Clay County, West Virginia

Survey Area WV015• West Virginia

The dominant drainage class is Well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is B (moderate infiltration). The most common soil order is Ultisols — strongly weathered soils with clay-enriched subsoils, common in warm humid climates. 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 Clay 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
Pineville-Gilpin-Laidig association, very steep, extremely stony	117K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Gilpin-Upshur complex, 35 to 70 percent slopes, very stony	28K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Laidig channery loam, 15 to 35 percent slopes, extremely stony	14K	Well drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Gilpin and Lily soils, 15 to 25 percent slopes	13K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Gilpin-Upshur silt loams, 25 to 35 percent slopes	10K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Gilpin and Lily soils, 25 to 35 percent slopes	9K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Gilpin-Upshur silt loams, 15 to 25 percent slopes	8K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Pope-Craigsville complex	5K	Well drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Gilpin silt loam, 35 to 70 percent slopes, very stony	4K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Vandalia silt loam, 25 to 35 percent slopes	3K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Sensabaugh silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes, occasionally flooded	2K	Well drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Pope sandy loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes, occasionally flooded	2K	Well drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Fairpoint channery loam, very steep, very stony	2K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Chavies fine sandy loam	2K	Well drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Water	1K			Not rated	Not rated
Udorthents, smoothed	790			Not rated	Not rated
Itmann channery clay loam, very steep	696	Somewhat excessively drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Gilpin and Lily soils, 8 to 15 percent slopes	659	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Cedarcreek very channery loam, very steep, very stony	494	Well drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Vandalia silt loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes	401	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.

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.

Entisols

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

Inceptisols

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

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 99% 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.