Herkimer County, New York
The dominant drainage class is Well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is B (moderate infiltration). 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 Herkimer County, New York.
| Soil Map Unit | Acres | Drainage | Hydro Group | Dwellings | Septic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Becket-Tunbridge complex, 15 to 35 percent slopes, rocky, very bouldery | 55K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Becket-Tunbridge-Skerry complex, 3 to 15 percent slopes, rocky, very bouldery | 52K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Skerry-Becket complex, 3 to 15 percent slopes, very bouldery | 43K | Moderately well drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Skerry-Adirondack complex, 0 to 8 percent slopes, very bouldery | 33K | Moderately well drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Mundalite-Rawsonville complex, 15 to 35 percent slopes, rocky, very bouldery | 32K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Burnt Vly-Humaquepts-Pleasant Lake complex, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 29K | Very poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water | 26K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Rawsonville-Hogback complex, 15 to 35 percent slopes, very rocky, very bouldery | 23K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Manheim silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 20K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tunbridge-Lyman complex, 15 to 35 percent slopes, very rocky, very bouldery | 17K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Mundalite-Ampersand complex, 0 to 15 percent slopes, very bouldery | 17K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rough broken land | 17K | Moderately well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Monadnock-Tahawus complex, 3 to 15 percent slopes, very bouldery | 14K | Well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Mundalite-Rawsonville-Ampersand complex, 3 to 15 percent slopes, rocky, very bouldery | 14K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Monadnock-Adams-Colton complex, 3 to 15 percent slopes, bouldery | 14K | Well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Hogback-Knob Lock complex, 35 to 60 percent slopes, very rocky, very bouldery | 14K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rawsonville-Hogback complex, 35 to 60 percent slopes, very rocky, very bouldery | 14K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Honeoye silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 12K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Tunbridge-Adirondack-Lyman complex, 0 to 25 percent slopes, rocky, very bouldery | 12K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Monadnock-Tunbridge-Tahawus complex, 0 to 15 percent slopes, rocky, very bouldery | 12K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
What This Means
Building & Foundations
About 85% 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 91% 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.