Wayne County, West Virginia
The dominant drainage class is Well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is A (high infiltration, low 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 Wayne County, West Virginia.
| Soil Map Unit | Acres | Drainage | Hydro Group | Dwellings | Septic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dekalb-Gilpin complex, 35 to 65 percent slopes, very stony | 86K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Matewan-Pineville-Guyandotte association, very steep, extremely stony | 43K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Dormont-Latham complex, 25 to 35 percent slopes | 30K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Gilpin-Upshur silt loams, 35 to 70 percent slopes | 24K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Dekalb-Latham complex, 25 to 35 percent slopes | 19K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Gilpin-Upshur silt loams, 15 to 25 percent slopes | 18K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Latham-Gilpin complex, 15 to 25 percent slopes | 17K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Gilpin-Upshur silt loams, 25 to 35 percent slopes | 14K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Beech loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes | 11K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Pineville and Buchanan channery loams, 15 to 35 percent slopes, extremely stony | 9K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Dormont-Latham complex, 15 to 25 percent slopes | 8K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Beech loam, 25 to 35 percent slopes | 6K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lobdell loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 6K | Moderately well drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Grigsby loam, occasionally flooded | 5K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water | 5K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Udorthents, smoothed | 4K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Chagrin silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 3K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Latham-Gilpin complex, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 2K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Fiveblock channery sandy loam, very steep, very stony | 2K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cotaco loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 1K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
What This Means
Building & Foundations
About 97% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include steep slopes, flood-prone areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 97% 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.