DC Soil Map Information

New!  Natural Resources Conservation Service Web Soil Survey:
  • Go to the NRCS Web Soil Survey wbsite: http://websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov.
  • Read the attached brochure for a quick guide on reading the new soil maps.
  • On the website, click on the brown "Start WSS" button to start the Web Soil Survey application.
  • You may zoom in on your area of interest by using your cursor to draw a box around the area, or by selecting from a choice list.
  • You will then be able to view and print a map of soils in your area.
  • Click on the Soil Data Explorer tab to access detailed soil data. There is much information for determining the suitability of soils in your area of interest for a particular use.
Locate DC Soils by Address - DC GIS Services:
  • Go to DC Geographic Information Systems website: http://dcgis.dc.gov.
  • Under Services, click on DC Atlas (Detailed Online Mapping)
  • Under DC Atlas, select Environmental.
  • In the top right corner, type an address into the Location Search, and click on "Go."
  • Under Environmental, check Soils. Uncheck all other environmental categories. Click red Refresh Map button.
  • You can also click in the colored soil polygon in the location of interest. The soils description pops up.
  • (If you receive a color coded map, click on Legend button in the top right corner, under display options. The legend shows the map unit symbol legend.)

View DC Soils Descriptions and Tables Online:
  • Interpretation of DC Soil Maps
    Print soils tables and download official NRCS soils data, at http://soildatamart.nrcs.usda.gov.
    • Click on Select State.
    • Click on DC.
    • Click on Select Survey Area.
    • Click on Generate Reports.
    • A table will appear with definitions of soil map codes.

 
Updated April 9, 2007