Warren County, New York
The most common soil here is Bice, on about 24% of the land: a fine sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Hermon and Marlow come next.
About 83% of the land drains well, and 6% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 11% of it.
USDA rates 73% 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: 1% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 23% 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 Warren 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 Warren 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bice very bouldery fine sandy loam, sloping | 93K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Bice very bouldery fine sandy loam, steep | 71K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hermon very bouldery fine sandy loam, steep | 48K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water | 41K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Bice-Woodstock very bouldery fine sandy loams, steep | 33K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hermon-Lyman-Rock outcrop complex, steep | 32K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Marlow very bouldery fine sandy loam, steep | 32K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Woodstock-Rock outcrop complex, steep | 32K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Marlow very bouldery fine sandy loam, sloping | 16K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hermon very bouldery fine sandy loam, sloping | 14K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Lyman-Rock outcrop complex, steep | 13K | Somewhat excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bice-Woodstock very bouldery fine sandy loams, sloping | 12K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Lyme very stony fine sandy loam, nearly level | 12K | Poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hinckley-Plainfield complex, sloping | 11K | Excessively drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Hinckley cobbly sandy loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 11K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Hinckley-Plainfield complex, steep | 9K | Excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Oakville loamy fine sand, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 8K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Stowe very bouldery fine sandy loam, sloping | 7K | Well drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hinckley cobbly sandy loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 7K | Excessively drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Oakville loamy fine sand, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 6K | 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 73% 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.