Morris County, New Jersey
The most common soil here is Rockaway, on about 16% of the land: a gravelly sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Parker and Gladstone come next.
About 46% of the land drains well, and 28% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 34% of it.
USDA rates 82% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 63% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 12% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 12% 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 Morris County, New Jersey, 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 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 Morris County, New Jersey. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rockaway sandy loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, very stony | 24K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Parker-Gladstone complex, 0 to 15 percent slopes, extremely stony | 16K | Somewhat excessively drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Rockaway sandy loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes, extremely stony | 10K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hibernia loam, 3 to 15 percent slopes, stony | 10K | Somewhat poorly drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Urban land-Riverhead complex, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 10K | Not limited | Not limited | ||
| Water | 9K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Gladstone gravelly loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 9K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Parsippany silt loam, sandy loam substratum, 0 to 3 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 9K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Parker gravelly sandy loam, 3 to 15 percent slopes | 9K | Somewhat excessively drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Parker-Gladstone complex, 15 to 25 percent slopes, extremely stony | 9K | Somewhat excessively drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rock outcrop-Rockaway complex, 15 to 35 percent slopes | 8K | D | Very limited | Very limited | |
| Urban land-Rockaway complex, 3 to 15 percent slopes | 8K | Not limited | Not limited | ||
| Catden muck, 0 to 2 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 7K | Very poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Urban land | 7K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Rockaway-Rock outcrop complex, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 7K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Parker-Rock outcrop complex, 25 to 45 percent slopes | 6K | Somewhat excessively drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cokesbury loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes, extremely stony | 6K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Gladstone gravelly loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 6K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Rockaway-Rock outcrop complex, 15 to 25 percent slopes | 6K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Annandale gravelly loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Somewhat 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 63% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include steep slopes, poor drainage in some areas, flood-prone areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 82% 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.