Clay County, West Virginia
The dominant drainage class is Well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is B (moderate infiltration). 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.
| 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 |
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.