Background

Each year on October 1, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) performs an Annual Soils Refresh (ASR) of the publicly available soil survey database for soil survey areas in the United States and its island territories. The soil survey database includes both tabular and spatial data. The ASR introduces new soil data and interpretations and updates existing soil data and interpretations. It also ensures all official soil data conform to national standards. The data are available to the public through Web Soil Survey, Soil Data Access, and SSURGO Portal. 

The most recent ASR made new and updated data available on October 1, 2026. The 2026 ASR included the following updates to tabular and spatial data.

Tabular data (soil properties and interpretations):

• Validated all data against a common standard
• Ensured consistent use of the national soil data dictionary
• Published new and updated tabular data
• Ensured nationally required interpretations were included in every survey area

Spatial data (soil maps):

• Resolved minor gaps and overlaps along soil survey boundaries
• Incorporated mapping updates completed through the regular soil survey review and update process

2026 Annual Soils Refresh

Changes to soil survey data vary by survey area. Most areas will see only minor updates, and data will appear consistent with the previous year’s data. Other soil survey areas may have more significant changes.

Major additions to the official soil survey database in 2026:

• Tabular and spatial data refreshed for all soil survey areas
• 3,386 soil survey areas published
• 3,937,519 acres of new soil data added
• 37,711 new soil polygons added
• 2,133 new map units added
• 19,725 new soil components added
• 74,336 new soil horizons added
• 121 national soil interpretations published

Soil survey data are managed by NRCS State offices. For more detailed information about changes released through the ASR, contact your State soil scientist.

Annual Soils Refresh Information by Year

The links below contain detailed information about ASRs since 2021, including which soil survey areas were updated.

Stay Informed

Want to find out more? You can subscribe to get soil-related information or get help with your questions by following the links below.

• To stay updated about various soil-related issues, subscribe to GovDelivery, which is a free service.
• For assistance with Web Soil Survey, send inquiries to SoilsHotline@usda.gov.
• For assistance with Soil Data Access, send inquiries to SoilDataAccess@usda.gov.
• For assistance from the Soils Hotline, a State soil scientist, or a local NRCS service center, click the “Contact Us” link in Web Soil Survey or visit the contact information page for State soil scientists.
• For questions about soil data in a specific State, contact the State soil scientist.
• For more information on Web Soil Survey, see “I Want Help With…” on the Web Soil Survey Home Page or visit the NRCS Soils web page.