Sandy Clay Loam, Loam & Silt Loam Soils
Available Water Capacity 1.5–2.1" / ft
Percent Available: Currently available soil moisture as a percent
of available water capacity.
Depleted: Inches of water currently needed to refill a foot of
soil to field capacity.
0-25% available; 2.1" - 1.1" / ft. depleted
(not pictured)
Dry, soil aggregations break away easily, no staining on fingers, clods crumble with applied pressure.
25-50% available; 1.6" - 0.8" / ft. depleted
Slightly moist, forms a weak ball with rough surfaces, no water staining on fingers, few aggregated soil grains break away.
50-75% available; 1.1" - 0.4" / ft. depleted
Moist, forms a ball, very light staining on fingers, darkened color, pliable, forms a weak ribbon between the thumb and forefinger.
75-100% available; 0.5" - 0.0" / ft. depleted
Wet, forms a ball with well-defined finger marks, light to heavy soil/water coating on fingers, ribbons between thumb and forefinger.
100% available; 0.0" / ft. depleted (field capacity)
(not pictured)
Wet, forms a soft ball, free water appears briefly on soil surface after squeezing or shaking, medium to heavy soil/water coating on fingers.