Chittenden County, Vermont
The dominant drainage class is Somewhat excessively drained and the dominant hydrologic group is D (very slow infiltration, high runoff). 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 Chittenden County, Vermont.
| Soil Map Unit | Acres | Drainage | Hydro Group | Dwellings | Septic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water | 53K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Lyman-Marlow complex, 5 to 30 percent slopes, very rocky | 39K | Somewhat excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lyman-Marlow complex, 30 to 60 percent slopes, very rocky | 38K | Somewhat excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Peru fine sandy loam, 0 to 20 percent slopes, very stony | 23K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Adams and Windsor loamy sands, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 16K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Vergennes clay, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 13K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Peru fine sandy loam, 20 to 60 percent slopes, very stony | 13K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cabot silt loam, 3 to 25 percent slopes, very stony | 11K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Covington silty clay | 10K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Farmington extremely rocky loam, 20 to 60 percent slopes | 9K | Somewhat excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Farmington extremely rocky loam, 5 to 20 percent slopes | 9K | Somewhat excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Marlow fine sandy loam, 20 to 60 percent slopes, very stony | 7K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Munson and Raynham silt loams, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 6K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rock land | 6K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Limerick silt loam | 6K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Marlow fine sandy loam, 5 to 20 percent slopes, very stony | 5K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Peru fine sandy loam, 5 to 12 percent slopes | 5K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Area not surveyed, access denied | 5K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Adams and Windsor loamy sands, 30 to 60 percent slopes | 4K | Excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Muck and Peat | 4K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
What This Means
Building & Foundations
About 69% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include shallow bedrock, steep slopes, poor drainage in some areas, flood-prone areas, sandy or gravelly soils with low bearing capacity. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 75% of soils are rated "very limited" for septic absorption fields. The well-drained soils may actually drain too fast for standard leach fields, allowing effluent to reach groundwater. Engineered or alternative systems are frequently required. Always get a professional perc test before purchasing land that needs septic.
Gardening & Agriculture
Soils tend to drain very quickly, meaning nutrients and water don't stick around long. Raised beds with amended soil, drip irrigation, and heavy mulching will give the best results. Compost is your best friend here — it improves water retention dramatically.