Soil series profile
Hurlock soil series
Hurlock is a poorly drained soil with a loamy sand surface, mapped on 107,460 acres in 13 counties across 2 states. Hydrologic group A/D.
- Drainage class
- Poorly drained 97% of mapped acres
- Hydrologic group
- A/D 97% of mapped acres
- Typical topsoil pH
- 6.2 slightly acidic · range 4.5–6.2
- Mapped area
- 107k acres in 13 counties, 2 states
Typical Hurlock profile
Texture and pH by depth
Show as a table
| Depth | Texture | pH | Clay | Sand | Organic matter |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0–10 in (Ap) | Loamy sand | 6.2 | 8% | 85% | 2.25% |
| 10–13 in (Eg) | Sandy loam | 6.0 | 11% | 70% | 0.25% |
| 13–25 in (Btg) | Sandy loam | 5.5 | 15% | 62% | 0.25% |
| 25–63 in (Cg) | Loamy sand | 5.5 | 8% | 85% | 0.25% |
| 63–80 in (2Cg) | Silt loam | 4.6 | 22% | 13% | 0.25% |
What this means
What Hurlock soil means for gardens, lawns and septic systems
For gardens
Typical topsoil in Hurlock soils is slightly acidic: pH 6.2 (most land between 4.5 and 6.2), the range most vegetables, flowers and lawn grasses prefer.
Loamy topsoil (loam, silt loam and similar) covers 60% of mapped Hurlock acres: generally the easiest soil to garden, holding moisture without staying waterlogged. The most common surface texture is sandy loam (60% of mapped Hurlock acres).
97% of mapped Hurlock 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 97% 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 97% 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 97% of the acres in mapped Hurlock soils very limited, 0% somewhat limited and 0% not limited (3% not rated, such as urban land, pits or water).
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 Hurlock soil is found
Mapped acres
Hurlock is mapped in Maryland and Delaware.
| County | Acres | Share of county land |
|---|---|---|
| Sussex County, DE | 39,094 | 7.7% |
| Wicomico County, MD | 15,681 | 6.5% |
| Queen Anne's County, MD | 13,843 | 5.9% |
| Dorchester County, MD | 11,560 | 3.3% |
| Worcester County, MD | 11,306 | 3.2% |
| Kent County, DE | 7,512 | 2.1% |
| Caroline County, MD | 4,070 | 2.0% |
| Somerset County, MD | 3,468 | 2.8% |
| Kent County, MD | 348 | 0.2% |
| St. Mary's County, MD | 255 | 0.1% |
| Talbot County, MD | 235 | 0.1% |
| New Castle County, DE | 86 | 0.0% |
| Baltimore County, MD | 4 | 0.0% |
Septic absorption fields
NRCS rating, share of Hurlock acres
Show as a table
| Category | Share of acres |
|---|---|
| Not limited | 0.0% |
| Somewhat limited | 0.0% |
| Very limited | 97.1% |
| Not rated | 2.9% |
Drainage, water table and flooding
Share of Hurlock acres
- Depth to seasonal high water table
- About 1.2 feet (14 in) (median where reported); within 18 inches on 97% of acres.
- Flooding
- Not mapped as flooding on most acres.
- Slope
- Typically 0–0% (median 0%).
- Topsoil organic matter
- Median 2.2%.
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 | 0.0% |
| Poorly drained | 97.1% |
| Very poorly drained | 0.0% |
| Not rated | 2.9% |
Hydrologic soil group
Show as a table
| Category | Share of acres |
|---|---|
| A: fast infiltration (mostly sandy or gravelly) | 0.0% |
| B: moderate infiltration | 0.6% |
| C: slow infiltration | 0.0% |
| D: very slow infiltration (clayey, shallow or wet) | 0.0% |
| A/D: D as is, A if drained | 96.6% |
| B/D: D as is, B if drained | 0.0% |
| C/D: D as is, C if drained | 0.0% |
| Not rated | 2.9% |
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 Hurlock (component kind "Series") in SSURGO: 107,460 acres.
- Method
- Shares are by mapped acres of Hurlock components. The profile comes from the single largest Hurlock component. Full methodology.