Saratoga County, New York
The most common soil here is Oakville, on about 7% of the land: a fine sand, loose sand that holds almost no water. Windsor and Berkshire come next.
About 60% of the land drains well, and 17% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 35% of it.
USDA rates 91% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 63% 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, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 21% of it.
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 Saratoga 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 B (moderate infiltration). 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 Saratoga 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oakville loamy fine sand, undulating | 30K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Water | 22K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Berkshire loam, strongly sloping, very bouldery | 20K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Berkshire-Tunbridge complex, steep, very bouldery | 20K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Windsor loamy sand, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 19K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Charlton fine sandy loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 18K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Becket-Tunbridge complex, 15 to 35 percent slopes, rocky, very bouldery | 17K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Becket fine sandy loam, 3 to 15 percent slopes, very bouldery | 16K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Oakville loamy fine sand, rolling | 14K | Well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Berkshire loam, steep, very bouldery | 13K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tunbridge-Lyman complex, 15 to 35 percent slopes, very rocky, very bouldery | 13K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Skerry fine sandy loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes, very bouldery | 13K | Moderately well drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bice loam, strongly sloping, stony | 12K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Windsor loamy sand, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 11K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Broadalbin silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 10K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Charlton fine sandy loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 10K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Hudson silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 9K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Becket fine sandy loam, 15 to 35 percent slopes, very bouldery | 9K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rhinebeck silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 9K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Wareham loamy sand | 8K | Poorly drained | A/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 63% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include shallow bedrock, steep slopes, poor drainage in some areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 91% 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.