Soil surveys can help in evaluating the suitability of a tract of land for the intended use before buying. Where soil maps show that soil related hazards may damage structures or installations, alternate sites that have favorable soil properties can be selected or structural designs can be changed to compensate for the hazards. Soil maps and descriptions of the soils also can help in planning development in accordance with soil capabilities and limitations. Soil maps and descriptions of the soils also can help in planning development in accordance with soil capabilities and limitations. Soils vary in their resistance to erosion, but erosion is generally worse in sloping areas.
Soil surveys indicate the erodibility of each mapped soil.
Bare, eroded areas detract from a home's appearance, and erosion can have serious consequences. Erosion along the foundation of a house can eventually undermine it. Gullies may form. Mud from eroded areas can build up on your driveway or sidewalk or in other places. When surface runoff carries eroded soil into a local stream, the sediment can damage water quality, clog reservoirs, and increase the chance of downstream flooding.