Soil survey area

Ulster County, New York

Survey Area NY111• New York

The short version

The most common soil here is Arnot, on about 14% of the land: a channery silt loam, smooth, like flour. Oquaga and Bath come next.

About 62% of the land drains well, and 14% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 25% of it.

USDA rates 92% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 83% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.

Worth knowing: 3% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 55% 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 ground underfoot

The soils you're most likely standing on

The biggest named soils in Ulster County, New York, each drawn five feet deep from its official USDA description, in its recorded colors.

Arnot

14% of the area

Channery silt loam topsoil · somewhat excessively drained

Smooth, like flour. Fertile and holds water well.

Inceptisols

Oquaga

8% of the area

Very channery silt loam topsoil · well drained

Smooth, like flour. Fertile and holds water well.

Inceptisols

Bath

5% of the area

Channery silt loam topsoil · well drained

Smooth, like flour. Fertile and holds water well.

Inceptisols

Lordstown

5% of the area

Channery silt loam topsoil · well drained

Smooth, like flour. Fertile and holds water well.

Inceptisols

Lackawanna

4% of the area

Channery silt loam topsoil · well drained

Smooth, like flour. Fertile and holds water well.

Inceptisols

Nassau

4% of the area

Channery silt loam topsoil · somewhat excessively drained

Smooth, like flour. Fertile and holds water well.

Inceptisols

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 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 Ulster 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
Arnot-Oquaga-Rock outcrop complex, very steep	94K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Oquaga-Arnot-Rock outcrop complex, moderately steep	51K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Lordstown-Arnot-Rock outcrop complex, sloping	45K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Wellsboro and Wurtsboro soils, gently sloping, very bouldery	32K	Moderately well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Bath-Nassau-Rock outcrop complex, hilly	29K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Rock outcrop-Arnot complex, 25 to 70 percent slopes	29K			Not rated	Not rated
Lackawanna and Swartswood soils, moderately steep, very bouldery	25K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Water	24K			Not rated	Not rated
Arnot-Lordstown-Rock outcrop complex, moderately steep	24K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Oquaga-Arnot-Rock outcrop complex, sloping	24K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Bath-Nassau complex, 8 to 25 percent slopes	23K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Nassau-Bath-Rock outcrop complex, very steep	17K			Very limited	Very limited
Mardin-Nassau complex, 3 to 8 percent slopes	15K	Moderately well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Lackawanna and Swartswood soils, steep, extremely bouldery	13K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Lackawanna and Swartswood soils, very steep, very bouldery	11K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Rock outcrop-Arnot complex, 15 to 25 percent slopes	10K			Very limited	Very limited
Scriba and Morris soils, gently sloping, very bouldery	9K	Somewhat poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Valois very bouldery soils, gently sloping	9K	Well drained	B	Not limited	Very limited
Hoosic gravelly loam, rolling	8K	Somewhat excessively drained	A	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Rock outcrop-Arnot complex, 3 to 15 percent slopes	8K		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.

What This Means

Building & Foundations

About 83% 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 92% 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.

Look Up a Specific Address