Essex County, Vermont
The most common soil here is Cabot, on about 20% of the land: a silt loam, smooth, like flour. Colonel and Peru come next.
About 26% of the land drains well, and 49% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 83% of it.
USDA rates 99% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 97% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 2% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 38% 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 Essex County, Vermont, 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 Poorly drained and the dominant hydrologic group is D (very slow infiltration, high runoff). The most common soil order is Spodosols — acidic forest soils with a distinctive leached layer, common under conifers. 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 Essex 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cabot-Colonel complex, 8 to 15 percent slopes, very stony | 73K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cabot silt loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes, very stony | 53K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Peru-Colonel complex, 15 to 35 percent slopes, very stony | 42K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tunbridge-Peru-Colonel complex, 15 to 35 percent slopes, very stony | 42K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tunbridge-Colonel-Cabot complex, 8 to 15 percent slopes, very stony | 38K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tunbridge-Lyman complex, 15 to 35 percent slopes, very rocky | 31K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tunbridge-Peru-Wilmington complex, 0 to 8 percent slopes, very stony | 26K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Wilmington-Colonel complex, 0 to 8 percent slopes, very stony | 20K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Wonsqueak, Pondicherry, and Bucksport mucks, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 14K | Very poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tunbridge-Lyman complex, 8 to 15 percent slopes, very rocky | 14K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Monadnock-Sunapee-Colonel complex, 8 to 15 percent slopes, very stony | 11K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sunapee-Moosilauke complex, 0 to 8 percent slopes, very stony | 10K | Moderately well drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tunbridge-Lyman complex, 35 to 60 percent slopes, very rocky | 8K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Monadnock-Sunapee complex, 15 to 35 percent slopes, very stony | 6K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water | 5K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Charles silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 4K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tunbridge-Peru complex, 35 to 60 percent slopes, very stony | 3K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Moosilauke very fine sandy loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes, very stony | 3K | Poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Kinsman sand, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 3K | Poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Croghan loamy fine sand, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 2K | Moderately 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.
What This Means
Building & Foundations
About 97% 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. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 99% of soils are rated "very limited" for septic absorption fields. Poorly drained soils can't absorb septic effluent effectively. Engineered or alternative systems are frequently required. Always get a professional perc test before purchasing land that needs septic.
Gardening & Agriculture
Many soils hold water for extended periods. Raised beds are highly recommended to improve drainage for vegetables. Well-adapted native plants and water-loving species will do best in natural conditions.