McDowell County, West Virginia
The most common soil here is Pineville, on about 33% of the land: a channery loam, a balanced mix that crumbles in your hand. Berks and Kaymine come next.
About 98% of the land drains well.
USDA rates 98% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 98% 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 94% 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 McDowell 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 McDowell 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pineville-Berks association, 35 to 80 percent slopes, rocky, extremely stony | 275K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Kaymine-Cedarcreek-Matewan complex, 35 to 65 percent slopes, extremely stony | 16K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Gilpin and Lily soils, 15 to 35 percent slopes | 14K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Berks-Rock outcrop complex, extremely steep, extremely stony | 14K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Urban land-Chavies complex | 5K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Kaymine-Rock outcrop complex, very steep, extremely stony | 4K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Pineville-Lily complex, 15 to 35 percent slopes, very stony | 3K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cedarcreek-Rock outcrop complex, very steep, extremely stony | 3K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Yeager fine sandy loam | 2K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Itmann extremely channery sandy loam, very steep | 2K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lily loam, 3 to 15 percent slopes | 930 | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cedarcreek very channery loam, 3 to 15 percent slopes, very stony | 760 | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Udorthents, smoothed | 645 | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Kaymine very channery loam, 3 to 15 percent slopes, very stony | 590 | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Chavies loam | 385 | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water | 355 | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Sewell-Rock outcrop complex, very steep, extremely stony | 330 | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sewell extremely channery sandy loam, 3 to 15 percent slopes, very stony | 260 | Somewhat excessively 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 98% 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 98% 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.