Bland 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 Bland County, Virginia.
| Soil Map Unit | Acres | Drainage | Hydro Group | Dwellings | Septic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Berks-Weikert complex, 35 to 70 percent slopes | 18K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Oriskany gravelly fine sandy loam, 15 to 35 percent slopes, extremely stony | 13K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Berks-Weikert complex, 15 to 35 percent slopes | 8K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Frederick gravelly silt loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes | 7K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Dekalb channery sandy loam, 35 to 55 percent slopes, extremely stony | 7K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bailegap-Lily-Dekalb complex, 35 to 70 percent slopes, very stony | 6K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tumbling loam, 15 to 35 percent slopes, very stony | 6K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Frederick gravelly silt loam, 7 to 15 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Watahala gravelly silt loam, 15 to 35 percent slopes, extremely stony | 5K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Watahala gravelly silt loam, 35 to 55 percent slopes, extremely stony | 4K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Frederick gravelly silt loam, 25 to 35 percent slopes | 4K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Slabtown silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 4K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Nicelytown silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 4K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Dekalb-Rock outcrop complex, 35 to 80 percent slopes, extremely stony | 4K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Westmoreland-Culleoka complex, 25 to 35 percent slopes | 3K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bailegap fine sandy loam, 15 to 35 percent slopes, very stony | 3K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Brushy extremely gravelly loam, 35 to 55 percent slopes, very stony | 3K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Oriskany gravelly fine sandy loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, extremely stony | 3K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Atkins fine sandy loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 3K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Watahala gravelly silt loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes | 2K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
What This Means
Building & Foundations
About 95% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include shallow bedrock, steep slopes, poor drainage in some areas, flood-prone areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 95% 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.