Cheshire County, New Hampshire
The most common soil here is Tunbridge, on about 11% of the land: a fine sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Marlow and Berkshire come next.
About 78% of the land drains well, and 10% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 16% of it.
USDA rates 86% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 75% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 3% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 34% 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 soils you're most likely standing on
The biggest named soils in Cheshire County, New Hampshire, 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 Well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is C (slow infiltration, moderate runoff). The most common soil order is Spodosols — acidic forest soils with a distinctive leached layer, common under conifers. 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 Cheshire County, New Hampshire. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tunbridge-Lyman-Rock outcrop complex, 15 to 25 percent slopes | 40K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lyman-Tunbridge-Rock outcrop complex, 25 to 60 percent slopes | 28K | Somewhat excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Marlow fine sandy loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes, very stony | 23K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tunbridge-Lyman-Rock outcrop complex, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 19K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Marlow fine sandy loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, very stony | 15K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Tunbridge-Berkshire complex, 8 to 15 percent slopes, very stony | 15K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water | 15K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Tunbridge-Berkshire complex, 15 to 25 percent slopes, very stony | 14K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Kearsarge-Cardigan-Rock outcrop complex, 25 to 50 percent slopes | 13K | Somewhat excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Berkshire fine sandy loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, very stony | 11K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Monadnock fine sandy loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, very stony | 10K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Berkshire fine sandy loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes, very stony | 10K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cardigan-Kearsarge-Rock outcrop complex, 15 to 25 percent slopes | 10K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lyme and Moosilauke soils, 0 to 5 percent slopes, very stony | 10K | Poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Monadnock fine sandy loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes, very stony | 9K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Monadnock and Berkshire soils, 25 to 60 percent slopes, extremely stony | 8K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cardigan-Kearsarge complex, 15 to 25 percent slopes | 7K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cardigan-Kearsarge complex, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 6K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Greenwood mucky peat | 6K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sunapee fine sandy loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes, very stony | 6K | Moderately well drained | C | 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 75% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include shallow bedrock, steep slopes, poor drainage in some areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 86% of soils are rated "very limited" for septic absorption fields. Despite good drainage overall, limitations may stem from shallow bedrock, steep slopes, or seasonal conditions. Engineered or alternative systems are frequently required. Always get a professional perc test before purchasing land that needs septic.
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.