Bennington County, Vermont
The dominant drainage class is Well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is B (moderate infiltration). The most common soil order is Inceptisols — young soils with minimal horizon development but more than Entisols. 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 Bennington County, Vermont. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Houghtonville-Rawsonville association, hilly, rocky | 40K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Dutchess channery loam, 25 to 60 percent slopes, very stony | 22K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Mundal-Wilmington association, rolling, very stony | 19K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Macomber-Taconic complex, 25 to 60 percent slopes, rocky | 16K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Peru fine sandy loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, very stony | 11K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Berkshire fine sandy loam, 25 to 50 percent slopes, very stony | 10K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Mundal fine sandy loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, very stony | 10K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Wilmington-Mundal association, undulating, very stony | 9K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rawsonville-Houghtonville-Mundal association, hilly, rocky | 8K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rawsonville-Hogback association, very hilly, very rocky | 7K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Dutchess channery loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes, very stony | 7K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Macomber-Taconic complex, 15 to 25 percent slopes, rocky | 7K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Taconic-Macomber complex, 25 to 60 percent slopes, very rocky | 7K | Somewhat excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rawsonville-Hogback complex, 25 to 60 percent slopes, very rocky | 7K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Houghtonville-Monadnock association, hilly, very stony | 6K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Glebe-Stratton association, very hilly, very rocky | 6K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tunbridge-Berkshire complex, 25 to 50 percent slopes, very stony | 6K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Galway-Farmington complex, 25 to 50 percent slopes, very rocky | 6K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Peru fine sandy loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes, very stony | 6K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rawsonville-Houghtonville complex, 25 to 60 percent slopes, rocky | 5K | Well drained | C | 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 100% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include shallow bedrock, steep slopes, poor drainage in some areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 100% 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.