Carroll County, Maryland
The most common soil here is Glenelg, on about 24% of the land: a loam, a balanced mix that crumbles in your hand. Brinklow and Penn come next.
About 80% of the land drains well, and 9% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 16% of it.
USDA rates 76% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 59% 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 39% 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 Carroll County, Maryland, 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 Alfisols — moderately leached forest soils with a clay-enriched subsoil. 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 Carroll County, Maryland. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brinklow channery loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 36K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Brinklow channery loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes | 24K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Glenelg channery loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 23K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Glenelg loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 22K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Glenville silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 14K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Glenelg channery loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 14K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Penn silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 11K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Manor loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 9K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Brinklow channery loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 9K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hatboro silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 7K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Glenelg-Urban land complex, 0 to 8 percent slopes | 7K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Glenelg loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 6K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Baile silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 6K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Brinklow channery loam, 25 to 45 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Manor loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Codorus silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 5K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Penn channery loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Penn loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 3K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Urban land-Udorthents complex, 0 to 8 percent slopes | 3K | D | Not rated | Not rated | |
| Abbottstown silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 3K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | 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 59% 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 76% 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.