Belmont County, Ohio
The most common soil here is Westmoreland, on about 23% of the land: a silt loam, smooth, like flour. Lowell and Morristown come next.
About 76% of the land drains well; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 10% of it.
USDA rates 91% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 79% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 4% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 10% 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 Belmont County, Ohio, 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 C (slow infiltration, moderate runoff). The most common soil order is Entisols — young soils with little profile development, often on floodplains or steep slopes. 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 Belmont County, Ohio. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lowell-Westmoreland silt loams, benched, 30 to 70 percent slopes | 38K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lowell-Westmoreland silt loams, 25 to 35 percent slopes | 31K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lowell-Westmoreland silt loams, 15 to 25 percent slopes | 30K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Westmoreland silt loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes | 15K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lowell-Westmoreland silt loams, 35 to 70 percent slopes | 15K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Westmoreland silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 14K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Fairpoint silt loam, 8 to 25 percent slopes, reclaimed | 13K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Morristown silt loam, 8 to 25 percent slopes, reclaimed | 13K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lowell-Westmoreland silt loams, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 12K | Moderately well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Westmoreland silt loam, 25 to 35 percent slopes | 9K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lowell silt loam, moderately wet, 15 to 25 percent slopes | 6K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Udorthents-Urban land complex | 6K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Fairpoint silt loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes, reclaimed | 6K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Westmoreland silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Water | 5K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Lowell silt loam, moderately wet, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 5K | Moderately well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Hartshorn silt loam, occasionally flooded | 5K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Morristown silt loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes, reclaimed | 5K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Morristown silty clay loam, 8 to 25 percent slopes, reclaimed | 4K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Fairpoint silt loam, 25 to 70 percent slopes, reclaimed | 4K | Well drained | 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 79% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include steep slopes, flood-prone areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 91% 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.