Franklin 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 Franklin County, Pennsylvania.
| Soil Map Unit | Acres | Drainage | Hydro Group | Dwellings | Septic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sideling gravelly loam, 8 to 25 percent slopes, extremely stony | 24K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Berks channery silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 23K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hagerstown silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 23K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Hagerstown-Carbo silty clay loams, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 17K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Murrill gravelly loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 16K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Dekalb-Hazleton cobbly sandy loams, 25 to 75 percent slopes, rubbly | 16K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sideling and Hazleton soils 25 to 60 percent slopes, extremely stony | 13K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Weikert channery silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 13K | Somewhat excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Weikert channery silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 12K | Somewhat excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hazleton-Dekalb complex, 25 to 75 percent slopes, extremely stony | 12K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hagerstown-Carbo silty clay loams, 3 to 8 percent slopes, very rocky | 11K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Duffield silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 11K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Clarksburg silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 10K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Weikert very channery silt loam, 25 to 65 percent slopes | 10K | Somewhat excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bagtown cobbly loam, 8 to 25 percent slopes, extremely stony | 9K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hagerstown-Rock outcrop complex, 8 to 35 percent slopes | 9K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Berks channery silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 9K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Weikert channery silt loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes | 8K | Somewhat excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hagerstown silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 8K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Weikert very channery silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 8K | Somewhat excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
What This Means
Building & Foundations
About 67% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include shallow bedrock, steep slopes. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 67% 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.