Soil survey area

Robeson County, North Carolina

Survey Area NC155• North Carolina
The short version

The most common soil here is Johnston, on about 13% of the land: a mucky loam, a balanced mix that crumbles in your hand. Norfolk and Rains come next.

About 33% of the land drains well, and 54% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 54% of it.

USDA rates 73% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 67% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.

Worth knowing: 17% 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 ground underfoot

The soils you're most likely standing on

The biggest named soils in Robeson County, North Carolina, each drawn five feet deep from its official USDA description, in its recorded colors.

Johnston
13% of the area
Mucky loam topsoil · very poorly drained
A balanced mix that crumbles in your hand. The gardener's ideal.
Inceptisols
Norfolk
12% of the area
Loamy sand topsoil · well drained
Gritty and loose. Water runs straight through it.
Ultisols
Rains
10% of the area
Sandy loam topsoil · poorly drained
Gritty and crumbly. Drains fast and warms early in spring.
Ultisols
Wagram
10% of the area
Loamy sand topsoil · well drained
Gritty and loose. Water runs straight through it.
Ultisols
Goldsboro
8% of the area
Loamy sand topsoil · moderately well drained
Gritty and loose. Water runs straight through it.
Ultisols
Lynchburg
6% of the area
Fine sand topsoil · somewhat poorly drained
Loose sand that holds almost no water.
Ultisols

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 Poorly drained and the dominant hydrologic group is A/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 Robeson County, North Carolina. Search your address to find the exact soil composition, drainage, and series details at your specific location.

Soil Map UnitAcresDrainageHydro GroupDwellingsSeptic
Johnston soils 76K Very poorly drainedA/DVery limitedVery limited
Norfolk loamy sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes 74K Well drainedBSomewhat limitedSomewhat limited
Rains sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes 72K Poorly drainedA/DVery limitedVery limited
Wagram loamy sand, 0 to 6 percent slopes 55K Well drainedANot limitedSomewhat limited
Goldsboro loamy sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes, Southern Coastal Plain 46K Moderately well drainedBVery limitedVery limited
Lynchburg sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes 32K Somewhat poorly drainedB/DVery limitedVery limited
Coxville loam 31K Poorly drainedC/DVery limitedVery limited
Bibb soils 24K Poorly drainedA/DVery limitedVery limited
Lumbee sandy loam 20K Poorly drainedB/DVery limitedVery limited
Johns sandy loam 15K Moderately well drainedCVery limitedVery limited
Wakulla sand, 0 to 6 percent slopes 14K Somewhat excessively drainedANot limitedVery limited
Pocalla loamy sand, 0 to 3 percent slopes 12K Somewhat excessively drainedASomewhat limitedVery limited
Aycock very fine sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes 11K Well drainedBSomewhat limitedSomewhat limited
Trebloc loam (Grantham) 10K Poorly drainedC/DVery limitedVery limited
Pantego fine sandy loam 10K Very poorly drainedB/DVery limitedVery limited
Lakeland sand, 0 to 6 percent slopes 9K Excessively drainedANot limitedVery limited
McColl loam 9K Poorly drainedDVery limitedVery limited
Norfolk loamy sand, 2 to 6 percent slopes 8K Well drainedBSomewhat limitedSomewhat limited
Nahunta very fine sandy loam 8K Somewhat poorly drainedC/DVery limitedVery limited
Portsmouth loam 7K Very poorly drainedB/DVery limitedVery 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.
Inceptisols
Young but developing soils found in mountains and river terraces. Variable properties — check drainage and bedrock depth.
Entisols
Young soils with little development — found on floodplains, dunes, and steep slopes. Properties vary widely by setting.

What This Means

Building & Foundations

About 67% 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 73% 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.

Look Up a Specific Address

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