McDowell County, West Virginia

Survey Area WV047• West Virginia

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.

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.

Alfisols

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

Inceptisols

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

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.