Allegany County Soil Data

Allegany County, New York

Avg pH

5.5

Texture

Silt Loam

Drainage

N/A

Organic Matter

10.4%

Hydrologic Group

N/A

Data Story

About Soil in Allegany County, New York

Allegany's High-Quality Highland Soil

Allegany County maintains a pH of 5.48, making it less acidic than the New York state average of 5.11. While it remains below the national median of 6.5, these levels support a wide variety of regional flora.

Silt-Heavy Foundation for Better Retention

The profile shows a silt-heavy foundation at 53.0%, paired with 24.7% sand and 16.7% clay. This balance provides excellent workability and better nutrient retention than the sandier soils found in neighboring regions.

Strong Organic Richness and Water Capacity

At 10.43%, the organic matter content is more than five times higher than the national average. Its available water capacity of 0.192 in/in beats the state average of 0.182, signaling high potential for consistent crop growth.

Monitoring Moisture in Dense Soils

Specific drainage and hydrologic group data are not available for this county. However, the high silt and clay content generally suggest a soil that holds moisture well, requiring careful monitoring during wet seasons.

Hardy Crops for the Southern Tier

Hardiness zone 5b defines the growing season, which is perfect for apples, potatoes, and hardy root vegetables. A robust soil score of 65.9 proves this is a prime location to start your backyard garden.

Soil Composition

Silt Loam
Sand: 24.7%
Silt: 53.0%
Clay: 16.7%
Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.5pH
5.48302644897354
Strongly AcidicSlightly AcidicNeutralSlightly AlkalineStrongly Alkaline
Ideal lawn range: 6.0 - 7.0

Soil Series

Detailed soil series data not yet available for this county.

Hydrologic Group

Hydrologic group data not available.

Drainage Class

Drainage class data not available.

Soil Profile

Dominant texture: Silt Loam

O HorizonOrganic layer
0-2"
A HorizonTopsoil
2-10"
B HorizonSubsoil
10-30"
C HorizonParent material
30-60"
R HorizonBedrock
60"+

Typical soil profile. Actual depths vary by location.

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of soil does Allegany County have?

Allegany County's soil is classified as Silt Loam. This indicates the relative proportions of sand, silt, and clay — 25% sand, 53% silt, and 17% clay. Loamy soils hold moisture well and support a wide range of plants.

Is Allegany County's soil acidic or alkaline?

Allegany County's soil has a low pH of 5.5, which is strongly acidic. Acidic soils benefit from lime applications to raise pH and improve nutrient availability.

What is the drainage class for Allegany County?

Drainage class data is not currently available for Allegany County.

What crops or plants grow well in Allegany County's soil?

Based on Allegany County's Silt Loam texture, pH of 5.5, and drainage class, the soil is well suited for acid-loving plants like blueberries and azaleas, row crops and vegetable gardens.

What USDA soil order is found in Allegany County?

The dominant USDA soil order for Allegany County is not currently available in our dataset.

Other Counties in New York

Soil data sourced from USDA SSURGO via Soil Data Access. Data is informational only and should not be used as a substitute for on-site soil testing. Contact your local NRCS office for site-specific soil information.