Jefferson County, Ohio
The most common soil here is Morristown, on about 16% of the land: a gravelly clay loam, firm and a little sticky. Lowell and Gilpin come next.
About 90% of the land drains well; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 2% of it.
USDA rates 94% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 86% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 2% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 41% 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 Jefferson 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 B (moderate infiltration). 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 Jefferson 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Westmoreland-Lowell complex, 40 to 70 percent slopes | 19K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Gilpin-Lowell silt loams, 15 to 25 percent slopes | 17K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Westmoreland-Berks complex, 40 to 70 percent slopes | 15K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Morristown silty clay loam, 8 to 25 percent slopes, reclaimed | 12K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hazleton-Summitville complex, 15 to 40 percent slopes | 10K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Gilpin-Lowell silt loams, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 10K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Gilpin-Coshocton silt loams, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 10K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Berks-Guernsey complex, 15 to 25 percent slopes | 9K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Morristown channery silty clay loam, 25 to 70 percent slopes, unreclaimed, highwall | 9K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lowell silty clay loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes, eroded | 9K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Morristown silty clay loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes, reclaimed | 8K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Gilpin-Coshocton silt loams, 15 to 25 percent slopes | 7K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Gilpin silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 7K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Lowell silty clay loam, 25 to 40 percent slopes | 6K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hazleton-Westmoreland complex, 40 to 70 percent slopes | 6K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lowell silty clay loam, 40 to 70 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Steinsburg-Rigley variant fine sandy loams, 15 to 25 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hazleton-Westmoreland complex, 25 to 40 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Berks-Guernsey complex, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 4K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Morristown channery silty clay loam, 25 to 70 percent slopes, unreclaimed | 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 86% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include steep slopes. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 94% 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.