Madison County, Virginia
The most common soil here is Elioak, on about 8% of the land: a silt loam, smooth, like flour. Brandywine and Meadowville come next.
About 76% of the land drains well, and 5% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 7% of it.
USDA rates 64% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 41% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 7% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 15% 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 Madison 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 A (high infiltration, low runoff). 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 Madison 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Meadowville loam, 2 to 7 percent slopes | 15K | Well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Porters very stony loam, 25 to 50 percent slopes | 12K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rock land, Porters and Hazel materials, steep | 11K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Brandywine stony loam, very deep, 25 to 50 percent slopes | 9K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Colluvial land, extremely stony | 8K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Chewacla silt loam | 7K | Somewhat poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hazel loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes | 7K | Excessively drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Elioak fine sandy loam, 7 to 15 percent slopes, eroded | 6K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Rock land, acidic | 5K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Eubanks-Lloyd loams, 7 to 15 percent slopes, eroded | 5K | Well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Elioak loam, 7 to 15 percent slopes, eroded | 4K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Tusquitee stony loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes | 4K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hazel loam, 25 to 55 percent slopes | 3K | Excessively drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rock land, Myersville and Catoctin materials, steep | 3K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Cecil fine sandy loam, 7 to 15 percent slopes, eroded | 3K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Rock land, Myersville and Catoctin materials, moderately steep | 3K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Elioak fine sandy loam, 2 to 7 percent slopes | 3K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Starr silt loam, 2 to 10 percent slopes | 3K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Brandywine stony loam, very deep, 7 to 25 percent slopes | 3K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Brandywine loam, very deep, 15 to 25 percent slopes | 3K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | 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 41% of soils have significant building limitations, while the rest are generally suitable. Check specific sites carefully — conditions vary across the area.
Septic Systems
About 64% 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.