Dauphin County, Pennsylvania
The dominant drainage class is Well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is B (moderate infiltration). 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 Dauphin County, Pennsylvania.
| Soil Map Unit | Acres | Drainage | Hydro Group | Dwellings | Septic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calvin-Leck Kill shaly silt loams, 3 to 8 percent slopes, moderately eroded | 39K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Dekalb and Lehew very stony sandy loams, 25 to 80 percent slopes | 35K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Laidig very stony loam, 8 to 25 percent slopes | 25K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Berks shaly silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes, moderately eroded | 24K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water | 22K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Dekalb and Lehew very stony sandy loams, 8 to 25 percent slopes | 18K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Calvin-Leck Kill shaly silt loams, 8 to 15 percent slopes, moderately eroded | 18K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Berks channery silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 13K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hagerstown silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes, moderately eroded | 8K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Dekalb and Lehew very stony sandy loams, 0 to 8 percent slopes | 7K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bedington shaly silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes, moderately eroded | 6K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Atkins silt loam | 6K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Penn channery silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 6K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Klinesville shaly silt loam, 25 to 50 percent slopes, moderately eroded | 6K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Calvin very stony silt loam, 8 to 25 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Calvin-Klinesville shaly silt loams, 15 to 25 percent slopes, moderately eroded | 5K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Urban land, alluvial materials | 5K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Calvin-Klinesville shaly silt loams, 8 to 15 percent slopes, moderately eroded | 5K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Weikert shaly silt loam, 25 to 40 percent slopes, moderately eroded | 4K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Very stony land, steep | 4K | Excessively drained | Very limited | Very limited |
What This Means
Building & Foundations
About 84% 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 84% 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.