Clarke County, Virginia
The most common soil here is Poplimento, on about 14% of the land: a silt loam, smooth, like flour. Timberville and Webbtown come next.
About 78% of the land drains well; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 2% of it.
USDA rates 85% 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: 17% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 49% 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 Clarke County, 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 C (slow infiltration, moderate runoff). The most common soil order is Alfisols — moderately leached forest soils with a clay-enriched subsoil. 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 Clarke County, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Timberville silt loam, 0 to 7 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 11K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rock outcrop-Opequon complex, 3 to 45 percent slopes | 6K | Very limited | Very limited | ||
| Hagerstown-Opequon-Rock outcrop complex, 3 to 15 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Poplimento silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Pagebrook silty clay loam, 0 to 7 percent slopes | 5K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Poplimento-Webbtown complex, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 4K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Poplimento-Rock outcrop complex, 3 to 15 percent slopes | 4K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Poplimento silt loam, rocky, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 3K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Carbo-Opequon-Rock outcrop complex, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 3K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Oaklet-Carbo complex, rocky, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 3K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Catoctin-Myersville very stony silt loams, 15 to 45 percent slopes | 3K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Nicholson-Duffield silt loams, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 3K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Poplimento-Webbtown complex, rocky, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 3K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Laidig very stony loam, 8 to 25 percent slopes | 2K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Poplimento-Webbtown complex, rocky, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 2K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Dekalb channery sandy loam, 30 to 50 percent slopes | 2K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Udorthents, extremely stony, 0 to 45 percent slopes | 2K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Cataska-Cardiff slaty loams, 15 to 45 percent slopes | 2K | Excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Swimley-Hagerstown silt loams, rocky, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 2K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Myersville-Catoctin very stony silt loams, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 2K | 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 78% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include shallow bedrock, steep slopes, flood-prone areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 85% 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
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.