Buckley
Silt Loam

Mapping Symbol: Bu

The Buckley series consists of poorly drained soils that formed in the Osceola mudflow (from a prior Mt. Rainier eruption) on the nearly level plain between the Green and White Rivers near Enumclaw and Buckley. This level soil occurs as slightly concave tracts that are irregular in shape at elevations of 500 to 700 feet. The annual precipitation is about 48 inches. The frost-free season is 190 to 205 days.

Typical Profile:
Depth from Surface:
0 to 10 Inches: Black silt loam
10 to 16 Inches: Very dark grayishg brown gravell loam
16 to 60 Inches: Grayish brown gravelly sandy clay loam

Permeability: Moderate in surface layer and slow in subsoil 

Rooting Depth: 60 inches+ if drained, restricted by water if not

Depth to Seasonal High Water Table: 0 to 1 feet

Available Water Holding Capacity: High 

Runoff Potential: Slow 

Erosion and Slippage Hazard: Slight 

Use and Management: Primary uses are for pasture and hay. Pasture forage yields are 5.0 tons/acre/year in drained Buckley soils and 3.0 tons/acre/year in undrained soils with good management. Excessive moisture during the wet season and sometimes extending into the Summer may limit access for grazing and/or cutting hay and totally preclude use for some years. Douglas-fir, Western Red Cedar, and Red Alder are important tree species. Timber production is depressed because of the wetness of these soils. There are also severe limitations on equipment use for site preparation and timber harvesting because of soil wetness. These soils have severe limitations on recreational and engineering uses due to their seasonal high water table and poor drainage.

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