Gilmer County, West Virginia
The dominant drainage class is Well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is C (slow infiltration, moderate runoff). 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 Gilmer County, West Virginia.
| Soil Map Unit | Acres | Drainage | Hydro Group | Dwellings | Septic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gilpin-Peabody complex, 35 to 70 percent slopes, severely eroded, very stony | 125K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Gilpin-Upshur silt loams, 25 to 35 percent slopes, severely eroded | 32K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Vandalia silt loam, 15 to 35 percent slopes, very stony | 15K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Gilpin-Upshur silt loams, 15 to 25 percent slopes, severely eroded | 15K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sensabaugh loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 10K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Gilpin-Pineville complex, 35 to 70 percent slopes, very stony | 7K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Chagrin loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 5K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Vandalia silt loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes | 3K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Gilpin-Upshur complex, 8 to 15 percent slopes, severely eroded | 1K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Fairpoint channery clay loam, steep, very stony | 1K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Kanawha loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes, rarely flooded | 1K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Somewhat limited |
| Hackers silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes, rarely flooded | 1K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Somewhat limited |
| Pineville loam, 25 to 35 percent slopes, very stony | 643 | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Monongahela silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 407 | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water | 391 | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Udorthents, smoothed | 311 | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Monongahela silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 303 | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Janelew channery silt loam, steep | 177 | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Itmann channery clay loam, steep | 111 | Somewhat excessively drained | A | 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 98% 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.