Passaic County, New Jersey
The most common soil here is Rockaway, on about 21% of the land: a gravelly sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Swartswood and Boonton come next.
About 23% of the land drains well, and 18% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 18% of it.
USDA rates 82% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 64% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 4% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 29% 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 Passaic 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 Moderately well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is C (slow infiltration, moderate runoff). 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 Passaic 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rock outcrop-Rockaway complex, 15 to 35 percent slopes | 11K | D | Very limited | Very limited | |
| Rockaway-Rock outcrop complex, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 11K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Urban land-Riverhead complex, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 10K | Not limited | Not limited | ||
| Urban land-Boonton complex, red sandstone lowland, 0 to 8 percent slopes | 8K | Not limited | Very limited | ||
| Water | 8K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Rockaway sandy loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, extremely stony | 7K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hibernia loam, 0 to 15 percent slopes, extremely stony | 5K | Somewhat poorly drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ridgebury stony loam, New Jersey Highlands, 0 to 8 percent slopes, extremely stony | 4K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Swartswood-Rock outcrop complex, 3 to 15 percent slopes | 4K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Holyoke-Rock outcrop complex, 3 to 15 percent slopes | 4K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Urban land-Rockaway complex, 3 to 15 percent slopes | 3K | Not limited | Not limited | ||
| Rockaway sandy loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes, extremely stony | 3K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rock outcrop-Swartswood complex, 15 to 45 percent slopes | 3K | D | Very limited | Very limited | |
| Urban land-Boonton complex, 0 to 8 percent slopes | 2K | Not limited | Very limited | ||
| Swartswood fine sandy loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes, very stony | 2K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Urban land-Boonton complex, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 2K | Somewhat limited | Very limited | ||
| Rockaway sandy loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes, very stony | 2K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Norwich silt loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes, extremely stony | 2K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rock outcrop-Holyoke complex, 15 to 45 percent slopes | 2K | Very limited | Very limited | ||
| Riverhead sandy loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 2K | Well drained | B | Somewhat 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 64% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include steep slopes, poor drainage in some 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.