Washington County, Vermont
The dominant drainage class is Well 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 Washington County, Vermont.
| Soil Map Unit | Acres | Drainage | Hydro Group | Dwellings | Septic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tunbridge-Lyman complex, 15 to 35 percent slopes, very rocky | 68K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hogback-Rawsonville complex, 15 to 35 percent slopes, very rocky | 26K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Glover-Vershire complex, 15 to 35 percent slopes, very rocky | 20K | Somewhat excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Peru fine sandy loam, 15 to 35 percent slopes, very stony | 19K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tunbridge-Lyman complex, 35 to 60 percent slopes, very rocky | 17K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Vershire-Dummerston complex, 8 to 15 percent slopes, rocky | 15K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tunbridge-Lyman complex, 8 to 15 percent slopes, very rocky | 14K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Vershire-Dummerston complex, 15 to 25 percent slopes, rocky | 13K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Colonel fine sandy loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, very stony | 12K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cabot silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, very stony | 11K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hogback-Rawsonville complex, 35 to 60 percent slopes, very rocky | 11K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cabot silt loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes, very stony | 11K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Berkshire fine sandy loam, 15 to 35 percent slopes, very stony | 9K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cabot silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 8K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Glover-Vershire complex, 35 to 60 percent slopes, very rocky | 7K | Somewhat excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Colonel fine sandy loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 7K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Glover-Vershire complex, 8 to 15 percent slopes, very rocky | 7K | Somewhat excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water | 6K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Buckland loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 5K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ricker-Londonderry-Stratton complex, 35 to 60 percent slopes, very rocky | 5K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
What This Means
Building & Foundations
About 98% 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 98% 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.