Onondaga County, New York
The most common soil here is Honeoye, on about 11% of the land: a silt loam, smooth, like flour. Lansing and Ontario come next.
About 46% of the land drains well, and 21% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 41% of it.
USDA rates 76% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 59% 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 14% 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 Onondaga 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 (moderate infiltration). 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 Onondaga 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honeoye silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 30K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Niagara silt loam, 0 to 4 percent slopes | 23K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Honeoye silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 22K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Water | 17K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Honeoye and Lansing soils, 15 to 25 percent slopes | 16K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Collamer silt loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 13K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lima silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 12K | Moderately well drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lansing gravelly silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 12K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Ontario loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 11K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Palmyra gravelly loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 10K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Carlisle muck | 10K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Honeoye, Lansing, and Ontario soils, 25 to 35 percent slopes | 9K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Madrid fine sandy loam, 2 to 8 percent slopes | 8K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Wayland soils complex, 0 to 3 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 8K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Urban land | 8K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Aurora-Farmington-Rock outcrop association, steep | 8K | D | Very limited | Very limited | |
| Hilton loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 8K | Moderately well drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Area not surveyed, access denied | 7K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Cazenovia silt loam, 2 to 8 percent slopes | 7K | Moderately well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Cut and fill land | 7K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Somewhat 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 59% 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 76% 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.