Kanawha County, West Virginia
The most common soil here is Gilpin, on about 21% of the land: a channery silt loam, smooth, like flour. Clymer and Dekalb come next.
About 91% of the land drains well.
USDA rates 92% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 92% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 4% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 78% 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 Kanawha County, 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 Entisols — young soils with little profile development, often on floodplains or steep slopes. 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 Kanawha 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clymer-Dekalb complex, very steep | 212K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Gilpin-Upshur silt loams, very steep | 65K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Gilpin-Upshur complex,20 to 30 percent slopes, severely eroded | 36K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Gilpin-Upshur complex, steep, severely eroded | 33K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Clymer-Dekalb complex, steep | 24K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Gilpin-Upshur silt loams, steep | 20K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Gilpin silt loam, 30 to 40 percent slopes | 19K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Gilpin silt loam, 20 to 30 percent slopes | 16K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Gilpin-Upshur silt loams, 20 to 30 percent slopes | 16K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cedarcreek-Kaymine very channery loams, 0 to 75 percent slopes, very stony, unreclaimed, highwall | 12K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Udorthents, smoothed-Urban land complex | 10K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Udifluvents, gravelly | 9K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Cedarcreek and Fiveblock soils, 25 to 75 percent slopes, very stony, reclaimed | 6K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Clymer-Dekalb complex, moderately steep | 6K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sensabaugh silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 6K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water | 6K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Vandalia silty clay loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes, severely eroded | 6K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cedarcreek and Fiveblock soils, 8 to 25 percent slopes, very stony, reclaimed | 4K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Udifluvents, loamy | 4K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Urban land | 4K | Not rated | Not rated |
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 92% 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 92% 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.