City of Richmond, Virginia
The most common soil here is Turbeville, on about 13% of the land: a fine sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Udorthents and Wateree come next.
About 48% of the land drains well, and 11% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 17% of it.
USDA rates 40% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 34% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 4% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 8% 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 City of Richmond, 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 B (moderate infiltration). 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 City of Richmond, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Turbeville-Urban land complex, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 7K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Urban land | 6K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Udorthents-Dumps complex, pits | 4K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Atlee-Urban land complex, 0 to 4 percent slopes | 3K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Roanoke silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 2K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Faceville-Gritney-Urban land complex, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 2K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Water | 2K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Edgehill-Urban land complex, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 2K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Wateree-Wedowee complex, 20 to 45 percent slopes | 1K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tetotum-Urban land complex, clayey substratum, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 1K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Wateree sandy loam, 12 to 20 percent slopes | 1K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Appling-Urban land complex, 6 to 12 percent slopes | 870 | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Appling-Wedowee complex, 12 to 20 percent slopes | 685 | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Wateree-Wedowee-Rock outcrop complex, 45 to 60 percent slopes | 621 | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Dunbar fine sandy loam, 0 to 4 percent slopes | 610 | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Roanoke-Chewacla complex, 0 to 2 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 568 | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bourne-Urban land complex, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 465 | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Appling-Wedowee-Urban land complex, 6 to 12 percent slopes | 450 | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Faceville-Gritney-Urban land complex, 6 to 12 percent slopes | 411 | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Norfolk-Urban land complex, 0 to 6 percent slopes | 391 | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat 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 34% of soils have significant building limitations, while the rest are generally suitable. Check specific sites carefully — conditions vary across the area.
Septic Systems
About 40% of soils have significant septic limitations, while others are more suitable. A perc test is essential — conditions vary across the area.
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.