City of Virginia Beach, Virginia

Survey Area VA810• 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 City of Virginia Beach, 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
Water	38K			Not rated	Not rated
Acredale silt loam	36K	Poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Tomotley loam	14K	Poorly drained	B/D	Very limited	Very limited
Nimmo loam	10K	Poorly drained	B/D	Very limited	Very limited
Backbay mucky peat	10K	Very poorly drained	B/D	Very limited	Very limited
Dorovan mucky peat	9K	Very poorly drained	B/D	Very limited	Very limited
Acredale-Urban land complex	6K	Poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Tetotum loam	6K	Moderately well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
State loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes	6K	Well drained	B	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Dragston fine sandy loam	4K	Somewhat poorly drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
Nawney silt loam	4K	Very poorly drained	B/D	Very limited	Very limited
Munden fine sandy loam	4K	Moderately well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Udorthents, loamy	4K			Not rated	Not rated
Urban land	4K			Not limited	Not limited
Udorthents-Urban land complex	4K			Not rated	Not rated
Pocaty peat	4K	Very poorly drained	B/D	Very limited	Very limited
Augusta loam	3K	Somewhat poorly drained	B/D	Very limited	Very limited
Bojac fine sandy loam	3K	Well drained	A	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Rumford fine sandy loam, 6 to 35 percent slopes	3K	Well drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Tomotley-Urban land complex	2K	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.

Entisols

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

Alfisols

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

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 66% 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 71% 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.