State of Rhode Island: Bristol, Kent, Newport, Providence, and Washington Counties
The most common soil here is Canton, on about 9% of the land: a fine sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Charlton and Woodbridge come next.
About 40% of the land drains well, and 13% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 23% of it.
USDA rates 65% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 32% 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 2% 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 State of Rhode Island: Bristol, Kent, Newport, Providence, and Washington Counties, 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 B (moderate infiltration). 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 State of Rhode Island: Bristol, Kent, Newport, Providence, and Washington Counties. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water, saline | 295K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Ridgebury, Leicester, and Whitman soils, 0 to 8 percent slopes, extremely stony | 53K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Canton and Charlton fine sandy loams, 3 to 15 percent slopes, very rocky | 48K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Canton and Charlton fine sandy loams, 0 to 8 percent slopes, very stony | 47K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Merrimac-Urban land complex, 0 to 8 percent slopes | 33K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Woodbridge fine sandy loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes, very stony | 32K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hinckley loamy sand, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 26K | Excessively drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Water | 22K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Udorthents-Urban land complex | 21K | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited | |
| Canton and Charlton fine sandy loams, 8 to 15 percent slopes, very stony | 19K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Paxton fine sandy loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes, very stony | 13K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Freetown muck, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 13K | Very poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Canton and Charlton fine sandy loams, 3 to 15 percent slopes, extremely stony | 12K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Canton-Charlton-Rock outcrop complex, 15 to 35 percent slopes, very stony | 12K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Urban land | 11K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Newport silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 11K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Swansea muck, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 10K | Very poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sutton fine sandy loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes, very stony | 10K | Moderately well drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Merrimac fine sandy loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 9K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Walpole sandy loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 9K | Poorly drained | B/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 32% of soils have significant building limitations, while the rest are generally suitable. Check specific sites carefully — conditions vary across the area.
Septic Systems
About 65% 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.