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540 Clay Plain
| Geology & Landscape | Fresh Water
| Soils | Plants Scenic Quality | Cultural Environment | Sites of Interest Topics & Habitats |
District 540 is divided into two sub-Districts:
(a) Cogmagun River
(b) Stewiake Barrens
Geology and Landscape Development
In the two sub-Units within the Clay Plain (District 540) are found Middle to Late Carboniferous deposits of Canso and Pictou strata (see Figure 11). These strata are predominantly fine red or grey-brown sandstones and siltstones, known as the Scotch Village Formation, which lie horizontally on top of the Windsor deposits.
Cogmagun River (sub-District 540a) Stewiacke Barrens (sub-District 540b)
This area contains the headwaters of the Tomcod, Walton, and Cogmagun rivers. It falls within three tertiary drainage areas, including a portion of the Kennetcook River watershed, and drains into the Minas Basin. The several extensive wetland systems include Collins Bog and McDonald Bog, both of which are larger than 400 hectares.
This landscape is within the Shubenacadie River watershed and contains numerous tributaries that feed into the Stewiacke and Shubenacadie systems.
Soils
The soils in this Unit are mainly of the Kingsville series - poorly drained clay loams, usually strongly mottled, that have formed from till deposits derived from grey sand and siltstones. Large areas of peat have developed in level and depressed areas.
Plants
This clay till plain with scattered mounds supports mostly Black Spruce, with some Red Oak and Balsam Fir. On the better-drained gravelly ridges, Red Pine (on burnt sites) and the shade-intolerant Red Maple and White Birch occur.
Scenic Quality
These featureless plains have some of the lowest scenic ratings in the province. With little relief, few lakes, and no human settlement, the only variation is provided by bogs and extensive cutover areas (in District 540a). There is little public access to these areas; the only paved road is south of Middle Stewiacke (District 540b).
Cultural Environment
These sub-Districts have a history of forestry. At present, recreational use of the land includes an airfield that was a Commonwealth training field during the Second World War. Peat harvesting potential exists on the Clay Plain.
- Scotch Village Barrens - extensive peat deposits
Provincial Parks and Park Reserves
Proposed Parks and Protected Areas System includes Natural Landscapes 27a and 27b.
Scenic Viewpoints
- River Hebert, both sides - dyked farmland
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