Craven County, North Carolina
The dominant drainage class is Very poorly drained and the dominant hydrologic group is B/D (varies with drainage). 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.
| 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 |
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.