Carbon County, Pennsylvania
The dominant drainage class is Well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is A (high infiltration, low runoff). 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.
| 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 |
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.