Hampden County, Massachusetts, Central Part
The most common soil here is Hinckley, on about 12% of the land: a loamy sand, gritty and loose. Windsor and Merrimac come next.
About 51% of the land drains well, and 10% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 24% of it.
USDA rates 78% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 37% 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, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 8% 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 Hampden County, Massachusetts, Central 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 Excessively drained and the dominant hydrologic group is A (high infiltration, low 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 Hampden County, Massachusetts, Central 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Urban land-Hinckley-Windsor association, 0 to 15 percent slopes | 20K | D | Not limited | Very limited | |
| Urban land | 12K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Rock outcrop-Holyoke complex, 15 to 35 percent slopes | 9K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Merrimac fine sandy loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 8K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Hinckley loamy sand, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 7K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Water | 7K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Hinckley loamy sand, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 6K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Windsor loamy sand, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 5K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Merrimac fine sandy loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 5K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Windsor loamy sand, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 5K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Urban land-Hadley-Winooski association, 0 to 8 percent slopes | 5K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Hinckley loamy sand, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 4K | Excessively drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Wareham loamy sand, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 3K | Poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sudbury fine sandy loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes | 3K | Moderately well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Woodbridge fine sandy loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes, extremely stony | 3K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hinckley loamy sand, 15 to 25 percent slopes | 3K | Excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Urban land-Wethersfield-Paxton association, 3 to 25 percent slopes | 3K | D | Not limited | Not limited | |
| Narragansett very fine sandy loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, extremely stony | 3K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Pits, gravel | 3K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Wethersfield fine sandy loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 2K | Well drained | C | 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 37% of soils have significant building limitations, while the rest are generally suitable. Check specific sites carefully — conditions vary across the area.
Septic Systems
About 78% 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.