How to Use the Soil Type Map Filter in Land Portal

Before you purchase or market a piece of land, it’s important to understand what lies beneath the surface, literally.

The soil type of a property affects:

• Land usability: Certain soil classes are better suited for farming, building, or recreation.
• Water drainage: Poorly drained soils can cause flooding or septic system issues.
• Resale potential: Properties with poor or unstable soil are harder to market and may significantly reduce your return on investment.

For example, land that is classified as Not prime farmland with steep slopes may have limited use and be less attractive to buyers, while well-drained soils in moderate slope areas are more valuable and versatile.

Using the Soil Type Map Filter in Land Portal helps you identify soil conditions early, so you can avoid costly mistakes and make smarter land deals.

Step by step walkthrough

1. Log in to Land Portal and Pull Up Your Target Area

You can do this using one of three ways:

2. Zoom in directly on the interactive map.
3. Search by property details such as address, APN, or owner name.
4. Filter by state, county, or other criteria to narrow your area of interest.

5. Open Map Filters & View

Once you have your target area pulled up on the map, click on “Map Filters & View" in the bottom right corner of the map.

6. Turn On the Soil Type Filter

• In the filter panel, scroll through the available options.
• Select “Soil Type.”
• If you are zoomed in far enough, soil boundaries will appear over your map.

These areas will display in different colors (ranging from green to dark orange), representing various soil classifications.

7. Explore Soil Type Details

Click on any colored soil section to view a breakdown of soil characteristics.

• Example breakdown fields include:
  • Wettest Class: e.g., Gilpin-Upshur silt loams, 35–70% slopes
  • Farmland Class: e.g., Not prime farmland
  • Municipality Name: soil naming convention, same as Wettest Class
  • Drainage Class (ICCD Code): e.g., Well drained
  • NICCD Code: numerical code classification (e.g., 80)
  • NICCD Code Percentage: percentage of coverage in that soil area (e.g., 7%)

How to Interpret Soil Data

When reviewing soil information, here are key points to consider for investing:

Prime farmland vs. not prime farmland: Prime farmland is more productive and valuable. “Not prime” means limited agricultural use.

Slope percentage: Higher slopes (like 35–70%) may limit farming, development, or access.

Drainage class: Well-drained soils are better for building and septic systems. Poorly drained soils can create costly water management issues.

Soil stability: Certain loams or clay-rich soils may pose construction challenges.

Best Practices for Investors

• Cross-check soil with land use goals: If you’re targeting agricultural buyers, avoid areas with poor soil or steep slopes.
• Think about resale: Even if you plan to hold short-term, buyers will ask about soil quality.
• Use soil data with other filters: Combine the Soil Type filter with topography, flood zones, and property size for a full due diligence picture.

The Soil Type Map Filter is a powerful due diligence tool in Land Portal.

By understanding the soil composition of your target area before you buy, you can prevent hidden issues, price land appropriately, and attract the right type of buyers.