Soils · Glossary
SSURGO
Updated 2026-07-18
SSURGO is the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service's detailed digital soil survey database for many areas of the United States. For California parcel screening, it provides mapped soil units and interpretations but is not a site-specific geotechnical or septic investigation.
What it means
SSURGO links soil-map polygons to properties such as drainage, texture, hydrologic group, depth, shrink-swell potential, and interpretive ratings.
Why it matters for land decisions
Soil mapping can flag potential foundation, drainage, erosion, agriculture, and wastewater constraints.
- Review component percentages.
- Verify conditions through field work.
People also ask
Is SSURGO accurate at the parcel level?
It supports planning-scale interpretation, but inclusions and boundary uncertainty mean small sites need field verification.
Can SSURGO approve a septic system?
No. The local environmental health agency requires site-specific testing and design under applicable rules.
Official sources
Related terms
Check this on a California parcel
Parcel View screens zoning, flood, fire, soils, and planning layers for any California lot — every finding linked to the official source.