District of Columbia
The most common soil here is Udorthents, on about 12% of the land. Manor and Sassafras come next.
About 40% of the land drains well; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 2% of it.
USDA rates 52% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 17% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 4% of the land floods occasionally or more.
Soils change over short distances, so look up an address below for the soil at that exact spot and the reasons behind each rating.
The soils you're most likely standing on
The biggest named soils in District of Columbia, each drawn five feet deep from its official USDA description, in its recorded colors.
Dots mark gravel; white flecks mark lime. Shares are by acres across the survey area, and each mapped patch usually mixes several of these soils.
The biggest mapped areas
The dominant drainage class is Well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is B (moderate infiltration). The most common soil order is Ultisols — strongly weathered soils with clay-enriched subsoils, common in warm humid climates. This report summarizes the major soil map units across the survey area to help you understand what to expect when buying, building, or gardening in District of Columbia. Search your address to find the exact soil composition, drainage, and series details at your specific location.
| Soil Map Unit | Acres | Drainage | Hydro Group | Dwellings | Septic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Urban land | 6K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Water | 5K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Udorthents | 2K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Urban land-Sassafras complex, 0 to 8 percent slopes | 1K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Manor-Urban land complex, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 1K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Christiana-Urban land complex, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 1K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Manor loam, 15 to 40 percent slopes | 1K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sassafras-Urban land complex, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 988 | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Sassafras-Urban land complex, 0 to 8 percent slopes | 972 | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Urban land-Chillum complex, 0 to 8 percent slopes | 848 | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Chillum-Urban land complex, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 814 | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Manor-Urban land complex, 0 to 8 percent slopes | 740 | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Urban land-Sassafras complex, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 716 | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Beltsville-Urban land complex, 0 to 8 percent slopes | 651 | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Galestown-Urban land complex, 0 to 8 percent slopes | 614 | Not limited | Very limited | ||
| Udorthents, smoothed | 574 | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Brandywine-Urban land complex, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 571 | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Chillum-Urban land complex, 0 to 8 percent slopes | 566 | Well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Urban land-Chillum complex, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 557 | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Udorthents, clayey, smoothed | 533 | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
Soil Orders in This Area
The USDA classifies every soil into one of 12 soil orders. Here are the dominant orders found in this survey area.
What This Means
Building & Foundations
Most soils are generally favorable for residential construction. Standard foundations are usually viable, though site-specific evaluation is always recommended.
Septic Systems
About 52% of soils are rated "very limited" for septic absorption fields. Despite good drainage overall, limitations may stem from shallow bedrock, steep slopes, or seasonal conditions. Engineered or alternative systems are frequently required. Always get a professional perc test before purchasing land that needs septic.
Gardening & Agriculture
Well-drained soils on sloped terrain — good for most plants but watch for erosion. Terracing, contour planting, and mulching help retain moisture and topsoil. Drip irrigation is more effective than sprinklers on slopes.