Adams County, Pennsylvania

Survey Area PA001• Pennsylvania

The dominant drainage class is Well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is B (moderate infiltration). 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 Adams County, Pennsylvania. 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
Penn silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes	23K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Croton silt loam, occasionally ponded, 0 to 3 percent slopes	18K	Poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Lehigh channery silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes	16K	Somewhat poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Abbottstown silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes	15K	Somewhat poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Highfield channery silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes	12K	Well drained	B	Somewhat limited	Somewhat limited
Bowmansville silt loam	11K	Somewhat poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Edgemont channery loam, 8 to 25 percent slopes, very stony	11K	Well drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Penn-Klinesville channery silt loams, 3 to 8 percent slopes	10K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Readington silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes	10K	Moderately well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Highfield and Catoctin channery silt loams, 25 to 70 percent slopes, very stony	9K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Highfield, Catoctin, and Myersville soils, 8 to 25 percent slopes, very stony	8K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Highfield channery silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes	8K	Well drained	B	Somewhat limited	Somewhat limited
Neshaminy channery silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes	8K	Well drained	C	Not limited	Very limited
Klinesville channery silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes	8K	Somewhat excessively drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Abbottstown silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes	7K	Somewhat poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Readington silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes	6K	Moderately well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Edgemont channery loam, 25 to 70 percent slopes, very stony	6K	Well drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Watchung silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes	6K	Poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Klinesville channery silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes	5K	Somewhat excessively drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Hatboro silt loam	5K	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.

Ultisols

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

Inceptisols

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

What This Means

Building & Foundations

About 86% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include shallow bedrock, steep slopes, poor drainage in some areas, flood-prone areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.

Septic Systems

About 90% 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.