Greenbrier County, West Virginia

Survey Area WV025• 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 Greenbrier 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
Weikert channery silt loam, 25 to 55 percent slopes	42K	Somewhat excessively drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Macove-Gilpin complex, 35 to 55 percent slopes, very stony	41K	Well drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Culleoka loam, 35 to 55 percent slopes, very stony	35K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Cateache silt loam, 35 to 55 percent slopes, very stony	34K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Berks-Dekalb complex, 35 to 55 percent slopes, very stony	28K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Berks channery loam, 35 to 55 percent slopes, very stony	27K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Mandy channery silt loam, 35 to 55 percent slopes, very stony	26K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Frederick-Caneyville complex, karst, 15 to 35 percent slopes, very rocky	25K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Macove channery silt loam, 15 to 35 percent slopes, very stony	20K	Well drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Snowdog silt loam, 15 to 35 percent slopes, extremely stony	16K	Moderately well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Caneyville-Frederick-Rock outcrop complex, karst, 35 to 60 percent slopes	15K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Macove channery silt loam, 3 to 15 percent slopes, very stony	14K	Well drained	A	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Berks-Dekalb complex, 15 to 35 percent slopes, very stony	14K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Lily sandy loam, warm, 8 to 15 percent slopes	13K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Mandy channery silt loam, 15 to 35 percent slopes, very stony	13K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Lily sandy loam, warm, 3 to 8 percent slopes	11K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Melvin-Lindside complex	11K	Poorly drained	B/D	Very limited	Very limited
Frederick-Caneyville complex, karst, 3 to 15 percent slopes, very rocky	10K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Somewhat limited
Berks, Weikert, and Calvin soils, 55 to 80 percent slopes, very stony	10K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Mandy channery silt loam, 3 to 15 percent slopes, very stony	10K	Well drained	C	Somewhat 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.

Inceptisols

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

Alfisols

Moderately weathered forest soils with clay-enriched subsoil. Productive for agriculture, generally good for building and septic.

Spodosols

Acidic forest soils with a leached layer. Common under conifers. Often have drainage issues from a compacted subsoil layer.

What This Means

Building & Foundations

About 94% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include shallow bedrock, steep slopes, poor drainage in some areas, flood-prone areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.

Septic Systems

About 97% 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.