Soil survey area

Winchester City, Virginia

Survey Area VA840• Virginia

The short version

The most common soil here is Frederick, on about 16% of the land: a silt loam, smooth, like flour. Poplimento and Oaklet come next.

About 19% of the land drains well; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 4% of it.

USDA rates 11% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 11% 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 8% 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 ground underfoot

The soils you're most likely standing on

The biggest named soils in Winchester City, Virginia, each drawn five feet deep from its official USDA description, in its recorded colors.

Frederick

16% of the area

Silt loam topsoil · well drained

Smooth, like flour. Fertile and holds water well.

Ultisols

Poplimento

15% of the area

Silt loam topsoil · well drained

Smooth, like flour. Fertile and holds water well.

Alfisols

Oaklet

4% of the area

Silt loam topsoil · well drained

Smooth, like flour. Fertile and holds water well.

Alfisols

Massanetta

2% of the area

Silt loam topsoil · moderately well drained

Smooth, like flour. Fertile and holds water well.

Mollisols

Blairton

1% of the area

Silt loam topsoil · moderately well drained

Smooth, like flour. Fertile and holds water well.

Ultisols

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 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 Winchester City, 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
Frederick-Poplimento-Urban land complex, 2 to 7 percent slopes	2K			Not rated	Not rated
Urban land	1K			Not rated	Not rated
Frederick-Poplimento-Urban land complex, 7 to 15 percent slopes	656			Not rated	Not rated
Oaklet-Urban land complex, 2 to 7 percent slopes	486			Not rated	Not rated
Frederick-Poplimento loams, 7 to 15 percent slopes	333	Well drained	B	Somewhat limited	Somewhat limited
Frederick-Poplimento loams, 2 to 7 percent slopes	309	Well drained	B	Somewhat limited	Somewhat limited
Udorthents	200			Not rated	Not rated
Frederick-Poplimento loams, 7 to 15 percent slopes, very rocky	138	Well drained	B	Somewhat limited	Somewhat limited
Massanetta loam	112	Moderately well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Blairton-Urban land complex, 2 to 7 percent slopes	110			Not rated	Not rated
Frederick-Poplimento-Urban land complex, 7 to 15 percent slopes, very rocky	109			Not rated	Not rated
Clearbrook channery silt loam, 2 to 7 percent slopes	68	Somewhat poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Frederick-Poplimento loams, 15 to 25 percent slopes	58	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Pits, quarries, and dumps	55			Not rated	Not rated
Pagebrook silty clay loam	44	Moderately well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Weikert-Berks channery silt loams, 15 to 25 percent slopes	41	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Weikert-Berks channery silt loams, 25 to 65 percent slopes	40	Somewhat excessively drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Chilhowie silty clay loam, 2 to 7 percent slopes	39	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Blairton-Urban land complex, 7 to 15 percent slopes	36			Not rated	Not rated
Weikert-Berks channery silt loams, 3 to 8 percent slopes	30	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.

Alfisols

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

Ultisols

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

Inceptisols

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

Entisols

Young soils with little development — found on floodplains, dunes, and steep slopes. Properties vary widely by setting.

What This Means

Building & Foundations

Most soils are generally favorable for residential construction. Standard foundations are usually viable, though site-specific evaluation is always recommended.

Septic Systems

Most soils are reasonably suitable for conventional septic systems, though site-specific conditions always matter. Get a perc test to confirm.

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.

Look Up a Specific Address