Sussex County, New Jersey
The most common soil here is Swartswood, on about 8% of the land: a fine sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Nassau and Rockaway come next.
About 78% of the land drains well, and 11% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 17% of it.
USDA rates 92% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 77% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: bedrock lies within 40 inches under 52% 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 Sussex 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 D (very slow infiltration, high 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 Sussex 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nassau-Manlius very channery silt loams, 8 to 15 percent slopes, rocky | 23K | Somewhat excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hazen-Paulins Kill complex, 3 to 8 percent slopes, very stony | 22K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Rockaway-Chatfield-Rock outcrop complex, 15 to 35 percent slopes | 19K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Nassau-Manlius very channery silt loams, 15 to 35 percent slopes, rocky | 17K | Somewhat excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rock outcrop-Farmington-Galway complex, 15 to 35 percent slopes | 17K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hollis-Rock outcrop-Chatfield complex, New Jersey Highlands, 15 to 35 percent slopes | 16K | Somewhat excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Paulins Kill-Otisville complex, 25 to 60 percent slopes, very stony | 15K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Chatfield-Hollis-Rock outcrop complex, New Jersey Highlands, 35 to 60 percent slopes | 14K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Fredon-Halsey complex, 0 to 3 percent slopes, very stony | 11K | Somewhat poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water | 10K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Swartswood loam, 15 to 35 percent slopes, extremely stony | 10K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Chatfield-Hollis-Rock outcrop complex, 0 to 15 percent slopes | 9K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Swartswood loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, extremely stony | 9K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Catden muck, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 9K | Very poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rock outcrop-Farmington-Galway complex, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 8K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hazen-Paulins Kill complex, 0 to 3 percent slopes, very stony | 8K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Wurtsboro-Swartswood complex, 8 to 15 percent slopes, extremely stony | 8K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Wurtsboro-Swartswood complex, 0 to 8 percent slopes, extremely stony | 8K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Arnot-Lordstown-Rock outcrop complex, 15 to 35 percent slopes | 7K | Somewhat excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Nassau-Manlius very channery silt loams, 35 to 60 percent slopes, very rocky | 6K | Somewhat excessively drained | D | 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 77% 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 92% 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.