Covington County, Alabama
The most common soil here is Orangeburg, on about 18% of the land: a loamy sand, gritty and loose. Dothan and Troup come next.
About 74% of the land drains well, and 18% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 14% of it.
USDA rates 50% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 27% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 11% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 2% 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 Covington 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 A (high infiltration, low 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 Covington 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dothan and Malbis sandy loams, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 72K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Orangeburg sandy loam, 5 to 8 percent slopes | 52K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Not limited |
| Muckalee, Bibb, and Osier soils, 0 to 2 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 51K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cowarts-Dothan complex, 5 to 10 percent slopes | 49K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Orangeburg sandy loam, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 48K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Orangeburg sandy loam, 8 to 20 percent slopes | 38K | Well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Troup loamy sand, 5 to 15 percent slopes | 38K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Fuquay loamy fine sand, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 37K | Well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Florala sandy loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 33K | Somewhat poorly drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bonifay loamy fine sand, 5 to 10 percent slope | 32K | Well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Bonifay loamy fine sand, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 22K | Well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Cowarts-Dothan complex, 2 to 5 percent slopes | 21K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Troup loamy sand, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 17K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Blanton loamy fine sand, 5 to 12 percent slopes | 14K | Moderately well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Blanton loamy fine sand, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 14K | Moderately well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Arundel loamy fine sand, 8 to 25 percent slopes | 13K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lynchburg sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 11K | Somewhat poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lucy loamy sand, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 10K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Eunola loamy fine sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes, rarely flooded | 10K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Smithdale sandy loam, 15 to 35 percent slopes | 10K | Well drained | B | 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 27% of soils have significant building limitations, while the rest are generally suitable. Check specific sites carefully — conditions vary across the area.
Septic Systems
About 50% of soils have significant septic limitations, while others are more suitable. A perc test is essential — conditions vary across the area.
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.