Blue Ridge Parkway - Bedford County, Virginia Peaks of Otter Area
The most common soil here is Peaks, on about 23% of the land: a gravelly loam, a balanced mix that crumbles in your hand. Pigeonroost and Drypond come next.
About 96% of the land drains well.
USDA rates 94% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 93% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: bedrock lies within 40 inches under 79% 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 Blue Ridge Parkway - Bedford County, Virginia Peaks of Otter Area, 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 Somewhat excessively drained and the dominant hydrologic group is A (high infiltration, low runoff). The most common soil order is Ultisols — strongly weathered soils with clay-enriched subsoils, common in warm humid climates. 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 Blue Ridge Parkway - Bedford County, Virginia Peaks of Otter Area. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peaks-Rock outcrop complex, 25 to 90 percent slopes, extremely stony | 1K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Pigeonroost gravelly loam, 35 to 55 percent slopes, very stony | 586 | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Drypond, thin solum-Rock outcrop complex, 35 to 60 percent slopes | 519 | Excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Greenlee very cobbly loam, 15 to 35 percent slopes, very stony | 481 | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Peaks, thick surface-Rock outcrop complex, 25 to 90 percent slopes, extremely stony | 439 | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Pigeonroost gravelly loam, 15 to 35 percent slopes, very stony | 263 | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rock outcrop-Peaks, thick surface complex, 25 to 80 percent slopes | 202 | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Drypond, thin solum-Marbleyard complex, 35 to 55 percent slopes, extremely stony | 186 | Excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Drypond, thin solum-Rock outcrop complex, 15 to 35 percent slopes | 178 | Excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Peaks very gravelly loam, 35 to 55 percent slopes, extremely stony | 162 | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tate loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes, stony | 140 | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Unaka loam, 7 to 35 percent slopes, very stony | 121 | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Groseclose-Litz complex, 15 to 30 percent slopes | 87 | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Peaks very gravelly loam, thick surface, 35 to 55 percent slopes, extremely stony | 85 | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Thunder very cobbly loam, 15 to 35 percent slopes, very stony | 74 | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Marbleyard-Drypond, thin solum complex, 7 to 35 percent slopes, extremely stony | 72 | Somewhat excessively drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Peaks very gravelly loam, 15 to 35 percent slopes, extremely stony | 67 | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Porters-Rock outcrop complex, 15 to 35 percent slopes, rubbly | 57 | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Comus-Delanco fine sandy loams, 0 to 7 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 48 | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tate loam, 7 to 15 percent slopes | 42 | Well drained | B | Somewhat 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 93% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include shallow bedrock, steep slopes, flood-prone areas, sandy or gravelly soils with low bearing capacity. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 94% of soils are rated "very limited" for septic absorption fields. The well-drained soils may actually drain too fast for standard leach fields, allowing effluent to reach groundwater. Engineered or alternative systems are frequently required. Always get a professional perc test before purchasing land that needs septic.
Gardening & Agriculture
Soils tend to drain very quickly, meaning nutrients and water don't stick around long. Raised beds with amended soil, drip irrigation, and heavy mulching will give the best results. Compost is your best friend here — it improves water retention dramatically.