Chesapeake City, Virginia

Survey Area VA550• Virginia

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.

Ultisols

Strongly weathered clay soils of the Southeast. Acidic and naturally low in nutrients. Clay subsoil can slow drainage.

Alfisols

Moderately weathered forest soils with clay-enriched subsoil. Productive for agriculture, generally good for building and septic.

Entisols

Young soils with little development — found on floodplains, dunes, and steep slopes. Properties vary widely by setting.

Inceptisols

Young but developing soils found in mountains and river terraces. Variable properties — check drainage and bedrock depth.

Histosols

Organic peat and muck soils formed in wetlands. Very poor for building (compressible) and septic. Often in regulated wetlands.

What This Means

Building & Foundations

About 90% 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 90% 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.