Harrison and Taylor Counties, West Virginia

Survey Area WV610• West Virginia

The dominant drainage class is Well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is C (slow infiltration, moderate runoff). The most common soil order is Alfisols — moderately leached forest soils with a clay-enriched subsoil. 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 Harrison and Taylor Counties, 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
Gilpin-Upshur complex, 35 to 70 percent slopes, severely eroded	43K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Westmoreland silt loam, 35 to 60 percent slopes	30K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Westmoreland silt loam, 25 to 35 percent slopes	26K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Gilpin-Upshur complex, 25 to 35 percent slopes, severely eroded	25K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Gilpin silt loam, 15 to 35 percent slopes, very stony	14K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Westmoreland silt loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes	14K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Clarksburg silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes	12K	Moderately well drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Gilpin-Upshur complex, 15 to 25 percent slopes, severely eroded	11K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Urban land	11K			Not rated	Not rated
Clarksburg silt loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes	10K	Moderately well drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Gilpin channery silt loam, 35 to 65 percent slopes, extremely stony	10K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Westmoreland silt loam, 25 to 35 percent slopes, severely eroded	10K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Udifluvents and Fluvaquents	7K	Poorly drained	B/D	Very limited	Very limited
Guernsey silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes	7K	Moderately well drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Culleoka silt loam, 25 to 35 percent slopes	6K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Ernest silt loam, 15 to 35 percent slopes, very stony	6K	Moderately well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Lindside silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes, occasionally flooded	6K	Moderately well drained	B/D	Very limited	Very limited
Westmoreland silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes	6K	Well drained	B	Somewhat limited	Somewhat limited
Ernest silt loam, 3 to 15 percent slopes, very stony	5K	Moderately well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Gilpin silt loam, 35 to 70 percent slopes	5K	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.

Alfisols

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

Entisols

Young soils with little development — found on floodplains, dunes, and steep slopes. Properties vary widely by setting.

Ultisols

Strongly weathered clay soils of the Southeast. Acidic and naturally low in nutrients. Clay subsoil can slow drainage.

What This Means

Building & Foundations

About 93% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include steep slopes, poor drainage in some areas, flood-prone areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.

Septic Systems

About 93% 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.