Hyde County, North Carolina
The most common soil here is Pungo, on about 9% of the land: a clay, sticky when wet and rock-hard when dry. Scuppernong and Ponzer come next.
About under 1% of the land drains well, and 45% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 50% of it.
USDA rates 46% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 46% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 7% 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 Hyde County, North Carolina, 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 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 Hyde 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 | 433K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Pungo muck, 0 to 2 percent slopes, rarely flooded | 86K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Scuppernong muck, 0 to 2 percent slopes, rarely flooded | 59K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ponzer muck, 0 to 2 percent slopes, rarely flooded | 36K | Very poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Roper muck, 0 to 2 percent slopes, rarely flooded | 23K | Very poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Belhaven muck, 0 to 2 percent slopes, rarely flooded | 20K | Very poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Longshoal mucky peat, 0 to 1 percent slopes, very frequently flooded | 18K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hydeland silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, rarely flooded | 18K | Very poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Delway muck, 0 to 1 percent slopes, very frequently flooded | 16K | Very poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Acredale silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, rarely flooded | 14K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Machapunga-Coree complex, 1.0 to 1.5 meter water depth | 12K | Subaqueous | D | Not rated | Not rated |
| Argent loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, rarely flooded | 10K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Flyway fine sand, 0.5 to 1.5 meter water depth | 9K | Subaqueous | D | Not rated | Not rated |
| Brookman loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, rarely flooded | 8K | Very poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Belhaven muck, 0 to 2 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 8K | Very poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Backbay mucky peat, 0 to 1 percent slopes, very frequently flooded | 8K | Very poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Gullrock muck, 0 to 2 percent slopes, rarely flooded | 8K | Very poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Machapunga very fine sandy loam, 0.5 to 1.0 meter water depth | 6K | Subaqueous | D | Not rated | Not rated |
| Wasda muck, 0 to 2 percent slopes, rarely flooded | 6K | Very poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Pettigrew muck, 0 to 2 percent slopes, rarely flooded | 5K | Very 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 46% of soils have significant building limitations, while the rest are generally suitable. Check specific sites carefully — conditions vary across the area.
Septic Systems
About 46% 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.