Mercer and Summers Counties Area, West Virginia

Survey Area WV713• West Virginia

The dominant drainage class is Well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is C (slow infiltration, moderate runoff). The most common soil order is Ultisols — strongly weathered soils with clay-enriched subsoils, common in warm humid climates. 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 Mercer and Summers Counties Area, 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
Cateache-Berks channery silt loams, 30 to 70 percent slopes	68K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Cateache-Berks channery silt loams, 30 to 70 percent slopes, very stony	53K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Gilpin-Berks channery silt loams, warm, 35 to 70 percent slopes	50K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Clymer-Gilpin complex, 30 to 70 percent slopes	24K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Dekalb-Gilpin-Jefferson complex, 35 to 80 percent slopes, very stony	21K	Well drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Cateache-Berks channery silt loams, 15 to 30 percent slopes	20K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Gilpin-Berks channery silt loams, warm, 15 to 25 percent slopes	20K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Lily loam, warm, 8 to 15 percent slopes	16K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Lily loam, warm, 15 to 25 percent slopes	9K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Shouns silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes	8K	Well drained	B	Somewhat limited	Somewhat limited
Kaymine-Rock outcrop complex, very steep, extremely stony	8K	Well drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Dekalb-Gilpin-Jefferson complex, 15 to 35 percent slopes, very stony	8K	Well drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Cateache-Berks channery silt loams, 35 to 70 percent slopes, severely eroded	8K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Cateache-Berks channery silt loams, 15 to 35 percent slopes, severely eroded	8K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Gilpin silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes	7K	Well drained	C	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Ernest and Buchanan soils, 3 to 15 percent slopes, very stony	7K	Moderately well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Tilsit silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes	6K	Moderately well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Ernest silt loam, warm, 8 to 15 percent slopes	6K	Moderately well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Berks-Weikert channery silt loams, 35 to 70 percent slopes	6K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Gilpin-Berks channery silt loams, warm, 8 to 15 percent slopes	6K	Well drained	C	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.

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.

Entisols

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

What This Means

Building & Foundations

About 95% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include shallow bedrock, steep slopes. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.

Septic Systems

About 97% 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.