Lewis County, New York
The dominant drainage class is Well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is B/D (varies with drainage). 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.
| 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 |
What This Means
Building & Foundations
About 80% 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 92% 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.