Soils of RI #27: Broadbrook Traditional Cache
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SearchNSeekNEnjoy
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Soils of RI #27: Broadbrook
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(small)
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This is the 27th in a series of caches honoring the 58 different types of soils found within the State of Rhode Island. Soils were a major factor in the settling and early farming of RI, and soils continue to influence our industry, recreation, wildlife, and homes. As you complete this series, please take note of how the soil is determined in-part by the landscape position (summit, sideslope, drainageway), which in turn affects the vegetation.
This cache is located within the Simmons Mill Pond Management Area. The majority of the soils here are typical East-Bay soils. However, soils typically found in western RI are also found here, Broadbrook being one.
Broadbrook soils are a soil with 2 parent materials. These soils formed in silt-covered lodgement till. Till is unsorted soil material that was deposited directly by glaciers 14,000 - 18,000 years ago. The term lodgement refers to the fact that this till was compressed under the tremendous weight of the glacier. This compaction has caused the deeper soil layers to have an extremely dense consistency. These dense layers can sometimes be impossible to dig through with just a shovel!
After the till was deposited, strong winds picked up and deposited silt paticles. The silt layer, often called loess, is fine textured and often compared to flour.
The loess layer makes Broadbrook soils excellent for agriculture. Most areas are cleared and used for cultivated crops, hay or pasture. Scattered areas are used for community development. The dense subsoil can prevent water from draining, often leading to wet basements or compromised septic systems. Some areas are wooded. Common trees are northern red and white oak, hickory, sugar maple, ash, yellow poplar, eastern white pine, and eastern hemlock.
Hunting is allowed in this management area, so please follow the RIDEM guidelines for orange requirements. CC is the usual duct-taped container with an official series description and some swag. GZ is just off the main trail. The undergrowth is very light. Please rehide well!
Congrats to BBWolf+3Pigs and Nomad64 for the FTF!
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Ebggra fghzc jvgu ebpxf