Barbour County, West Virginia

Survey Area WV001• West Virginia

The dominant drainage class is Well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is C (slow infiltration, moderate runoff). The most common soil order is Entisols — young soils with little profile development, often on floodplains or steep slopes. 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 Barbour County, West 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
Gilpin-Dekalb complex, 15 to 35 percent slopes, very stony	32K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Gilpin channery silt loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes	23K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Gilpin channery silt loam, 25 to 35 percent slopes	19K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Ernest silt loam, 3 to 20 percent slopes, extremely stony	16K	Moderately well drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Gilpin channery silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes	15K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Dekalb channery loam, 15 to 35 percent slopes, very stony	9K	Well drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Dekalb channery loam, 35 to 65 percent slopes, very stony	7K	Well drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Gilpin channery silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes	6K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Gilpin-Upshur complex, 35 to 70 percent slopes	5K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Gilpin-Dekalb complex, 8 to 15 percent percent slopes, very stony	5K	Well drained	C	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Atkins silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes, frequently flooded	5K	Poorly drained	B/D	Very limited	Very limited
Westmoreland silt loam, 25 to 35 percent slopes	5K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Gilpin-Dekalb complex, 35 to 65 percent slopes, very stony	4K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Janelew silt loam, 8 to 25 percent slopes, reclaimed	4K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Ernest silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes	3K	Moderately well drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Westmoreland silt loam, 35 to 60 percent slopes	3K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Gilpin channery silt loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes, severely eroded	3K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Westmoreland silt loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes	3K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Gilpin-Upshur complex, 25 to 35 percent slopes	3K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Gilpin channery silt loam, 35 to 65 percent slopes	3K	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.

Entisols

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

Ultisols

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

Alfisols

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

Inceptisols

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

What This Means

Building & Foundations

About 97% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include steep slopes, poor drainage in some areas, flood-prone 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.