Cayuga County, New York
The most common soil here is Honeoye, on about 12% of the land: a silt loam, smooth, like flour. Lima and Langford come next.
About 37% of the land drains well, and 25% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 56% of it.
USDA rates 75% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 68% 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 6% 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 Cayuga County, New York, 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 Alfisols — moderately leached forest soils with a clay-enriched subsoil. 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 Cayuga County, New York. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honeoye silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 44K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Water | 29K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Langford channery silt loam, 2 to 8 percent slopes | 25K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lima silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 22K | Moderately well drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lima silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 18K | Moderately well drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ontario loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 15K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Cazenovia silt loam, 2 to 8 percent slopes | 13K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Kendaia and Lyons soils, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 11K | Somewhat poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Muck, deep | 10K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Honeoye silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 9K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Ontario, Honeoye, and Lansing soils, 20 to 35 percent slopes | 8K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sloan silt loam | 7K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Alden mucky silt loam, till substratum | 7K | Very poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Erie channery silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 7K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Niagara and Canandaigua silt loams | 6K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ovid silt loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 6K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ira gravelly loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 5K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Langford channery silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 5K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lansing gravelly silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Hilton loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 5K | Moderately well 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 68% 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 75% 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.