City of Suffolk, Virginia
The most common soil here is Rains, on about 12% of the land: a sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Eunola and Nansemond come next.
About 13% of the land drains well, and 49% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 49% of it.
USDA rates 92% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 78% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 9% 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 City of Suffolk, 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 Moderately well 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 City of Suffolk, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rains fine sandy loam | 37K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Eunola loamy fine sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 31K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water | 19K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Lynchburg fine sandy loam | 18K | Somewhat poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Kenansville loamy sand, 0 to 4 percent slopes | 15K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Pungo muck | 14K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Levy silty clay loam | 13K | Very poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Belhaven muck | 13K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tomotley loam | 9K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Nansemond loamy fine sand, 15 to 30 percent slopes | 9K | Moderately well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Nansemond fine sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 7K | Moderately well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Torhunta loam | 7K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Weston fine sandy loam | 6K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Suffolk loamy sand, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 6K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Dragston fine sandy loam | 6K | Somewhat poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Goldsboro fine sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 6K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Suffolk loamy sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Bohicket silty clay loam | 5K | Very poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Nansemond loamy fine sand, 6 to 15 percent slopes | 5K | Moderately well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Deloss mucky loam | 4K | 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 78% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include steep slopes, 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. 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
Drainage is generally favorable for gardening. Adding compost and mulch will improve fertility and water retention. Test your soil's pH before planting — most vegetables prefer 6.0-7.0.