Tucker County and Northern Randolph County, West Virginia
The most common soil here is Dekalb, on about 19% of the land: a very cobbly sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Highsplint and Calvin come next.
About 77% of the land drains well, and 13% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 22% of it.
USDA rates 98% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 94% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 4% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 60% of it.
Soils change over short distances, so look up an address below for the soil at that exact spot and the reasons behind each rating.
The soils you're most likely standing on
The biggest named soils in Tucker County and Northern Randolph County, West Virginia, each drawn five feet deep from its official USDA description, in its recorded colors.
Dots mark gravel; white flecks mark lime. Shares are by acres across the survey area, and each mapped patch usually mixes several of these soils.
The biggest mapped areas
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.
What This Means
Building & Foundations
About 94% 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 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.