Printable Version

• 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.

• 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.)

• 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