Clinton County, New York
The most common soil here is Schroon, on about 5% of the land: a sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Becket and Monadnock come next.
About 38% of the land drains well, and 30% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 49% of it.
USDA rates 92% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 74% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 1% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 19% 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 Clinton 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 Moderately well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is B/D (varies with drainage). The most common soil order is Spodosols — acidic forest soils with a distinctive leached layer, common under conifers. 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 Clinton 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water | 51K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Schroon fine sandy loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 24K | Moderately well drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sunapee fine sandy loam, gently sloping, very bouldery | 20K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Irona-Conic complex, gently sloping, very rocky | 18K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Peasleeville loam, gently sloping, very stony | 18K | Somewhat poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Monadnock fine sandy loam, strongly sloping, very bouldery | 17K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Schroon fine sandy loam, gently sloping, very stony | 17K | Moderately well drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Adirondack loam, gently sloping, very bouldery | 15K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Skerry fine sandy loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes, very bouldery | 15K | Moderately well drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Topknot-Chazy complex, gently sloping, rocky | 14K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Becket-Tunbridge complex, 15 to 35 percent slopes, rocky, very bouldery | 11K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Adirondack-Sabattis-Tughill complex, 0 to 8 percent slopes, very bouldery | 11K | Very poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Skerry-Becket complex, 3 to 15 percent slopes, very bouldery | 11K | Moderately well drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Muskellunge silty clay loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 10K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Colosse-Trout River complex, strongly sloping, very stony | 9K | Excessively drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Becket-Tunbridge-Skerry complex, 3 to 15 percent slopes, rocky, very bouldery | 9K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Becket fine sandy loam, 3 to 15 percent slopes, very bouldery | 9K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Coveytown loamy sand, gently sloping, very stony | 9K | Somewhat poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Malone loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 8K | Somewhat poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sunapee-Monadnock complex, 3 to 15 percent slopes, very bouldery | 8K | Moderately 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.
What This Means
Building & Foundations
About 74% 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.