Webster County, West Virginia

Survey Area WV101• West Virginia

The dominant drainage class is Well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is B (moderate infiltration). 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 Webster 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
Pineville-Gilpin-Guyandotte association, very steep, extremely stony	85K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Highsplint channery silt loam, moist, 35 to 70 percent slopes, extremely stony	62K	Well drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Clifftop-Laidig association, very steep, extremely stony	52K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Laidig channery silt loam, moist, 15 to 35 percent slopes, extremely stony	16K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Shouns-Cateache complex, 35 to 70 percent slopes, extremely stony	12K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Mandy channery silt loam, 35 to 55 percent slopes, extremely stony	9K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Clifftop channery silt loam, 3 to 15 percent slopes, very stony	7K	Well drained	C	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Dekalb-Rock outcrop complex, 35 to 70 percent slopes, extremely stony	7K	Well drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Highsplint-Laidig complex, moist, 15 to 35 percent slopes, extremely stony	7K	Well drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Clifftop channery silt loam, 25 to 35 percent slopes	6K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Laidig channery silt loam, moist, 8 to 35 percent slopes, rubbly	6K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Snowdog channery loam, 15 to 35 percent slopes, rubbly	6K	Moderately well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Laidig channery silt loam, moist, frigid, 8 to 35 percent slopes, rubbly	6K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Gilpin-Dekalb complex, 15 to 35 percent slopes, extremely stony	6K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Clifftop channery silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes	6K	Well drained	C	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Clifftop-Dekalb complex, 15 to 35 percent slopes, extremely stony	5K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Kaymine very channery silt loam, very steep, extremely stony	5K	Well drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Mandy channery silt loam, 15 to 35 percent slopes, extremely stony	5K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Mandy channery silt loam, 3 to 15 percent slopes, extremely stony	5K	Well drained	C	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Pope-Potomac complex, very cobbly	4K	Well drained	B	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 94% 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 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.