Brown County, Ohio
The most common soil here is Clermont, on about 21% of the land: a silt loam, smooth, like flour. Rossmoyne and Jonesboro come next.
About 33% of the land drains well, and 38% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 64% of it.
USDA rates 99% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 95% 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 14% 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 Brown 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/D (varies with drainage). The most common soil order is Alfisols — moderately leached forest soils with a clay-enriched subsoil. 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 Brown 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clermont silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 68K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Jonesboro-Rossmoyne silt loams, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 64K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Westboro-Schaffer silt loams, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 41K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rossmoyne silt loam, 6 to 12 percent slopes, eroded | 17K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bonnell silt loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes, eroded | 16K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Eden flaggy silt loam, 25 to 40 percent slopes | 14K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Pate silty clay, 25 to 35 percent slopes, eroded | 11K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Eden flaggy silt loam, 40 to 70 percent slopes | 11K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Faywood silt loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes, eroded | 9K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Faywood-Lowell silt loams, 8 to 15 percent slopes, eroded | 8K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Genesee silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 6K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Jessup silt loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes, eroded | 5K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bonnell silt loam, 25 to 40 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Loudon silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes, eroded | 4K | Moderately well drained | D | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Blanchester silty clay loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 4K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Jessup silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, eroded | 4K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Westboro-Schaffer silt loams, 2 to 4 percent slopes | 3K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rossmoyne-Bonnell complex, 6 to 12 percent slopes, severely eroded | 3K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Williamsburg silt loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 3K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Nolin silt loam, occasionally flooded | 2K | Well drained | B | 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 95% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include steep slopes, poor drainage in some areas, flood-prone areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 99% 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.