Greene County, New York

Survey Area NY039• New York

The dominant drainage class is 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 Greene 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
Vly-Halcott complex, very steep, very rocky	45K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Vly-Halcott complex, 15 to 35 percent slopes, very rocky	45K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Lewbeach and Willowemoc channery silt loams, moderately steep, very bouldery	24K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Elka channery loam, moderately steep, very stony	19K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Lewbeach and Willowemoc channery silt loams, strongly sloping, very bouldery	13K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Vly-Halcott complex, 3 to 15 percent slopes, very rocky	13K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Arnot-Lordstown channery silt loams, 3 to 15 percent slopes, very rocky	12K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Arnot-Lordstown channery silt loams, rolling, rocky	9K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Water	9K			Not rated	Not rated
Lewbeach and Willowemoc channery silt loams, 3 to 15 percent slopes, very stony	8K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Onteora silt loam, rolling, very bouldery	7K	Somewhat poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Fluvaquents-Udifluvents complex, frequently flooded	7K	Poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Arnot channery silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes	7K	Somewhat excessively drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Lewbeach and Willowemoc channery silt loams, 15 to 35 percent slopes, very stony	6K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Burdett channery silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes	6K	Somewhat poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Kingsbury and Rhinebeck soils, 0 to 3 percent slopes	6K	Somewhat poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Arnot-Lordstown channery silt loams, 15 to 35 percent slopes, very rocky	5K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Oquaga-Arnot complex, 3 to 15 percent slopes, very rocky	5K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Valois-Nassau complex, hilly	5K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Arnot-Oquaga complex, rolling	4K	Well drained	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.

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 96% 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. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.

Septic Systems

About 96% 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.