Washington County, New York
The dominant drainage class is Somewhat excessively drained and the dominant hydrologic group is D (very slow infiltration, high 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 Washington County, New York.
| Soil Map Unit | Acres | Drainage | Hydro Group | Dwellings | Septic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hollis-Charlton association, moderately steep and steep | 59K | Somewhat excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Nassau-Rock outcrop association, undulating through hilly | 54K | Somewhat excessively drained | Not rated | Not rated | |
| Nassau-Rock outcrop association, steep and very steep | 44K | Somewhat excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Nassau shaly silt loam, undulating through hilly | 41K | Somewhat excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Vergennes silty clay loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 19K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bernardston gravelly silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 18K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Kingsbury silty clay, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 17K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hudson and Vergennes soils, steep and very steep | 17K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bernardston gravelly silt loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes | 13K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hollis-Rock outcrop association, gently sloping and sloping | 13K | Somewhat excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bernardston gravelly silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 11K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bernardston soils, steep and very steep | 11K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bernardston-Nassau shaly silt loams, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 11K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Vergennes silty clay loam, 6 to 12 percent slopes | 10K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Farmington-Rock outcrop association, nearly level through moderately steep | 10K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bernardston-Nassau shaly silt loams, rolling and hilly | 9K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Charlton soils, very stony, moderately steep and steep | 9K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water | 9K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Catden muck, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 8K | Very poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rock outcrop-Hollis association, moderately steep through very steep | 8K | Not rated | Not rated |
What This Means
Building & Foundations
About 81% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include shallow bedrock, steep slopes, poor drainage in some areas, sandy or gravelly soils with low bearing capacity. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 81% of soils are rated "very limited" for septic absorption fields. The well-drained soils may actually drain too fast for standard leach fields, allowing effluent to reach groundwater. Engineered or alternative systems are frequently required. Always get a professional perc test before purchasing land that needs septic.
Gardening & Agriculture
Soils tend to drain very quickly, meaning nutrients and water don't stick around long. Raised beds with amended soil, drip irrigation, and heavy mulching will give the best results. Compost is your best friend here — it improves water retention dramatically.