Page County, Virginia
The most common soil here is Braddock, on about 10% of the land: a loam, a balanced mix that crumbles in your hand. Edneytown and Lodi come next.
About 91% of the land drains well.
USDA rates 86% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 74% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 4% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 45% 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 Page 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 B (moderate infiltration). 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 Page 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sylvatus-Sylco complex, 35 to 55 percent slopes | 10K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Weikert-Berks channery silt loams, 15 to 35 percent slopes | 9K | Somewhat excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Braddock loam, 2 to 7 percent slopes | 8K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Myersville-Catoctin complex 15 to 35 percent slopes, very stony | 8K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Braddock loam, 7 to 15 percent slopes | 7K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Edneytown loam, 15 to 35 percent slopes | 7K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lodi silt loam, 7 to 15 percent slopes | 6K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Edgemont-Dekalb complex, 35 to 55 percent slopes, very stony | 6K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rock outcrop-Drall-Dekalb complex, 15 to 70 percent slopes | 5K | Very limited | Very limited | ||
| Weikert-Berks complex, 35 to 55 percent slopes, | 5K | Somewhat excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sylvatus-Sylco complex, 15 to 35 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Thurmont fine sandy loam, 7 to 15 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Peaks-Edneytown complex, 35 to 55 percent slopes, extremely stony | 4K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Dekalb-Edgemont-Rock outcrop complex, 15 to 70 percent slopes, extremely stony | 4K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Thurmont fine sandy loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes | 4K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Edgemont-Dekalb complex, 15 to 35 percent slopes, very stony | 4K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Fauquier silt loam, 15 to 35 percent slopes, very stony | 4K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Monongahela loam, 2 to 7 percent slopes | 3K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sherando cobbly fine sandy loam, 2 to 7 percent slopes | 3K | Well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Laidig channery loam, 15 to 35 percent slopes, very stony | 3K | Well drained | B | 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 74% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include shallow bedrock, steep slopes. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 86% 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.