Soil series profile
Abbottstown soil series
Abbottstown is a somewhat poorly drained soil with a silt loam surface, mapped on 90,194 acres in 19 counties across 3 states. Hydrologic group D.
- Drainage class
- Somewhat poorly drained 100% of mapped acres
- Hydrologic group
- D 85% of mapped acres
- Typical topsoil pH
- 6.1 slightly acidic · range 5.5–6.1
- Mapped area
- 90k acres in 19 counties, 3 states
Typical Abbottstown profile
Texture and pH by depth
Show as a table
| Depth | Texture | pH | Clay | Sand | Organic matter |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0–10 in (Ap) | Silt loam | 6.1 | 18% | 29% | 2.5% |
| 10–20 in (Bt) | Silt loam | 5.5 | 25% | 21% | 0.25% |
| 20–39 in (Bx) | Channery silt loam | 5.8 | 21% | 9% | 0.25% |
| 39–48 in (BCg) | Channery silt loam | 5.8 | 25% | 21% | 0% |
| 48–58 in (R) | Bedrock | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported |
What this means
What Abbottstown soil means for gardens, lawns and septic systems
For gardens
Typical topsoil in Abbottstown soils is slightly acidic: pH 6.1 (most land between 5.5 and 6.1), the range most vegetables, flowers and lawn grasses prefer.
Loamy topsoil (loam, silt loam and similar) covers 100% of mapped Abbottstown acres: generally the easiest soil to garden, holding moisture without staying waterlogged. The most common surface texture is silt loam (>99% of mapped Abbottstown acres).
100% of mapped Abbottstown acres is somewhat poorly to very poorly drained, so soil stays soggy for long spells after rain and in wet seasons. Raised beds, plants that tolerate wet feet, and not working the soil while wet all help.
For lawns and yards
On >99% of mapped acres, rain soaks in slowly (hydrologic groups C and D, including dual groups that are D until drained). Expect runoff and puddles after heavy rain: core-aerate compacted lawns and keep ground sloping away from foundations.
A seasonal high water table comes within 18 inches of the surface on 98% of mapped acres, often in spring. Basements, sump pumps and lawns in low spots feel it first.
For a septic system
For conventional septic absorption fields, NRCS rates 100% of the acres in mapped Abbottstown soils very limited, 0% somewhat limited and 0% not limited.
Where the soil is very limited (slow permeability, a high water table, flooding, shallow bedrock or steep slopes), alternative systems such as mound or sand-filter designs are common and cost more.
Only a licensed site evaluation or perc test at the actual lot decides whether a system is allowed and which design.
Where Abbottstown soil is found
Mapped acres
Abbottstown is mapped in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Maryland.
| County | Acres | Share of county land |
|---|---|---|
| Bucks County, PA | 31,191 | 8.2% |
| Adams County, PA | 22,667 | 6.9% |
| Montgomery County, PA | 12,040 | 3.9% |
| Carroll County, MD | 5,341 | 1.9% |
| Hunterdon County, NJ | 5,166 | 1.9% |
| Berks County, PA | 2,813 | 0.5% |
| Lancaster County, PA | 2,364 | 0.4% |
| Frederick County, MD | 2,113 | 0.5% |
| Mercer County, NJ | 1,901 | 1.3% |
| Somerset County, NJ | 1,588 | 0.8% |
| York County, PA | 972 | 0.2% |
| Lebanon County, PA | 953 | 0.4% |
| Montgomery County, MD | 377 | 0.1% |
| Chester County, PA | 329 | 0.1% |
| Dauphin County, PA | 163 | 0.1% |
| Lehigh County, PA | 137 | 0.1% |
| Northampton County, PA | 30 | 0.0% |
| Philadelphia County, PA | 30 | 0.0% |
| Middlesex County, NJ | 21 | 0.0% |
Septic absorption fields
NRCS rating, share of Abbottstown acres
Show as a table
| Category | Share of acres |
|---|---|
| Not limited | 0.0% |
| Somewhat limited | 0.0% |
| Very limited | 100.0% |
Drainage, water table and flooding
Share of Abbottstown acres
- Depth to seasonal high water table
- About 1.2 feet (14 in) (median where reported); within 18 inches on 98% of acres.
- Flooding
- Not mapped as flooding on most acres.
- Slope
- Typically 2–6% (median 4%).
- Topsoil organic matter
- Median 2.5%.
Drainage class
Show as a table
| Category | Share of acres |
|---|---|
| Excessively drained | 0.0% |
| Somewhat excessively drained | 0.0% |
| Well drained | 0.0% |
| Moderately well drained | 0.0% |
| Somewhat poorly drained | 100.0% |
| Poorly drained | 0.0% |
| Very poorly drained | 0.0% |
Hydrologic soil group
Show as a table
| Category | Share of acres |
|---|---|
| A: fast infiltration (mostly sandy or gravelly) | 0.0% |
| B: moderate infiltration | 0.0% |
| C: slow infiltration | 14.6% |
| D: very slow infiltration (clayey, shallow or wet) | 84.8% |
| A/D: D as is, A if drained | 0.0% |
| B/D: D as is, B if drained | 0.0% |
| C/D: D as is, C if drained | 0.6% |
Sources & data dates
- Source
- USDA NRCS Soil Survey Geographic Database (SSURGO), queried through Soil Data Access. Public domain.
- Data date
- SSURGO as published on November 3, 2026 (most recent survey area update October 26, 2026). NRCS refreshes SSURGO each October.
- Scope
- All map unit components named Abbottstown (component kind "Series") in SSURGO: 90,194 acres.
- Method
- Shares are by mapped acres of Abbottstown components. The profile comes from the single largest Abbottstown component. Full methodology.