Greene and Washington Counties, Pennsylvania

Survey Area PA611• Pennsylvania

The dominant drainage class is Moderately well 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 Greene and Washington Counties, 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
Dormont-Culleoka complex, 25 to 50 percent slopes	288K	Moderately well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Dormont-Culleoka complex, 15 to 25 percent slopes	146K	Moderately well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Dormont silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes	88K	Moderately well drained	D	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Dormont silt loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes	48K	Moderately well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Culleoka channery silt loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes	41K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Culleoka channery silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes	26K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Fluvaquents, loamy	25K	Poorly drained	B/D	Very limited	Very limited
Guernsey silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes	25K	Moderately well drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Newark silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes, frequently flooded	25K	Somewhat poorly drained	B/D	Very limited	Very limited
Weikert-Culleoka complex, 15 to 25 percent slopes	23K	Somewhat excessively drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Dormont silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes	18K	Moderately well drained	D	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Culleoka channery silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes	17K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Glenford silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes	17K	Moderately well drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Weikert-Culleoka complex, 3 to 8 percent slopes	15K	Somewhat excessively drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Guernsey silt loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes	13K	Moderately well drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Weikert-Culleoka complex, 8 to 15 percent slopes	12K	Somewhat excessively drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Guernsey silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes	11K	Moderately well drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Udorthents, strip mine, steep	10K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Udorthents, strip mine, moderately steep	7K	Well drained	C	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Huntington silt loam	7K	Well drained	B	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.

Alfisols

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

Inceptisols

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

Entisols

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

Ultisols

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

What This Means

Building & Foundations

About 86% 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 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.