Rockingham County, Virginia

Survey Area VA165• Virginia

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 Rockingham 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
Lehew, Dekalb, and Calvin soils, 45 to 65 percent slopes, very stony	57K	Well drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Frederick and Lodi silt loams, 7 to 15 percent slopes, eroded	44K	Well drained	B	Somewhat limited	Somewhat limited
Weikert-Berks complex, 45 to 70 percent slopes, extremely stony, eroded	34K	Somewhat excessively drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Weikert-Berks channery silt loams, 25 to 45 percent slopes, eroded	29K	Somewhat excessively drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Drall sandy loam, 40 to 70 percent slopes, extremely stony	26K	Excessively drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Frederick and Lodi silt loams, 15 to 25 percent slopes, eroded	14K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Lehew, Dekalb, and Calvin soils, 25 to 45 percent slopes, very stony	13K	Well drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Typic Udorthents, nearly level	13K	Well drained	A	Not limited	Very limited
Sylco silt loam, 25 to 60 percent slopes, very stony	13K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Frederick and Lodi silt loams, 2 to 7 percent slopes, eroded	13K	Well drained	B	Somewhat limited	Somewhat limited
Laidig fine sandy loam, 25 to 45 percent slopes, very stony	11K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Laidig fine sandy loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes, very stony	11K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Frederick and Lodi gravelly silt loams, 15 to 25 percent slopes, eroded	10K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Berks-Weikert channery silt loams, 15 to 25 percent slopes, eroded	9K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Rock outcrop-Frederick complex, 15 to 45 percent slopes	9K			Very limited	Very limited
Frederick and Lodi gravelly silt loams, 7 to 15 percent slopes, eroded	9K	Well drained	B	Somewhat limited	Somewhat limited
Weikert-Berks channery silt loams, 25 to 45 percent slopes, extremely stony, eroded	8K	Somewhat excessively drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Frederick-Rock outcrop complex, 3 to 15 percent slopes	7K	Well drained	B	Somewhat limited	Somewhat limited
Myersville silt loam, 25 to 60 percent slopes, very stony	7K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Lehew, Dekalb, and Calvin cobbly soils, 15 to 25 percent slopes	7K	Well 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.

Ultisols

Strongly weathered clay soils of the Southeast. Acidic and naturally low in nutrients. Clay subsoil can slow drainage.

Alfisols

Moderately weathered forest soils with clay-enriched subsoil. Productive for agriculture, generally good for building and septic.

Inceptisols

Young but developing soils found in mountains and river terraces. Variable properties — check drainage and bedrock depth.

What This Means

Building & Foundations

About 75% 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 78% 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.