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CHAPTER 4. KITTITAS COUNTY PROFILE <br />4-4 <br />4.3.3 Soils <br />Kittitas County soils were formed by the forces of water, heat, time, vegetation and animal life, acting on <br />the geologic parent material. The principal parent material consists of sands and gravels associated with <br />glacial till and outwash. Highly organic soils were developed in a moist climate under a rich covering of <br />vegetation. Figure shows county soil maps that are available through the USDA (USDA 2010). <br /> <br />Figure 4-2. USDA Soil Map of Kittitas County <br />While this analysis is useful for planning and is helpful in determining general capacity of areas to support <br />agricultural, residential, recreational and other land uses, it cannot be used directly for assessing the actual <br />use of any particular site. The glaciated character of the soils creates too much variation within any <br />particular soil type. Nonetheless, the soil maps are useful for determining general limitations and character <br />of soils. Knowledge of soil characteristics and capabilities can assist in wise public and private investments, <br />and can be useful in determining suitability of land for various uses. Still, planning-level mapping should <br />not be substituted for specific onsite field inspections, which may produce findings dif ferent from more <br />general accounts.