Lycoming County, Pennsylvania
The most common soil here is Oquaga, on about 15% of the land: a very channery silt loam, smooth, like flour. Dekalb and Lordstown come next.
About 85% of the land drains well, and 4% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 10% of it.
USDA rates 92% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 83% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 5% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 57% 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 Lycoming 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 A (high infiltration, low runoff). The most common soil order is Inceptisols — young soils with minimal horizon development but more than Entisols. 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. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
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 83% 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 92% 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.