Included in the landforms of Otsego County are hills or small mountains, most of which are less than 1,000 feet in height. The altitude of Otsego County is 1,192 feet above sea level in Oneonta, and 1,264 feet in Cooperstown. There are three main lakes in the County, including Otsego Lake, Canadarago Lake, and Goodyear Lake.

There are eleven general types of soil in Otsego County. The most productive soils are concentrated in the very southern and northernmost portions of the County. Good soils are found along the stream and river corridors.

Test the soil: Contact your local Extension office for information about soil testing or to receive a soil pH kit or a soil test bag. Basic soil tests can tell you whether or not you will need to apply lime or sulfur to adjust the acidity of your soil, and let you know whether your soil is high or low in the essential nutrients plants need most. Additional Soil Basics information can be found through Cornell University's Department of Horticulture

Valois-Chenango-Howard (12%): Well suited for agriculture. Dominantly nearly level to moderately steep; very deep; somewhat excessively drained to well drained; moderately coarse textured and medium textured soils that formed in glacial outwash, in-wash deposits, alluvial fans and ablation till; in terraces, outwash plains, kames, eskers, moraines, and along valley walls.

Lansing-Conesus-Manheim (7%): Well suited for agriculture. Dominantly nearly level to very steep; very deep; well drained to somewhat poorly drained; medium textured soils that formed in calcareous till; in glaciated uplands in the northern part of the county; frost action.

Scio-Chenango-Otego (6%): Well suited for agriculture. Dominantly nearly level to gently sloping; very deep; somewhat excessively drained to moderately well drained; moderately coarse textured and medium textured soils that formed in alluvium, glacial outwash, and water-deposited silts.

Honeoye-Farmington-Wassaic (4%): Well suited for agriculture. Dominantly nearly level to very steep; shallow to very deep; somewhat excessively drained to moderately well drained; medium textured soils that formed in calcareous till; in glaciated uplands in the northern part of the county which are sometimes bedrock controlled.

Danely-Darien-Nuda (1%): Well suited for agriculture. Dominantly nearly level to moderately steep; very deep; moderately well drained to somewhat poorly drained; medium textured and moderately fine textured soils that formed in calcareous till; in glaciated uplands in the northwestern part of the county; frost action.

Atherton-Riverhead-Scio (1%): Well suited for agriculture. Dominantly nearly level to gently sloping; very deep; well drained to very poorly drained; moderately coarse textured and medium textured soils that formed in glacial outwash, old glacial lake deltas and water sorted deposits; in terraces and outwash plains.

Mardin-Lordstown-Bath (38%): Dominantly nearly level to very steep; moderately deep and very deep; well drained and moderately well drained; medium texture; in glaciated uplands which are often bedrock controlled, low ph.

Mongaup-Willdin-Lewbath (18%): Dominantly nearly level to very steep; moderately deep and very deep; well drained and moderately well drained; medium texture; in glaciated uplands which are often bedrock controlled at elevations over 1,750 feet, cooler soil temperatures, low ph.

Wellsboro-Oquaga-Lackawanna (10%): Dominantly nearly level to very steep; moderately deep and very deep; somewhat excessively drained to moderately well drained; medium textured soils that formed in reddish colored till; in glaciated uplands which are often bedrock controlled; found in the southern part of the county.

Canandaigua-Wayland-Raynham (2%): Dominantly nearly level; very deep; somewhat poorly drained to very poorly drained; medium textured soils that formed in alluvium or and water-deposited silts.

Vly-Willowemoc-Lewbeach (1%): Dominantly nearly level to very steep; moderately deep and very deep; somewhat excessively drained to moderately well drained; medium textured soils that formed in reddish colored till; in glaciated uplands which are often bedrock controlled at elevations over 1,750 feet; cooler soil temperatures, low ph; found in the southern part of the county.