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Manuals and Tools

Web Soil Survey

The simple yet powerful way to access and use soil data. Tool available from USDA Natural Resource Conversation Services (NRCS)

Mid-Atlantic Hydric Soils

This site has field indicator books you can download that show the hydric soil indicators for our region and includes a detailed color educational guide to hydric soil indicators for the Mid-Atlantic region. Run by Mid-Atlantic Hydric Soils Committee under US Environmental Protection Agency.

Major Land Resource Areas (MLRAs) Definitions

by the USDA Natural Resources Conversation Service (NRCS). Major land resource areas (MLRAs) are geographically associated land resource units (LRUs). Identification of these large areas is important in statewide agricultural planning and has value in interstate, regional, and national planning.

MLRA #13

Soil Survey maps of MLRA 13 are available for download. Includes most of Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. Also a section of Kentucky, New York, Ohio, Tennessee, and Virginia. MLRA office is located in Morgantown, WV.

Soil Survey Manual

by USDA National Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). The online manual is available as pdf's

Field Book for Describing and Sampling Soils

by USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). This field manual is available as a downloadable pdf (1.5 MB)

Taxonomy and Keys for Soil Classification

by USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Soil classification information.

Penn State Soil Characterization Lab

  • Penn State Soil Characterization Lab Overview
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    • Taking the next step to track changing soils and protect soils important to our survival
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