montgomery county today
59
vegetation. Hydric soils that have been drained
for agricultural use are one example of this. Soils
with major hydric components are a conservative
indicator of wetlands. Other soils have hydric
components in limited settings, such as
depressions, bottomlands, swales, drainage ways,
and alluvial soils.
Alluvial Soils
Alluvial soils are frequently, but not always,
located within a floodplain. These soils have
been deposited by flowing water and are not
stable as a result of their texture and composition.
The presence of alluvial soils is only one indicator
of a floodplain. Changes in the tributary drainage
or slope of the adjacent stream may create a
floodplain that is either larger or smaller than the
area of alluvial soils. An important aspect of
alluvial soils is that they often form aquifer
recharge areas.
The grading of soil to prepare a site for development can be
costly.
FIGURE 46:
Significant Agricultural Soils
Conservation District
The Montgomery County Conservation District was
formed in 1956 to protect and improve the quality of
life of the residents of Montgomery County and sur-
rounding communities by providing education, tech-
nical guidance, and erosion and sediment plan review
for the protection of soil and water control in the
county Professional staff at the Conservation District
are guided by a board of directors and work coopera-
tively with the Pennsylvania Department of Environ-
mental Protection as a level II cooperator undertaking
erosion and sediment plan review and approval and
site inspection. Under this delegation agreement the
DEP conducts enforcement actions.
Sediment Pollution
Soil in the wrong place can be a significant source
of water pollution. Once eroded off the land
surface, soil can be suspended in stormwater or
become airborne. As a suspended solid in water,
soil can make water turbid and reduce water quality.
Airborne dust can cause localized air pollution.
When deposited as stream sediments, soil can
disrupt stream habitat and reduce its hydraulic
capacity. Once deposited in the bed of a stream,
soils continue to migrate down stream causing
additional problems.
Source: National Resources and Conservation Service
¯
Pottstown
Norristown
Lansdale
Collegeville
Jenkintown
Conshohocken
476
276
76
476
t
u
422
t
u
202
611
100
309
Hatboro
Ambler
Pennsburg
73
663
29
29
73
Prime Agricultural Soils
Agricultural Soils of Statewide Importance
Other Soils
