Soil survey area

Yadkin County, North Carolina

Survey Area NC197• North Carolina
The short version

The most common soil here is Clifford, on about 37% of the land: a fine sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Fairview and Tomlin come next.

About 93% of the land drains well, and 5% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 6% of it.

USDA rates 40% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 32% 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, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 9% of it.

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 Yadkin County, North Carolina, each drawn five feet deep from its official USDA description, in its recorded colors.

Clifford
37% of the area
Fine sandy loam topsoil · well drained
Gritty and crumbly. Drains fast and warms early in spring.
Ultisols
Fairview
19% of the area
Sandy clay loam topsoil · well drained
Gritty but holds together. Drains moderately.
Ultisols
Tomlin
4% of the area
Loam topsoil · well drained
A balanced mix that crumbles in your hand. The gardener's ideal.
Ultisols
Nathalie
3% of the area
Sandy loam topsoil · well drained
Gritty and crumbly. Drains fast and warms early in spring.
Ultisols
Poplar Forest
3% of the area
Sandy clay loam topsoil · well drained
Gritty but holds together. Drains moderately.
Ultisols
Siloam
3% of the area
Fine sandy loam topsoil · well drained
Gritty and crumbly. Drains fast and warms early in spring.
Alfisols

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 Well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is B (moderate infiltration). 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 Yadkin County, North Carolina. Search your address to find the exact soil composition, drainage, and series details at your specific location.

Soil Map UnitAcresDrainageHydro GroupDwellingsSeptic
Clifford sandy clay loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes, moderately eroded 47K Well drainedBNot limitedSomewhat limited
Clifford sandy clay loam, 6 to 10 percent slopes, moderately eroded 23K Well drainedBNot limitedSomewhat limited
Fairview sandy clay loam, 10 to 15 percent slopes, moderately eroded 10K Well drainedCSomewhat limitedVery limited
Clifford fine sandy loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes 8K Well drainedANot limitedSomewhat limited
Fairview fine sandy loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes 8K Well drainedBVery limitedVery limited
Fairview sandy clay loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes, moderately eroded 7K Well drainedCVery limitedVery limited
Clifford fine sandy loam, 6 to 10 percent slopes 5K Well drainedANot limitedSomewhat limited
Nathalie fine sandy loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes 4K Well drainedBNot limitedSomewhat limited
Codorus loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionally flooded 4K Somewhat poorly drainedB/DVery limitedVery limited
Fairview-Stott Knob complex, 25 to 45 percent slopes 4K Well drainedBVery limitedVery limited
Fairview fine sandy loam, 10 to 15 percent slopes 4K Well drainedBSomewhat limitedSomewhat limited
Dan River and Comus soils, 0 to 4 percent slopes, occasionally flooded 4K Well drainedCVery limitedVery limited
Siloam sandy loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes 3K Well drainedDVery limitedVery limited
Delila fine sandy loam, 0 to 6 percent slopes 3K Poorly drainedDVery limitedVery limited
Dan River sandy loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes, frequently flooded 2K Well drainedCVery limitedVery limited
Clover fine sandy loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes 2K Well drainedBSomewhat limitedSomewhat limited
Fairview fine sandy loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes, moderately eroded 2K Well drainedBVery limitedVery limited
Evard-Cowee complex, 25 to 45 percent slopes, stony 2K Well drainedBVery limitedVery limited
Tomlin sandy clay loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes, moderately eroded 2K Well drainedBNot limitedSomewhat limited
Fairview clay loam, 10 to 15 percent slopes, severely eroded 2K Well drainedBSomewhat limitedSomewhat 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.
Alfisols
Moderately weathered forest soils with clay-enriched subsoil. Productive for agriculture, generally good for building and septic.
Inceptisols
Young but developing soils found in mountains and river terraces. Variable properties — check drainage and bedrock depth.

What This Means

Building & Foundations

About 32% of soils have significant building limitations, while the rest are generally suitable. Check specific sites carefully — conditions vary across the area.

Septic Systems

About 40% of soils have significant septic limitations, while others are more suitable. A perc test is essential — conditions vary across the area.

Gardening & Agriculture

Well-drained soils on sloped terrain — good for most plants but watch for erosion. Terracing, contour planting, and mulching help retain moisture and topsoil. Drip irrigation is more effective than sprinklers on slopes.

Look Up a Specific Address

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