Upshur County, West Virginia

Survey Area WV097• 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 Entisols — young soils with little profile development, often on floodplains or steep slopes. 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 Upshur 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-Laidig complex, moist, 15 to 35 percent slopes, extremely stony	28K	Well drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Buchanan and Ernest very stony silt loams, 15 to 25 percent slopes	25K	Moderately well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Highsplint channery silt loam, moist, 35 to 70 percent slopes, extremely stony	18K	Well drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Gilpin channery silt loam, moist, 25 to 35 percent slopes	14K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Buchanan and Ernest very stony silt loams, 3 to 15 percent slopes	10K	Moderately well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Gilpin-Upshur silt loams, 35 to 65 percent slopes	9K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Gilpin silt loam, moist, 8 to 15 percent slopes	9K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Gilpin-Upshur silt loams, 25 to 35 percent slopes	8K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Gilpin channery silt loam, moist, 15 to 35 percent slopes, very stony	8K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Gilpin-Upshur complex, 25 to 35 percent slopes, severely eroded	7K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Gilpin channery silt loam, moist, 15 to 25 percent slopes	7K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Ernest silt loam, moist, 8 to 15 percent slopes	6K	Moderately well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Gilpin-Dekalb complex, stony, 15 to 35 percent slopes	5K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Gilpin channery silt loam, moist, 8 to 15 percent slopes	5K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Lily loam, moist, 8 to 15 percent slopes	5K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Gilpin silt loam, moist, 15 to 25 percent slopes	4K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Gilpin-Dekalb complex, stony, 3 to 15 percent slopes	4K	Well drained	C	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Gilpin-Dekalb complex, 15 to 35 percent slopes	3K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Ernest silt loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes	3K	Moderately well drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Orrville-Holly silt loams	3K	Somewhat poorly drained	B/D	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.

Entisols

Young soils with little development — found on floodplains, dunes, and steep slopes. Properties vary widely by setting.

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.

What This Means

Building & Foundations

About 98% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include steep slopes, poor drainage in some areas, flood-prone 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.