Soil survey area

Mercer County, Pennsylvania

Survey Area PA085• Pennsylvania

The short version

The most common soil here is Ravenna, on about 37% of the land: a silt loam, smooth, like flour. Frenchtown and Canfield come next.

About 10% of the land drains well, and 69% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 87% of it.

USDA rates 97% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 90% 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 1% 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 ground underfoot

The soils you're most likely standing on

The biggest named soils in Mercer County, Pennsylvania, each drawn five feet deep from its official USDA description, in its recorded colors.

Ravenna

37% of the area

Silt loam topsoil · somewhat poorly drained

Smooth, like flour. Fertile and holds water well.

Alfisols

Frenchtown

17% of the area

Silt loam topsoil · poorly drained

Smooth, like flour. Fertile and holds water well.

Alfisols

Canfield

15% of the area

Silt loam topsoil · moderately well drained

Smooth, like flour. Fertile and holds water well.

Alfisols

Chenango

6% of the area

Gravelly silt loam topsoil · well drained

Smooth, like flour. Fertile and holds water well.

Inceptisols

Wayland

4% of the area

Silt loam topsoil · somewhat poorly drained

Smooth, like flour. Fertile and holds water well.

Entisols

Braceville

3% of the area

Gravelly loam topsoil · moderately well drained

A balanced mix that crumbles in your hand. The gardener's ideal.

Inceptisols

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 Somewhat poorly drained and the dominant hydrologic group is D (very slow infiltration, high 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 Mercer 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	124K	Somewhat poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Frenchtown silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes	55K	Poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Canfield silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes	35K	Moderately well drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Ravenna silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes	30K	Somewhat poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Wayland silt loam, coarse variant	21K	Poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Canfield silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes	19K	Moderately well drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Frenchtown silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes	16K	Poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Halsey silt loam	14K	Very poorly drained	B/D	Very limited	Very limited
Chenango gravelly loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes, moderately eroded	10K	Well drained	A	Not limited	Very limited
Braceville silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes, moderately eroded	9K	Moderately well drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Red Hook silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes, moderately eroded	9K	Somewhat poorly drained	B/D	Very limited	Very limited
Water	9K			Not rated	Not rated
Frenchtown and Luray silt loams, 0 to 3 percent slopes	8K	Poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Ravenna silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes	8K	Somewhat poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Papakating silt loam	6K	Very poorly drained	B/D	Very limited	Very limited
Canfield silt loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes	5K	Moderately well drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Chenango gravelly loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, moderately eroded	5K	Well drained	A	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Lordstown silt loam, 25 to 45 percent slopes, extremely stony	4K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Chenango gravelly loam, moderately eroded, rolling	3K	Well drained	A	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Fairpoint channery silt loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes	3K	Well drained	D	Not 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.

Inceptisols

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

Alfisols

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

Entisols

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

What This Means

Building & Foundations

About 90% 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 97% of soils are rated "very limited" for septic absorption fields. Poorly drained soils can't absorb septic effluent effectively. Engineered or alternative systems are frequently required. Always get a professional perc test before purchasing land that needs septic.

Gardening & Agriculture

Many soils hold water for extended periods. Raised beds are highly recommended to improve drainage for vegetables. Well-adapted native plants and water-loving species will do best in natural conditions.

Look Up a Specific Address