Elk County, Pennsylvania
The most common soil here is Hazleton, on about 22% of the land: a sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Hartleton and Cookport come next.
About 47% of the land drains well, and 11% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 52% of it.
USDA rates 99% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 85% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 3% 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 Elk 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 Well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is A (high infiltration, low runoff). 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 Elk 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hartleton channery silt loam, 25 to 60 percent slopes | 64K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hazleton channery loam, 25 to 60 percent slopes, very stony | 39K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cookport channery loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes, very stony | 27K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Buchanan silt loam, 8 to 25 percent slopes, extremely stony | 26K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Wharton silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 26K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cookport channery loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 25K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hazleton channery loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 24K | Well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Cookport channery loam, 8 to 25 percent slopes, very stony | 24K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hazleton channery loam, 8 to 25 percent slopes, very stony | 23K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Buchanan silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 21K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Brinkerton soils, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 16K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hazleton channery loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes, very stony | 16K | Well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Wharton silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 15K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hartleton channery silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 13K | Well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Buchanan silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 13K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cavode silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 11K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hartleton channery silt loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes | 11K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hazleton channery loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 10K | Well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Hartleton channery silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 10K | Well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Buchanan silt loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes | 8K | 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.
What This Means
Building & Foundations
About 85% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include steep slopes, poor drainage in some areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 99% 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.