Hugo Neighborhood Association & Historical Society |
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JOSEPHINE COUNTY SOIL SURVEY
This
soil survey is designed for many different users. Farmers, ranchers, foresters, planners,
community officials, engineers, developers, builders and home buyers are just a few of the
more common users of soil survey information. Many land use decisions such as building
site selection, food and fiber production, wildlife management, recreational development,
waste disposal, zoning decisions and pollution control are based on soil conditions. Great
differences in soil properties such as drainage, flooding, depth to bedrock, shrink and
swell potential, soil texture, permeability and rock fragment content can occur within
short distances. These and many other soil properties that affect land use are described
in this soil survey. The location of each soil is shown on the detailed soil maps. Each
soil is described and interpretations for specific uses are given. Value Of Survey The
Soil Survey has 157,532 acres (15%) of 2nd order survey, 880556 acres (85%) of
3rd order survey, and 1,912 acres (0%) of water.2 This
survey was mapped at two levels of intensity or detail. The more detailed part of the
survey would be considered a 2nd order level and the less detailed part would be a 3rd
order level. Soil map units in the 2nd order level are identified by field observation and
by remotely sensed data. This data is considered intensive and is to be used for general
agriculture and urban planning. One
of the most important parts of the soil survey is the map unit description. These
descriptions not only tell what the soil is and give a full description but also name
other soils that are typically found within the boundaries of the map unit. One very
important aspect to keep in mind is that up to 20 percent of a mapping unit can be
occupied by contrasting soil types. These contrasting soil types are called
inclusions and usually have different management characteristics. More Information Josephine
County is characterized by steep, rugged mountains and narrow river valleys. Elevations range from 750 on the river flood
plains to more than 7,000 feet on the higher mountains.
The total area of the county is about 1,040,000 acres, of which about
316,000 acres is privately owned and about 724,000 acres is publicly administered. The
average annual rainfall ranges from 30 to 80 inches.
The climate is warm and dry in the summer and cool and moist in the winter. Would
you like to learn more about the Soil Survey of Josephine County, Oregon and/or the soils
of your property? Consider contacting:
This
brochure is one of five in the soil survey series.
Would
you like to learn more about citizen involvement in land use planning? Contact a member of the Land Use Committee of the
Hugo Neighborhood. Disclaimer. This brochure is as much about providing
information and provoking questions as it is about opinions concerning the adequacy of
findings of fact and land use decisions. It
does not provide recommendations to citizens and it is not legal advice. It does not take the place of a lawyer. If citizens use information contained in this
paper, its their personal responsibility to make sure that the facts and general
information contained in it are applicable to their situation. (Link) 1. United States Department of Agriculture. Soil
Conservation Service. December 1983. Soil Survey of Josephine County, Oregon. (0R033) (Now
Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). 2. Soil Survey (page 13, Table 4, and Index to Map Sheets, Soil Legend) - those map unit names with an asterisk were narrowly defined units (3rd Order Survey); without asterisk (2nd Order). |
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