Crawford County, Pennsylvania
The most common soil here is Venango, on about 25% of the land: a silt loam, smooth, like flour. Cambridge and Frenchtown come next.
About 12% of the land drains well, and 64% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 86% of it.
USDA rates 97% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 89% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 8% of the land floods occasionally or more.
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 Crawford 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 Somewhat poorly drained and the dominant hydrologic group is D (very slow infiltration, high runoff). The most common soil order is Alfisols — moderately leached forest soils with a clay-enriched subsoil. 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 Crawford 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Venango silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 137K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cambridge silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 53K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Frenchtown silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 50K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Mill silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 33K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cambridge silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 32K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Holly silt loam | 32K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Venango silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 29K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Red Hook loam | 24K | Somewhat poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Frenchtown silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 22K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water, census and small | 19K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Alden silt loam | 16K | Very poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Holly silty clay loam | 15K | Very poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Valois soils, very steep | 12K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Platea silt loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 12K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cambridge silt loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes | 11K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Venango silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 10K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Carlisle muck | 9K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Halsey silt loam | 9K | Very poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Valois-Cambridge complex, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 8K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Chenango gravelly silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 8K | Well drained | A | Not 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.
What This Means
Building & Foundations
About 89% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include steep slopes, poor drainage in some areas, flood-prone areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 97% of soils are rated "very limited" for septic absorption fields. Poorly drained soils can't absorb septic effluent effectively. Engineered or alternative systems are frequently required. Always get a professional perc test before purchasing land that needs septic.
Gardening & Agriculture
Many soils hold water for extended periods. Raised beds are highly recommended to improve drainage for vegetables. Well-adapted native plants and water-loving species will do best in natural conditions.