Craven County, North Carolina

Survey Area NC049• North Carolina

The dominant drainage class is Very poorly drained and the dominant hydrologic group is B/D (varies with drainage). 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 Craven County, North Carolina. 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
Water	42K			Not rated	Not rated
Leaf silt loam	42K	Poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Rains fine sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, Atlantic Coast Flatwoods	37K	Poorly drained	B/D	Very limited	Very limited
Pantego fine sandy loam	30K	Very poorly drained	B/D	Very limited	Very limited
Masontown mucky fine sandy loam and Muckalee sandy loam, frequently flooded	28K	Very poorly drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
Croatan muck, ponded, 0 to 2 percent slopes	25K	Very poorly drained	B/D	Very limited	Very limited
Goldsboro loamy fine sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes	25K	Moderately well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Lenoir silt loam	22K	Somewhat poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Dare muck	20K	Very poorly drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
Lynchburg fine sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, Atlantic Coast Flatwoods	19K	Somewhat poorly drained	B/D	Very limited	Very limited
Craven silt loam, 1 to 4 percent slopes	18K	Moderately well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Bayboro mucky loam	14K	Very poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Deloss fine sandy loam	12K	Very poorly drained	B/D	Very limited	Very limited
Tomotley fine sandy loam	12K	Poorly drained	B/D	Very limited	Very limited
Arapahoe fine sandy loam	12K	Very poorly drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
Torhunta fine sandy loam	12K	Very poorly drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
Seabrook loamy sand	11K	Moderately well drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Tarboro sand, 0 to 6 percent slopes	10K	Somewhat excessively drained	A	Not limited	Very limited
Altavista fine sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes	9K	Moderately well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Murville mucky loamy sand	9K	Very poorly drained	A/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.

Ultisols

Strongly weathered clay soils of the Southeast. Acidic and naturally low in nutrients. Clay subsoil can slow drainage.

Entisols

Young soils with little development — found on floodplains, dunes, and steep slopes. Properties vary widely by setting.

Inceptisols

Young but developing soils found in mountains and river terraces. Variable properties — check drainage and bedrock depth.

Spodosols

Acidic forest soils with a leached layer. Common under conifers. Often have drainage issues from a compacted subsoil layer.

What This Means

Building & Foundations

About 87% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include poor drainage in some areas, flood-prone areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.

Septic Systems

About 89% of soils are rated "very limited" for septic absorption fields. Poorly drained soils can't absorb septic effluent effectively. Engineered or alternative systems are frequently required. Always get a professional perc test before purchasing land that needs septic.

Gardening & Agriculture

Many soils hold water for extended periods. Raised beds are highly recommended to improve drainage for vegetables. Well-adapted native plants and water-loving species will do best in natural conditions.