Clay County, West Virginia
The most common soil here is Gilpin, on about 30% of the land: a channery silt loam, smooth, like flour. Pineville and Laidig come next.
About 99% of the land drains well.
USDA rates 99% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 99% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 4% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 85% 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 Clay County, 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 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.
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.