Soils on Quaternary Unconsolidated Sediments

Qab - Terraces with Uniform Texture Soils on Holocene Sediments | Qaf - Fan-plain with mixed Uniform and Duplex Soils on Quaternary Sediments | Qah - Terraces with Duplex and Variable Uniform Texture Soils Quaternary Alluvium | Qao - Plains with Duplex Soils on Quaternary, or Older Sediments | Qau - Higher Terraces with Duplex Soils on Quaternary and Ordovician Sediments | Qde - Depressions with Heavy Clay Soils on Recent Sediments | Qded - Depressions with Heavy Clay Soils on recent sediments drier than Qde | Qsm - Valley floor with Uniform and Duplex Soils on Mixed Parent Materials | Qu - Lakeside Sandridge with Uniform Sand Soils on Recent Wind Blown Deposits | Qya - Terraces with Variable Soils on Quaternary Sediments | Qyad - Terraces with Variable Soils on Quaternary Sediments. Drier than Qya

Qya - Terraces with Variable Soils on Quaternary Sediments

River deposits of gravels, sands, silts, and clays along the main streams in the north of the Shire. The unit occupies 0.6% of the Shire and covers 4.4 km². The unit is variable.

Three different terraces are recognized though these do not occur in a repeated pattern and one or more may be absent at any given site. The oldest terrace has the greatest soil profile differentiation, the youngest the least.

Salting may occur in some areas, the salt having been transported by ground-water from the surrounding Tertiary and Ordovician sediments.

The unit is mainly used for grazing, with occasional fodder crops. Waterlogging and flooding hazard limit other uses.

SOILS
The soils of Component 2 (the most common component) are extremely variable, ranging from sands to clays. They are usually dark Um soils (clay loams and loams). As no meaningful soil description can be given at this scale, the description that follows is for duplex soils of a higher terrace.

Mottled Yellow Duplex Soils

Factual Key: Dy 3.42/CL, 15-40 am/recent alluvium, 70-150 cm

Horizon	Depth (cm)	Description
A1	0-10	Dark brown (10YR 3/4) when moist; clay loam; apedal and massive; consistence when slightly moist is friable; pH 6.8; clear boundary.
A21	10-20	Dull yellowish brown (10YR 5/3) when moist; sandy clay loam; apedal and massive; consistence when slightly moist is friable; pH 6.3; diffuse boundary.
A22	20-25	Gravelly layer.
B	25-100	Bright yellowish brown (10YR 6/8) when moist; with abundant distinct red mottles; medium clay; strong angular blocky 40 mm breaking down to =angular blocky 2 mm; consistence when slightly moist is firm; pH 5.3.
C	100+	Alluvial deposits - stratified clays, sands and gravels.

COMPONENT Proportion %	1 30	2 50	3 5	4 15

CLIMATE
Rainfall(av.) mm	Annual1600 - 680
Temperature(av.) °C	Annual 12
TOPOGRAPHY
Landscape	Alluvium of the northern creeks in the Shire
Elevation (range) m	240 - 360
Local relief (av.) m	5
Drainage pattern	-
Drainage density km/km²	5.7
Land form	Terraces			Stream channel
Position on land form	Higher terraces	Middle terrace	Lowest terrace	Stream bed and banks
Slope (range) %, slope shape	1-5 ; Straight	0-2 ; Straight	0-2 ; Straight	-
NATIVE VEGETATION
Structure	Woodland (?)
Dominant species	E. viminalis, E. radiata, some E. camaldulensis
SOIL
Parent material	Unconsolidated river deposits
Description	Mottled yellow duplex soils	Dark uniform soils (variable texture-mainly clay loams)	Uniform (variable) sands through to clay	Variable-from clayey to stony material
Factual key	Dy 3.42	Um 5.52 and others
Surface texture	Clay loam	Clay loam	Variable	-
Permeability	Moderate - low	Moderate - low	Variable	-
Depth (range) m	1.2 - 2.0	1.2 - 2.0	0.5 - 1.0	-
LAND USE
	Grazing	Grazing, some market gardens on larger areas	Grazing, recreation
SOIL DETERIORATION
Critical land features	Hard setting surfaces	Low lying areas prone to flooding		Exposed surfaces
Processes	Overland flow	Overland flow, periodic waterlogging	Some accumulation of salts. Undercutting by stream, periodic waterlogging, overland flow
Forms	Minor sheet erosion	Siltation	Streambank erosion, salting, flooding

Qab - Terraces with Uniform Texture Soils on Holocene Sediments

Alluvial flats and terraces associated with the Moorabool River, south of Maude. They have an area of 9 km²or 1.3% of the Shire.

The most common soil is the dark, uniform, heavy textured soil which is found on the middle terrace. In some areas there are higher, sloping terraces which have red duplex soils, The middle terrace contains billabongs which are old river channels that were cut off when the river changed its course in the past. Components 3 & 4 and much of Component 2 are subject to flooding, but the frequency and intensity of flooding is variable. The middle and higher terraces are used for market gardening.

SOILS
The main soil type is found on Component 2.

Dark Uniform Soils of Medium or Heavy Texture

Factual Key: Ug 5.1/CL-MC, 5-20 cm/alluvium, 100-200 cm

Horizon	Depth (cm)	Description
A	0-60	Brownish black (10YR 3/1) when moist, with grey mottles; medium clay; moderate subangular blocky 5 mm; consistence when moist is firm; pH 6.5; clear boundary.
B	60-80+	Black (10YR 2/1) when moist with yellow mottles; medium clay; strong angular blocky 4mm: consistence when moist is firm; pH 8.0.

COMPONENT Proportion %	1 6	2 80	3 4	4 10
COMPONENT Proportion %	1 6	2 80	3 4	4 10
CLIMATE
Rainfall(av.) mm	Annual 500 - 610
Temperature(av.) °C	Annual 13
GEOLOGY
Age, rock	Holocene river alluvium	Miocene sediments ?
TOPOGRAPHY
Landscape	Terraces and flood plains along the Moorabool hills
Elevation (range) m	30 - 122
Local relief (av.) m	14
Drainage pattern	Dendritic
Drainage density km/km²	4.3
Land form	Higher terrace	Middle terrace and billabongs		River channel and terrace
Position on land form	Gentle upper slopes	Terrace	Billabong	Bottom
Slope (range) %, slope shape	1-6 ; Convex	1-2 ; Straight	1-2 ; Concave	1-2 ; Straight
NATIVE VEGETATION
Structure	Open woodland
Dominant species	E. camaldulensis
SOIL
Parent material	Unconsolidated materials
Description	Red duplex soils	Dark uniform soils of medium or heavy texture	Dark gradational soils	Uniform soils (variable)
Factual key	Dr 2.1	Um / Uf	Gn 3.51	Uc
Surface texture	Fine sandy loam	Clay loam	Clay loam	Silty clay loam (variable)
Permeability	Moderate	Moderate-high	Low	-
Depth (range) m	1.0 - 2.0	1.0 - 2.0	0.8 - 1.2	-
LAND USE
	Some farm houses	Cultivation (Market garden)		Water supply, wild life conservation, recreation
SOIL DETERIORATION
Critical land features	Hard setting surfaces	Low situation affected by flooding from river
Processes	Overland flow	Overland flow, periodic waterlogging	Sub-surface flow, overland flow, periodic waterlogging	Overland flow
Forms	Very minor sheet erosion	Siltation	Siltation	Stream-bank erosion

Qaf - Fan-plain with mixed Uniform and Duplex Soils on Quaternary Sediments

Colluvial and alluvial outwash from the scarp of the Rowsley Fault along the eastern boundary at the northern end of the Shire. The total area of the unit is 4.2 km², which represents 0.6% of the Shire.

The soils of the upper steeper, slope strongly reflect the geology of the Rowsley Scarp. In most cases this is mainly basalt and the soils are dark brown uniform or dark duplex soils. Further south, where limestone forms the scarp, alkaline red mottled yellow duplex soils occur. The lower, gentler, slopes being formed on a mix of colluvium and alluvium do not reflect the geology of the scarp as strongly and generally have red duplex and occasionally red mottled yellow, duplex soils.

The main land use is cropping and grazing. Gully erosion can be very severe in these soils, because the deep sodic deposits are subject to high-velocity flowing water from the escarpment.

SOILS
The soils on this unit are quite variable. The following description represents one of the more common soils of Component 1.

Dark Brown Shallow Uniform Clayey Soils - Weak Structure

Factual Key: Ug 5.3/CL -LMC, 10-20 cm/colluvium of basalt origin, 40-100 cm

Horizon	Depth (cm)	Description
A	0-15	Dark brown (10YR 3/3) when moist; self-mulching medium clay; moderate angular blocky 5 mm; consistence when moist is firm and very plastic when wet; pH 6.5; clear boundary.
B	15-50	Brown (7.5YR 4/4) when moist; clay; weak subangular blocky 5 mm; consistence when moist is hard; 20% lime as soft accumulations; pH 8.5.

COMPONENT Proportion %	1 60	2 40
CLIMATE
Rainfall(av.) mm	Annual 500 - 560
Temperature(av.) °C	Annual 12
GEOLOGY
Age, rock	Quaternary fault aprons, gravel, sand and clay
TOPOGRAPHY
Landscape	Gently sloping plain below the Rowsley Fault scarp
Elevation (range) m	240
Local relief (av.) m	7
Drainage pattern	Parallel
Drainage density km/km²	1.2
Land form	Plain
Position on land form	Upper slope	Lower slope
Slope (range) %, slope shape	2 – 6	l-3
NATIVE VEGETATION
Structure	Open forest
Dominant species	E. microcarpa, E. leucoxylon E. polyanthemos, E. goniocalyx	E, microcarpa, E. leucoxylon E. polyanthemos, E. goniocalyx E. ovata
SOIL
Parent material	Unconsolidated sediments
Description	Dark brown shallow uniform soils, weak structure	Red duplex soils, coarse structure, sodic
Factual key	Ug 5.31	Dr 3.23
Surface texture	Light clay to clay loam	Clay loam
Permeability	Low	Clay loam
Depth (range) m	0.4 - 1.0	1.5 - 2.5
LAND USE
	Grazing, some cereal cropping
SOIL DETERIORATION
Critical land features	Poor soil structure, sodic soils - dispersibility, low permeability, long elopes
Processes	Overland flow, sub-surface flow, movement of salts
Forms	Moderate sheet, rill, gully and tunnel erosion

Qde - Depressions with Heavy Clay Soils on Recent Sediments

Swamps and depressions mainly in the northern part of the Shire. The total of only 1.0 km², represents 0.1% of the Shire. The tendency of the land to be waterlogged or flooded, particularly in winter, limits its usefulness for anything more intensive than grazing.

SOILS
The soils are usually dark, with a high content of organic matter at the surface. Almost all of these depressions occur with the Tgn and the soils have a higher sand content in the topsoil than the Qde depressions in the basalt to the south. The following is a common soil.

Mottled Gley Duplex Soils

Factual Key: Dg 2.41/organic loam, 25 cm/unconsolidated sediments 100+ cm. 01 N

Horizon	Depth (cm)	Description
0	0-10	Brownish black (10YR 2/2) when moist; organic loam; moderate subangular blocky 3 mm; consistence when wet is "spongy" non plastic; pH 5.5; clear boundary.
A1	10-25	Brownish black (2.5YR 3/1) when moist; loam; weak subangular blocky 3 mm; consistence when wet is slightly plastic; pH 6.5; clear boundary.
A2	25-45	Dark greyish yellow (2.5YR 4/2) when moist with coarse yellow mottles; fine sandy loam; apedal and massive; consistence when wet is slightly plastic and "spewy"; pH 7.0; clear boundary.
B	45-100+	Dark greyish yellow (2.5YR 4/2) when moist with yellow mottles; medium clay; moderate angular blocky 3 mm (possibly a coarse primary structure exists also); consistence when wet is plastic; pH 6.5.

COMPONENT Proportion %	1 100
COMPONENT Proportion %	1 100
CLIMATE
Rainfall(av.) mm	Annual 585 - 635
Temperature(av.) °C	Annual 12
GEOLOGY
Age, rock	Recent sands, silts and clays
TOPOGRAPHY
Landscape	Swamps and depressions in northern, wetter parts of the area
Elevation (range) m	240 - 565
Local relief (av.) m	1
Drainage pattern	-
Drainage density km/km²	-
Land form	Swamps and depressions
Slope (range) %, slope shape	0-2; Flat
NATIVE VEGETATION
Structure	Sedgeland
Dominant species	Lepidosperma longitudinale
SOIL
Parent material	Unconsolidated sands, silts and clays
Description	Mottled grey duplex soils
Factual key	Gn or Ug
Surface texture	Light clay/clay
Permeability	Low
Depth (range) m	1.0 - 2.5
LAND USE
	Grazing, occasional cropping (cereal)
SOIL DETERIORATION
Critical land features	Slowly permeable soils, seasonal high watertables
Processes	Periodic waterlogging
Forms	Surface compaction

Qu - Lakeside Sandridge with Uniform Sand Soils on Recent Wind Blown Deposits

Lakeside sandridges associated with Qde and Res, in the north of the Shire (Durdidwarrah Area). This unit covers 0.312 km², representing 0.04% of the survey area.

The Reservoirs (Res) are considered to have been larger areas of Qde which were converted to water storage. The areas of Qde, including those now Res, are presumably the source of sand for these sandridges which have built up on their south-eastern side. Where areas of Qde are surrounded by sand, the depressions are regarded as secondary, having formed subsequent to the deposition of the sand from a larger associated depression. These secondary depressions probably indicate further wind movement of the sand after initial deposition.

SOILS
The soil parent material is sand, producing a deep uniform profile. These soils are free drained and their fertility is low. If exposed they can be wind eroded. The colour of the deep sands may be reddish or yellowish.

Yellow Sand Soils - Uniform Texture

Factual Key: Uc 2.21/sand; 10-25 cm/loose sand; 70 cm

Horizon	Depth (cm)	Description
A1	0-7	Brownish grey (101R 4/1) when moist; sand; apedal single-grained; consistence when dry is soft; pH 6.0; clear boundary.
A2	7-25	Greyish yellow brown (10YR 5/2) when moist (10YR 7/1) when dry); sand; apedal singlegrained;' consistence when dry is soft; pH 5.5; diffuse boundary.
B1	25-45	Dull orange (7.5YR 6/4) when moist; sand; apedal single-grained; consistence when dry is soft; pH 6.0; diffuse boundary.
B2	45-70	Dull reddish brown (5YR 5/4) when moist; sand; apedal single-grained; consistence when dry is slightly hard; pH 5.5; diffuse boundary.
C	70-170	Bright brown (7.5YR 5/6) when moist; sand; apedal single-grained; consistence when dry is soft; pH 6.0; abrupt boundary.
D	170-200+	Buried clay similar to Tgn.

COMPONENT Proportion %	1 100
COMPONENT Proportion %	1 100
CLIMATE
Rainfall(av.) mm	Annual 600 - 630
Temperature(av.) °C	Annual 12
GEOLOGY
Age, rock	Recent, sands
TOPOGRAPHY
Landscape	'Lakeside sandridges' to the north of the Shire (Durdidwarrah Area)
Elevation (range) m	350 - 365
Local relief (av.) m	1 - 2
Drainage pattern	-
Drainage density km/km²
Land form	Lakeside sandridges
Position on land form	-
Slope (range) %, slope shape	1 - 3 Convex
NATIVE VEGETATION
Structure	Open Forest
Dominant species	E. viminalis, A. melonoxylon, A. mearnsii, Banksia marginata, Pteridium esculentum
SOIL
Parent material	Unconsolidated sand
Description	Yellow sand soils, uniform texture
Factual key	Uc2
Surface texture	Sand
Permeability	High
Depth (range) m	1 - 2
LAND USE
	Grazing, Forestry, Water Supply
SOIL DETERIORATION
Critical land features	Low water holding capacity; Low nutrient holding capacity
Processes	Leaching
Forms	Fertility Decline

Qah - Terraces with Duplex and Variable Uniform Texture Soils Quaternary Alluvium

Fairly level terraces on older alluvium associated with the Leigh and Barwon Rivers in the south of the Shire. There are a total of 9.9 km² and this represents 1.4% of the Shire. The higher terraces, that represent Component 1, are the only ones which seem unlikely to flood. Most of Inverleigh is built on these terraces; the lower terraces are used for sports grounds, grazing, cropping and other activities tolerant of seasonal waterlogging and occasional floods.

SOILS
The soils of the lower terraces are fairly undifferentiated, mainly consisting of blackish brown loams to clayey soils with isolated sand areas. The main soil of Component 1, the higher terraces is described below.

Red Duplex Soils

Factual Key: Dr 2.23/SL-L, 30-45 cm/alluvial sands and clays. 60-100 cm.

Horizon	Depth (cm)	Description
A1	0-5	Dark brown (7.5YR 3/3) when moist; loamy sand to sandy loam; apedal single-grained; consistence when dry is loose; pH 6.0; abrupt boundary.
A2	5-45	Brown (7.YR 4/4) when moist; loamy sand to sandy loam; apedal single-grained; consistence when dry is slightly hard; pH 6.5; abrupt boundary.
B2	45-60	Dark reddish-brown (5YR 2/2) when moist; with brownish black (when moist) cutans (clay skins) on the outside of peds; medium clay; medium to strong blocky structure 50 mm; consistence when moist is very firm; pH 8.0; abrupt boundary.
BC	60-75	Bright brown (7.5YR 5/8) when moist; with common distinct red and grey mottles; light medium clay; moderate blocky structure 20 mm; consistence when moist is firm; often with hard accumulations of lime up to 50%, 20 mm; pH 9.0.
C	75+	Alluvium - brown clay with some lime and ironstone pebbles at depth.

COMPONENT Proportion %	1 45	2 35	3 5	4 15
COMPONENT Proportion %	1 45	2 35	3 5	4 15
CLIMATE
Rainfall(av.) mm	Annual 510-570
Temperature(av.) °C	Annual 13
GEOLOGY
Age, rock	Quaternary alluvium
TOPOGRAPHY
Landscape	Broad alluvial flats in the south of the Shire
Elevation (range) m	30 - 80
Local relief (av.) m	5
Drainage pattern	-
Drainage density km/km²	-
Land form	Terrace 2	Terrace 1	Depressions and billabongs in Terrace-1	River channel bed, banks and levees
Position on land form	Higher terraces	Lower terraces.	Low lying wet areas	-
Slope (range) %, slope shape	0-3 ; Straight	0-2 : Straight	0-2 ; Concave	0-2 ; Concave
NATIVE VEGETATION
Structure	Open forest
Dominant species	E. leucoxylon E. camaldulensis	E. camaldulensis
SOIL
Parent material	Unconsolidated gravel, sand, silt and clay
Description	Red duplex soils - some dark duplex soils	Dark uniform loams	Dark clay soils	Channel - variable; levee - uniform fine sands
Factual key	Dr 2.23 and Dd 2.13	Um 1.2	Dd 2.43. Ug. Um	Uc 1.23
Surface texture	Loamy sand and sandy loam	Loam - clay loam	Clay loam to clay	Variable
Permeability	Moderate	High	Low	-
Depth (range) m	0.5 - 1.0	0.2 - 0.8	0.8 - 1.5	-
LAND USE
	Residential, grazing, some cropping	Cropping, grazing, sporting facilities (flood hazard)	Grazing	Recreation
SOIL DETERIORATION
Critical land features	Limited permeability	Low situation affected by flooding from river
Processes	Overland flow	Overland flow, periodic waterlogging		Overland flow, periodic waterlogging
Forms	Minor sheet erosion on exposed soil	Siltation		Streambank erosion

Qyad - Terraces with Variable Soils on Quaternary Sediments. Drier than Qya

Terraces with Variable Soils on Quaternary Sediments. Drier than Qya - Qyad

River and stream deposits of clay, silt, sand and gravel in the southern half of the Shire. The 6.7 km²total area of the unit represents 0.9% of the Shire.

River channel, banks and terraces are the landforms comprising this unit. The special arrangement of these and the number of terraces present at any locality is very variable within the unit. The soil profile shows greatest differentiation on the higher, older terraces and least on the lower, younger ones.

The higher terraces are mainly used for grazing, with some fodder crops and market gardening where the terraces are wider. Waterlogging and flooding on the lower terraces limit their usefulness for purposes other than passive recreation.

SOILS
The soils of Component-2 (the most common component) are variable ranging from loams to clays. As no meaningful soil description can be given at this scale, the description that follows is for duplex soils of a higher terrace.

Mottled Yellow Duplex Soils

Factual Key: Dy 3.41/CL, 15-40 cm/alluvium, 70-150 cm

Horizon	Depth (cm)	Description
A1	0-10	Dark brown (10YR 3/4) when moist; clay loam; apedal and massive; consistence when slightly moist is friable; pH 4.8; clear boundary.
A2	10-20	Dull yellowish brown (10YR 5/3) when moist; sandy clay loam; apedal and massive; consistence when slightly moist is friable; pH 4.3; diffuse boundary.
B	20-100	Bright yellowish brown (10YR 4/8) when moist; with abundant distinct red or yellow brown mottles: medium clay; strong angular blocky 40 mm breaking down to an angular blocky 2 mm; consistence when slightly moist is firm; pH 5.3.
C	100+	Alluvial deposits - stratified clays, sands and gravel.

COMPONENT Proportion %	1 30	2 50	3 5	4 15

CLIMATE
Rainfall(av.) mm	Annual 500 - 600
Temperature(av.) °C	Annual 13
GEOLOGY
Age, rock	Quaternary alluvium
TOPOGRAPHY
Landscape	Scattered occurrences of alluvium in centre and south of Shire
Elevation (range) m	30- 260
Local relief (av.) m	10
Drainage pattern	1.
Drainage density km/km²	5.2
Land form	Terraces		Terrace	Stream channel
Position on land form	Higher terraces	Middle terrace	Low	Lowest
Slope (range) %, slope shape	1-5; straight	2-3 ; straight	1-2 ; straight	Variable
NATIVE VEGETATION
Structure	Woodland (?)
Dominant species	E. camaldulensis
SOIL
Parent material	Unconsolidated alluvial Sediments
Description	Mottled yellow duplex soils	Dark uniform soils (variable)	Uniform - variable sands through to clays	Variable - from clayey to stony materials
Factual key	Dy 3.42	Um 5.52 and others	Uc - Ug	-
Surface texture	Clay, loam	Clay loam	Variable	-
Permeability	Moderate - low	Moderate - low	Variable	-
Depth (range) m	1 - 2	1 - 2	1	-
LAND USE
	Grazing	Grazing with some market gardens	Recreation
SOIL DETERIORATION
Critical land features	Hard setting surfaces	Low situation affected by flooding from river		Exposed soil surfaces
Processes	Overland flow	Overland flow, periodic waterlogging	Undercutting by stream, periodic waterlogging
Forms	Minor sheet erosion	Siltation	Stream-bank erosion

Qau - Higher Terraces with Duplex Soils on Quaternary and Ordovician Sediments

Higher terraces adjacent to the lower alluvial terraces of Qyad, occurring east of Maude, on the Moorabool River. The 1.0 km² total area represents only 0.1% of the Shire.

1.5 to 2.5 metres of soil and unconsolidated material overlies sedimentary rock and appears to be alluvium deposited on terraces cut into the Ordovician sediments. It is the presence of sedimentary rock close to the surface which separates the terraces of this unit from those of Qyad.

The gentle slopes, of 1-3%, are used for cropping and grazing. The unit is not flood prone.

SOILS
Neither of the components show any signs of erosion except for minor sheet erosion during fallow periods. The soils are moderately sodic - especially the lower component.

Red Mottled Yellow Duplex Soils

Factual Key: Dy 3.42/FSL, 40-70 cm/alluvium, 100-150 cm

Horizon	Depth (cm)	Description
A1	0-50	Dark brown (10YR 3/3) when moist; hydrophobic fine sandy loam; apedal and massive; consistence when dry is soft; pH 5.5; clear boundary.
A2	50-60	Yellowish brown (10YR 3/3) when moist; fine sandy loam; apedal and massive; consistence when dry is soft; pH 6.0; abrupt boundary.
B	60-100+	Yellowish brown (10YR 5/4) when moist; with red mottles; heavy clay; strong subangular blocky 20 mm; consistence when slightly moist is extremely firm; contains some rounded pebbles; pH 8.0.

COMPONENT Proportion %	1 60	2 40

CLIMATE
Rainfall(av.) mm	Annual 580 - 600
Temperature(av.) °C	Annual 12
GEOLOGY
Age, rock	Quaternary alluvium on Ordovician sediments
TOPOGRAPHY
Landscape	Cut and fill terraces east of Maude adjacent to the Moorabool River
Elevation (range) m	65-90
Local relief (av.) m	15
Drainage pattern	Dendritic
Drainage density km/km²	3.0
Land form	Terraces
Position on land form	Upper	Lower
Slope (range) %, slope shape	1-4 ; Straight	1-2 ; Straight
NATIVE VEGETATION
Structure	Woodland ?
Dominant species	E. camaldulensis
SOIL
Parent material	Unconsolidated river deposits
Description	Red mottled yellow duplex soils	Yellow mottled yellow duplex soils
Factual key	Dy 3.42	Dy 3.43
Surface texture	Fine sandy loam	Sandy loam
Permeability	Moderate	Moderate
Depth (range) m	1.0 - 2.0	0.8 - 1.5
LAND USE
	Cropping and grazing
SOIL DETERIORATION
Critical land features	Hard setting surfaces
Processes	Overland flow
Forms	Minor sheet erosion

Qsm - Valley floor with Uniform and Duplex Soils on Mixed Parent Materials

A wide valley floor containing large sand deposits with scattered occurrences of basalt (Qbgd) and Tertiary sediments (Tgs) and with alluvium in the depressions (Qyad). All these components are too small to be mapped separately at this scale. There are three occurrences of the unit - two in the south-west and one in the south-east corner of the Shire. The total area of 8.8 km², represents 1.2% of the study area.

Although the macro-relief of the valley floor is fairly level, on a micro-scale, it has many short, sharp slopes and rises. The sandy ridges and hummocks occur randomly across this landscape. Extractive industries are slowly removing many of the larger sand deposits. Unless quickly revegetated, the loose sands are easily washed or blown away.

SOILS
Soil descriptions for the basalt, Tertiary and alluvial soils can be found in units Qbgd, Tgs and Qyad respectively. The soil described below occurs on the sandy ridges and hummocks (Component 1).

Brown Sand Soils - Uniform Texture

Factual Key: Uc 1.21/LS-S, 10-25 cm/unconsolidated sand, 50-80 cm

Horizon	Depth (cm)	Description
A	0-20	Dark greyish brown (10YR 4/2) when moist; loamy sand; apedal and single-grained; consistence when slightly moist is loose; pH 6.0; diffuse boundary.
B	20-60	Brown (7.5YR 5/4) when moist; sand; apedal and single-grained; consistence when moist is loose; pH 6.0; diffuse boundary.
C	60-100+	Light brown (7.5YR 6/4) when moist sand; apedal and single-grained; consistence when moist is loose; pH 6.5.

COMPONENT Proportion %	1 60	2 15	3 10	4 10	5 5
COMPONENT Proportion %	1 60	2 15	3 10	4 10	5 5
CLIMATE
Rainfall(av.) mm	Annual 560 - 580
Temperature(av.) °C	Annual 13
GEOLOGY
Age, rock	Holocene sand	Pleistocene basalt	Tertiary unconsolidated sediments	Holocene alluvium	Tertiary ? ferrocrete
TOPOGRAPHY
Landscape	Wide creek valley with a broad and generally level but hummocky floor; south of survey area
Elevation (range) m	30 - 107
Local relief (av.) m	7
Drainage pattern	Dendritic
Drainage density km/km²	2.8
Land form	Sandy ridges, scarps and hummocks	Level areas and rock outcrops	Lower lying areas between hummocks	Drainage line	Outcrop
Position on land form	Upper slope	Mid slope		Lower slope	Mid slope
Slope (range) %, slope shape	2-15 ; Convex	1-2 ; Convex	1-3 ; Straight	1-2 ; Straight	3-8 ; Convex
NATIVE VEGETATION
Structure	Woodland ?
Dominant species	E. viminalis	E. camaldulensis
SOIL
Parent material	Unconsolidated sands	In-situ weathered rock	Unconsolidated sediments	Unconsolidated sediments	Unconsolidated sediments
Description	Brown sand soils, uniform texture	Mottled yellow duplex soils, coarse structure	Mottled red duplex soils	Uniform soils (variable)	Mottled brown duplex soils
Factual key	Uc 1.21	Dd 2.43	Dr 3.22	Uc - Urn	Db 2.22
Surface texture	Loamy sand	Clay loam	Fine sandy loam	Silty clay loam (variable)	Fine sandy loam
Permeability	High	Moderate-low	High-moderate	High	Moderate
Depth (range) m	0.7 - 1.5	0.5 - 1.0	0.5 - 1.5	1.0 - 2.0	0.3 - 0.80
LAND USE
	Sand extraction	Grazing
SOIL DETERIORATION
Critical land features	Nutrient holding capacity	Hard setting surface, slowly permeable sub-soils	Slope gradient	Slope position, flooding	Slope gradient
Processes	Leaching	Overland flow, periodic waterlogging	Overland flow	Waterlogging, stream-bank undercutting	Overland flow
Forms	Nutrient decline	Compaction of surfaces, low sheet erosion	Low sheet erosion	Stream-bank erosion	Moderate sheet erosion

Qded - Depressions with Heavy Clay Soils on recent sediments drier than Qde

Swamps and depressions in the southern part of the Shire. There are only a few small areas, totalling 2.7 km²or 04% of the Shire.

The tendency to waterlogging and seasonal ponding of water, limits any intensive use of these areas. They are generally used for light grazing.

SOILS
The soils are usually dark near the surface but may be lighter or gleyed at depth. The following describes the most common soil type.

Black Uniform Clay Soils - Coarse Structure

Factual Key: Ug 5.1/C, 20 cm/variable (generally basalt), 100+ cm

Horizon	Depth (cm)	Description
A	0-20	Brownish black (7.5YR 2/2) when moist with bright brown rootline oxidation; light medium clay; strong angular blocky 3 mm; pH 6.0; diffuse boundary.
B	20-100+	Brownish black (10YR 2/2) when moist; medium clay; strong angular blocky 10 mm; consistence when wet is very plastic; pH 6.0.

COMPONENT Proportion %	1 100
COMPONENT Proportion %	1 100
CLIMATE
Rainfall(av.) mm	Annual 500 - 600
Temperature(av.) °C	Annual 13
GEOLOGY
Age, rock	Recent clays, silts and sands
TOPOGRAPHY
Landscape	Swamps and depressions in the centre and south of the Shire
Elevation (range) m	80 - 230
Local relief (av.) m	1
Drainage pattern	-
Drainage density km/km²	-
Land form	Swamps and depressions
Position on land form
Slope (range) %, slope shape	1-2 ; Straight
NATIVE VEGETATION
Structure	Tussock and sedgeland
Dominant species
SOIL
Parent material	Unconsolidated clays, silts and sands
Description	Variable, but mainly clayey soils, e.g. dark uniform clay soils, coarse structure
Factual key	Ug 5.15
Surface texture	Clay
Permeability	Low
Depth (range) m	2
LAND USE
	Grazing, occasional cropping (cereal)
SOIL DETERIORATION
Critical land features	Slowly permeable toils, seasonal high watertables
Processes	Periodic waterlogging
Forms	Surface compaction

Qao - Plains with Duplex Soils on Quaternary, or Older Sediments

Undulating to gently sloping plains on older alluvium in the southern part of the Shire, particularly near Inverleigh. The total area of 9.0 km², represents 1.3% of the study area.

There are some similarities between Qao and the Tertiary plains of Tgs. Both are on fairly old deposits of unconsolidated material, although the Tgs deposits are older, and both have ironstone on higher areas.

The main land use is grazing, with cereal cropping in some areas. The higher parts of the town of Inverleigh are located on the unit.

SOILS
There are two common soil types - the mottled yellow duplex soils of the higher land (Components 1 & 2) and the red duplex soils of the lower or flatter land (Component 3) - the latter often have dark clay skins around the peds of the subsoil clay. The soils of Component 2 are described below, while those for Component 3 are similar to those described for unit Qah.

Horizon	Depth (cm)	Description
A1	0-10	Dark brown (10YR 3/3) when moist; hydrophobic, sandy loam; apedal and massive; consistence when dry is hard; pH 6.0; abrupt boundary.
A2	10-30	Dull yellowish brown (10YR 5/3) when moist; sandy loam; apedal and massive; consistence when dry is very hard; pH 6.5; abrupt boundary.
B	30-100+	Bright yellowish brown (10YR 6/6) when moist with many red or yellow mottles; medium clay; strong angular blocky 2 mm; consistence when moist is firm; pH 7.5

COMPONENT Proportion %	1 10	2 45	3 45

CLIMATE
Rainfall(av.) mm	Annual 510 - 570
Temperature(av.) °C	Annual 13
GEOLOGY
Age, rock	Older alluvium (Quaternary - Tertiary?)
TOPOGRAPHY
Landscape	Undulating plains in the south of the Shire
Elevation (range) m	55 - 85
Local relief (av.) m	15
Drainage pattern	Dendritic
Drainage density km/km²	0.7
Land form	Undulating plain
Position on land form	Crest	Mid-slope	Lower elope
Slope (range) %, slope shape	0.3 ; Convex	2-5 ; Straight	1-2 ; Straight
NATIVE VEGETATION
Structure	Open forest
Dominant species	E. leucoxylon
SOIL
Parent material	Ferricrete and ferruginous sandy gravels	Unconsolidated older alluvium - clay, sand and gravel
Description	Gravelly red mottled yellow duplex soils fine structure	Mottled yellow duplex soils	Red duplex soils, medium to coarse structure
Factual key	Dy 3.42 or Dy 3.43	Dy 3.43	Dr 2.25
Surface texture	Fine sandy loam	Fine sandy loam	Fine sandy loam
Permeability	Moderate	Moderate	Moderate to low
Depth (range) m	0.3 - 0.9	0.8 - 1.5	0.5 - 1.0
LAND USE
	Grazing, gravel extraction	Grazing, residential, cereal cropping
SOIL DETERIORATION
Critical land features	Limited permeability
Processes	Overland flow
Forms	Minor sheet erosion on exposed soil

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