Arlington County, Virginia
The dominant drainage class is Well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is B (moderate infiltration). 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 Arlington County, Virginia.
| Soil Map Unit | Acres | Drainage | Hydro Group | Dwellings | Septic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Urban land-Udorthents complex, 2 to 15 percent slopes | 5K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Urban land-Sassafras-Neabsco complex, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 3K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Glenelg-Urban land complex, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 1K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Urban land-Glenelg complex, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 1K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Glenelg-Urban land complex, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 978 | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Glenelg-Manor complex, 15 to 35 percent slopes | 805 | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Arlington National Cemetery | 641 | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Urban land-Glenelg complex, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 534 | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Glenelg-Urban land complex, 15 to 25 percent slopes | 505 | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Urban land-Sassafras complex, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 316 | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Udorthents, loamy | 297 | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Sassafras-Urban land-Neabsco complex, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 290 | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Urban land-Glenelg complex, 15 to 25 percent slopes | 227 | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Sassafras-Urban land complex, 15 to 25 percent slopes | 221 | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Glenelg-Urban land complex, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 183 | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Urban land-Woodstown complex, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 171 | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Glenelg loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 152 | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Urban land-Codorus complex, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 134 | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Sassafras gravelly sandy loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 127 | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Water | 108 | Not rated | Not rated |
What This Means
Building & Foundations
Most soils are generally favorable for residential construction. Standard foundations are usually viable, though site-specific evaluation is always recommended.
Septic Systems
Most soils are reasonably suitable for conventional septic systems, though site-specific conditions always matter. Get a perc test to confirm.
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.