Essex County, New York

Survey Area NY031• New York

The dominant drainage class is Well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is B (moderate infiltration). 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 Essex 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	77K			Not rated	Not rated
Becket-Tunbridge complex, 15 to 35 percent slopes, rocky, very bouldery	70K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Tunbridge-Lyman complex, 15 to 35 percent slopes, very rocky, very bouldery	61K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Mundalite-Rawsonville complex, 15 to 35 percent slopes, rocky, very bouldery	49K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Lyman-Knob Lock complex, 35 to 60 percent slopes, very rocky, very bouldery	47K	Somewhat excessively drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Hogback-Knob Lock complex, 35 to 60 percent slopes, very rocky, very bouldery	43K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Rawsonville-Hogback complex, 35 to 60 percent slopes, very rocky, very bouldery	41K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Ricker-Couchsachraga-Skylight complex, 35 to 80 percent slopes, very rocky, very bouldery	38K	Somewhat excessively drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Rawsonville-Hogback complex, 15 to 35 percent slopes, very rocky, very bouldery	30K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Tunbridge-Lyman complex, 35 to 60 percent slopes, very rocky, very bouldery	28K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Monadnock-Tunbridge complex, 15 to 35 percent slopes, rocky, very bouldery	28K	Well drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Becket fine sandy loam, 15 to 35 percent slopes, very bouldery	24K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Tunbridge-Lyman complex, 15 to 35 percent slopes, very rocky, very bouldery	22K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Skerry-Becket complex, 3 to 15 percent slopes, very bouldery	21K	Moderately well drained	B/D	Very limited	Very limited
Skerry-Adirondack complex, 0 to 8 percent slopes, very bouldery	20K	Moderately well drained	B/D	Very limited	Very limited
Becket-Tunbridge complex, 15 to 35 percent slopes, rocky, very bouldery	19K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Santanoni-Skylight complex, 35 to 80 percent slopes, very rocky, very bouldery	18K	Excessively drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Mundalite-Ampersand complex, 15 to 35 percent slopes, very bouldery	17K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Becket-Tunbridge-Skerry complex, 3 to 15 percent slopes, rocky, very bouldery	16K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Monadnock-Tahawus complex, 3 to 15 percent slopes, very bouldery	15K	Well drained	A	Somewhat 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.

Spodosols

Acidic forest soils with a leached layer. Common under conifers. Often have drainage issues from a compacted subsoil layer.

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.

Entisols

Young soils with little development — found on floodplains, dunes, and steep slopes. Properties vary widely by setting.

What This Means

Building & Foundations

About 86% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include shallow bedrock, steep slopes. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.

Septic Systems

About 88% 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.