Soils of the - Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

GOODY SOILS (GY)
Location and Extent : Goudy soils occur only in southeastern Delta Municipality and in the Serpentine -
Nicomekl Valley of Surrey Municipality . There are about 210 ha of pure map units and 120 ha of soil complexe s
dominated by Goudy soils . The complexes are mainly with Embree and Vinod soils .
Topography and Elevation : Topographically, Goudy soils are depressional to gently undulating wit h
slopes less than 2 percent . They all lie below 3 m above sea level .
Parent Material and Texture : Goudy soils have developed from well-decomposed organic deposits, 40 t o
120 cm thick, which overlie medium to moderately-fine textured, mixed marine and freshwater deltaic deposits .
The deposits are strongly saline within 50 cm of the surface and contain high amounts of sulphur compounds .
The organic material is well-decomposed (humic) while the subsoil varies from silt loam to silty clay loam .
Soil Moisture Characteristics : Goudy soils are very poorly drained . They are moderately pervious and
have slow surface runoff and high water holding capacity . The groundwater table is near or at the surface for a
large part of the year, particularly during the winter . Runoff from adjacent, higher soils contributes to surfac e
ponding during and after heavy rains .
General Soil Description : Goudy soils generally have a well-decomposed, cultivated, organic surfac e
layer about 20 cm thick which is very dark gray to black in colour and is friable when moist but hard when dry .
This is underlain by about 40 cm of black to reddish-brown, well to moderately decomposed organic materia l
that is weakly stratified, firm when moist and hard when dry . Underlying this, in turn, is massive, olive-gray t o
gray, silty material often containing yellowish mottles . This layer also is strongly saline and high in sulphu r
compounds . The lower part of the overlying organic material is also commonly saline . Soil reactions are
extremely acid throughout . Soil classification is Terric Humisol:saline phase .
Commonly Associated Soils : Vinod, Embree, Richmond, Sandel and Lulu soils often are closed associ -
ated with Goudy soils . Richmond and Lulu soils are organic and in that respect are similar to Goudy soils .
However, they are usually non-saline . Lulu soils are also only partially decomposed . Vinod soils differ by havin g
only 15 to 40 cm of organic material over a saline mineral underlay while Embree and Sandel soils are mineral t o
the surface .
Vegetation : Most areas of Goudy soils are cleared and cultivated . Small, remaining areas of "natural "
vegetation consists mainly of species tolerant of high watertables and strong salinity . Rooting depth is mainl y
restricted to about 50 cm by the poorly drained and saline soil conditions .
General Land Use Comments : (1) Poor drainage and moderate to strong salinity limit Goudy soils t o
mainly forage and pasture use . Their suitability for other crops can be improved by artificial drainage which ,
together with irrigation, helps wash out the excess salts . (2) Low bearing strengths and high watertables as wel l
as periodic flooding precludes use for most urban and related uses . Septic tank operation is poor and corrosio n
of buried, unprotected underground installations is likely. Management of Goudy soils as individual parcels i s
hindered by their small areas, scattered distribution and intimate association with other soils .
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