Cambria County, Pennsylvania
The most common soil here is Cookport, on about 16% of the land: a loam, a balanced mix that crumbles in your hand. Gilpin and Laidig come next.
About 47% of the land drains well, and 15% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 52% of it.
USDA rates 96% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 87% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 3% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 25% 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 Cambria 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 Moderately well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is C/D (varies with drainage). The most common soil order is Ultisols — strongly weathered soils with clay-enriched subsoils, common in warm humid climates. 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. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
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 87% 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 96% 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.