Gauley River National Recreation Area, West Virginia
The most common soil here is Layland, on about 26% of the land: a very gravelly loam, a balanced mix that crumbles in your hand. Clifftop and Highsplint come next.
About 93% of the land drains well.
USDA rates 90% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 86% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: bedrock lies within 40 inches under 45% 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 Gauley River National Recreation Area, 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 Gauley River National Recreation Area, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Layland-Rock outcrop complex, 35 to 70 percent slopes, very rubbly | 3K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Berks-Highsplint-Sharondale complex, 35 to 80 percent slopes, very stony | 2K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Laidig-Clifftop complex, 15 to 35 percent slopes, very stony | 658 | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Layland-Laidig complex, 15 to 35 percent slopes, very rubbly | 613 | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Layland-Clifftop complex, 35 to 70 percent slopes, very stony | 609 | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Clifftop channery silt loam, 25 to 35 percent slopes | 557 | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Highsplint channery loam, 15 to 35 percent slopes, very stony | 503 | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water | 480 | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Layland-Laidig complex, 15 to 35 percent slopes, rubbly | 306 | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Udorthents, railroad grade | 275 | Excessively drained | Not rated | Not rated | |
| Clifftop channery silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 265 | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Water-Rubble land complex | 249 | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Clifftop channery silt loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes | 242 | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lithic Udorthents, leveled land, 0 to 15 percent slopes | 192 | Somewhat excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Laidig channery loam, 3 to 15 percent slopes, rubbly | 159 | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Dekalb-Rock outcrop complex, 15 to 35 percent slopes, extremely stony | 149 | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Nallen loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes | 134 | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Nallen loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 104 | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Pope-Craigsville complex, 0 to 3 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 85 | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Udorthents, graded, 15 to 55 percent slopes | 46 | Well drained | D | 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 86% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include shallow bedrock, steep slopes, flood-prone areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 90% 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.