Mercer and Summers Counties Area, West Virginia
The dominant drainage class is Well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is C (slow infiltration, moderate runoff). 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.
| 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 |
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.