Beausite
Gravelly Sandy Loam

Mapping Symbols and Slope Classes: 
BeC: 6 to 15% Slopes
BeD: 15 to 30% Slopes
BeD: 40 to 65% Slopes

The Beausite series consists of well-drained soils underlain by sandstone a depth of 24 to 40 inches. Beausite soils formed in glacial deposits. They are on rolling to very steep sites at elevations from 600 to 2000 feet. The annual precipitation is 40 to 60 inches and the mean annual air temperature is about 50 degrees. The frost-free season is 160 to 190 days.

Typical Profile:
Depth from Surface:
0 to 19 Inches: Dark brown to dark yellowish brown gravelly sandy loam 
19 to 38 Inches: Olive brown very gravelly sandy loam
38 to 60 Inches: Fractured sandstone

Permeability: Moderately rapid

Rooting Depth: Roots penetrate easily to the sandstone layer and may be able to penetrate through fractures in it.

Depth to Seasonal High Water Table: There is no seasonal high water table within a depth of 5 feet.

Available Water Holding Capacity: Low

Runoff Potential: Medium on the BeC slope class and rapid to very rapid on slopes steeper than 15%

Erosion and Slippage Hazard: Moderate on the BeC slope class and severe to very severe on slopes steeper than 15%

Use and Management: These soils are used for timber and pasture on the BeC and BeD slope class and are suited for timber on the BeF slope class. Pasture forage yields are 1.5 tons/acre/year. Douglas-fir, Western Red Cedar, Western Hemlock, Red Alder, and Bigleaf Maple are important tree species on all slope classes. Black Cottonwood can also be an important species on the BeC slope class. These soils have moderate to severe limitations on equipment use for site preparation and timber harvest. These soils have severe limitations on recreational and engineering uses due to the thinness of the soil layer over the sandstone and the erosion/slippage potential in steeper classes.

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