Soil series profile
Transquaking soil series
Transquaking is a very poorly drained soil with a peat surface, mapped on 145,300 acres in 26 counties across 3 states. Hydrologic group A/D.
- Drainage class
- Very poorly drained >99% of mapped acres
- Hydrologic group
- A/D 95% of mapped acres
- Typical topsoil pH
- Not reported
- Mapped area
- 145k acres in 26 counties, 3 states
Typical Transquaking profile
Texture and pH by depth
Show as a table
| Depth | Texture | pH | Clay | Sand | Organic matter |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0–9 in (Oise) | Peat | Not reported | 1% | 0% | 55% |
| 9–46 in (Oese) | Mucky peat | Not reported | 1% | 0% | 85% |
| 46–65 in (Oase) | Muck | Not reported | 1% | 0% | 85% |
| 65–80 in (Cseg) | Silty clay | 6.5 | 42% | 9% | 10.25% |
What this means
What Transquaking soil means for gardens, lawns and septic systems
For gardens
Organic muck or peat is the most common topsoil (>99% of mapped Transquaking acres). It is rich and holds water, but is often wet, can be acidic, and settles when drained. The most common surface texture is peat (84% of mapped Transquaking acres).
>99% of mapped Transquaking 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 100% 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 >99% 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 >99% of the acres in mapped Transquaking 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.
Flooding is mapped on >99% of the acres (0% occasional, >99% frequent).
Only a licensed site evaluation or perc test at the actual lot decides whether a system is allowed and which design.
Where Transquaking soil is found
Mapped acres
Transquaking is mapped in New Jersey, Maryland and Delaware.
| County | Acres | Share of county land |
|---|---|---|
| Atlantic County, NJ | 38,231 | 9.5% |
| Cumberland County, NJ | 23,937 | 7.7% |
| Cape May County, NJ | 14,599 | 9.1% |
| Dorchester County, MD | 12,560 | 3.6% |
| Salem County, NJ | 11,714 | 5.9% |
| Somerset County, MD | 9,460 | 7.6% |
| Burlington County, NJ | 6,491 | 1.2% |
| Kent County, DE | 5,690 | 1.6% |
| Wicomico County, MD | 4,028 | 1.7% |
| Sussex County, DE | 3,972 | 0.8% |
| Worcester County, MD | 3,326 | 0.9% |
| Ocean County, NJ | 1,868 | 0.4% |
| Charles County, MD | 1,743 | 0.6% |
| Middlesex County, NJ | 1,545 | 0.8% |
| Calvert County, MD | 1,211 | 0.9% |
| Anne Arundel County, MD | 826 | 0.3% |
| Baltimore County, MD | 812 | 0.2% |
| Talbot County, MD | 783 | 0.5% |
| Monmouth County, NJ | 769 | 0.3% |
| New Castle County, DE | 715 | 0.3% |
| Caroline County, MD | 340 | 0.2% |
| Kent County, MD | 298 | 0.2% |
| Queen Anne's County, MD | 200 | 0.1% |
| Bergen County, NJ | 138 | 0.1% |
| Prince George's County, MD | 44 | 0.0% |
| Passaic County, NJ | 0 | 0.0% |
Septic absorption fields
NRCS rating, share of Transquaking acres
Show as a table
| Category | Share of acres |
|---|---|
| Not limited | 0.0% |
| Somewhat limited | 0.0% |
| Very limited | 99.9% |
| Not rated | 0.1% |
Drainage, water table and flooding
Share of Transquaking acres
- Depth to seasonal high water table
- About 0 inches (median where reported); within 18 inches on >99% of acres.
- Flooding
- Mapped as flooding on >99% of acres (0% occasional, >99% frequent).
- Slope
- Typically 0–1% (median 1%).
- Topsoil organic matter
- Median 55%.
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 | 0.0% |
| Very poorly drained | 99.9% |
| Not rated | 0.1% |
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 | 0.0% |
| D: very slow infiltration (clayey, shallow or wet) | 0.2% |
| A/D: D as is, A if drained | 94.9% |
| B/D: D as is, B if drained | 4.9% |
| C/D: D as is, C if drained | 0.0% |
| Not rated | 0.1% |
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 Transquaking (component kind "Series") in SSURGO: 145,300 acres.
- Method
- Shares are by mapped acres of Transquaking components. The profile comes from the single largest Transquaking component. Full methodology.