Official Series Description


Lab Data Summary

Aggregate lab data for the WATAHALA soil series. This aggregation is based on all pedons with a current taxon name of WATAHALA, and applied along 1-cm thick depth slices. Solid lines are the slice-wise median, bounded on either side by the interval defined by the slice-wise 5th and 95th percentiles. The median is the value that splits the data in half. Five percent of the data are less than the 5th percentile, and five percent of the data are greater than the 95th percentile. Values along the right hand side y-axis describe the proportion of pedon data that contribute to aggregate values at this depth. For example, a value of "90%" at 25cm means that 90% of the pedons correlated to WATAHALA were used in the calculation. Source: KSSL snapshot (updated 2020-03-18). Methods used to assemble the KSSL snapshot used by SoilWeb / SDE

There are insufficient data to create the lab data summary figure.


Water Balance

Monthly water balance estimated using a leaky-bucket style model for the WATAHALA soil series. Monthly precipitation (PPT) and potential evapotranspiration (PET) have been estimated from the 50th percentile of gridded values (PRISM 1981-2010) overlapping with the extent of SSURGO map units containing each series as a major component. Monthly PET values were estimated using the method of Thornthwaite (1948). These (and other) climatic parameters are calculated with each SSURGO refresh and provided by the fetchOSD function of the soilDB package. Representative water storage values (“AWC” in the figures) were derived from SSURGO by taking the 50th percentile of profile-total water storage (sum[awc_r * horizon thickness]) for each soil series. Note that this representation of “water storage” is based on the average ability of most plants to extract soil water between 15 bar (“permanent wilting point”) and 1/3 bar (“field capacity”) matric potential. Soil moisture state can be roughly interpreted as “dry” when storage is depleted, “moist” when storage is between 0mm and AWC, and “wet” when there is a surplus. Clearly there are a lot of assumptions baked into this kind of monthly water balance. This is still a work in progress.

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Sibling Summary

Siblings are those soil series that occur together in map units, in this case with the WATAHALA series. Sketches are arranged according to their subgroup-level taxonomic structure. Source: SSURGO snapshot (updated 2024-02-21), parsed OSD records (updated 2023-10-06) and snapshot of SC database (updated 2023-10-02).

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Select annual climate data summaries for the WATAHALA series and siblings. Series are sorted according to hierarchical clustering of median values. Source: SSURGO map unit geometry and 1981-2010, 800m PRISM data (updated 2023-10-09).

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Geomorphic description summaries for the WATAHALA series and siblings. Series are sorted according to hierarchical clustering of proportions and relative hydrologic position within an idealized landform (e.g. top to bottom). Most soil series (SSURGO components) are associated with a hillslope position and one or more landform-specific positions: hills, mountain slopes, terraces, and/or flats. Proportions can be interpreted as an aggregate representation of geomorphic membership. The values printed to the left (number of component records) and right (Shannon entropy) of stacked bars can be used to judge the reliability of trends. Small Shannon entropy values suggest relatively consistent geomorphic association, while larger values suggest lack thereof. Source: SSURGO component records (updated 2023-10-04).

Click the image to view it full size.

Click the image to view it full size.

Click the image to view it full size.

There are insufficient data to create the 3D terrace figure.

There are insufficient data to create the 3D flats position figure.

Competing Series

Soil series competing with WATAHALA share the same family level classification in Soil Taxonomy. Source: parsed OSD records (updated 2023-10-06) and snapshot of the SC database (updated 2023-10-02).

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Select annual climate data summaries for the WATAHALA series and competing. Series are sorted according to hierarchical clustering of median values. Source: SSURGO map unit geometry and 1981-2010, 800m PRISM data (updated 2023-10-09).

There are insufficient data to create the annual climate figure.

Geomorphic description summaries for the WATAHALA series and competing. Series are sorted according to hierarchical clustering of proportions and relative hydrologic position within an idealized landform (e.g. top to bottom). Proportions can be interpreted as an aggregate representation of geomorphic membership. Most soil series (SSURGO components) are associated with a hillslope position and one or more landform-specific positions: hills, mountain slopes, terraces, and/or flats. The values printed to the left (number of component records) and right (Shannon entropy) of stacked bars can be used to judge the reliability of trends. Shannon entropy values close to 0 represent soil series with relatively consistent geomorphic association, while values close to 1 suggest lack thereof. Source: SSURGO component records (updated 2023-10-04).

There are insufficient data to create the 2D hillslope position figure.

There are insufficient data to create the 3D hills figure.

There are insufficient data to create the 3D mountains figure.

There are insufficient data to create the 3D terrace figure.

There are insufficient data to create the 3D flats position figure.

Soil series sharing subgroup-level classification with WATAHALA, arranged according to family differentiae. Hovering over a series name will print full classification and a small sketch from the OSD. Source: snapshot of SC database (updated 2023-10-02).

Block Diagrams

Click a link below to display the diagram. Note that these diagrams may be from multiple survey areas.

  1. VA-2010-11-05-01 | Bland County -

    Diagram of a sequence of landform positions in areas underlain with limestone in Bland County. The soils named on the land surface are shown in their natural relationship to each other and in their relationship to landform position (Soil Survey of Bland County, Virginia).

  2. VA-2010-11-05-05 | Bland County -

    Diagram of a sequence of landform positions in areas underlain with limestone in Bland County. The soils named on the land surface are shown in their natural relationship to each other and in their relationship to landform position (Soil Survey of Bland County, Virginia).

  3. VA-2010-11-05-28 | Lee County - 2006

    Typical pattern of soils that are underlain with limestone. The soils named on the land surface are shown in their natural relationship to each other and in their relationship to parent material and landform position (Soil Survey of Lee County, Virginia; 2006).

  4. VA-2010-11-05-30 | Russell County - 2007

    Diagram of a sequence of landform positions in areas underlain with limestone, shale, and sandstone in Russell County. The soils named on the land surface are shown in their natural relationship to each other and in their relationship to landform position (Soil Survey of Russell County, Virginia; 2007).

  5. VA-2010-11-05-34 | Scott County - 2006

    Diagram of a sequence of landform positions in areas underlain with limestone in Scott County. The soils named on the land surface are shown in their natural relationship to each other and in their relationship to landform position (Soil Survey of Scott County, Virginia; 2006).

  6. VA-2010-11-05-36 | Washington County and the City of Bristol - 2006

    A sequence of landforms in areas underlain by limestone in Washington County. The soils named on the land surface are shown in their natural relationship to each other and in their relationship to landform position (Soil Survey of Washington County and the City of Bristol, Virginia; 2006).

  7. VA-2012-05-10-02 | Bland County - 2006

    Diagram of a sequence of landform positions in areas underlain with limestone in Bland County. The soils named on the land surface are shown in their natural relationship to each other and in their relationship to landform position (Soil Survey of Bland County, Virginia; 2006).

  8. VA-2012-05-11-09 | Lee County - 2006

    Typical pattern of soils that are underlain with limestone. The soils named on the land surface are shown in their natural relationship to each other and in their relationship to parent material and landform position (Soil Survey of Lee County, Virginia; 2006).

  9. VA-2012-05-11-13 | Russell County - 2007

    Diagram of a sequence of landform positions in areas underlain with limestone, shale, and sandstone in Russell County. The soils named on the land surface are shown in their natural relationship to each other and in their relationship to landform position (Soil Survey of Russell County, Virginia; 2007).

  10. VA-2012-05-11-14 | Washington County Area and the City of Bristol - 2006

    A sequence of landforms in areas underlain by limestone in Washington County. The soils named on the land surface are shown in their natural relationship to each other and in their relationship to landform position (Soil Survey of Washington County Area and the City of Bristol, Virginia; 2006).

  11. VA-2012-05-11-17 | Washington County Area and the City of Bristol - 2006

    Schematic cross section of the major geologic strata and dominant soils in Washington County (A-A´). Route of cross section is shown in figure 9 (Soil Survey of Washington County Area and the City of Bristol, Virginia; 2006).

Map Units

Map units containing WATAHALA as a major component. Limited to 250 records.

Map Unit Name Symbol Map Unit Area (ac) Map Unit Key National Map Unit Symbol Soil Survey Area Publication Date Map Scale
Frederick-Watahala complex, 15 to 35 percent slopes25D662834354x06nva00520031:24000
McClung-Watahala-Dekalb complex, 15 to 35 percent slopes37D331834369x074va00520031:24000
Frederick-Watahala complex, 8 to 15 percent slopes25C226834353x06mva00520031:24000
Watahala-Frederick complex, 35 to 55 percent slopes, very rocky51E189834394x07yva00520031:24000
Dekalb-Watahala-McClung complex, 35 to 55 percent slopes20E121834343x069va00520031:24000
Dekalb-Watahala-McClung complex, 35 to 55 percent slopes16E1856414514811kqczva01720051:24000
McClung-Watahala-Dekalb complex, 15 to 35 percent slopes38D1056414514801kqcyva01720051:24000
McClung-Watahala-Dekalb complex, 8 to 15 percent slopes38C252514514791kqcxva01720051:24000
Frederick-Watahala complex, 15 to 35 percent slopes23D83814513981kq99va01720051:24000
Watahala-Frederick complex, 35 to 55 percent slopes, very rocky55E80614513991kq9bva01720051:24000
Frederick-Watahala complex, 8 to 15 percent slopes23C33014513971kq98va01720051:24000
Watahala gravelly silt loam, 15 to 35 percent slopes, extremely stony39D461414027031j2mhva02120051:24000
Watahala gravelly silt loam, 35 to 55 percent slopes, extremely stony39E427014027041j2mjva02120051:24000
Watahala gravelly silt loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes38D237914026762t3gnva02120051:24000
Watahala gravelly silt loam, 25 to 35 percent slopes38E107314026772t3gpva02120051:24000
Watahala gravelly silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes38C68914026752t3gmva02120051:24000
Frederick and Watahala soils, karst, 15 to 25 percent slopes18D53914026821j2ltva02120051:24000
Watahala gravelly silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, extremely stony39C46514027021j2mgva02120051:24000
Frederick and Watahala soils, karst, 8 to 15 percent slopes18C44214026811j2lsva02120051:24000
Watahala gravelly silt loam, 35 to 55 percent slopes38F21914026782t3gqva02120051:24000
Watahala gravelly silt loam, 15 to 35 percent slopes, extremely stony40E307624810782p8rsva04520101:24000
Watahala gravelly silt loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes39D263224810492t3gnva04520101:24000
Watahala gravelly silt loam, 25 to 35 percent slopes39E119924810502t3gpva04520101:24000
Watahala gravelly silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes39C110624810482t3gmva04520101:24000
Watahala gravelly silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, extremely stony40C82524810772p8rrva04520101:24000
Watahala gravelly silt loam, 35 to 55 percent slopes, extremely stony40F38224810792p8rtva04520101:24000
Frederick and Watahala soils, karst, 15 to 25 percent slopes20D16824810542p8r0va04520101:24000
Frederick and Watahala soils, karst, 8 to 15 percent slopes20C10424810532p8qzva04520101:24000
Dekalb-Watahala-McClung complex, 35 to 55 percent slopes15F540025120392q7vlva09120101:24000
Elliber-Watahala complex, 35 to 55 percent slopes17F471525120422q7vpva09120101:24000
McClung-Watahala-Dekalb complex, 15 to 35 percent slopes35E340325120762q9hsva09120101:24000
Elliber-Watahala complex, 15 to 35 percent slopes17E252625120412q7vnva09120101:24000
Frederick-Watahala complex, 15 to 35 percent slopes22E106125120532q7w1va09120101:24000
Frederick-Watahala complex, 8 to 15 percent slopes22C76025120542q7w2va09120101:24000
Watahala-Frederick complex, 35 to 55 percent slopes, very rocky52F69625121052q9jqva09120101:24000
Elliber-Watahala complex, 8 to 15 percent slopes17C61325120432q7vqva09120101:24000
McClung-Watahala-Dekalb complex, 8 to 15 percent slopes35C52325120772q9htva09120101:24000
Watahala-Frederick complex, 15 to 35 percent slopes36D10030521736khx6va10519971:24000
Watahala-Frederick complex, 35 to 55 percent slopes36E7920521737khx7va10519971:24000
Watahala-Frederick complex, 7 to 15 percent slopes36C4235521735khx5va10519971:24000
Frederick-Watahala complex, 15 to 25 percent slopes25D1780025147952qdb1va16320101:24000
Watahala-Frederick complex, 15 to 35 percent slopes, very stony74E1040825148842qddrva16320101:24000
Frederick-Watahala complex, 25 to 35 percent slopes25E1020125147962qdb2va16320101:24000
Frederick-Watahala complex, 8 to 15 percent slopes25C953325147942qdb0va16320101:24000
Watahala-Frederick complex, 35 to 55 percent slopes, very stony74F247825148852qddsva16320101:24000
Watahala-Frederick complex, 8 to 15 percent slopes, very stony74C128525148832qddqva16320101:24000
Watahala gravelly silt loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes57D1734216718632t3gnva16720061:24000
Watahala gravelly silt loam, 25 to 35 percent slopes57E1307716718642t3gpva16720061:24000
Watahala gravelly silt loam, 35 to 55 percent slopes57F991516711832t3gqva16720061:24000
Watahala gravelly silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes57C359016711802t3gmva16720061:24000
Watahala gravelly silt loam, 25 to 35 percent slopes, extremely stony58E186216711161t2xzva16720061:24000
Watahala gravelly silt loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes, extremely stony58D46216718181t3nmva16720061:24000
Watahala gravelly silt loam, 25 to 35 percent slopes43E162277781122t3gpva16920031:24000
Watahala gravelly silt loam, 35 to 55 percent slopes43F117957781132t3gqva16920031:24000
Watahala-Opequon gravelly silt loams, 35 to 55 percent slopes, rocky44F7804778116v3pjva16920031:24000
Watahala-Opequon gravelly silt loams, 25 to 35 percent slopes, rocky44E4381778115v3phva16920031:24000
Watahala gravelly silt loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes43D26227781112t3gnva16920031:24000
Watahala-Opequon gravelly silt loams, karst, 15 to 25 percent slopes, rocky45D1443778118v3plva16920031:24000
Watahala gravelly silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes43C6647781102t3gmva16920031:24000
Watahala-Opequon gravelly silt loams, karst, 8 to 15 percent slopes, rocky45C365778117v3pkva16920031:24000
Watahala very gravelly loam, 25 to 45 percent slopes49E621519409kfh4va19119981:15840
Watahala very gravelly loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes49D250519408kfh3va19119981:15840
Watahala very gravelly loam, 7 to 15 percent slopes49C104519407kfh2va19119981:15840

Map of Series Extent

Approximate geographic distribution of the WATAHALA soil series. To learn more about how this distribution was mapped, or to compare this soil series extent to others, use the Series Extent Explorer (SEE) application. Source: generalization of SSURGO geometry (updated 2023-10-04).