Logan and Mingo Counties, West Virginia
The most common soil here is Matewan, on about 29% of the land: a very channery sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Highsplint and Guyandotte come next.
About 96% of the land drains well.
USDA rates 96% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 96% 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 87% 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 Logan and Mingo Counties, 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 A (high infiltration, low runoff). The most common soil order is Inceptisols — young soils with minimal horizon development but more than Entisols. 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 Logan and Mingo 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Matewan-Highsplint-Guyandotte association, very steep, extremely stony | 391K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Matewan-Pineville-Guyandotte association, very steep, extremely stony | 61K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Pineville-Berks association, 35 to 80 percent slopes, rocky, extremely stony | 18K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Fiveblock and Kaymine soils, 35 to 80 percent slopes, extremely stony | 17K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Highsplint channery loam, 15 to 35 percent slopes, very stony | 15K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Udorthents-Urban land complex, 0 to 8 percent slopes | 11K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Highsplint-Matewan-Cloverlick association, very steep, extremely stony | 8K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Craigsville very gravelly sandy loam | 6K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Udorthents, smoothed | 6K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Sensabaugh-Lobdell loams, 2 to 8 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Berks-Rock outcrop complex, extremely steep, extremely stony | 4K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Fiveblock and Kaymine soils, 0 to 15 percent slopes, extremely stony | 4K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Grigsby loam, occasionally flooded | 3K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water | 3K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Lily-Matewan complex, 15 to 35 percent slopes, very stony | 2K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Berks-Shelocta association, very steep, extremely stony | 2K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Highsplint-Urban land complex, 15 to 35 percent slopes, very stony | 2K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Urban land-Kanawha complex, 0 to 8 percent slopes | 665 | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Urban land-Chavies complex | 595 | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Yeager fine sandy loam | 470 | Well drained | A | 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 96% 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 96% 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.