Boone County, West Virginia
The dominant drainage class is Well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is A (high infiltration, low 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 Boone County, West Virginia.
| Soil Map Unit | Acres | Drainage | Hydro Group | Dwellings | Septic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Matewan-Pineville-Guyandotte association, very steep, extremely stony | 213K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Berks-Shelocta association, very steep, extremely stony | 36K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Kaymine-Cedarcreek-Matewan complex, 35 to 65 percent slopes, extremely stony | 20K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lily-Dekalb complex, 15 to 35 percent slopes | 10K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Gilpin-Wharton silt loams, 15 to 35 percent slopes | 6K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cedarcreek-Rock outcrop complex, very steep, extremely stony | 6K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Pineville-Lily complex, 15 to 35 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sensabaugh-Lobdell loams, 2 to 8 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Kaymine-Rock outcrop complex, very steep, extremely stony | 3K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Kanawha-Urban land complex | 3K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Chagrin fine sandy loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 3K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Udorthents, smoothed | 2K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Potomac sandy loam | 2K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sewell very channery sandy loam, very steep, extremely stony | 1K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Fiveblock very channery sandy loam, very steep, extremely stony | 1K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Itmann extremely channery sandy loam, very steep | 1K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Kaymine very channery loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes, very stony | 1K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Kanawha loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes, rarely flooded | 880 | Well drained | B | Very limited | Somewhat limited |
| Cedarcreek very channery loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes, very stony | 820 | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Allegheny loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 575 | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
What This Means
Building & Foundations
About 99% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include steep slopes, flood-prone 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.