The Soil Survey is the primary source of soils information in Delaware County.  Soil maps provide critical information about the suitability of individual soil types for agriculture, building and construction, water management, septic systems, and many other things. 

The Delaware County Soil Survey is now SSURGO Certified.

Delaware County residents and landowners now have several, exciting and interactive ways to get soil surveys of their properties thanks to our Federal, State and Local governments.

Soil surveys began in 1899 as part of the nation’s earliest efforts on behalf of cooperative conservation. Known as the National Cooperative Soil Survey, it has evolved into a partnership of state and federal agencies working together to collect, classify, interpret and provide soils information. Previously, soil surveys were available in printed format from the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) offices. Most recently, the Delaware SWCD has made the soil survey available to land users as PDF map books or pages or single printed sheets. All three of the soil survey sources below, make it easier for the user to create a custom soil map on their own.

Each of these systems have their own strengths and advantages that should allow a varied group of people to get the type of soil survey they need. The Delaware Soil and Water Conservation District will also continue to provide printed sheets from the static soil survey to those users who prefer that format.

Old Soil Survey shown on left and newer Soil Survey shown on right.