Akwesasne Territory: St. Regis Mohawk Reservation
The most common soil here is Adjidaumo, on about 28% of the land: a silty clay, smooth and very sticky when wet. Hogansburg and Muskellunge come next.
About 3% of the land drains well, and 66% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 88% of it.
USDA rates 90% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 89% 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 1% 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 Akwesasne Territory: St. Regis Mohawk Reservation, 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 Poorly 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 Akwesasne Territory: St. Regis Mohawk Reservation. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adjidaumo silty clay, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 3K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hogansburg loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes, very stony | 2K | Moderately well drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Adjidaumo mucky silty clay, 0 to 3 percent slopes, frequently ponded | 2K | Very poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water | 1K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Muskellunge silty clay loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 1K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Malone loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes, very stony | 974 | Somewhat poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Churchville silty clay loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 934 | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hogansburg loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 877 | Moderately well drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Stockholm loamy fine sand | 394 | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Churchville silty clay loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 293 | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Munuscong mucky fine sandy loam | 234 | Very poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Dorval muck | 202 | Very poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Wegatchie silt loam | 152 | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Flackville loamy fine sand, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 134 | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Pinconning mucky loamy fine sand | 132 | Very poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Grenville loam, 3 to 15 percent slopes, very stony | 122 | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Hailesboro silt loam | 103 | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Neckrock-Summerville complex, gently sloping, rocky | 102 | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Runeberg soils, 0 to 3 percent slopes, very stony | 92 | Poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Malone loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 87 | Somewhat poorly drained | B/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 89% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include shallow bedrock, 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. Poorly drained soils can't absorb septic effluent effectively. Engineered or alternative systems are frequently required. Always get a professional perc test before purchasing land that needs septic.
Gardening & Agriculture
Many soils hold water for extended periods. Raised beds are highly recommended to improve drainage for vegetables. Well-adapted native plants and water-loving species will do best in natural conditions.