Montgomery County, New York
The most common soil here is Lansing, on about 10% of the land: a gravelly silt loam, smooth, like flour. Darien and Burdett come next.
About 34% of the land drains well, and 52% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 59% of it.
USDA rates 88% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 82% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 5% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 21% 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 Montgomery 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 Somewhat poorly drained and the dominant hydrologic group is C/D (varies with drainage). The most common soil order is Alfisols — moderately leached forest soils with a clay-enriched subsoil. 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 Montgomery 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Darien silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 26K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Burdett channery silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 19K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Appleton silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 14K | Somewhat poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lansing silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 12K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Lansing and Mohawk soils, 25 to 60 percent slopes | 11K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lansing silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 9K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Ilion silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 9K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Fluvaquents, loamy | 8K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Madalin silty clay loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 8K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ilion silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 7K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Farmington-Rock outcrop association, moderately steep | 6K | Very limited | Very limited | ||
| Churchville silty clay loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 6K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Wassaic silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 6K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cut and fill land | 5K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Burdett channery silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 5K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Palatine silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Arnot-Angola channery silt loams, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Angola silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 5K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lansing silt loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Fonda mucky silty clay loam | 4K | Very poorly drained | C/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.
What This Means
Building & Foundations
About 82% 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 88% of soils are rated "very limited" for septic absorption fields. Poorly drained soils can't absorb septic effluent effectively. Engineered or alternative systems are frequently required. Always get a professional perc test before purchasing land that needs septic.
Gardening & Agriculture
Many soils hold water for extended periods. Raised beds are highly recommended to improve drainage for vegetables. Well-adapted native plants and water-loving species will do best in natural conditions.