Slopes and Soil Drainage

Topography, soil characteristics, and land use history affect water flow and drainage patterns across the site and the types of vegetation that will thrive across the property. Saturated conditions and/or pooling occur in areas where poorly draining soils and flatter slopes coincide, while erosion from flowing water may occur in more steeply sloping areas.

River

The site drops approximately 90’ from the highest point in the northeast corner down to the waterfront (i.e., sea level).

Most of the site consists of areas of between 2 and 10% slope interrupted by narrow bands of significantly steeper terrain. Very broadly, the flattest parts of the site lie on the eastern side, while the western side is more variable. The average total slope across the site is approximately 7.5%. The pad where the farmers' market is held is easily visible on the map below and is the flattest area of the site with slopes of 2% or less.

Moraine

Till

Fine Glaciomarine Deposits Stratified Bedrock

Typical regional surficial geology

Damariscotta River Soil Drainage

Soils on site include Boothbay silt loam across most of the lower slope and a Marlow-Berkshire fine sandy loam complex on the upper slopes. Both soil types are classified as important farmland, and have been used for agriculture for centuries. The silt loam is derived from fine-grained glaciomarine deposits and is somewhat slowly draining. The sandy loam derives from a mix of till from both above and below the glacial ice, and, while well-draining, may exhibit a hardpan layer below the surface due to compaction from the ice sheet as well as subsequent years of agricultural use. Both tend to be moderately acidic.

Silt loam

Fine Sandy Loam

Hydric silt loam

Pad

low spots

A small portion of the site is underlain by a hydric silt loam that extends offsite to the east. This type of soil tends to hold water and is often associated with wetland areas. The pad area sits directly over this soil type. Created artificially using sandy fill, the pad is now the flattest area on site, but poor leveling has resulted in low spots that hold water.