Adams County, Pennsylvania
The most common soil here is Penn, on about 10% of the land: a silt loam, smooth, like flour. Highfield and Abbottstown come next.
About 56% of the land drains well, and 30% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 32% of it.
USDA rates 84% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 74% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 8% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 26% 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 Adams County, Pennsylvania, 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 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.
What This Means
Building & Foundations
About 74% 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 84% 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.