United States Department of Agriculture
Natural Resources Conservation Service		 Montana Go to Accessibility Information
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Fine Sand and Loamy Fine Sand Soils

Appearance of fine sand and loamy fine sand soils at various soil moisture conditions

Available Water Capacity = 0.6 to 1.2 inches per foot

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

0 to 25 percent available 1.2 to 0.5 inches per foot depleted

Dry, loose, will hold together if not disturbed, loose sand grains on fingers with applied pressure. (Not pictured)

25 to 50 percent available 0.9 to 0.3 inches per foot depletedPicture of soil sample after squeezing in the hand, description as follows:

Slightly moist, forms a very weak ball with well- defined finger marks, light coating of loose and aggregated sand grains remains on fingers.


50 to 75 percent available 0.6 to 0.2 inches per foot depletedPicture of soil sample after squeezing in the hand, description as follows:

Moist, forms a weak ball with loose and aggregated sand grains on fingers, darkened color, moderate water staining on fingers, will not ribbon.


75 to 100 percent available 0.3 to 0.0 inches per foot depletedPicture of soil sample after squeezing in the hand, description as follows:

Wet, forms a weak ball, loose and aggregated sand grains remain on fingers, darkened color, heavy water staining on fingers, will not ribbon.


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

Wet, forms a weak ball, moderate to heavy soil/water coating on fingers, wet outline of soft ball remains on hand. (Not pictured)

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