Maine Soil Survey

We are...

working to investigate, inventory, classify and interpret the soils of Maine; and,
working to help people understand, value and wisely use soil resources.

Soil Survey Cooperators:

Maine Agricultural and Forest Experiment Station
Maine Department of Agriculture
Maine Association of Professional Soil Scientists

Statewide Soils Information

Some of the following document require Adobe Acrobat Reader. (.pdf)

Statewide List for Hydric Soils 
 
Progress Map for Maine Soil Survey can be found at the Electronic Field Office Technical Guide Site

Soils Digital Data Map can be found at the Electronic Field Office Technical Guide site

State of Maine Catena Key  (.pdf)

Key for Soil Drainage Classes in Maine

State Soil - Chesuncook (.pdf)

• Series Description

Soil Survey Information  

Soil surveys provide an orderly, on-the-ground, scientific inventory of soil resources that includes maps showing the locations and extent of soils, data about the physical and chemical properties of those soils, and information derived from that data about potentialities and problems of use on each kind of soil in sufficient detail to meet all reasonable needs for farmers, agricultural technicians, community planners, engineers, and scientists in planning and transferring the findings of research and experience to specific land areas. 

Soil surveys provide the basic information needed to manage soil sustainably. They also provide information needed to protect water quality, wetlands, and wildlife habitat. Soil surveys are the basis for predicting the behavior of a soil under alternative uses, its potential erosion hazard, potential for ground water contamination, suitability and productivity for cultivated crops, trees, and grasses. Soil surveys are important to planners, engineers, zoning commissions, tax commissioners, homeowners, developers, as well as agricultural producers. 

          Published Soil Surveys for Maine

          Online Soil Surveys for Maine

Section II of the Electronic Field Office Technical Guide includes the following information for each county:  soil legend; soil description; and cropland, engineering, forestry, non-agricultural, pasture/hayland, recreation, waste disposal and wildlife interpretations.

Web Soil Survey

This web site allows online viewing of soil survey maps and reports.  The new application greatly enhances access to information on soils.

Soil Survey Tools

• Glossary of Soil Survey Terms

• Official Soil Series Description

• National Soil Survey Handbook

• Keys to Soil Taxonomy

• Field Book for Describing and Sampling Soils

• NRCS Soil Quality Information Sheets

History of Soil Survey in Maine

The following documents require Adobe Acrobat Reader. (.pdf)

• The Early Soil Survey in Maine 1910-1955 - by Norman R. Kalloch, Jr., State Soil Scientist (.pdf) (1.6 MB)
• Experiences in Soil Survey 1936-1976 - by John Arno, Soil Scientist (.pdf) (1.9 MB)

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