Water Gardens

The soil descriptions on this page come from the "Soil Survey of Wilson County North Carolina" United States Department of Agriculture Soil Conservation Service in Cooperation with North Carolina Department of Natural Resources and Community Development, North Carolina Agricultural research Services, North Carolina Agricultural Extension Service, and Wilson county Board of Commissioners.

linkGoA  GpA  NoB  NuB  Ra  Rb  Ur 

GoA - Goldsboro Sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes
This is a moderately well drained soil in broad interfluvial areas and shallow depressions on the Coastal Plain uplands. The surface layer is dark grayish brown sandy loam 7 inches thick. The subsurface layer is light yellowish brown sandy loam 3 inches thick.

The subsoil is 73 inches thick. The upper part is brownish yellow and light yellowish brown sandy clay loam that has light yellowish brown, strong brown, gray, and red mottles. The lower part is gray sandy clay loam that has light yellowish brown, strong brown, and red mottles. The underlying material to a depth of 97 inches is light gray sandy clay loam that has brownish yellow and light yellowish brown mottles.

Permeability is moderate. The available water capacity is medium. The seasonal high water table is at a depth of 2 to 3 feet.

Most of the acreage of the Goldsboro soil is cropland. Areas that are not in crops are woodland and pasture. This soil is well suited to corn, soybeans, small grains, and pasture. Artificial drainage may be needed for tobacco.

The dominant trees are loblolly pie, white oak, southern red oak, and red maple. The understory is mainly dogwood, holly and sourwood.

The soil is suited to most urban uses. Wetness affects the performance of septic tank absorption fields if the soil is not properly drained. The soil is suited to recreation uses.

GpA - Goldsboro-Urban land complex, 0 to 2 percent slopes. This complex consists of Goldsboro soil and urban land in areas that are too small and too intricately mixed to be mapped separately. About 50 percent of the acreage of the complex is Goldsboro soil, 35 percent is Urban land, and 15 percent is included soils.

Typically, the surface layer of the Goldsboro soil is dark grayish brown sandy loam 7 inches thick, the subsurface layer is light yellowish brown shady loam 3 inches thick. The subsoil is 73 inches thick. The upper part is brownish yellow sandy clay loam, the middle part is brownish yellow sandy clay loam tat has gray, brown, and red mottles. The lower part is gray sandy clay loam material to a depth of 97 inches is very similar to the lower part of the subsoil.

Urban land consists of areas where the original soil has been cut, filled, graded or paved. Soil properties have been so altered that classification of the soil is not possible. These areas are used for buildings of all types, streets, parking lots, and similar uses. The extent of site modification varies greatly. Many areas have had little disturbance, other areas have been cut, and other areas have been filled.

Runoff in areas of this complex is higher than in areas of other Goldsboro soils because building, streets, parking lots, and other impermeable materials cover most areas. Wetness is the main limitation.

NoB- Norfolk loamy sand, 2 to 6 percent slopes. This is a well drained soil on slightly rounded ridges and side slopes of the Coastal Plain uplands. The elevation commonly ranges from 100 to 260 feet.

Typically, the surface layer is brown loamy sand 6 inches thick. The subsoil is 59 inches thick. In the upper part it is yellowish brown sandy loam, in the middle part it is yellowish brown sandy clay loam that has yellowish red, strong brown, and red mottles, and in the lower part it is mottled yellowish brown, strong brown, yellowish red, red, and light gray sandy clay loam.

Permeability is moderate, and the available water capacity is medium. The seasonal high water table is at a depth of 4 to 6 feet.

Most of the acreage of the Norfolk soil is cropland, Areas not in crops are used as woodland, This soil is well suited to tobacco, corn, soybeans, pasture, and small grains, Minimum tillage, crop rotation, contour farming, crop residue management, and grassed waterways help prevent erosion.

The dominant trees are loblolly pine, white oak, southern red oak, and hickory. The understory is mainly holly, dogwood, persimmon, and sassafras.

This soil is suited or well suited to urban and recreational uses, Wetness is the main limitation.

NuB - Norfolk-Urban land complex, 0 to 6 percent slopes. This complex consists of Norfolk soil and Urban land in areas that are too small and intricately mixed to be mapped separately. The Norfolk soil makes up about 50 percent of the complex, and Urban land makes up about 30 percent. Included soils make up about 20 percent.

Typically, the Norfolk soil has a surface layer of brown loamy sand 6 inches thick. The subsoil is 59 inches thick. In the upper part it is yellowish brown sandy loam; in the middle part it is yellowish brown sandy clay loam that has red, strong brown, and yellowish red mottles; and in the lower part it is mottled yellowish brown, light gray, red, yellowish red, and strong brown sandy clay loam.

Urban areas consist of areas where the original soil has been cut, filled, graded, paved, or otherwise changed. Soil properties have been so altered that classification of the soil is not possible. These areas are now used for buildings, streets, parking lots, and other similar uses. The slope generally is modified to fit the requirements of the site. The extent of site modification varies greatly. In may areas, the soil has been little disturbed, and in other areas it has been cut or filled.

There is considerable surface runoff from areas of this complex because the building sites and paved area are impermeable. Runoff is particularly heavy during intense rainstorms. Erosion is a moderate hazard if the soils are not protected. Erosion control practices are needed to prevent pollution of water by sediment.

Ra - Rains sandy loam. This is a nearly level. Poorly drained soil in broad interstream areas and in shallow depressions on the Coastal Plain uplands. The elevation ranges from 100 to 270 feet.

Typically, the surface layer is very dark gray sandy loam 8 inches thick. The subsurface layer is 7 inches thick. It is light brownish gray sandy loam that has dark gray mottles. The subsoil is 54 inches thick. The upper part is gray sandy clay loam that has gray and strong brown mottles. The lower part is gray sandy clay loam that has brownish yellow and light yellowish brown mottles. The underlying material to a depth of 99 inches is light gray sandy loam and strong brown loamy sand. The sandy loam has gray, strong brown, very pale brown, yellowish red and red mottles.

Permeability is moderate. The seasonal high water table is at or near the surface in winter and early in spring.

The Rains soil is used mainly as woodland. Areas that are not in trees are in crops and pasture. If adequately drained, this soil is well suited to corn, soybeans, and small grains, pasture, and tobacco.

The dominant trees are maple, sweetgum. Loblolly pine, willow oak, and water oak. The understory is mainly cane, holly, sourwood, and greenbrier. Wetness from November to April restricts the use of equipment and damages seedlings.

This soil is poorly suited to most urban and recreational uses. Wetness is the main limitation

Rb - Rains-Urban land complex. This complex consists of nearly level Rains soil and Urban land in areas that are too small and intricately mixed to be mapped separately. The Rains soil makes up about 40 percent of the complex, and Urban land makes up 35 percent. Included soils make up 25 percent.

Typically, the surface layer of the Rains soil is very dark gray sandy loam 8 inches thick. The subsurface layer is light brownish gray sandy loam 7 inches thick. The subsoil is 54 inches thick. The upper part is gray sandy clay loam that has gray and strong brown mottles. The lower part is gray sandy clay loam that has brownish yellow and light yellowish brown mottles. The underlying material to a depth of 99 inches is light gray sandy loam and strong brown loamy sand. The sandy loam has gray, strong brown, very pale brown, yellowish red, and red mottles.

Urban land consists of areas where the original soil has been cut, filled, graded, paved, or otherwise changed. Soil properties have been so altered that classification of the soil is not possible. These areas are used for buildings of all kinds, streets, parking lots, and other similar uses. The extent of site modification varies greatly. In many areas the soils have been little disturbed, and in other areas they have been cut or filled.

There is considerable runoff from areas of this complex because the areas covered by buildings, streets, and parking lots are impermeable. Wetness is the main limitation.

Ur - Urban land. This map unit consists of areas where building streets, parking lots, and railroads yards cover more than 85 percent of the surface. Extensive urbanization has altered the natural soils and has changed the topography and original landscape. The slope is commonly 0 to 6 percent.

Runoff is considerable in areas of this map unit. It increases the flood hazard in low-lying areas. Areas that have been graded and have not been stabilized can be the source of silt carried into waterways and reservoirs.