Rensselaer County, New York

Survey Area NY083• 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 Rensselaer 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
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

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.

Alfisols

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

Entisols

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

Spodosols

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

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.