Cambria County, Pennsylvania
The dominant drainage class is Moderately well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is C/D (varies with drainage). 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 Cambria County, Pennsylvania.
| Soil Map Unit | Acres | Drainage | Hydro Group | Dwellings | Septic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laidig soils, 25 to 70 percent slopes | 32K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cookport and Ernest soils, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 30K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cookport and Ernest very stony soils, 8 to 25 percent slopes | 25K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Brinkerton soils, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 23K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cookport and Ernest very stony soils, 0 to 8 percent slopes | 21K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Wharton-Gilpin complex, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 20K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cookport and Ernest soils, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 18K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Wharton-Gilpin complex, 15 to 25 percent slopes | 17K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hazleton channery sandy loam, 8 to 25 percent slopes, extremely stony | 17K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Wharton silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 16K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Gilpin silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 15K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cavode silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 15K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bethesda-Fairpoint channery silt loams, 25 to 75 percent slopes | 14K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Gilpin-Rayne silt loams, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 11K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hazleton channery loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 11K | Well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Atkins silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 11K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Laidig loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 10K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Hazleton channery sandy loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes, extremely stony | 10K | Well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Bethesda-Fairpoint channery silt loams, 0 to 8 percent slopes | 10K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Gilpin-Weikert channery silt loams, 25 to 70 percent slopes | 9K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
What This Means
Building & Foundations
About 90% 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 100% 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.