United States Department of Agriculture
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Clay, Clay Loam, and Silty Clay Loam Soils

Appearance of Clay, Clay Loam, and Silty Clay Loam Soils at Various Soil Moisture Conditions

Available Water Capacity = 1.6 to 2.4 inches per foot

Percent Available: Currently available soil moisture as a percent of available water capacity.
Inches per Foot Depleted: Inches of water needed to refill a foot of soil to field capacity.

0 to 25 percent available 2.4 to 1.2 inches per foot depleted

Dry, soil aggregations separate easily, clods are hard to crumble with applied pressure. (Not pictured)
 

25 to 50 percent available 1.8 to 0.8 inches per foot depletedPicture of soil sample after squeezing in the hand, description as follows:

Slightly moist, forms a weak ball, very few soil aggregations break away, no water stains, clods flatten with applied pressure.


50 to 75 percent available 1.2 to 0.4 inches per foot depletedPicture of soil sample after squeezing in the hand, description as follows:

Moist, forms a smooth ball with defined finger marks, light soil/water staining on fingers, ribbons between thumb and forefinger.


75 to 100 percent available 0.6 to 0.0 inches per foot depletedPicture of soil sample after squeezing in the hand, description as follows:

Wet, forms a ball, uneven medium to heavy soil/water coating on fingers, ribbons easily between thumb and forefinger.


100 percent available 0.0 inches per foot depleted (field capacity)

Wet, forms a soft ball, free water appears on soil surface after squeezing or shaking, thick soil/water coating on fingers, slick and sticky. (Not pictured)

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