Calhoun County, Alabama
The most common soil here is Gorgas, on about 12% of the land: a gravelly loamy sand, gritty and loose. Clarksville and Fullerton come next.
About 80% of the land drains well, and 11% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 14% of it.
USDA rates 79% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 69% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 14% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 35% of it.
Soils change over short distances, so look up an address below for the soil at that exact spot and the reasons behind each rating.
The soils you're most likely standing on
The biggest named soils in Calhoun County, Alabama, each drawn five feet deep from its official USDA description, in its recorded colors.
Dots mark gravel; white flecks mark lime. Shares are by acres across the survey area, and each mapped patch usually mixes several of these soils.
The biggest mapped areas
The dominant drainage class is Well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is D (very slow infiltration, high runoff). The most common soil order is Ultisols — strongly weathered soils with clay-enriched subsoils, common in warm humid climates. This report summarizes the major soil map units across the survey area to help you understand what to expect when buying, building, or gardening in Calhoun County, Alabama. Search your address to find the exact soil composition, drainage, and series details at your specific location.
| Soil Map Unit | Acres | Drainage | Hydro Group | Dwellings | Septic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stony rough land, sandstone | 56K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Clarksville-Fullerton stony loams, 15 to 40 percent slopes (Bodine) | 45K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Stony rough land, slate | 18K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Clarksville-Fullerton stony loams 10 to 15 percent slopes | 12K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Montevallo shaly silt loam, 10 to 15 percent slopes | 10K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Philo and Stendal silt loams, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 8K | Somewhat poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Atkins and Stendal soils, local alluvium, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 8K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Decatur and Cumberland clay loams, 2 to 6 percent slopes, severely eroded | 7K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Clarksville cherty silt loam, 6 to 10 percent slopes | 7K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Lobelville cherty silt loam, local alluvium, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 7K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Anniston and Allen gravelly loams, 2 to 6 percent slopes, eroded | 7K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Rarden silt loam, shallow, 2 to 6 percent slopes, eroded | 6K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rarden silt loam, shallow, 6 to 10 percent slopes, eroded | 5K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rarden-Montevallo complex, 2 to 10 percent slopes, eroded | 5K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Clarksville cherty silt loam, 6 to 15 percent slopes, eroded | 5K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Fullerton gravelly silt loam, 6 to 10 percent slopes, eroded | 5K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Decatur and Cumberland clay loams, 6 to 10 percent slopes, severely eroded | 5K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Montevallo shaly silty clay loam, 10 to 40 percent slopes, severely eroded | 5K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Anniston and Allen stony loams, 10 to 25 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Philo and Stendal fine sandy loams, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 5K | Somewhat poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
Soil Orders in This Area
The USDA classifies every soil into one of 12 soil orders. Here are the dominant orders found in this survey area.
What This Means
Building & Foundations
About 69% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include shallow bedrock, steep slopes, poor drainage in some areas, flood-prone areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 79% of soils are rated "very limited" for septic absorption fields. Despite good drainage overall, limitations may stem from shallow bedrock, steep slopes, or seasonal conditions. Engineered or alternative systems are frequently required. Always get a professional perc test before purchasing land that needs septic.
Gardening & Agriculture
Well-drained soils on sloped terrain — good for most plants but watch for erosion. Terracing, contour planting, and mulching help retain moisture and topsoil. Drip irrigation is more effective than sprinklers on slopes.