We examined the morphology of drainage ditch soils to assess their potential role in phosphorus release to overlying water and their implications for the development of agricultural drainage ditch best management practices. The spatial variation of selected ditch soil characteristics within an agricultural drainage network was examined. This study was located at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore Research Farm, Princess Anne, MD. Soil profile descriptions were performed every 40 m along 10 agricultural drainage ditches ranging in length from 225 to 550 m. Particle size analysis, pH, organic carbon, total P, water soluble P, mehlich-3 P, and ammonium oxalate Fe-Al-P were analyzed on 21 ditch pedons. Spatial analysis was performed from soils (0-5 cm) collected at a spatial resolution of 10 m and analyzed for pH (dry) and acid ammonium oxalate extractable Fe, Al, and P. Pedogenic processes were found to be active in ditch soils. Ditch soils were generally described as A over C horizons. A horizon textures were generally sandy loam and loam. Soil structure was described in 75% of A horizons. Ditch A horizons were dark in color with a mean value of 3.3 and chroma of 1.8. Redoximorphic features were described in 41% of A and 63% of C horizons. Organic carbon ranged from 0.04 to 12.4% in ditch horizons analyzed. Iron-monosulfides were found on drainage ditch soil surfaces and sulfidic materials were found at depth. Studies of the chemical, physical, and biological processes operating in drainage ditches should integrate an understanding of the pedological processes operating in these soils bodies.