Dukes County, Massachusetts
The most common soil here is Carver, on about 23% of the land: a coarse sand, loose sand that holds almost no water. Eastchop and Riverhead come next.
About 73% of the land drains well, and 5% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 10% of it.
USDA rates 82% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 24% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 5% 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 Dukes County, Massachusetts, 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 Excessively drained and the dominant hydrologic group is A (high infiltration, low runoff). The most common soil order is Entisols — young soils with little profile development, often on floodplains or steep slopes. 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 Dukes County, Massachusetts. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carver loamy coarse sand, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 10K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Water, ocean | 9K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Carver loamy coarse sand, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 7K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Riverhead sandy loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 6K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Carver loamy coarse sand, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 5K | Excessively drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Eastchop loamy sand, 15 to 35 percent slopes, very stony | 3K | Excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Haven very fine sandy loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 3K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Plymouth-Montauk complex, 15 to 35 percent slopes, extremely bouldery | 2K | Excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Eastchop loamy sand, 8 to 15 percent slopes, very stony | 2K | Excessively drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Eastchop-Montauk complex, 0 to 15 percent slopes, very bouldery | 2K | Excessively drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Water, saline | 2K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Eastchop loamy sand, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 2K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Hooksan sand, 3 to 15 percent slopes | 2K | Excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Eastchop loamy sand, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 2K | Excessively drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Freetown and Swansea mucks, coastal lowland, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 1K | Very poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Eastchop loamy sand, 3 to 8 percent slopes, very stony | 1K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Riverhead sandy loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 1K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Klej loamy coarse sand, sandy substratum, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 1K | Moderately well drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Carver loamy coarse sand, 15 to 25 percent slopes | 1K | Excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Nantucket-Plymouth complex, rolling, very stony | 988 | Well drained | B | Very 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
About 24% of soils have significant building limitations, while the rest are generally suitable. Check specific sites carefully — conditions vary across the area.
Septic Systems
About 82% of soils are rated "very limited" for septic absorption fields. The well-drained soils may actually drain too fast for standard leach fields, allowing effluent to reach groundwater. Engineered or alternative systems are frequently required. Always get a professional perc test before purchasing land that needs septic.
Gardening & Agriculture
Soils tend to drain very quickly, meaning nutrients and water don't stick around long. Raised beds with amended soil, drip irrigation, and heavy mulching will give the best results. Compost is your best friend here — it improves water retention dramatically.