SOIL SURVEY

-150-late snowmelt areas or streams . High water tables also affect buildings (especiall ythose with basements) and the proper functioning of septic tank absorption fields .Soil properties (such as mottles) and vegetation reflect the high moisture condition seven at a time in the year when the soil is dry . Soils that are wet for all or part o fthe season of use will have limitations for all recreational uses . Overcoming limitationsdue to wetness may involve costly construction such as extensive drainage o rspecial maintenance such as sump pumps .Flooding .Soils that are subject to flooding during the season of use have obviou slimitations for all recreational uses . Flooding may make a site unsuitable for campgroundsor as a building site, and will restrict the season of use for other activitie ssuch as hiking . Flooding hazard may be predicted from soil properties and landscap eposition .Permeability .Soil permeability is an important item to consider when planning playground sor camping areas, especially in areas of late snowmelt or frequent summer shower sbecause it affects soils bearing strength and erodibility . Soil permeability also influencespercolation rates which are important when planning septic tank absorptio nfields . Infiltration and percolation tests (Appendix C) have shown that in Yoho ther eis little limitation due to slow permeability, but that in some soils there is a potentia lfor pollution of adjacent waters by septic tank absorption fields due to the very rapi dpercolation rates of these soils .Texture .Soil texture may limit the amount and type of use an area is suited to . Propertiessuch as permeability, bearing strength, erodibility, susceptibility to frost heaving, dustiness,mudiness, available water capacity and nutrient availability for plant growth ar eall related to soil texture . For uses such as playgrounds, camp areas, picnic areas,