Cherokee County, Alabama
The most common soil here is Minvale, on about 10% of the land: a gravelly silt loam, smooth, like flour. Conasauga and Firestone come next.
About 69% of the land drains well, and 6% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 7% of it.
USDA rates 72% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 59% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 9% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 37% 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 Cherokee 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 B (moderate infiltration). 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 Cherokee 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minvale-Bodine association, steep | 51K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Conasauga silt loam, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 35K | Moderately well drained | D | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Water | 30K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Leesburg-Allen association, steep | 27K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Holston loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes | 17K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Hartsells-Rock outcrop association, steep | 16K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Firestone gravelly silt loam, 6 to 15 percent slopes | 15K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Firestone-Montevallo association, steep | 13K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hartsells fine sandy loam, 6 to 10 percent slopes, moderately eroded | 11K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Gaylesville silty clay loam | 11K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Firestone-Montevallo-Leesburg association, steep | 10K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Leesburg gravelly fine sandy loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 9K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Chewacla soils | 8K | Somewhat poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cloudland loam | 8K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Minvale cherty loam, 6 to 10 percent slopes | 8K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Hartsells-Nauvoo complex, 2 to 6 percent slopes, moderately eroded | 7K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Allen gravelly fine sandy loam, 6 to 10 percent slopes | 7K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Firestone gravelly silt loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 7K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Allen fine sandy loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 6K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Holston fine sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 6K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat 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 59% 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 72% 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.