Pocahontas County, 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 Pocahontas County, West Virginia.
| 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 |
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.