Worcester County, Massachusetts, Northwestern Part
The most common soil here is Peru, on about 7% of the land: a fine sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Woodbridge and Becket come next.
About 55% of the land drains well, and 15% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 55% of it.
USDA rates 92% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 64% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: bedrock lies within 40 inches under 13% 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 Worcester County, Massachusetts, Northwestern 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 C/D (varies with drainage). The most common soil order is Spodosols — acidic forest soils with a distinctive leached layer, common under conifers. 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 Worcester County, Massachusetts, Northwestern 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peru-Marlow association, 3 to 15 percent slopes, extremely stony | 41K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Becket-Skerry association, 0 to 15 percent slopes, extremely stony | 41K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Woodbridge-Paxton association, 3 to 15 percent slopes, extremely stony | 40K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Montauk-Scituate-Canton association, 3 to 15 percent slopes, extremely stony | 20K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Water | 19K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Bucksport and Wonsqueak mucks, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 19K | Very poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tunbridge-Lyman-Berkshire association, 3 to 15 percent slopes, extremely stony | 18K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Charlton-Paxton association, 15 to 45 percent slopes, extremely stony | 13K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Pillsbury-Peacham association, 0 to 8 percent slopes, extremely stony | 13K | Very poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Charlton-Chatfield-Hollis association, 15 to 45 percent slopes, very rocky | 11K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lyman-Tunbridge-Berkshire association, 15 to 45 percent slopes, very rocky | 11K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ridgebury-Whitman association, 0 to 8 percent slopes, extremely stony | 11K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Berkshire-Marlow association, 15 to 45 percent slopes, extremely stony | 11K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Charlton-Chatfield association, 3 to 15 percent slopes, extremely stony | 10K | Well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Catden and Natchaug mucks, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 9K | Very poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Becket-Monadnock association, 15 to 45 percent slopes, extremely stony | 8K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Colton gravelly loamy sand, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 7K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Montauk-Canton association, 15 to 35 percent slopes, extremely stony | 6K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hinckley loamy sand, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 6K | 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 |
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 64% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include shallow bedrock, steep slopes, poor drainage in some areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 92% 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.