Centre 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 Centre County, Pennsylvania.
| Soil Map Unit | Acres | Drainage | Hydro Group | Dwellings | Septic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Varilla-Laidig complex, 25 to 60 percent slopes, very rubbly | 50K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hazleton-Dekalb association, very steep | 42K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hazleton extremely stony sandy loam, moderately steep | 41K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hazleton extremely stony sandy loam, gently sloping | 30K | Well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Laidig extremely stony loam, 8 to 25 percent slopes | 29K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Berks and Weikert soils, 25 to 70 percent slopes | 28K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Clymer very stony sandy loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes | 26K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Hagerstown silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 25K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Leck Kill and Calvin soils, steep | 16K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Leetonia extremely stony loamy sand, 0 to 12 percent slopes | 14K | Well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Opequon-Hagerstown complex, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 14K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Laidig extremely stony loam, steep | 13K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Andover very stony loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 13K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Opequon-Hagerstown complex, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 12K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Buchanan channery loam, 8 to 25 percent slopes, rubbly | 11K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Wharton silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 10K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Berks channery silt loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes | 10K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cookport channery loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes, extremely stony | 10K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Clymer very stony sandy loam, 8 to 25 percent slopes | 9K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Morrison sandy loam, 2 to 8 percent slopes | 9K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
What This Means
Building & Foundations
About 74% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include shallow bedrock, steep slopes, poor drainage in some areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 87% 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.