Conservation Commission Agenda (linked)

Wetland Delineations  
Wetland Evaluations 
Soil Evaluations 
1
 
____________________________________________________________________ 
Ian Cole LLC 
Professional Registered Soil Scientist / Professional Wetland Scientist 
PO BOX 619 
Middletown, CT 06457 
Itcole@gmail.com 
 
December 7, 2023 
 
Mr. Benjamin Topkin 
76 Dayton Road 
Waterford, CT 06385 
 
RE: 
WETLAND & WATERCOURSE SURVEY REPORT: 76 Dayton Road, 
Waterford, Connecticut. 
 
Dear Mr. Topkin: 
 
At your request, I completed a field verification survey of the jurisdictional freshwater 
inland wetland and watercourses boundaries within 100’ of the proposed activities at the 
above referenced 13.16-acre residential property. 
 
WETLAND DELINEATION METHODOLOGY  
The wetland delineation was completed in accordance with the standards of the Natural 
Resources Conservation Services (NRCS) National Cooperative Soil Survey and the 
definitions of inland wetlands and watercourses as found in the Connecticut General 
Statutes, Chapter 440, Sections 22a-36 through 22a-45 as amended.  Wetlands, as defined 
by the Statute, are those soil types designated as poorly drained, very poorly drained, 
floodplain or alluvial in accordance with the NRCS National Cooperative Soil Survey.  
Such areas may also include disturbed areas that have been filled, graded, or excavated 
and which possess an aquic (saturated) soil moisture regime. 
 
Watercourses means rivers, streams, brooks, waterways, lakes, ponds, marshes, swamps, 
bogs, and all other bodies of water, natural or artificial, vernal, or intermittent, public, or 
private, which are contained within, flow through or border upon the Town of Waterford 
or any portion thereof not regulated pursuant to sections 22a-28 through 22a-35, 
inclusive, of the Connecticut General Statutes. Intermittent watercourses are defined 
permanent channel and bank and the occurrence of two or more of the following 
characteristics: (a) evidence of scour or deposits of recent alluvium or detritus, (b) the 
presence of standing or flowing water for duration longer than a particular storm incident, 
and (c) the presence of hydrophytic vegetation. 
 

 
Wetland Delineations  
Wetland Evaluations 
Soil Evaluations 
2
WETLAND SURVEY RESULTS  
The wetland survey was completed on December 6, 2023.  The 2023 on-site wetland 
delineation examined the upper 20" of the soil profile for the presence of hydric soil 
conditions.  Those areas within 100’ of the proposed activities meeting the wetland 
criteria noted above were marked in the field with sequentially numbered pink and blue 
wetland flagging labeled 1 through 16. 
 
The wetlands illustrated on  the subject site development plans showing the proposed 
house, drive,  utility connections and septic, dated October 2023, prepared by Dieter & 
Gardner are substantially correct and accurately reflect the wetland boundary as flagged 
in the field.      
 
Two separate wetland feature are found on  the  property.  In the front portion of the 
property is the upper reaches of a seasonally flooded forested wetland that drains to the 
south forming the headwaters of the off-site  Nevins Brook.   The wetland  boundary is  
well-defined marked by an extremely stony forest floor that is carpeted in sphagnum  
moss  and tussock sedge.   A portion of the  driveway entrance to the proposed house will 
fall within the 100’ upland review area.  The bulk of  the development  is centrally 
located  on the property far  removed from the wetland resources.    In  the rear of the 
property is a Red Maple forested wetland complex that occupies the  flooded low-lying 
lands between the subject property and the Waterford Commons Shopping Plaza.   This 
forested wetland is well protected from development by a prominent ridgeline of ledge 
cliffs that buffers the  wetlands.   The  wetlands in the rear of the property are in excess of 
100’ from the closest activity (the proposed reserve area for the on-site septic system).   
 
The overall  wetland community exhibits classic Red Maple swamp vegetation, 
including: 
 
Trees: Red Maple, yellow birch, , and shagbark hickory.  
 
Shrubs: Highbush blueberry, spicebush, winterberry, sweet pepperbush, ironwood, witch 
hazel.  
 
Herbaceous: Tussock sedge, sphagnum moss, stout wood reed, sensitive fern, royal fern, 
interrupted fern, cinnamon fern, skunk cabbage, fringe sedge.   
 
The above is not an exhaustive list, but a sample of commonly encountered vegetation 
that characterizes the on-site wetland community.   
 
Representative photos of the site are attached below.  
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
Wetland Delineations  
Wetland Evaluations 
Soil Evaluations 
3
SOIL SURVEY 
The soils identified on-site are a refinement of the Natural Resources Conservation 
Service (NRCS) Websoil Soil Survey.  The on-site soils originated in glacial melt-out till  
parent material.  
 
Wetland Soils 
The wetland soils in the front of the parcel are mapped and classified as very rocky 
poorly drained Timakwa and Natchaug hydric  soils.   
 
The wetlands soils are classified as (3) Ridgebury, Leicester, and Whitman fine sandy 
loams.  The poorly drained soils along the wetland boundary belong to the Ridgebury and 
Leicester soil series. Ridgebury and Leicester soils are found within drainageways and 
depressions on glacial till landscapes. Ridgebury and Leicester soils have a seasonal 
high-water table at a depth of about 6 inches.  Very poorly drained Whitman soils are 
found in the lowest lying areas within the interior of the wetlands where the water table is 
at the surface thought most of the growing season.   
 
Upland Soils 
The upland soils were not examined in great detail except as necessary to delineate the 
wetland boundary.  The bulk of the uplands are mapped and classified as well-drained 
Charlton-Chatfield Rock Outcrop Complex.  These upland soils consist of fine sandy 
loams. Shallow depth to ledge may be encountered in Chatfield soils and can be a 
limiting factor for development.   
 
If you have any questions or comments, please do not hesitate to contact me at 
itcole@gmail.com or (860) 514-5642  
 
Sincerely, 
 
 
 
 
Ian T. Cole 
Professional Registered Soil Scientist 
Professional Wetland Scientist #2006 
 
Attachments 
GIS  Location Map 
GIS Topo Map   
NRCS Soil Map 
SITE PHOTOS 
 
 
 
 
 

1"=250'
The information depicted on this map is for planning purposes only.
It is not adequate for legal boundary definition, regulatory 
interpretation, or parcel-level analyses.
12/2/2023 2:47:36 PM
Scale is approximate
Scale:

1"=250'
The information depicted on this map is for planning purposes only.
It is not adequate for legal boundary definition, regulatory 
interpretation, or parcel-level analyses.
12/2/2023 2:51:38 PM
Scale is approximate
Scale:

1"=250'
The information depicted on this map is for planning purposes only.
It is not adequate for legal boundary definition, regulatory 
interpretation, or parcel-level analyses.
12/7/2023 8:36:07 PM
Scale is approximate
Scale:

Soil Map—State of Connecticut, Eastern Part
Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Web Soil Survey
National Cooperative Soil Survey
12/7/2023
Page 1 of 3
4584670
4584730
4584790
4584850
4584910
4584970
4584670
4584730
4584790
4584850
4584910
4584970
4585030
738530
738590
738650
738710
738770
738830
738890
738950
739010
739070
738530
738590
738650
738710
738770
738830
738890
738950
739010
739070
41°  22' 52'' N
72°  8' 52'' W
41°  22' 52'' N
72°  8' 26'' W
41°  22' 40'' N
72°  8' 52'' W
41°  22' 40'' N
72°  8' 26'' W
N
Map projection: Web Mercator   Corner coordinates: WGS84   Edge tics: UTM Zone 18N WGS84
0
100
200
400
600
Feet
0
40
80
160
240
Meters
Map Scale: 1:2,710 if printed on A landscape (11" x 8.5") sheet.
Soil Map may not be valid at this scale.

MAP LEGEND
MAP INFORMATION
Area of Interest (AOI)
Area of Interest (AOI)
Soils
Soil Map Unit Polygons
Soil Map Unit Lines
Soil Map Unit Points
Special Point Features
Blowout
Borrow Pit
Clay Spot
Closed Depression
Gravel Pit
Gravelly Spot
Landfill
Lava Flow
Marsh or swamp
Mine or Quarry
Miscellaneous Water
Perennial Water
Rock Outcrop
Saline Spot
Sandy Spot
Severely Eroded Spot
Sinkhole
Slide or Slip
Sodic Spot
Spoil Area
Stony Spot
Very Stony Spot
Wet Spot
Other
Special Line Features
Water Features
Streams and Canals
Transportation
Rails
Interstate Highways
US Routes
Major Roads
Local Roads
Background
Aerial Photography
The soil surveys that comprise your AOI were mapped at 
1:12,000.
Warning: Soil Map may not be valid at this scale.
Enlargement of maps beyond the scale of mapping can cause 
misunderstanding of the detail of mapping and accuracy of soil 
line placement. The maps do not show the small areas of 
contrasting soils that could have been shown at a more detailed 
scale.
Please rely on the bar scale on each map sheet for map 
measurements.
Source of Map: Natural Resources Conservation Service
Web Soil Survey URL: 
Coordinate System: Web Mercator (EPSG:3857)
Maps from the Web Soil Survey are based on the Web Mercator 
projection, which preserves direction and shape but distorts 
distance and area. A projection that preserves area, such as the 
Albers equal-area conic projection, should be used if more 
accurate calculations of distance or area are required.
This product is generated from the USDA-NRCS certified data as 
of the version date(s) listed below.
Soil Survey Area: State of Connecticut, Eastern Part
Survey Area Data: Version 1, Sep 15, 2023
Soil map units are labeled (as space allows) for map scales 
1:50,000 or larger.
Date(s) aerial images were photographed: Jun 14, 2022—Oct 6, 
2022
The orthophoto or other base map on which the soil lines were 
compiled and digitized probably differs from the background 
imagery displayed on these maps. As a result, some minor 
shifting of map unit boundaries may be evident.
Soil Map—State of Connecticut, Eastern Part
Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Web Soil Survey
National Cooperative Soil Survey
12/7/2023
Page 2 of 3

Map Unit Legend
Map Unit Symbol
Map Unit Name
Acres in AOI
Percent of AOI
3
Ridgebury, Leicester, and 
Whitman soils, 0 to 8 
percent slopes, extremely 
stony
2.9
16.6%
17
Timakwa and Natchaug soils, 0 
to 2 percent slopes
2.3
13.5%
51B
Sutton fine sandy loam, 0 to 8 
percent slopes, very stony
2.0
11.4%
60B
Canton and Charlton fine 
sandy loams, 3 to 8 percent 
slopes
0.3
1.5%
60C
Canton and Charlton fine 
sandy loams, 8 to 15 percent 
slopes
0.0
0.2%
62C
Canton and Charlton fine 
sandy loams, 3 to 15 percent 
slopes, extremely stony
1.5
8.9%
73C
Charlton-Chatfield complex, 0 
to 15 percent slopes, very 
rocky
1.2
7.1%
73E
Charlton-Chatfield complex, 15 
to 45 percent slopes, very 
rocky
7.0
40.8%
Totals for Area of Interest
17.2
100.0%
Soil Map—State of Connecticut, Eastern Part
Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Web Soil Survey
National Cooperative Soil Survey
12/7/2023
Page 3 of 3

 
Wetland Delineations  
Wetland Evaluations 
Soil Evaluations 
4
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
WETLAND SURVEY  
 
SITE PHOTOS 
 
76 DAYTON ROAD 
 
WATERFORD  
 
CONNECTICUT 
 

 
Wetland Delineations  
Wetland Evaluations 
Soil Evaluations 
5
 
Photo 1: Example of the Wetlands  in the front (east) portion  of the  property. 
 
 
Photo  2: Example  of the Wetland conditions in the rear (west) of the property. 

 
Wetland Delineations  
Wetland Evaluations 
Soil Evaluations 
6
 
Photo  3: Example of the upland review area proximal to the front wetland. 
 
 
Photo 4: Proposed house location in center of parcel.  
 
 

 
Wetland Delineations  
Wetland Evaluations 
Soil Evaluations 
7
 
Photo  5: Existing entrance in northeast corner of parcel which  will be improved.