Carbon County, Pennsylvania

Survey Area PA025• Pennsylvania

The dominant drainage class is Well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is A (high infiltration, low runoff). 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 Carbon 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
Dekalb very stony loam, 25 to 100 percent slopes, very stony	14K	Well drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Hazleton very stony loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes	14K	Well drained	A	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Dekalb very stony loam, 8 to 25 percent slopes, very stony	10K	Well drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Meckesville very stony loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes	9K	Well drained	C	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Berks-Weikert channery silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes	8K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Very stony land, 25 to 120 percent slopes	7K	Well drained		Very limited	Very limited
Leck kill very stony loam, 8 to 25 percent slopes	7K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Hazleton very stony loam, 8 to 25 percent slopes	7K	Well drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Albrights very stony loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes	7K	Moderately well drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Berks-Weikert channery silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes	6K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Berks-Weikert channery silt loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes	6K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Laidig very stony loam, 8 to 25 percent slopes	6K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Klinesville very stony silt loam, 25 to 80 percent slopes	5K	Somewhat excessively drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Buchanan very stony loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes	5K	Moderately well drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Meckesville very stony loam, 8 to 25 percent slopes	5K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Weikert-Berks channery silt loam, 25 to 35 percent slopes	4K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Strip mines	4K		A	Very limited	Very limited
Holly silt loam	4K	Poorly drained	B/D	Very limited	Very limited
Cookport loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes, very stony	4K	Moderately well drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Water	4K			Not rated	Not rated

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.

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.

Alfisols

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

What This Means

Building & Foundations

About 80% 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.