Buchanan County, Virginia
The most common soil here is Shelocta, on about 20% of the land: a silt loam, smooth, like flour. Highsplint and Matewan come next.
About 95% of the land drains well.
USDA rates 92% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 92% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 2% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 29% 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 Buchanan County, Virginia, 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 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 Buchanan County, Virginia. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Highsplint-Shelocta complex, 55 to 80 percent slopes, very stony | 64K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Matewan-Clifftop-Rock outcrop complex, 35 to 80 percent slopes, extremely stony | 48K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cloverlick-Shelocta-Highsplint complex, 55 to 80 percent slopes, very stony | 44K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Marrowbone-Clifftop complex, 35 to 70 percent slopes | 21K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Shelocta-Kaymine complex, 55 to 80 percent slopes, very bouldery | 20K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Shelocta-Highsplint complex, 35 to 55 percent slopes, very stony | 20K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cedarcreek, Fiveblock, and Kaymine soils, 55 to 80 percent slopes, extremely stony | 13K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Marrowbone-Gilpin complex, 25 to 35 percent slopes | 12K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Udorthents-Urban land complex, 0 to 80 percent slopes | 10K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Shelocta-Cedarcreek complex, 35 to 55 percent slopes, very bouldery | 9K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cedarcreek-Sewell-Rock outcrop complex, 0 to 15 percent slopes, very stony | 9K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Kaymine-Cedarcreek complex, 35 to 55 percent slopes, extremely stony | 9K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Shelocta-Cloverlick complex, 35 to 55 percent slopes, very stony | 8K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sewell-Kaymine-Rock outcrop complex, 0 to 80 percent slopes, extremely stony | 7K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Gilpin-Berks complex, 35 to 70 percent slopes | 6K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Udorthents-Urban land complex, occasionally flooded | 5K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Gilpin-Berks complex, 25 to 35 percent slopes | 3K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Marrowbone-Gilpin complex, 15 to 25 percent slopes | 2K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Stonecoal extremely channery sandy loam, 0 to 80 percent slopes | 2K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Fiveblock-Sewell complex, 0 to 15 percent slopes, extremely stony | 2K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | 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 92% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include steep slopes, flood-prone areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 92% 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.