Orange County, New York
The dominant drainage class is Moderately well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is D (very slow infiltration, high runoff). 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.
| 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 |
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.