SSURGO datasets consist of map data, tabular data, and information about how the maps and tables were created.
Examples of information available from the database include available water capacity, soil reaction, electrical conductivity, and frequency of flooding yields for cropland, woodland, rangeland, and pastureland and limitations affecting recreational development, building site development, and other engineering uses. The map units are typically named for the major components. Each map unit may contain one to three major components and some minor components. The maps are linked in the database to information about the component soils and their properties for each map unit. Some knowledge of soils data and map scale is necessary to avoid misunderstandings. The mapping is intended for natural resource planning and management by landowners, townships, and counties. More details were gathered at a scale of 1:12,000 than at a scale of 1:63,360. The information was collected at scales ranging from 1:12,000 to 1:63,360. The map units describe soils and other components that have unique properties, interpretations, and productivity. Many soil samples were analyzed in laboratories. The information was gathered by walking over the land and observing the soil.
The information can be displayed in tables or as maps and is available for most areas in the United States and the Territories, Commonwealths, and Island Nations served by the USDA-NRCS (Natural Resources Conservation Service). The SSURGO database contains information about soil as collected by the National Cooperative Soil Survey over the course of a century.