Lewis County, New York
The most common soil here is Adams, on about 7% of the land: a sand, loose sand that holds almost no water. Empeyville and Worth come next.
About 52% of the land drains well, and 30% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 52% of it.
USDA rates 93% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 75% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 3% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 18% 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 Lewis 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 Well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is B/D (varies with drainage). 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 Lewis 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Camroden silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 27K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rock outcrop-Paxton complex | 27K | Well drained | Very limited | Very limited | |
| Empeyville-Westbury Complex, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 24K | Moderately well drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Adams loamy fine sand, 3 to 15 percent slopes | 23K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Empeyville very fine sandy loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes, stony | 23K | Moderately well drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Becket-Tunbridge-Skerry complex, 3 to 15 percent slopes, rocky, very bouldery | 21K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Worth-Empeyville Complex, 3 to 15 percent slopes | 20K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Worth very fine sandy loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, stony | 18K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Adams loamy fine sand, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 16K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Skerry-Becket complex, 3 to 15 percent slopes, very bouldery | 15K | Moderately well drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Skerry-Adirondack complex, 0 to 8 percent slopes, very bouldery | 15K | Moderately well drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water | 15K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Burnt Vly-Humaquepts-Pleasant Lake complex, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 14K | Very poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Peat and Muck, deep | 14K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bucksport-Wonsqueak-Tughill complex, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 13K | Very poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Wonsqueak-Tughill-Westbury complex, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 12K | Very poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Monadnock-Tunbridge-Sabattis complex, 0 to 15 percent slopes, rocky, very bouldery | 11K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Westbury loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes, stony | 11K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Pinckney silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 11K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Adams loamy fine sand, 15 to 35 percent slopes | 11K | Somewhat excessively 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.
What This Means
Building & Foundations
About 75% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include steep slopes, poor drainage in some areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 93% 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.