Clay County, Alabama
The most common soil here is Madison, on about 30% of the land: a gravelly sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Tatum and Tallapoosa come next.
About 90% of the land drains well, and 5% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 8% of it.
USDA rates 69% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 39% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 8% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 45% 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 Clay 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 Clay 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Madison-Riverview association, hilly | 80K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Madison-Tallapoosa-Tusquitee association, steep | 66K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tatum-Chewacla association, hilly | 62K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Tatum-Tallapoosa-Riverview association, steep | 53K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Cheaha gravelly sandy loam, 15 to 45 percent slopes | 22K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Chewacla-Riverview complex | 18K | Somewhat poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Davidson-Gwinnett association, hilly | 14K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Madison gravelly sandy loam, 6 to 10 percent slopes | 14K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Iredell-Mecklenburg association, undulating | 13K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Grover association, rolling | 10K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Tallapoosa-Fruithurst complex, 2 to 10 percent slopes, moderately eroded | 7K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Allen association, rolling | 7K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Cecil association, rolling | 5K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Altavista complex | 4K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Riverview silt loam | 4K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Grover sandy loam, 6 to 10 percent slopes | 2K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Roanoke silt loam | 2K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hiwassee clay, 6 to 10 percent slopes | 1K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Water | 1K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Toccoa sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 1K | Moderately well drained | A | 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 39% of soils have significant building limitations, while the rest are generally suitable. Check specific sites carefully — conditions vary across the area.
Septic Systems
About 69% 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.