Jefferson County, Pennsylvania
The most common soil here is Gilpin, on about 27% of the land: a channery silt loam, smooth, like flour. Hazleton and Ernest come next.
About 61% of the land drains well, and 15% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 39% of it.
USDA rates 99% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 92% 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, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 37% of it.
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 Jefferson 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 C (slow infiltration, moderate 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 Jefferson 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ernest silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 28K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Gilpin silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 23K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Gilpin silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 18K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Gilpin channery silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 18K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Gilpin channery silt loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes | 17K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hazleton channery sandy loam, 8 to 25 percent slopes, extremely stony | 17K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cavode silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 15K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Gilpin silt loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes | 14K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Gilpin channery silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 13K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ernest silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 12K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hazleton channery sandy loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 11K | Well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Cookport loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes, very stony | 10K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Atkins-Philo complex, 0 to 3 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 10K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cavode silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 9K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Brinkerton soils, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 9K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bethesda-Fairpoint very channery silt loams, 25 to 75 percent slopes, very stony | 9K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hazleton channery sandy loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes, extremely stony | 9K | Well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Rayne-Gilpin channery silt loams, 8 to 25 percent slopes, very stony | 8K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Buchanan silt loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes, extremely stony | 7K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Brinkerton soils, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 7K | Poorly drained | 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 92% 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 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.