Oswego County, New York

Survey Area NY075• New York

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.

Inceptisols

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

Spodosols

Acidic forest soils with a leached layer. Common under conifers. Often have drainage issues from a compacted subsoil layer.

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 77% 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 90% 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.