Essex County, Massachusetts, Southern Part
The most common soil here is Chatfield, on about 7% of the land: a fine sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Hollis and Merrimac come next.
About 49% of the land drains well, and 19% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 21% of it.
USDA rates 75% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 58% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 6% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 22% of it.
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 Essex County, Massachusetts, Southern Part, 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 D (very slow infiltration, high runoff). The most common soil order is Inceptisols — young soils with minimal horizon development but more than Entisols. 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 Essex County, Massachusetts, Southern Part. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chatfield-Hollis-Rock outcrop complex, 15 to 35 percent slopes | 18K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Urban land | 13K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Chatfield-Hollis-Rock outcrop complex, 0 to 15 percent slopes | 11K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water, saline | 10K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Ipswich and Westbrook mucky peats, 0 to 2 percent slopes, very frequently flooded | 8K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Freetown muck, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 7K | Very poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Merrimac-Urban land complex, 0 to 8 percent slopes | 5K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Udorthents, smoothed | 4K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Water | 4K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Paxton-Urban land complex, 3 to 15 percent slopes | 3K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Merrimac fine sandy loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 3K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Hollis-Urban land-Rock outcrop complex, sloping | 3K | Well drained | Not rated | Not rated | |
| Canton fine sandy loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, very stony | 2K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Hinckley gravelly fine sandy loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 2K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Rock outcrop-Hollis complex, 3 to 25 percent slopes | 2K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Sudbury fine sandy loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 2K | Moderately well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Scitico silt loam, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 2K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Scarboro mucky fine sandy loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 2K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Boxford silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 2K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Merrimac fine sandy loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 2K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not 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 58% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include steep slopes, poor drainage in some areas, flood-prone areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 75% 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.