorable.
Favorable.
Droughty,
rooting depth.
Soil blowing.
Favorable.
Wetness.
Slope.
Favorable.
Slope.
Erodes easily.
Slope,
erodes easily.
Erodes easily.
Slope,
erodes easily.
Peres slowly.
Slope.

Lincoln County, North Carolina 127
TABLE 14.--WATER MANAGEMENT --Continued
Soil name and
map symbol
Limitations for-- I
Features affecting --
Pond I Embankments,
reservoir I dikes, and
areas I levees
Aquifer -fed I
excavated I
ponds I
Drainage
Terraces
and
I diversions
Grassed
waterways
MdB2
Madison
MdC2
Madison
MsB
Masada
MaC
Masada
PaB
Pacolet
PaC, PaD, PaE
Pacolet
PeB2
Pacolet
PeC2
Pacolet
PmB*:
Pacolet
Madison
Urban land.
PmC*:
Pacolet
Madison
Urban land.
Pt*.
Pits
RnB
Rion
RnC
Rion
Moderate:
seepage,
slope.
Severe:
slope.
Moderate:
seepage,
slope.
Severe:
slope.
Moderate:
seepage,
slope.
Severe:
slope.
Moderate:
seepage,
slope.
Severe:
slope.
Moderate:
seepage,
slope.
Moderate:
seepage,
slope.
Severe:
slope.
Severe:
slope.
Severe:
seepage.
Severe:
seepage,
slope.
See footnote at end of table.
Severe:
piping,
hard to pack.
Severe:
piping,
hard to pack.
Moderate:
hard to pack.
Moderate:
hard to pack.
Severe:
piping.
Severe:
piping.
Severe:
piping.
Severe:
piping.
Severe:
piping.
Severe:
piping,
hard to pack.
Severe:
piping.
Severe:
piping,
hard to pack.
Severe:
piping.
Severe:
piping.
Severe:
no water.
Severe:
no water.
Severe:
no water.
Severe:
no water.
Severe:
no water.
Severe:
no water.
Severe:
no water.
Severe:
no water.
Severe:
no water.
Severe:
no water.
Severe:
no water.
Severe:
no water.
Severe:
no water.
Severe:
no water.
Deep to water
Deep to water
Deep to water
Deep to water
Deep to water
Deep to water
Deep to water
Deep to water
Deep to water
Deep to water
Deep to water
Deep to water
Deep to water
Deep to water
Favorable
Slope
Soil blowing Slope,
soil blowing.
Soil blowing
Soil blowing,
slope.
Favorable
Slope
Favorable
Favorable
Slope
Slope
Soil blowing ---
Soil blowing,
slope.
Favorable.
Slope.
Rooting depth.
Slope,
rooting depth.
Favorable.
Slope.
Favorable.
Slope.
Favorable.
Favorable.
Slope.
Slope.
Favorable.
Slope.

128 Soil Survey
TABLE 14.--WATER MANAGEMENT --Continued
Soil name and
map symbol
Limitations for--
1
Features affecting --
Pond
reservoir
areas
1 Embankments,
1 dikes, and
1 levees
Aquifer -fed 1
excavated
ponds
Drainage
Terraces
and
diversions
Grassed
waterways
RvA
Riverview
SeB
Sedgefield
Ud*.
Udorthents
Ur*.
Urban land
WnB
Winnsboro
WoA
Worsham
ZmE*:
Zion
Mocksville
ZwC*, ZwD*:
Zion
Winnsboro
Mocksville
Severe:
seepage.
Moderate:
seepage.
Moderate:
slope.
Slight
Severe:
slope.
Severe:
seepage,
slope.
Severe:
slope.
Severe:
slope.
Severe:
seepage,
slope.
Severe:
piping.
Severe:
hard to pack.
Severe:
piping.
Severe:
wetness.
Severe:
thin layer.
Severe:
seepage,
piping.
Severe:
thin layer.
Severe:
piping.
Severe:
seepage,
piping.
Severe:
cutbanks cave.
Severe:
no water.
Severe:
no water.
Severe:
slow refill.
Severe:
no water.
Severe:
no water.
Severe:
no water.
Severe:
no water.
Severe:
no water.
Deep to water
Percy slowly ---
Deep to water
Peres slowly ---
Deep to water
Deep to water
Deep to water
Deep to water
Deep to water
Favorable
Wetness,
soil blowing,
percs slowly.
Soil blowing ---
Wetness,
percs slowly.
Slope,
depth to rock.
Slope,
too sandy,
soil blowing.
Slope,
depth to rock.
Slope,
soil blowing.
Slope,
too sandy,
soil blowing.
Favorable.
Wetness,
percs slowly.
Peres slowly.
Wetness,
percs slowly.
Slope,
droughty.
Slope.
Slope,
droughty.
Slope,
percs slowly.
Slope.
* See description of the map unit for composition and behavior characteristics of the map unit.

Lincoln County, North Carolina 129
TABLE 15.--ENGINEERING INDEX PROPERTIES
(The symbol < means less than; > means more than. Absence of an entry indicates that data were not estimated)
Soil name and
map symbol
USDA texture
Classification IFrag- I
Unified I AASHTO
Iments
I > 3
Iinches
Percentage passing
sieve number --
I
4 I 10
40
200
ILiquid
I limit
Plas-
ticity
index
AaA
Altavista
ApB
Appling
BnB
Buncombe
CcB
Cecil
CeB2
Cecil
ChA
Chewacla
GaD
Gaston
GnB2, GnC2
Gaston
GrB, GrC
Georgeville
In
0-14
14-57
57-62
0-8
8-41
41-47
47-62
0-10
10-61
0-7
7-59
59-70
0-6
6-56
56-70
0-6
6-41
41-60
0-6
6-44
44-52
52-62
0-8
8-46
46-55
55-62
0-9
9-18
18-52
52-62
Sandy loam
Clay loam, sandy
clay loam, loam.
Variable
Sandy loam
Sandy clay, clay
loam, clay.
Sandy clay, clay
loam, sandy clay
loam.
Variable
Sand
Loamy sand, sand
Sandy loam
Clay, clay loam
Variable
Sandy clay loam
Clay, clay loam
Variable
Loam
Silt loam, silty
clay loam, clay
loam.
Variable
Loam
Clay, clay loam
Clay loam, sandy
clay loam, loam.
Variable
Sandy clay loam
Clay, clay loam
Clay loam, sandy
clay loam, loam.
Variable
Loam
Silty clay loam,
clay loam.
Clay, silty clay,
silty clay loam.
Silty clay loam,
loam, silt loam.
ML, CL-ML,
SM, SM-SC
CL, CL-ML,
SC, SM-SC
SM
MH, ML, CL
SC, CL
SM, SP-SM
SM, SP-SM
SM, SM-SC
MH, ML
SM, SC,
CL, ML
MH, ML
ML, CL,
CL-ML
ML, CL
SM, ML,
CL-ML
CL, CH,
ML, MH
CL, SC
CL, SC,
SM, ML
CL, CH,
ML, MH
CL, SC
ML
CL, ML
MH, ML
ML, CL,
CL-ML
A-4
A-4, A-6,
A-7
A-2
A-7
A-4, A-6,
A-7
A-2, A-3
A-2, A-3
A-2, A-4
A-7, A-5
A-4, A-6
A-7, A-5
A-4, A-6,
A-7
A-4, A-6,
A-7
A-2, A-4
A-7
A-4, A-6,
A-7
A-4, A-6,
A-7-6
A-7
A-4, A-6,
A-7
A-4, A-6
A-6, A-7,
A-4
A-7
A-4, A-6
Pct
0
0
0-5
0-5
0-5
0
0
0-5
0-5
0-5
0-5
0
0
0-5
0-5
0-5
0-5
0-5
0-5
0-2
0-1
0-1
0-5
95-100
95-100
86-100
95-100
95-100
98-100
98-100
84-100
97-100
75-100
97-100
98-100
96-100
90-100
95-100
90-100
90-100
95-100
90-100
90-100
90-100
95-100
90-100
90-100
95-100
80-100
90-100
85-100
98-100
98-100
80-100
92-100
75-100
92-100
95-100
95-100
84-100
90-100
84-100
84-100
90-100
84-100
80-100
90-100
95-100
90-100
65-99
60-99
55-91
70-95
70-90
90-97
98-100
67-90
72-99
68-95
72-99
70-100
80-100
35-60
45-75
15-35
51-80
40-75
7-32
7-32
26-42
55-95
38-81
55-95
55-90
51-98
80-95 30-75
80-99 65-90
75-98 36-75
75-95 36-75
80-99 65-90
75-98 36-75
65-100
85-100
90-100
65-100
55-95
70-98
75-98
51-95
Pct I
<23 NP-7
20-45 5-28
<27 NP-5
41-74 15-30
25-45 8-22
NP
NP
<30 NP-7
41-80 9-37
21-35 3-16
41-80 9-37
25-49 4-20
30-49 4-22
25-40 NP-7
40-82 12-57
25-50 7-23
30-50 5-20
40-82 12-57
25-50 7-23
<40 NP-11
30-49 8-20
41-79 15-40
<30 NP-12

130 Soil Survey
TABLE 15.--ENGINEERING INDEX PROPERTIES --Continued
Soil name and
map symbol
USDA texture
Classification IErag- I Percentage passing I I
Iments 1 sieve number-- 'Liquid I Plas-
AASHTO 1> 3 I I I I limit ' ticity
)inches) 4 1 10 1 40 1 200 I index
1
I Unified
GrD
Georgeville
GvB2, GvC2
Georgeville
HeB
Helena
MaD
Madison
MdB2, MdC2
Madison
MaB, MaC
Masada
PaB, PaC
Pacolet
In
0-9
9-13
13-47
47-62
0-5
5-15
15-46
46-62
0-10
10-14
14-35
35-44
44-62
0-7
7-28
28-32
32-62
0-5
5-26
26-34
34-62
0-8
8-15
15-55
55-62
0-9
9-27
27-35
35-62
Loam
Silty clay loam,
clay loam.
Clay, silty clay,
silty clay loam.
Silty clay loam,
loam, silt loam.
Clay loam
Silty clay loam,
clay loam.
Clay, silty clay,
silty clay loam.
Silty clay loam,
loam, silt loam.
Sandy loam
Sandy clay loam,
clay loam.
Clay loam, sandy
clay, clay.
Sandy clay loam,
clay loam.
Variable
Sandy loam
Clay, clay loam,
sandy clay.
Loam, sandy clay
loam, clay loam.
Variable
Sandy clay loam
Clay, clay loam,
sandy clay.
Loam, sandy clay
loam, clay loam.
Variable
Sandy loam
Sandy clay loam
Clay loam, clay,
sandy clay.
sandy loam, clay
loam, sandy clay
loam.
Sandy loam
Sandy clay, clay
loam, clay.
Clay loam, sandy
clay loam, sandy
loam.
Sandy loam, fine
sandy loam,
loam.
ML
CL, ML
MH, ML
ML, CL,
CL-ML
CL, ML
CL, ML
MH, ML
ML, CL,
CL-ML
SM, SM-SC,
SC
CL, SC
CH
CL, SC
SM, ML
MH, ML
CL
CL, ML, SC
MH, ML
CL
SM
SM, SC,
CL, ML
CH, CL
CL, ML
SM, SM-SC
ML, MH
CL, CL-ML,
SM-SC, SC
SM, SM-SC
A-4, A-6
A-6, A-7,
A-4
A-7
A-4, A-6
A-6, A-7
A-6, A-7,
A-4
A-7
A-4, A-6
A-2, A-4
A-6, A-7
A-7
A-6, A-7
A-2, A-4
A-7
A-4, A-6
A-4, A-6,
A-7-6
A-7
A-4, A-6
A-4
A-2, A-4,
A-7, A-5
A-7, A-6
A-6, A-7,
A-4
A-2,
A-1-b,
A-4
A-6, A-7
A-2, A-4,
A-6
A-4,
A-2-4
1 Pct I
0-2
0-1
0-1
0-5
0-2
0-1
0-1
0-5
0-5
0-5
0-5
0-5
0-3
0-3
0-3
0-3
0-3
0-3
0-5
0-5
0-10
0-10
0-2
0-1
0-2
0-2
90-100
90-100
95-100
90-100
90-100
90-100
95-100
90-100
80-100
90-100
95-100
90-100
90-100
90-100
95-100
90-100
95-100 90-100
95-100 95-100
95-100 95-100
90-100 85-100
85-100
90-100
90-100
90-100
90-100
90-100
90-100
75-100
90-100
90-100
85-100
80-100
80-100
80-100
80-100
85-100
85-100
85-100
85-100
85-100
75-98
75-100
80-100
80-100
80-100
80-100
70-100
70-100
65-100
85-100
90-100
65-100
85-100
85-100
90-100
65-100
51-90
70-90
73-97
70-95
60-90
75-97
70-95
70-95
75-97
70-95
60-95
68-95
65-95
65-95
42-90
60-95
60-80
60-80
1
55-95
70-98
75-98
51-95
65-98
70-98
75-98
51-95
26-46
38-70
56-86
38-70
26-55
57-85
50-80
48-80
57-85
50-80
35-50
38-81
50-80
50-80
16-42
51-75
30-60
30-50
Pct I
<40 NP-11
30-49 8-20
41-79 15-40
<30 NP-12
30-49 11-20
30-49 8-20
41-79 15-40
<30 NP-12
<30 NP-9
30-49 15-26
50-85 24-50
30-49 15-26
<35 NP-8
43-75 12-35
20-40 7-20
30-50 7-20
43-75 12-35
20-40 7-20
<30 NP-9
21-35 3-15
35-60 15-35
30-45 7-20
<28 NP-7
38-65 11-30
20-35 5-15
<28 NP-6

Lincoln County, North Carolina 131
TABLE 15.--ENGINEERING INDEX PROPERTIES --Continued
Soil name and
map symbol
PaD, PaE
Pacolet
PeB2, PeC2
Pacolet
PmB*, PmC*:
Pacolet
Madison
Urban land.
Pt*.
Pits
RnB, RnC
Rion
RvA
Riverview
'Depth l USDA texture
I I
I I
I In
0-5
5-23
23-32
32-62
0-7
7-26
26-35
35-62
0-7
7-26
26-35
35-62
0-5
5-26
26-34
34-62
0-5
5-32
32-62
0-8
8-40
40-60
Sandy loam
Sandy clay, clay
loam, clay.
Clay loam, sandy
clay loam, sandy
loam.
Sandy loam, fine
sandy loam,
loam.
Sandy clay loam
Sandy clay, clay
loam, clay.
Clay loam, sandy
clay loam, sandy
loam.
Sandy loam, fine
sandy loam,
loam.
Sandy clay loam
Sandy clay, clay
loam, clay.
Clay loam, sandy
clay loam, sandy
loam.
Sandy loam, fine
sandy loam,
loam.
Sandy clay loam
Clay, clay loam,
sandy clay.
Loam, sandy clay
loam, clay loam.
Variable
Sandy loam
Sandy loam, sandy
clay loam, clay
loam.
Sandy loam, loamy
sand.
Loam
Sandy clay loam,
silty clay loam,
loam.
Loamy fine sand,
sandy loam,
sand.
Classification IFrag- I Percentage passing
Iments I
sieve number --
Unified I AASHTO I > 3 I
I linchesl 4
SM, SM-SC
ML, MH
CL, CL-ML,
SM-SC, SC
SM, SM-SC
SM-SC, SC
ML, MH
CL, CL-ML,
SM-SC, SC
SM, SM-SC
SM-SC, SC
ML, MH
CL, CL-ML,
SM-SC, SC
SM, SM-SC
CL, ML, SC
MH, ML
CL
A-2,
A-1-b,
A-4
A-6, A-7
A-2, A-4,
A-6
A-4,
A-2-4
A-4, A-6
A-6, A-7
A-2, A-4,
A-6
A-4,
A-2-4
A-4, A-6
A-6, A-7
A-2, A-4,
A-6
A-4,
A-2-4
A-4, A-6,
A-7-6
A-7
A-4, A-6
I Pct I
0-2
0-1
0-2
0-2
0-1
0-1
0-2
0-2
0-1
0-1
0-2
0-2
0-3
0-3
0-3
85-100
80-100
80-100
80-100
95-100
80-100
80-100
80-100
95-100
80-100
80-100
80-100
90-100
90-100
90-100
I I I
10 I 40 1200 I
I I I Pct I
80-100
80-100
70-100
70-100
90-100
80-100
70-100
70-100
90-100
80-100
70-100
70-100
85-100
85-100
85-100
42-90 16-42 <28
60-95 51-75 38-65
60-80 30-60 20-35
60-80 30-50 <28
65-85 36-50 20-40
60-95 51-75 38-65
60-80 30-60 20-35
60-80 30-50 <28
65-85 36-50 20-40
60-95 51-75 38-65
60-80 30-60 20-35
60-80 30-50 <28
70-95
75-97
70-95
48-80
57-85
50-80
30-50
43-75
20-40
I I
ILiquid I Plas-
limit I ticity
I index
NP-7
11-30
5-15
NP-6
4-17
11-30
5-15
NP-6
4-17
11-30
5-15
NP-6
7-20
12-35
7-20
SM A-2, A-4 0-2 90-100 85-100 60-80 20-45 <35 NP-7
SC, SM-SC, A-2, A-4, 0-2 90-100 85-100 60-85 30-60 20-35 5-15
CL-ML, CL A-6
SC, SM, A-2, A-4, 0-2 90-100 80-100 60-85 15-50 <36 NP-12
SM-SC A-6
CL, CL-ML, A-4, A-6 0 100 100 90-100 60-80 15-30 3-14
ML
CL, ML, A-4, A-6 0 100 100 90-100 60-95 20-40 3-20
CL-ML
SM, SM-SC A-2, A-4 0 100 100 50-95 15-45 <20 NP-7
See footnote at end of table.

132 Soil Survey
TABLE 15.--ENGINEERING INDEX PROPERTIES --Continued
I I I Classification IFrag- I Percentage passing I I
Soil name and IDepthI USDA texture I I 'manta I sieve number-- 'Liquid I Plas-
map symbol I I I Unified I AASHTO I > 3 I I I I I limit I ticity
I I I I finches' 4 I 10 I 40 1200 I I index
SeB
Sedgefield
Ud*.
Udorthents
Ur*.
Urban land
WnB
Winnsboro
WoA
Worsham
ZmE*:
Zion
Mocksville
ZwC*, ZwD*:
Zion
In I
0-10 Fine sandy loam
10-33 Sandy clay, clay
loam, clay.
33-38 Sandy loam, sandy
clay loam, clay
loam.
38-62 Variable
0-8
8-37
37-60
0-7
7-55
55-62
0-8
8-18
18-23
23-28
28-35
0-4
4-21
21-27
27-62
0-8
8-18
18-23
23-28
28-35
Fine sandy loam
Clay, clay loam
Loam, sandy clay
loam, sandy
loam.
Fine sandy loam
Sandy clay loam,
sandy clay,
clay.
Sandy loam, sandy
clay loam, clay
loam.
Fine sandy loam
Clay, silty clay,
silty clay loam.
Gravelly clay,
clay loam, clay.
Variable
Unweathered
bedrock.
Fine sandy loam
Loam, sandy clay
loam, clay loam.
Sandy loam, fine
sandy loam,
loam.
Loamy sand, sandy
loam, loam.
Fine sandy loam
Clay, silty clay,
silty clay loam.
Clay loam, clay
Variable
Unweathered
bedrock.
SM, SC,
ML, CL
CL, CH
SC, CL
SM, ML
CH
ML, SM
SM, SC,
ML, CL
SC, CH, CL
SC, CL
SM, SC,
SM-SC
CH, CL
CH, SC, GC
Pct I
A-2, A-4, 0-5
A-6
A-7 0-5
A-6, A-7,
A-4
0-5
90-100
95-100
95-100
I I
85-100
95-100
90-100
50-100
73-93
60-90
I Pct I
30-60 <35
60-85 45-85
36-65 20-45
NP-12
25-60
8-25
A-2, A-4 0-5 90-100 85-100 74-85 25-55 <35 NP-8
A-7 0-5 90-100 85-100 75-96 65-95 51-93 25-64
A-2, A-4, 0-5 90-100 70-100 60-95 22-75 25-48 3-15
A-6, A-7
A-2, A-4 0-5 90-100 85-100 50-85 25-55 <30 NP-9
A-2, A-7 0-5 90-100 85-100 70-100 30-95 42-66 22-40
A-2, A-4, 0-10 90-95 80-95 50-90 30-70 20-50 8-30
A-6, A-7
A-2, A-4 0-5 85-100 85-100 50-100 20-50 <25 NP-10
A-7 0 95-100 90-100 85-100 80-95 41-80 20-50
A-7 0-20 55-95 45-95 40-90 36-85 50-70 30-40
SM, SM-SC, A-2-4, 0-3 90-100 85-100 50-100 30-60
ML, CL-ML A-4
SC, CL A-6, 0-3 90-100 85-100 80-100 35-70
A-7-6
SC, ML, A-2-4, 0-3 90-100 85-100 50-100 30-60
CL, SM-SC A-2-6,
A-4, A-6
SM, SM-SC, A-2-4, 0-5 85-100 80-100 50-100 15-60
ML, CL A-2-6,
A-4, A-6
SM, SC, A-2, A-4 0-5 85-100 85-100 50-100 20-50
SM-SC
CH, CL A-7 0 95-100 90-100 85-100 80-95
CH, SC A-7 0-20 55-95 45-95 40-90
36-85
<25 NP-7
29-45 11-20
<35 NP-12
<35 NP-12
<25 NP-10
41-80 20-50
50-70 30-40
See footnote at end of table.

Lincoln County, North Carolina 133
TABLE 15.--ENGINEERING INDEX PROPERTIES --Continued
I I I Classification IFrag- I Percentage passing I I
Soil name and 'Depth) USDA texture I I Invents I sieve number-- 'Liquid I Plas-
map symbol I I I Unified I AASHTO I> 3 I I I I I limit I ticity
I I I I 'inches4 I 10 I 40 1200 I I index
ZwC*, ZwD*:
Winnsboro
Mocksville
In
0-8 Fine sandy loam
8-37 Clay, clay loam
37-60 Loam, sandy clay
loam, sandy
loam.
0-4
4-21
21-27
27-62
Fine sandy loam
Loam, sandy clay
loam, clay loam.
Sandy loam, fine
sandy loam,
loam.
Loamy sand, sandy
loam, loam.
SM, ML
CH
ML, SM
A-2, A-4
A-7
A-2, A-4,
A-6, A-7
SM, SM-SC, A-2-4,
ML, CL-ML A-4
SC, CL A-6,
A-7-6
SC, ML, A-2-4,
CL, SM-SC A-2-6,
A-4, A-6
SM, SM-SC, A-2-4,
ML, CL A-2-6,
A-4, A-6
' Pct
0-5
0-5
0-5
0-3
0-3
0-3
0-5
90-100
90-100
90-100
90-100
90-100
90-100
85-100
85-100
85-100
70-100
85-100
85-100
85-100
80-100
74-85
75-95
60-95
50-100
80-100
50-100
50-100
25-55
65-95
22-75
30-60
35-70
30-60
15-60
Pct I
<35 NP-8
51-92 25-55
25-48 3-15
<25 NP-7
29-45 11-20
<35 NP-12
<35 NP-12
* See description of the map unit for composition and behavior characteristics of the map unit.

134 Soil Survey
TABLE 16.--PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF THE SOILS
(The symbol < means less than; > means more than. Entries under "Erosion factors--T" apply to the entire
profile. Entries under "Organic matter" apply only to the surface layer. Absence of an entry indicates
that data were not available or were not estimated)
I I I I I I I I Erosion I
Soil name and 'Depth) Clay I Moist 'Permeability 'Available' Soil 'Shrink -swell I factors I Organic
map symbol I I I bulk I I water 'reaction' potential I I I matter
I I I density I 'capacity I I I K I T I
AaA
Altavista
APB
Appling
HnB
Buncombe
CcB
Cecil
CeB2
Cecil
ChA
Chewacla
GaD
Gaston
GnB2, GnC2
Gaston
GrB, GrC
Georgeville
GrD
Georgeville
GvB2, GvC2
Georgeville
HeB
Helena
I In
0-14
14-57
57-62
0-8
8-41
41-47
47-62
0-10
10-61
0-7
7-59
59-70
0-6
6-56
56-70
0-6
6-41
41-60
0-6
6-44
44-52
52-62
0-8
8-46
46-55
55-62
0-9
9-18
18-52
52-62
0-9
9-13
13-47
47-62
0-5
5-15
15-46
46-62
0-10
10-14
14-35
35-44
44-62
Pct I g/cc I In/hr I In/in I pH I
10-20
18-35
5-20
35-60
20-50
3-10
3-12
5-20
35-70
20-35
35-70
10-27
18-35
15-27
35-70
20-45
20-35
35-70
20-45
5-27
27-35
35-60
15-40
5-27
27-35
35-60
15-40
27-35
27-35
35-60
15-40
5-20
20-35
35-60
20-35
1.30-1.50
1.30-1.50
1.40-1.65
1.25-1.45
1.25-1.45
1.60-1.75
1.60-1.75
1.30-1.50
1.30-1.50
1.30-1.50
1.30-1.50
1.30-1.60
1.30-1.50
1.20-1.50
1.30-1.60
1.30-1.60
1.30-1.60
1.30-1.60
1.30-1.60
1.20-1.40
1.20-1.40
1.20-1.40
1.20-1.40
1.20-1.40
1.20-1.40
1.20-1.40
1.20-1.40
1.20-1.40
1.20-1.40
1.20-1.40
1.20-1.40
1.58-1.62
1.46-1.56
1.44-1.55
1.46-1.56
2.0-6.0
0.6-2.0
2.0-6.0
0.6-2.0
0.6-2.0
>6.0
>6.0
2.0-6.0
0.6-2.0
0.6-2.0
0.6-2.0
0.6-2.0
0.6-2.0
2.0-6.0
0.6-2.0
0.6-2.0
0.6-2.0
0.6-2.0
0.6-2.0
0.6-2.0
0.6-2.0
0.6-2.0
0.6-2.0
0.6-2.0
0.6-2.0
0.6-2.0
0.6-2.0
0.6-2.0
0.6-2.0
0.6-2.0
0.6-2.0
2.0-6.0
0.2-0.6
0.06-0.2
0.2-0.6
0.12-0.20
0.12-0.20
0.10-0.15
0.15-0.17
0.12-0.16
0.06-0.10
0.03-0.07
0.12-0.14
0.13-0.15
0.13-0.15
0.13-0.15
0.15-0.24
0.15-0.24
0.14-0.18
0.12-0.16
0.10-0.15
0.12-0.16
0.12-0.16
0.10-0.15
0.15-0.20
0.13-0.18
0.13-0.18
0.05-0.10
0.15-0.20
0.13-0.18
0.13-0.18
0.05-0.10
0.13-0.18
0.13-0.18
0.13-0.18
0.05-0.10
0.10-0.12
0.13-0.15
0.13-0.15
0.12-0.16
4.5-6.5
4.5-6.0
4.5-6.5
4.5-5.5
4.5-5.5
4.5-6.5
4.5-6.5
4.5-6.5
4.5-5.5
4.5-6.5
4.5-5.5
4.5-6.5
4.5-6.5
5.1-6.5
4.5-6.5
4.5-6.5
5.1-6.5
4.5-6.5
4.5-6.5
4.5-6.5
4.5-5.5
4.5-5.5
4.5-5.5
4.5-6.5
4.5-5.5
4.5-5.5
4.5-5.5
4.5-6.5
4.5-5.5
4.5-5.5
4.5-5.5
4.5-6.5
4.5-5.5
4.5-5.5
4.5-5.5
I I Pct
Low 0.24 5
Low 0.24
Low 0.24 4
Low 0.28
Low 0.28
Low 0.10 5
Low 0.10
Low 0.28 4
Low 0.28
Low 0.28 3
Low 0.28
Low 0.28 5
Low 0.32
Low 0.32 4
Moderate 0.24
Low 0.28
Low 0.28 4
Moderate 0.24
Low 0.28
Low 0.43 4
Low 0.32
Low 0.28
Low 0.32
Low 0.43 4
Low 0.32
Low 0.28
Low 0.32
Low 0.49 4
Low 0.32
Low 0.28
Low 0.32
Low 0.24 4
Moderate 0.28
High 0.28
Moderate 0.28
.5-3
.5-2
.5-1
.5-2
.5-1
1-4
.5-3
.5-3
.5-2
.5-2
<.5
.5-2

Lincoln County, North Carolina 135
TABLE 16.--PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF THE SOILS --Continued
Soil name and
map symbol
I I I
IDepthI Clay I
I I I
I I I
I I I I I Erosion I
Moist 'Permeability (Available► Soil (Shrink -swell I factors I Organic
bulk I I water (reaction' potential I I I matter
density I 'capacity I I I KITI
In I Pct I g/cc
MAD 0-7
Madison 7-28
28-32
32-62
MdB2, MdC2 0-5
Madison 5-26
26-34
34-62
MSB, MsC 0-8
Masada 8-15
15-55
55-62
PaB, PaC 0-9
Pacolet 9-27
27-35
35-62
PaD, PaE 0-5
Pacolet 5-23
23-32
32-62
PeB2, PeC2 0-7
Pacolet 7-26
26-35
35-62
PmB*, PmC*:
Pacolet 0-7
7-26
26-35
135-62
Madison 0-5
5-26
26-34
34-62
Urban land.
Pt*.
Pits
RnB, RnC
Rion
RvA
Riverview
SeB
Sedgefield
Ud*.
Udorthenta
5-20
30-50
25-35
25-35
30-50
25-35
10-27
20-35
27-55
25-40
8-20
35-65
15-30
10-25
8-20
35-65
15-30
10-25
20-35
35-65
15-30
10-25
20-35
35-65
15-30
10-25
25-35
30-50
25-35
1.45-1.65
1.20-1.40
1.30-1.40
1.30-1.40
1.20-1.40
1.30-1.40
1.20-1.50
1.30-1.50
1.30-1.60
1.30-1.60
1.00-1.50
1.30-1.50
1.20-1.50
1.20-1.50
1.00-1.50
1.30-1.50
1.20-1.50
1.20-1.50
1.30-1.50
1.30-1.50
1.20-1.50
1.20-1.50
1.30-1.50
1.30-1.50
1.20-1.50
1.20-1.50
1.30-1.40
1.20-1.40
1.30-1.40
In/hr I In/in I pH
2.0-6.0
0.6-2.0
0.6-2.0
0.6-2.0
0.6-2.0
0.6-2.0
2.0-6.0
0.6-2.0
0.6-2.0
0.6-2.0
2.0-6.0
0.6-2.0
0.6-2.0
0.6-2.0
2.0-6.0
0.6-2.0
0.6-2.0
0.6-2.0
0.6-2.0
0.6-2.0
0.6-2.0
0.6-2.0
0.6-2.0
0.6-2.0
0.6-2.0
0.6-2.0
0.6-2.0
0.6-2.0
0.6-2.0
0-5 5-20 1.30-1.50 2.0-6.0
5-32 18-35 1.40-1.50 0.6-2.0
32-62 2-20 1.30-1.50 2.0-6.0
0-8 10-27 1.30-1.60 0.6-2.0
8-40 18-35 1.20-1.40 0.6-2.0
40-60 4-18 1.20-1.50 2.0-6.0
0-10 8-20 1.40-1.60 2.0-6.0
10-33 35-60 1.25-1.40 0.06-0.2
33-38 10-35 1.35-1.50 0.6-2.0
38-62 --- --- ---
0.11-0.15
0.13-0.18
0.12-0.16
0.12-0.16
0.13-0.18
0.12-0.16
0.10-0.17
0.13-0.15
0.10-0.17
0.10-0.17
0.08-0.12
0.12-0.15
0.08-0.15
0.08-0.15
0.08-0.12
0.12-0.15
0.08-0.15
0.08-0.15
0.10-0.14
0.12-0.15
0.08-0.15
0.08-0.15
0.10-0.14
0.12-0.15
0.08-0.15
0.08-0.15
0.12-0.16
0.13-0.18
0.12-0.16
0.08-0.12
0.08-0.15
0.06-0.12
0.16-0.24
0.15-0.22
0.07-0.11
0.10-0.15
0.14-0.18
0.12-0.15
4.5-6.5
4.5-5.5
4.5-5.5
4.5-6.5
4.5-5.5
4.5-5.5
4.5-6.5
4.5-6.5
4.5-5.5
4.5-5.5
4.5-6.5
4.5-6.0
4.5-6.0
4.5-6.0
4.5-6.5
4.5-6.0
4.5-6.0
4.5-6.0
4.5-6.5
4.5-6.0
4.5-6.0
4.5-6.0
4.5-6.5
4.5-6.0
4.5-6.0
4.5-6.0
4.5-6.5
4.5-5.5
4.5-5.5
4.5-6.5
4.5-6.0
4.5-6.0
4.5-6.5
4.5-6.0
4.5-6.0
4.5-6.5
4.5-6.5
5.6-8.4
Low 0.24 4
Low 0.32
Low 0.28
Low 0.28 3
Low 0.32
Low 0.28
Low 0.32 4
Moderate 0.24
Moderate 0.24
Moderate 0.24
Low 0.20 3
Low 0.28
Low 0.28
Low 0.28
Low 0.20 3
Low 0.28
Low 0.28
Low 0.28
Low 0.24 2
Low 0.28
Low 0.28
Low 0.28
Low 0.24 2
Low 0.28
Low 0.28
Low 0.28
Low 0.28 3
Low 0.32
Low 0.28
Pct
.5-2
.5-2
1-3
.5-2
.5-2
.5-1
.5-1
.5-2
Low 0.24 3 .5-2
Low 0.20
Low 0.20
Low 0.32 5 .5-2
Low 0.24
Low 0.17
Low 0.28 3 .5-2
High 0.28
Moderate 0.28
See footnote at end of table.

136 Soil Survey
TABLE 16.--PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF THE SOILS --Continued
1
Soil name and (Depth( Clay
map symbol I I
1 I 1 1 I I Erosion
I Moist (Permeability (Available) Soil (Shrink -swell I factors I Organic
I bulk I I water (reaction( potential I I I matter
( density I (capacity I I I K I T
Ur*.
Urban land
WnB
Winnsboro
WoA
Worsham
ZmE*:
Zion
Mocksville
ZwC*, ZwD*:
Zion
Winnsboro
Mocksville
In I Pct
g/cc I In/hr I In/in I pH I I I I Pct
0-8 10-20 1.30-1.70 2.0-6.0
8-37 35-81 1.20-1.50 0.06-0.2
37-60 15-35 1.30-1.60 0.2-0.6
0-7 10-20 1.25-1.55 2.0-6.0
7-55 30-55 1.35-1.65 <0.06
55-62 10-40 1.20-1.50 0.2-0.6
0-8 5-18 1.30-1.55 2.0-6.0
8-18 35-60 1.20-1.50 0.06-0.6
18-23 35-50 1.30-1.60 0.2-2.0
23-28 --- --- ---
28-35
0-4 8-20 1.30-1.55 2.0-6.0
4-21 18-35 1.30-1.55 0.6-2.0
21-27 15-25 1.35-1.60 0.6-2.0
27-62 3-20 1.35-1.60 2.0-6.0
0-8 5-18 1.30-1.55 2.0-6.0
8-18 35-60 1.20-1.50 0.06-0.6
18-23 35-50 1.30-1.60 0.2-2.0
23-28 --- --- ---
28-35 --- --- ---
0-8 10-20 1.30-1.70 2.0-6.0
8-37 35-81 1.20-1.50 0.06-0.2
37-60 15-35 1.30-1.60 0.2-0.6
0-4 8-20 1.30-1.55 2.0-6.0
4-21 18-35 1.30-1.55 0.6-2.0
21-27 15-25 1.35-1.60 0.6-2.0
27-62 3-20 1.35-1.60 2.0-6.0
0.11-0.15
0.15-0.20
0.15-0.20
0.10-0.15
0.10-0.16
0.08-0.19
0.08-0.15
0.10-0.19
0.07-0.15
0.12-0.18
0.15-0.20
0.10-0.18
0.05-0.15
0.08-0.15
0.10-0.19
0.07-0.15
0.11-0.15
0.15-0.20
0.15-0.20
0.12-0.18
0.15-0.20
0.10-0.18
0.05-0.15
5.1-6.5
6.1-7.8
6.1-7.8
4.5-6.5
4.5-5.5
4.5-5.5
4.5-6.0
4.5-7.3
5.1-7.3
5.1-7.3
5.6-7.3
5.6-7.3
6.1-7.8
4.5-6.0
4.5-7.3
5.1-7.3
5.1-6.5
6.1-7.8
6.1-7.8
5.1-7.3
5.6-7.3
5.6-7.3
6.1-7.8
Low
High
Low
Low
Moderate
Moderate
Low
High
High
Low
Low
Low
Low
Low
High
High
Low
High
Low
Low
Low
Low
Low
0.28 4
0.20
0.28
0.28 4
0.28
0.28
0.28 2
0.28
0.17
0.28 3
0.24
0.28
0.20
0.28 2
0.28
0.17
0.28 4
0.20
0.28
0.28 3
0.24
0.28
0.20
.5-2
1-2
.5-2
0-2
.5-2
.5-2
0-2
* See description of the map unit for composition and behavior characteristics of the map unit.

Lincoln County, North Carolina 137
TABLE 17.--SOIL AND WATER FEATURES
("Flooding" and "water table" and terms such as "rare," "brief," "apparent," and "perched" are explained in the
text. The symbol < means less than; > means more than. Absence of an entry indicates that the feature is
not a concern or that data were not estimated)
Soil name and
map symbol
1 1
IHydro-I
I logicI
(group 1
Flooding I
High water table
Bedrock I Risk of corrosion
Frequency
1
Duration (Months I Depth
I I
Kind
I I I I
'Months IDepthlHard- 'Uncoated
I I 1 ness I steel
IConcrete
AaA
Altavista
ApB
Appling
BnB
Buncombe
CcB, CeB2
Cecil
ChA
Chewacla
GaD, GnB2, GnC2---
Gaston
GrB, GrC, GrD,
GvB2, GvC2
Georgeville
HeB
Helena
MaD, MdB2, MdC2---
Madison
MsB, MsC
Masada
PaB, PaC, PaD,
PaE, PeB2, PeC2--
Pacolet
PmB*, PmC*:
Pacolet
Madison
Urban land.
Pt*.
Pits
RnB, RnC
Rion
RvA
Riverview
SeB
Sedgefield
Ud*.
Udorthents
C Rare
B None
A Rare
B None
C Frequent-
C None
B None
C None
B None
C None
B None
B None
B None
B None
B Occasional
C None
Brief
Brief
1
Nov -Apr
Dec -Mar
I Ft
1.5-2.5
>6.0
>6.0
>6.0
0.5-1.5
>6.0
>6.0
1.5-2.5
>6.0
>6.0
>6.0
>6.0
>6.0
>6.0
3.0-5.0
1.0-1.5
Apparent
Apparent
Perched
Apparent
Perched
Dec -Apr
Nov -Apr
Jan -Apr
Dec -Mar
Jan -Mar
1 In I
>60
>60
>60
>60
>60
>60
>60
>60
>60
>60
>60
>60
>60
>60
>60
>60
Moderate
Moderate
Low
Moderate
High
High
High
High
High
High
High
High
High
Moderate
Low
High
Moderate.
Moderate.
Moderate.
Moderate.
Moderate.
Moderate.
High.
High.
Moderate.
High.
High.
High.
Moderate.
High.
Moderate.
Moderate.
See footnote at end of table.

138 Soil Survey
TABLE 17.--SOIL AND WATER FEATURES --Continued
I I Flooding I High water table I Bedrock I Risk of corrosion
Soil name and IHydro-I I I I I I I I I I
map symbol I logic' Frequency I Duration 'Months I Depth I Kind 'Months IDepthlHard- 'Uncoated 'Concrete
'group I I I I I I I I ness I steel I
Ur*.
Urban land
WnB
Winnsboro
WoA
Worsham
ZmE*:
Zion
Mocksville
ZwC*, ZwD*:
Zion
Winnsboro
Mocksville
D None
D None
C None
B None
C None
D None
B None
Ft
>6.0
0-1.0
>6.0
>6.0
>6.0
>6.0
>6.0
Apparent
1
Nov -Apr
In I
>60 --- High
>60 --- High
20-40 Hard High
>60 Moderate
20-40 Hard High
>60 --- High
>60 Moderate
Low.
Moderate.
Moderate.
Moderate.
Moderate.
Low.
Moderate.
* See description of the map unit for composition and behavior characteristics of the map unit.

Lincoln County, North Carolina 139
TABLE 18.--ENGINEERING INDEX TEST DATA
(Dashes indicate that data were not available. LL means liquid limit; PI, plasticity index;
MD, maximum dry density; and OM, optimum moisture)
Soil name,
Grain -size distribution
Moisture
density
report number, I Classification I Percentage I Percentage I I I I
horizon, and I I passing sieve-- smaller than --I LL I PI I MD I OM
depth in inches* I AASHTO 'Unified l No. No. No. No.I.02 1.0051.002
4 I 10 I 40 I 2001 mm 1 mm 1 mm
Cecil sandy clay
loam:
(S86NC-109-001)
Ap 0 to 6
Btl6 to 34
C 56 to 70
Gaston sandy clay
loam:
(585NC-109-003)
Ap 0 to 8
Bt218 to 46
C 55 to 72
Georgeville loam:
(585NC-109-009)
A 0 to 6
Bt218 to 38
C2 52 to 62
Masdison sandy clay
loam:
(S86NC-109-002)
Ap 0 to 5
Btl5 to 17
Cl 34 to 51
Winnsboro fine
sandy loam:
(585NC-109-008)
Ap 0 to 8
Btl11 to 25
C 37 to 60
A-6(6)
A-7-5(20)
A-7-6(11)
CL
ME
CL
97
100
98
95
99
98
84
89
91
56
74
65
46
66
44
36
57
30
I I Pct l ILb/ I Pct
I I I I cu ftl
28
53
25
34
57
44
16
27
18
105
94
103
18
26
20
A-6(4) CL 98 97 85 52 42 31 23 31 14 112 17
A-7-6(20) CH 99 99 91 71 65 53 46 56 29 95 27
A-7-5(5) MH 100 99 86 47 38 29 26 54 16 100 23
A-4(4) ML 92 87 83 70 36 17 10 30 7 100 18
A-7-6(20) CL 98 97 94 85 61 49 43 48 24 102 22
A-7-5(18) ML 99 99 97 88 43 27 22 49 17 103 20
A-7-6(5)
A-7-5(17)
A-7-5(6)
A-4 (0)
A-7-6(20)
A-6(10)
SC
ME
ML
SM
CH
CL
97
98
100
98
99
100
93
96
100
96
99
99
76
88
93
77
96
95
48
63
53
46
87
68
42
56
41
25
81
40
31
45
30
11
71
21
26
41
24
7
66
14
42
60
49
29
93
40
17
27
15
6
64
17
105
95
98
107
91
103
19
25
23
18
29
22
* Location of pedon sampled is the same as that given for the typical pedon in
"Soil Series and Their Morphology."

140
TABLE 19.--CLASSIFICATION OF THE SOILS
(An asterisk in the first column indicates that the soil is a taxadjunct to the series. See text for
a description of those characteristics of the soil that are outside the range of the series)
Soil name I Family or higher taxonomic class
Altavista
Appling
Buncombe
Cecil
Chewacla
Gaston
Georgeville
Helena
Madison
Masada
Mocksville
Pacolet
Rion
Riverview
Sedgefield
Udorthents
*Winnsboro
Worsham
Zion
Fine -loamy, mixed, thermic Aquic Hapludults
Clayey, kaolinitic, thermic Typic Kanhapludults
Mixed, thermic Typic Udipsamments
Clayey, kaolinitic, thermic Typic Kanhapludults
Fine -loamy, mixed, thermic Fluvaquentic Dystrochrepts
Clayey, mixed, thermic Humic Hapludults
Clayey, kaolinitic, thermic Typic Hapludults
Clayey, mixed, thermic Aquic Hapludults
Clayey, kaolinitic, thermic Typic Kanhapludults
Clayey, mixed, thermic Typic Hapludults
Fine -loamy, mixed, thermic Typic Hapludalfs
Clayey, kaolinitic, thermic Typic Kanhapludults
Fine -loamy, mixed, thermic Typic Hapludults
Fine -loamy, mixed, thermic Fluventic Dystrochrepts
Fine, mixed, thermic Aquultic Hapludalfs
Udorthents
Fine, mixed, thermic Typic Hapludalfs
Clayey, mixed, thermic Typic Ochraquults
Fine, mixed, thermic Ultic Hapludalfs
it U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1995-386-441/00017

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