NOTICE: We have adopted Saxton et al. (1986) for educational purposes only. If you are a researcher, consultant or a government official signing off legal documents, please use the latest version of the Soil Texture Triangle Hydraulic Properties Calculator which can be downloaded from the following website: http://hydrolab.arsusda.gov/soilwater/Index.htm.

Soil physical properties (texture, structure and organic matter) control the total pore space and pore size distribution in soil. Water movement in soil occurs under saturated and unsaturated conditions though soil pores. Saxton et. al. (1986) estimated generalized soil-water characteristics from texture and developed a set of equations from which soil-water characteristic equations for a number of soil textural classes can be derived.

We have used the equations of Saxton et al. (1986) to calulate soil hydraulic properties of soil and have developed an algorithm to determine the soil textural class using the Canadian Soil textural triangle and the US Texture Triangle. As the equations published by Saxton et al. (1986) are not valid for soils with low and high clay content, we have modified our program to meet the boundary conditions set in their publication. We have also created a clickable graphic which returns values of soil texture and hydraulic properties. In addition, we have created a work table which allows comparison of data for three different soils. Please explore impact of texture on hydraulic properties of soil via the following links:

1. Canadian System
    
   
   • Texture Triangle
      
     
   • Work Table
      
     
2. American System
    
   
   • Texture Triangle
      
     
   • Work Table
      
     

References:

Saxton, K.E., W.J. Rawls, J.S. Romberger, and R.I. Papendick. 1986. Estimating generalized soil-water characteristics from texture. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 50(4):1031-1036

Roger Nelson's soil texture triangle hydraulic properties calculator, web version.