Perry County, Ohio

Survey Area OH127• 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 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 Perry 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
Cincinnati silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, eroded	27K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Guernsey-Westmoreland silt loams, 15 to 25 percent slopes	24K	Moderately well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Guernsey-Westmoreland silt loams, 25 to 40 percent slopes	20K	Moderately well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Westmoreland-Guernsey silt loams, 40 to 70 percent slopes	17K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Guernsey-Westmoreland silt loams, 8 to 15 percent slopes	14K	Moderately well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Wellston silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes	12K	Well drained	C	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Homewood-Westmoreland silt loams, 15 to 25 percent slopes, eroded	9K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Alford silt loam, 1 to 8 percent slopes	7K	Well drained	B	Somewhat limited	Somewhat limited
Centerburg silt loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes	7K	Moderately well drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Westmoreland silt loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes	6K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Bethesda channery silt loam, 25 to 70 percent slopes, unreclaimed, highwall	6K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Westmoreland silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes	6K	Well drained	B	Somewhat limited	Somewhat limited
Newark silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes, frequently flooded	6K	Somewhat poorly drained	B/D	Very limited	Very limited
Zanesville silt loam, 1 to 8 percent slopes	6K	Moderately well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Killbuck silt loam, frequently flooded	5K	Poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Dekalb loam, 40 to 70 percent slopes, very stony	5K	Well drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Homewood-Westmoreland silt loams, 25 to 40 percent slopes, eroded	4K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Bethesda-Pits, surface mine complex, 25 to 70 percent slopes, unreclaimed	4K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Amanda silt loam, 6 to 12 percent slopes, eroded	4K	Well drained	C	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Newark silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes, frequently flooded	4K	Somewhat poorly drained	B/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.

Alfisols

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

Entisols

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

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 84% 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 93% 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.