Dare County, North Carolina

Survey Area NC055• North Carolina

The dominant drainage class is Very poorly drained and the dominant hydrologic group is A/D (varies with drainage). The most common soil order is Entisols — young soils with little profile development, often on floodplains or steep slopes. 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 Dare 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	550K			Not rated	Not rated
Pungo muck, 0 to 2 percent slopes, rarely flooded	89K	Very poorly drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
Belhaven muck, 0 to 2 percent slopes, rarely flooded	39K	Very poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Hyde loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, rarely flooded	25K	Very poorly drained	B/D	Very limited	Very limited
Ponzer muck, 0 to 2 percent slopes, rarely flooded	13K	Very poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Hobonny muck, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently flooded	11K	Very poorly drained	B/D	Very limited	Very limited
Roper muck, 0 to 2 percent slopes, rarely flooded	10K	Very poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Carteret sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes, frequently flooded	8K	Very poorly drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
Currituck mucky peat, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently flooded	7K	Very poorly drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
Duckston fine sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionally flooded	7K	Poorly drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
Fripp fine sand, 2 to 30 percent slopes	6K	Excessively drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Newhan fine sand, 0 to 10 percent slopes	6K	Excessively drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Beaches-Newhan complex, 0 to 25 percent slopes	5K	Poorly drained		Very limited	Very limited
Corolla fine sand, 0 to 6 percent slopes, rarely flooded	5K	Moderately well drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Cape Fear loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, rarely flooded	3K	Very poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Ousley fine sand, 0 to 5 percent slopes, rarely flooded	2K	Moderately well drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Baymeade fine sand, 0 to 10 percent slopes	2K	Well drained	A	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Newhan-Corolla complex, 0 to 10 percent slopes	2K	Excessively drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Conaby muck, 0 to 2 percent slopes, rarely flooded	2K	Very poorly drained	B/D	Very limited	Very limited
Icaria loamy fine sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes, rarely flooded	2K	Very poorly drained	B/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.

Entisols

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

Histosols

Organic peat and muck soils formed in wetlands. Very poor for building (compressible) and septic. Often in regulated wetlands.

Inceptisols

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

Ultisols

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

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 30% of soils have significant building limitations, while the rest are generally suitable. Check specific sites carefully — conditions vary across the area.

Septic Systems

About 30% of soils have significant septic limitations, while others are more suitable. A perc test is essential — conditions vary across the area.

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.