Prince George's County, Maryland
The most common soil here is Marr, on about 9% of the land: a fine sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Dodon and Udorthents come next.
About 52% of the land drains well, and 13% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 18% of it.
USDA rates 84% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 54% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 10% 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 Prince George's 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 C (slow infiltration, moderate runoff). The most common soil order is Ultisols — strongly weathered soils with clay-enriched subsoils, common in warm humid climates. 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 Prince George's 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marr-Dodon complex, 5 to 10 percent slopes | 13K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Widewater and Issue soils, frequently flooded | 12K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Marr-Dodon complex, 15 to 25 percent slopes | 12K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Beltsville silt loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes | 11K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Marr-Dodon complex, 10 to 15 percent slopes | 10K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water | 10K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Croom-Marr complex, 15 to 25 percent slopes | 8K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Beltsville-Urban land complex, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 7K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Christiana-Downer-Urban land complex, 5 to 15 percent slopes | 7K | D | Not rated | Very limited | |
| Russett-Christiana-Urban land complex, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 7K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Potobac-Issue complex, frequently flooded | 6K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Westphalia and Dodon soils, 25 to 40 percent slopes | 6K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Udorthents, highway, 0 to 65 percent slopes | 6K | Well drained | Not rated | Not rated | |
| Marr-Dodon complex, 2 to 5 percent slopes | 6K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Collington-Wist complex, 2 to 5 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Udorthents, reclaimed gravel pits, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Collington-Wist-Urban land complex, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Collington-Wist complex, 5 to 10 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Christiana-Downer complex, 5 to 10 percent slopes | 5K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Russett-Christiana complex, 2 to 5 percent slopes | 4K | Moderately 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 54% 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 84% 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.