Rensselaer County, New York
The dominant drainage class is 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 Rensselaer County, New York.
| Soil Map Unit | Acres | Drainage | Hydro Group | Dwellings | Septic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buckland very stony loam, sloping | 38K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bernardston gravelly silt loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes | 25K | Well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Buckland very stony loam, moderately steep | 24K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Pittstown gravelly silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 23K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Nassau-Rock outcrop complex, hilly | 20K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Nassau-Manlius complex, rolling | 14K | Somewhat excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Glover very stony loam, very rocky, moderately steep | 14K | Somewhat excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bernardston-Nassau complex, rolling | 14K | Well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Pittstown gravelly silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 12K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Brayton very stony silt loam, nearly level | 10K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bernardston gravelly silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 10K | Well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Macomber-Taconic channery silt loams, very rocky, steep | 10K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hoosic gravelly sandy loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 9K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Fluvaquents-Udifluvents complex, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 9K | Poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hudson silt loam, steep | 9K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Scriba silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 9K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water | 8K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Bernardston-Nassau complex, hilly | 8K | Well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hoosic gravelly sandy loam, rolling | 8K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Bernardston-Nassau complex, undulating | 8K | Well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
What This Means
Building & Foundations
About 84% 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 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.