Brooke, Hancock, and Ohio Counties, West Virginia
The most common soil here is Westmoreland, on about 37% of the land: a silt loam, smooth, like flour. Berks and Gilpin come next.
About 74% of the land drains well; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 9% of it.
USDA rates 68% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 59% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 3% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 24% 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 Brooke, Hancock, and Ohio Counties, 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 B (moderate infiltration). The most common soil order is Alfisols — moderately leached forest soils with a clay-enriched subsoil. 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 Brooke, Hancock, and Ohio Counties, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Westmoreland silt loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes | 24K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Westmoreland silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 23K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Westmoreland silt loam, 35 to 60 percent slopes | 23K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Westmoreland silt loam, 25 to 35 percent slopes | 14K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Berks soils, 35 to 65 percent slopes | 13K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Urban land-Udorthents complex | 12K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Strip mines | 10K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Gilpin silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 10K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Water | 8K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Berks channery silt loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Gilpin silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 4K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Gilpin silt loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes | 3K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Berks channery silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 3K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ernest silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 2K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lindside silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 2K | Moderately well drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cut and fill land | 2K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Huntington silt loam | 2K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Berks channery silt loam, 25 to 35 percent slopes, severely eroded | 2K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Westmoreland silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 2K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Made land | 2K | Well drained | Not rated | Not rated |
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 59% 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 68% 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.