Tucker County and Northern Randolph County, West Virginia

Survey Area WV602• West Virginia

The dominant drainage class is Well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is A (high infiltration, low 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 Tucker County and Northern Randolph 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
Highsplint-Berks association, moist, 35 to 80 percent slopes, extremely stony	53K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Calvin channery silt loam, 35 to 65 percent slopes	17K	Well drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Brinkerton-Nolo complex, 3 to 15 percent slopes, rubbly	12K	Poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Dekalb very cobbly loam, 35 to 70 percent slopes, rubbly	11K	Well drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Leetonia very cobbly loamy sand, 3 to 15 percent slopes, very rubbly	11K	Somewhat excessively drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Brownsville-Berks complex, moist, 25 to 35 percent slopes, very stony	11K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Dekalb very cobbly loam, 35 to 80 percent slopes, very rubbly	10K	Well drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Cateache channery silt loam, 35 to 65 percent slopes, rubbly	10K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Blandburg, very rubbly and Rock outcrop, moist, 3 to 65 percent slopes	8K	Somewhat excessively drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Dekalb very cobbly loam, 3 to 15 percent slopes rubbly	8K	Well drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Brinkerton-Lickdale association, 0 to 15 percent slopes, very rubbly	8K	Poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Dekalb very cobbly loam, 15 to 35 percent slopes, rubbly	8K	Well drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Dekalb channery loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes	7K	Well drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Berks-Brownsville complex, moist, 15 to 25 percent slopes, very stony	7K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Dekalb channery loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes	7K	Well drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Ernest cobbly silt loam, moist, 3 to 15 percent slopes, rubbly	6K	Moderately well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Dekalb channery loam, 35 to 65 percent slopes	6K	Well drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Belmont channery silt loam, 35 to 70 percent slopes, very stony	6K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Ernest cobbly silt loam, moist, 3 to 15 percent slopes, very rubbly	6K	Moderately well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Cateache channery silt loam, 15 to 35 percent slopes, rubbly	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.

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.

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 100% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include steep slopes, poor drainage in some areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.

Septic Systems

About 100% 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.