Lawrence County, Pennsylvania
The most common soil here is Ravenna, on about 22% of the land: a silt loam, smooth, like flour. Canfield and Frenchtown come next.
About 31% of the land drains well, and 34% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 62% of it.
USDA rates 94% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 81% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 7% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 10% 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 Lawrence 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 Moderately well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is D (very slow infiltration, high 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 Lawrence 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ravenna silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 34K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Canfield silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 30K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Canfield silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 20K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ravenna silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 9K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Holly silt loam | 9K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ravenna silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 7K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Frenchtown silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 7K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Loudonville gravelly silt loam, 25 to 50 percent slopes | 6K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Fairpoint channery silt loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes | 6K | Well drained | D | Not limited | Very limited |
| Chili silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Fairpoint channery silt loam, 8 to 25 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Gilpin-Weikert channery silt loams, 25 to 70 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Canfield silt loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes | 5K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Conotton gravelly loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Urban land-Arents complex | 4K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Lobdell silt loam | 4K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bethesda channery silt loam, 8 to 25 percent slopes | 4K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Conotton gravelly loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes | 4K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Frenchtown silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 3K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bethesda and Fairpoint channery silt loams, 25 to 70 percent slopes | 3K | Well drained | C | 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 81% 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 94% 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.