Orange County, New York

Survey Area NY071• New York

The dominant drainage class is Moderately well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is D (very slow infiltration, high runoff). The most common soil order is Inceptisols — young soils with minimal horizon development but more than Entisols. 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 Orange 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
Mardin gravelly silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes	62K	Moderately well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Mardin gravelly silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes	40K	Moderately well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Swartswood and Mardin soils, sloping, very stony	37K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Rock outcrop-Hollis complex, 15 to 35 percent slopes	27K		D	Very limited	Very limited
Erie gravelly silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes	23K	Somewhat poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Rock outcrop-Hollis complex, sloping	21K			Very limited	Very limited
Water	18K			Not rated	Not rated
Erie extremely stony soils, gently sloping	18K	Somewhat poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Bath-Nassau channery silt loams, 3 to 8 percent slopes	16K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Bath-Nassau channery silt loams, 8 to 15 percent slopes	12K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Canandaigua silt loam	11K	Poorly drained	B/D	Very limited	Very limited
Alden silt loam	11K	Very poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Hollis soils, sloping	11K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Erie gravelly silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes	11K	Somewhat poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Wayland soils complex, non-calcareous substratum, 0 to 3 percent slopes, frequently flooded	10K	Poorly drained	B/D	Very limited	Very limited
Pittsfield gravelly loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes	10K	Well drained	B	Not limited	Very limited
Rock outcrop-Nassau complex, hilly	10K			Very limited	Very limited
Madalin silt loam	9K	Poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Arnot-Lordstown complex, sloping, rocky	9K	Somewhat excessively drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Rock outcrop-Hollis complex, very steep	9K			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.

Inceptisols

Young but developing soils found in mountains and river terraces. Variable properties — check drainage and bedrock depth.

Entisols

Young soils with little development — found on floodplains, dunes, and steep slopes. Properties vary widely by setting.

Alfisols

Moderately weathered forest soils with clay-enriched subsoil. Productive for agriculture, generally good for building and septic.

What This Means

Building & Foundations

About 92% 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 95% 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.