Isle of Wight County, Virginia
The most common soil here is Slagle, on about 21% of the land: a fine sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Myatt and Nawney come next.
About 15% of the land drains well, and 36% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 36% of it.
USDA rates 85% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 73% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 15% 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 Isle of Wight 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 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 Isle of Wight 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Slagle fine sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 35K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water | 33K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Myatt fine sandy loam | 31K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Slagle fine sandy loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 19K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Nawney loam | 17K | Very poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Yemassee fine sandy loam | 15K | Somewhat poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Kinston loam | 12K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Uchee loamy sand, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 10K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Nevarc and Remlik soils, 15 to 35 percent slopes | 8K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Uchee loamy sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 6K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Emporia fine sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 6K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Peawick silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 5K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bohicket silty clay loam | 4K | Very poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Uchee-Peawick complex, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 4K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Peawick-Slagle complex, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 3K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Emporia fine sandy loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 3K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Chickahominy silt loam | 3K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Chipley sand | 2K | Moderately well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Peawick silt loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 2K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Kenansville loamy sand | 2K | Well drained | A | Not 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 73% 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 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
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.