Logan and Mingo Counties, West Virginia

Survey Area WV620• West Virginia

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.

Inceptisols

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

Entisols

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

Alfisols

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

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 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.