Bluestone National Scenic River, West Virginia
The most common soil here is Cateache, on about 30% of the land: a channery silt loam, smooth, like flour. Pipestem and Gilpin come next.
About 95% of the land drains well.
USDA rates 94% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 93% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 8% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 74% 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 Bluestone National Scenic River, West Virginia, 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 Well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is C (slow infiltration, moderate runoff). 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 Bluestone National Scenic River, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cateache-Pipestem complex, 35 to 90 percent slopes, extremely stony | 2K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Gilpin-Highsplint-Berks complex, 35 to 90 percent slopes, extremely stony | 866 | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Pipestem channery silty clay loam, 15 to 35 percent slopes, extremely stony | 453 | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Combs fine sandy loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 212 | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water | 160 | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Cateache channery silt loam, 25 to 35 percent slopes, very stony | 132 | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Potomac-Nelse complex, 0 to 5 percent slopes, extremely stony, frequently flooded | 113 | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Gilpin-Berks complex, 25 to 35 percent slopes, very stony | 102 | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Pipestem channery silty clay loam, 3 to 15 percent slopes, very stony | 90 | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Gilpin loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes | 53 | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Highsplint channery loam, 15 to 35 percent slopes, very stony | 48 | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Gilpin loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 33 | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Holly-Lobdell complex, 0 to 3 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 24 | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Chavies fine sandy loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes, rarely flooded | 18 | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Monongahela silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 16 | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cateache channery silt loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes, very stony | 15 | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Craigsville very gravelly sandy loam, 0 to 5 percent slopes, extremely stony, rarely flooded | 9 | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cateache channery silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 6 | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Lily loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 2 | Well drained | B | 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 93% 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 94% 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.