Pocahontas County, West Virginia

Survey Area WV075• 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 Inceptisols — young soils with minimal horizon development but more than Entisols. 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 Pocahontas 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
Berks channery silt loam, 35 to 55 percent slopes, very stony	55K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Cateache channery silt loam, 35 to 55 percent slopes, very stony	49K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Weikert channery silt loam, 25 to 55 percent slopes	46K	Somewhat excessively drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Mandy-Wildell complex, 35 to 55 percent slopes, very stony	35K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Mandy channery silt loam, 35 to 55 percent slopes, very stony	29K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Shouns silt loam, 15 to 35 percent slopes, extremely stony	21K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Berks-Dekalb complex, 35 to 55 percent slopes, very stony	19K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Snowdog silt loam, 15 to 35 percent slopes, extremely stony	18K	Moderately well drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Cateache channery silt loam, 15 to 35 percent slopes, very stony	15K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Belmont silt loam, 35 to 55 percent slopes, very rocky	15K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Mandy channery silt loam, 15 to 35 percent slopes, very stony	14K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Shouns silt loam, 3 to 15 percent slopes, extremely stony	12K	Well drained	B	Somewhat limited	Somewhat limited
Calvin channery silt loam, 35 to 55 percent slopes, very stony	12K	Well drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Mandy-Wildell complex, 15 to 35 percent slopes, very stony	11K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Weikert channery silt loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes	11K	Somewhat excessively drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Berks, Weikert, and Calvin soils, 55 to 80 percent slopes, very stony	10K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Belmont silt loam, 15 to 35 percent slopes, very rocky	10K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Cateache channery silt loam, 3 to 15 percent slopes, very stony	9K	Well drained	C	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Berks channery silt loam, 15 to 35 percent slopes, very stony	9K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Calvin-Dekalb-Berks complex, 35 to 55 percent slopes, very stony	9K	Well 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.

Inceptisols

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

Alfisols

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

Ultisols

Strongly weathered clay soils of the Southeast. Acidic and naturally low in nutrients. Clay subsoil can slow drainage.

Spodosols

Acidic forest soils with a leached layer. Common under conifers. Often have drainage issues from a compacted subsoil layer.

What This Means

Building & Foundations

About 94% 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 96% 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.