Clarion County, Pennsylvania

Survey Area PA031• Pennsylvania

The dominant drainage class is 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 Clarion 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
Cavode silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes	26K	Somewhat poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Bethesda-Fairpoint channery silt loams, 15 to 25 percent slopes	23K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Bethesda-Fairpoint very channery silt loams, 15 to 25 percent slopes, very stony	22K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Hazleton channery sandy loam, 8 to 25 percent slopes, extremely stony	17K	Well drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Cookport loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes	17K	Moderately well drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Ernest silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes	16K	Moderately well drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Bethesda-Fairpoint channery silt loams, 0 to 8 percent slopes	16K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Ernest silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes	15K	Moderately well drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Buchanan silt loam, 8 to 25 percent slopes, extremely stony	13K	Moderately well drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Cookport loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes, very stony	11K	Moderately well drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Cavode silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes	11K	Somewhat poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Laidig gravelly loam, 25 to 50 percent slopes, extremely bouldery	11K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Gilpin-Weikert channery silt loams, 25 to 70 percent slopes	10K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Hazleton channery sandy loam, 25 to 60 percent slopes, extremely stony	9K	Well drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Wharton-Gilpin silt loams, 15 to 25 percent slopes	9K	Moderately well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Cookport loam, 8 to 25 percent slopes, very stony	8K	Moderately well drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Buchanan silt loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes, extremely stony	8K	Moderately well drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Cookport loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes	6K	Moderately well drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Gilpin channery silt loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes	6K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Wharton silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes	6K	Moderately well drained	C/D	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.

Ultisols

Strongly weathered clay soils of the Southeast. Acidic and naturally low in nutrients. Clay subsoil can slow drainage.

Alfisols

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

Entisols

Young soils with little development — found on floodplains, dunes, and steep slopes. Properties vary widely by setting.

Inceptisols

Young but developing soils found in mountains and river terraces. Variable properties — check drainage and bedrock depth.

What This Means

Building & Foundations

About 100% 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 100% 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.