Seneca County, New York
The most common soil here is Darien, on about 6% of the land: a silt loam, smooth, like flour. Cazenovia and Schoharie come next.
About 14% of the land drains well, and 32% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 53% of it.
USDA rates 69% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 60% 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 7% 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 Seneca 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 Moderately well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is C/D (varies with drainage). The most common soil order is Alfisols — moderately leached forest soils with a clay-enriched subsoil. 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 Seneca 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water | 54K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Darien silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 15K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Darien-Danley-Cazenovia silt loams, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 12K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lima silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 11K | Moderately well drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cazenovia silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 10K | Moderately well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Honeoye silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 9K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Odessa silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 8K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Conesus gravelly silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 7K | Moderately well drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Schoharie silty clay loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 6K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ovid silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 6K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Angola silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 6K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ontario loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Schoharie silt loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 5K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ilion silty clay loam | 5K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lansing gravelly silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Langford channery silt loam, 2 to 8 percent slopes | 5K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lakemont silty clay loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 4K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Aurora and Farmington soils, 25 to 70 percent slopes | 4K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Dunkirk silt loam, 1 to 6 percent slopes | 4K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Arkport loamy fine sand, 1 to 6 percent slopes | 4K | Well drained | A | Not 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 60% 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 69% 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.