Sullivan County, New York
The most common soil here is Wellsboro, on about 16% of the land: a channery silt loam, smooth, like flour. Wurtsboro and Arnot come next.
About 48% of the land drains well, and 12% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 54% of it.
USDA rates 96% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 91% 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 28% 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 Sullivan 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 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 Sullivan 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wellsboro and Wurtsboro soils, strongly sloping, extremely stony | 89K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Wellsboro gravelly loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 39K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Wellsboro gravelly loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 24K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Swartswood and Lackawanna soils, steep, extremely stony | 21K | Well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Arnot-Lordstown complex, 0 to 15 percent slopes, very rocky | 21K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water | 20K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Arnot-Oquaga complex, 0 to 15 percent slopes, very rocky | 20K | Somewhat excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Wurtsboro loam, 3 to 8 pecent slopes, stony | 17K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Arnot-Lordstown complex, 15 to 35 percent slopes, very rocky | 17K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Arnot-Oquaga complex, 15 to 35 percent slopes, very rocky | 17K | Somewhat excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Willowemoc silt loam, strongly sloping, very stony | 16K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hawksnest-Mongaup loams, strongly sloping, very rocky | 14K | Somewhat excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Willowemoc silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 13K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Oquaga very channery silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 13K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Arnot-Rock outcrop complex, 35 to 70 percent slopes | 13K | Somewhat excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hawksnest-Mongaup loams, steep, very rocky | 12K | Somewhat excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Willowemoc silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 11K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Oquaga-Arnot complex, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 11K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Scriba and Morris loams, gently sloping, rubbly | 10K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Swartswood gravelly loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes, stony | 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.
What This Means
Building & Foundations
About 91% 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 96% 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.