Oswego County, New York
The most common soil here is Worth, on about 11% of the land. Empeyville and Ira come next.
About 40% of the land drains well, and 36% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 72% of it.
USDA rates 92% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 76% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 2% of the land floods occasionally or more.
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 Oswego 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 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 Oswego 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Worth and Empeyville soils, 8 to 15 percent slopes, very stony | 111K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water | 43K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Ira gravelly fine sandy loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 35K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Scriba gravelly fine sandy loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes | 35K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Colton-Hinckley complex, rolling | 29K | Excessively drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Rifle muck | 25K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Raynham silt loam, 0 to 6 percent slopes | 23K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Westbury-Dannemora complex, very stony, gently sloping | 20K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Williamson very fine sandy loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 20K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ira and Sodus very stony soils, moderately steep | 16K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Carlisle muck | 15K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Naumburg-Granby complex, gently sloping | 15K | Poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Canandaigua silt loam | 14K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hinckley gravelly loamy sand, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 13K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Scriba very stony soils, gently sloping | 13K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Alton gravelly fine sandy loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 11K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Adams-Windsor complex, rolling | 10K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Rhinebeck silt loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 10K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ira-Sodus gravelly fine sandy loams, rolling | 9K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Fluvaquents and Udifluvents, frequently flooded | 8K | Poorly drained | B/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 76% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include steep slopes, poor drainage in some areas, flood-prone 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.