Rockingham County, New Hampshire
The most common soil here is Canton, on about 17% of the land: a fine sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Chatfield and Hollis come next.
About 57% of the land drains well, and 22% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 27% of it.
USDA rates 90% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 69% 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 28% 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 Rockingham 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 B (moderate infiltration). The most common soil order is Inceptisols — young soils with minimal horizon development but more than Entisols. 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 Rockingham 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chatfield-Hollis-Canton complex, 8 to 15 percent slopes, rocky | 70K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Chatfield-Hollis-Canton complex, 0 to 8 percent slopes, rocky | 32K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Canton fine sandy loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, very stony | 23K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Chatfield-Hollis-Canton complex, 15 to 35 percent slopes, rocky | 23K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water | 20K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Freetown mucky peat, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 16K | Very poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Scituate-Newfields complex, 3 to 8 percent slopes, very stony | 15K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Squamscott fine sandy loam, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 10K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Walpole very fine sandy loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes, very stony | 10K | Poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Scitico silt loam, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 10K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Canton fine sandy loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 9K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Canton fine sandy loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes, very stony | 9K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Pipestone sand, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 9K | Poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hinckley loamy sand, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 8K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Freetown and Natchaug mucky peats, ponded, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 8K | Very poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Scituate-Newfields complex, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 7K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Swansea mucky peat, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 7K | Very poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Windsor loamy sand, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 7K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Natchaug mucky peat, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 7K | Very poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Deerfield loamy fine sand, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 7K | Moderately well drained | A | 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 69% 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 90% 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.