Chesapeake City, Virginia
The most common soil here is Tomotley, on about 19% of the land: a fine sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Pungo and Acredale come next.
About 3% of the land drains well, and 85% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 85% of it.
USDA rates 92% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 89% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 8% of the land floods occasionally or more.
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 Chesapeake City, 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 Poorly drained and the dominant hydrologic group is B/D (varies with drainage). 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 Chesapeake City, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pungo-Belhaven soils, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently ponded | 44K | Very poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Acredale silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 26K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tomotley-Deloss complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 20K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tomotley-Nimmo complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 16K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Dorovan-Belhaven complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 15K | Very poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Deloss mucky fine sandy loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 9K | Very poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tomotley fine sandy loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 8K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water | 8K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Portsmouth mucky fine sandy loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 7K | Very poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Udorthents-Urban land complex, 0 to 45 percent slopes | 7K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Deloss-Tomotley-Nimmo complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 6K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Dragston-Tomotley complex, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 5K | Somewhat poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tomotley-Bertie complex, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 5K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tomotley-Urban land-Nimmo complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 4K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Urban land, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 4K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Munden fine sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 4K | Moderately well drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hyde mucky silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 3K | Very poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tomotley-Deloss-Urban land complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 3K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Arapahoe mucky fine sandy loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 3K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Nawney silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 3K | Very 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 89% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include poor drainage in some areas, flood-prone areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 92% of soils are rated "very limited" for septic absorption fields. Poorly drained soils can't absorb septic effluent effectively. Engineered or alternative systems are frequently required. Always get a professional perc test before purchasing land that needs septic.
Gardening & Agriculture
Many soils hold water for extended periods. Raised beds are highly recommended to improve drainage for vegetables. Well-adapted native plants and water-loving species will do best in natural conditions.