Soil Survey of Crater Lake National Park, Oregon
Detailed Soil Map Units
8—Castlecrest-Badland complex, 60 to 100 percent slopes
Map Unit Setting
General location: Ravines in valleys
Major land resource area (MLRA): 3
Elevation: 5,000 to 6,000 feet
Average annual precipitation: 50 to 70 inches
Average annual air temperature: 38 to 42 degrees F
Frost-free period: 0 to 50 days
Map Unit Composition
Castlecrest and similar soils: 50 percent
Badland: 40 percent
Minor components: 10 percent
Characteristics of the Castlecrest and Similar Soils
Setting
Landform: Ashflow
Geomorphic position: Side slopes on eroded ashflows in valleys
Parent material: Ash and pumice
Properties and qualities
Slope: 60 to 80 percent
Percentage of surface covered with stones and boulders: None
Restrictive features: None within a depth of 60 inches
Drainage class: Somewhat excessively drained
Permeability: Rapid
Flooding: Not present
Water table: Not present
Ponding: Not present
Available water capacity: About 6.3 inches
Interpretive groups
Ecological site: Forestland—(003XY705OR) Tsuga mertensiana/Arctostaphylos nevadensis/Chimaphila umbellata
Typical profile
Oi—0 to 1 inch; slightly decomposed plant material
A—1 inch to 3 inches; paragravelly ashy loamy sand
Bw—3 to 19 inches; paragravelly ashy loamy sand
C1—19 to 26 inches; ashy sand
C2—26 to 38 inches; ashy coarse sand
C3—38 to 64 inches; ashy coarse sand
Badland
Setting
Landform: Ashflow
Geomorphic position: Nonvegetated side slopes of ravines
Parent material: Ash, cinders, pumice, and andesite
Properties and qualities
Slope: 60 to 100 percent
Percentage of surface covered with stones and boulders: None
Restrictive features: None within a depth of 60 inches
Drainage class: Excessively drained
Characteristics of the Minor Components
Rock outcrop
Percentage of map unit: 5 percent
Landform: Lava flow
Geomorphic position: Andesite and welded tuff outcroppings on sides of canyons
Stirfry soils
Percentage of map unit: 5 percent
Landform: Stream terrace
Geomorphic position: Stream terraces and seeps in ravines
Major Features and Properties Affecting Management
Castlecrest soil
• Sandy textures
• Low soil strength
• Dustiness if vegetation is removed
• Water erosion
• Steep and unstable slopes
Badland
• Wind erosion
• Steep and unstable slopes
• Dustiness
• Water erosion
• Low water-holding capacity
