Frederick County, Virginia
The most common soil here is Weikert, on about 19% of the land: a channery silt loam, smooth, like flour. Berks and Frederick come next.
About 87% of the land drains well, and 5% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 8% of it.
USDA rates 87% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 86% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 3% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 63% 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 Frederick 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 D (very slow infiltration, high 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 Frederick 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weikert-Berks channery silt loams, 25 to 65 percent slopes | 44K | Somewhat excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Weikert-Berks channery silt loams, 15 to 25 percent slopes | 25K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Weikert-Berks channery silt loams, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 17K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Frederick-Poplimento loams, 7 to 15 percent slopes | 13K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Berks channery silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 9K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Frederick-Poplimento loams, 2 to 7 percent slopes | 9K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Oaklet silt loam, 2 to 7 percent slopes | 9K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Blairton silt loam, 2 to 7 percent slopes | 8K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Gainesboro-Lehew complex, 25 to 65 percent slopes | 8K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Gainesboro-Lehew complex, 7 to 15 percent slopes | 7K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Berks channery silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 7K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Clearbrook channery silt loam, 2 to 7 percent slopes | 7K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Gainesboro-Lehew complex, 15 to 25 percent slopes | 6K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hazleton very stony sandy loam, 25 to 65 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Laidig very stony fine sandy loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Frederick-Poplimento-Rock outcrop complex, 15 to 45 percent slopes | 4K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hazleton channery sandy loam, 25 to 65 percent slopes, rubbly | 4K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Frederick-Poplimento loams, 15 to 25 percent slopes | 4K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Carbo-Oaklet, very rocky silt loams, 2 to 15 percent slopes | 4K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Weikert-Berks very stony silt loams, 25 to 65 percent slopes | 4K | Well drained | 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 86% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include shallow bedrock, steep slopes, poor drainage in some areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 87% 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.