Herkimer County, New York

Survey Area NY043• 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 Herkimer 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
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

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.

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 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.