Lycoming County, Pennsylvania
The dominant drainage class is Well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is A (high infiltration, low runoff). 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 Lycoming County, Pennsylvania.
| Soil Map Unit | Acres | Drainage | Hydro Group | Dwellings | Septic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oquaga and Lordstown channery loams, 25 to 70 percent slopes, extremely stony | 132K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Dekalb and Lehew very stony sandy loams, 25 to 80 percent slopes | 85K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Weikert and Klinesville shaly silt loams, 25 to 80 percent slopes | 54K | Somewhat excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Oquaga and Lordstown channery loams, 8 to 25 percent slopes, extremely stony | 44K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Dekalb very stony sandy loam, 8 to 25 percent slopes | 36K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Leck kill channery silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 24K | Well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Leck kill channery silt loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes | 21K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Dekalb very stony sandy loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes | 21K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Berks channery silt loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes | 18K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Clymer channery loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 15K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Clymer very stony loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes | 14K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Clymer very stony loam, 8 to 25 percent slopes | 14K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Oquaga and Lordstown channery loams, 0 to 8 percent slopes, extremely stony | 13K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Laidig very stony loam, 8 to 25 percent slopes | 13K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Berks channery silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 12K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Leck kill channery silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 12K | Well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Hartleton channery silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 11K | Well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Udifluvents, loamy | 8K | Moderately well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lackawanna channery silt loam, 8 to 25 percent slopes, extremely stony | 8K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Barbour fine sandy loam, occasionally flooded | 8K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
What This Means
Building & Foundations
About 86% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include shallow bedrock, steep slopes, 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.