Delaware County, New York
The most common soil here is Vly, on about 10% of the land: a channery silt loam, smooth, like flour. Willowemoc and Lewbeach come next.
About 67% of the land drains well, and 8% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 31% of it.
USDA rates 98% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 94% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 2% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 37% 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 Delaware 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 Somewhat excessively drained and the dominant hydrologic group is C (slow infiltration, moderate 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 Delaware 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Halcott, Mongaup, and Vly soils, 15 to 35 percent slopes, very rocky | 87K | Somewhat excessively drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Halcott, Mongaup, and Vly soils, 35 to 70 percent slopes, very rocky | 64K | Somewhat excessively drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lackawanna and Bath soils, 15 to 35 percent slopes, very stony | 52K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Willowemoc channery silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 48K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Halcott, Mongaup, and Vly soils, 2 to 15 percent slopes, very rocky | 47K | Somewhat excessively drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lewbeach and Lewbath soils, 15 to 35 percent slopes, very stony | 42K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Wellsboro channery silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 26K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Elka-Vly channery silt loams, 15 to 35 percent slopes, very stony | 26K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Willowemoc and Willdin soils, 2 to 15 percent slopes, very stony | 25K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Willowemoc channery silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 22K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Oquaga, Lordstown, and Arnot soils, 35 to 70 percent slopes, very rocky | 22K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lewbeach channery loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes | 21K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Wellsboro and Mardin soils, 2 to 15 percent slopes, very stony | 20K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water | 17K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Mardin channery silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 16K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lackawanna flaggy silt loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes | 16K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lewbeach channery loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 15K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Oquaga, Lordstown, and Arnot soils, 15 to 35 percent slopes, very rocky | 15K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Vly channery silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 14K | Somewhat excessively drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Fluvaquents-Udifluvents complex, frequently flooded | 11K | Poorly drained | A/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 94% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include shallow bedrock, steep slopes, poor drainage in some areas, flood-prone areas, sandy or gravelly soils with low bearing capacity. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 98% of soils are rated "very limited" for septic absorption fields. The well-drained soils may actually drain too fast for standard leach fields, allowing effluent to reach groundwater. Engineered or alternative systems are frequently required. Always get a professional perc test before purchasing land that needs septic.
Gardening & Agriculture
Soils tend to drain very quickly, meaning nutrients and water don't stick around long. Raised beds with amended soil, drip irrigation, and heavy mulching will give the best results. Compost is your best friend here — it improves water retention dramatically.