Nicholas County 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 Nicholas County Area, West Virginia.
| Soil Map Unit | Acres | Drainage | Hydro Group | Dwellings | Septic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gilpin-Pineville-Guyandotte association, very steep, extremely stony | 71K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Buchanan gravelly sandy loam, moist, 15 to 35 percent slopes, extremely stony | 60K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Clifftop channery silt loam, 35 to 70 percent slopes, very stony | 29K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Clifftop-Buchanan complex, 35 to 70 percent slopes, extremely stony | 26K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Clifftop channery silt loam, 15 to 35 percent slopes, very stony | 26K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Highsplint channery silt loam, moist, 35 to 70 percent slopes, extremely stony | 19K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Clifftop channery silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 18K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Clifftop channery silt loam, 25 to 35 percent slopes | 15K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Dekalb channery sandy loam, 35 to 70 percent slopes, extremely stony | 13K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lily loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes | 13K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Dekalb channery sandy loam, 15 to 35 percent slopes, extremely stony | 11K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Clifftop channery silt loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes | 11K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lily loam, moist, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 8K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Clifftop channery silt loam, 3 to 15 percent slopes, very stony | 8K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Kaymine channery loam, very steep, extremely stony | 6K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Buchanan gravelly sandy loam, moist, 8 to 15 percent slopes, extremely stony | 6K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Gilpin silt loam, 35 to 70 percent slopes, very stony | 5K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Buchanan loam, moist, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 5K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cedarcreek channery loam, very steep, extremely stony | 5K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water | 4K | Not rated | Not rated |
What This Means
Building & Foundations
About 91% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include steep slopes. 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.