Belmont County, Ohio

Survey Area OH013• Ohio

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.

Entisols

Young soils with little development — found on floodplains, dunes, and steep slopes. Properties vary widely by setting.

Alfisols

Moderately weathered forest soils with clay-enriched subsoil. Productive for agriculture, generally good for building and septic.

Inceptisols

Young but developing soils found in mountains and river terraces. Variable properties — check drainage and bedrock depth.

Ultisols

Strongly weathered clay soils of the Southeast. Acidic and naturally low in nutrients. Clay subsoil can slow drainage.

What This Means

Building & Foundations

About 80% 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 89% 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.