Soil survey area

Chenango County, New York

Survey Area NY017• New York

The short version

The most common soil here is Mardin, on about 22% of the land: a channery silt loam, smooth, like flour. Lordstown and Volusia come next.

About 42% of the land drains well, and 27% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 57% of it.

USDA rates 98% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 91% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.

Worth knowing: 5% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 25% 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 ground underfoot

The soils you're most likely standing on

The biggest named soils in Chenango County, New York, each drawn five feet deep from its official USDA description, in its recorded colors.

Mardin

22% of the area

Channery silt loam topsoil · moderately well drained

Smooth, like flour. Fertile and holds water well.

Inceptisols

Lordstown

17% of the area

Channery silt loam topsoil · well drained

Smooth, like flour. Fertile and holds water well.

Inceptisols

Volusia

16% of the area

Channery silt loam topsoil · somewhat poorly drained

Smooth, like flour. Fertile and holds water well.

Inceptisols

Oquaga

5% of the area

Very channery silt loam topsoil · well drained

Smooth, like flour. Fertile and holds water well.

Inceptisols

Bath

4% of the area

Channery silt loam topsoil · well drained

Smooth, like flour. Fertile and holds water well.

Inceptisols

Valois

4% of the area

Gravelly loam topsoil · well drained

A balanced mix that crumbles in your hand. The gardener's ideal.

Inceptisols

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 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 Chenango 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
Mardin channery silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes	55K	Moderately well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Volusia channery silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes	53K	Somewhat poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Mardin channery silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes	51K	Moderately well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Lordstown and Oquaga channery silt loams, 15 to 35 percent slopes	40K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Lordstown channery silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes	35K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Lordstown channery silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes	33K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Volusia and Morris channery silt loams, 3 to 10 percent slopes, very stony	24K	Somewhat poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Volusia channery silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes	22K	Somewhat poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Mardin channery silt loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes	16K	Moderately well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Chippewa and Norwich soils, 0 to 3 percent slopes	12K	Poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Bath-Valois complex, hilly	12K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Udifluvents-Fluvaquents complex, frequently flooded	11K	Moderately well drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Mardin and Wellsboro channery silt loams, 8 to 15 percent slopes, very stony	8K	Moderately well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Wellsboro channery silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes	7K	Moderately well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Wellsboro channery silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes	7K	Moderately well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Morris channery silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes	6K	Somewhat poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Mardin and Wellsboro channery silt loams, 3 to 8 percent slopes, very stony	6K	Moderately well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Oquaga and Lordstown very stony silt loams, 15 to 35 percent slopes	6K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Chippewa and Norwich soils, 0 to 3 percent slopes, very stony	6K	Poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Lordstown and Oquaga channery silt loams, 35 to 50 percent slopes	6K	Well drained	C	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.

Inceptisols

Young but developing soils found in mountains and river terraces. Variable properties — check drainage and bedrock depth.

Alfisols

Moderately weathered forest soils with clay-enriched subsoil. Productive for agriculture, generally good for building and septic.

What This Means

Building & Foundations

About 91% 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 98% 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.

Look Up a Specific Address