Wayne County, West Virginia

Survey Area WV099• 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 Alfisols — moderately leached forest soils with a clay-enriched subsoil. 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. 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
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

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.

Alfisols

Moderately weathered forest soils with clay-enriched subsoil. Productive for agriculture, generally good for building and septic.

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.

Entisols

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

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.