Schoharie County, New York
The dominant drainage class is Well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is C (slow infiltration, moderate 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 Schoharie County, New York.
| Soil Map Unit | Acres | Drainage | Hydro Group | Dwellings | Septic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lordstown and Oquaga channery silt loams, 0 to 35 percent slopes, extremely stony | 51K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lordstown, Oquaga, and Nassau soils, 35 to 70 percent slopes, very rocky | 31K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Mardin and Wellsboro soils, 0 to 35 percent slopes, very stony | 20K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Mohawk and Honeoye soils, 10 to 20 percent slopes | 17K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lordstown channery silt loam, 5 to 15 percent slopes | 17K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Volusia, Morris, and Erie soils, 0 to 15 percent slopes, very stony | 15K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lordstown channery silt loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes | 14K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Honeoye-Farmington complex, 2 to 10 percent slopes | 11K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Darien silt loam, 2 to 8 percent slopes | 9K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Mardin channery silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 8K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Barbour and Tioga loams | 8K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lordstown channery silt loam, 25 to 35 percent slopes | 7K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Mohawk and Lima soils, 2 to 10 percent slopes | 7K | Well drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tuller and Allis silt loams, 0 to 8 percent slopes | 7K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Mardin channery silt loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes | 7K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Mohawk and Honeoye soils, 20 to 30 percent slopes | 7K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Burdett and Erie channery silt loams, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 6K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Volusia channery silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 6K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Alluvial land | 6K | Poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Volusia channery silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 6K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
What This Means
Building & Foundations
About 95% 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 95% 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.