Carbon County, Pennsylvania
The most common soil here is Dekalb, on about 11% of the land: a very cobbly sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Hazleton and Meckesville come next.
About 73% of the land drains well, and 9% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 21% of it.
USDA rates 94% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 73% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 5% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 32% 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 Carbon 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 A (high infiltration, low runoff). The most common soil order is Inceptisols — young soils with minimal horizon development but more than Entisols. 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.
What This Means
Building & Foundations
About 73% 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 94% 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.