Macon County, Alabama
The most common soil here is Conecuh, on about 11% of the land: a sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Uchee and Cowarts come next.
About 45% of the land drains well, and 23% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 23% of it.
USDA rates 82% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 61% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 20% 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 Macon 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 C (slow infiltration, moderate 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 Macon 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kinston-Mooreville complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 46K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Conecuh fine sandy loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes, eroded | 30K | Moderately well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Uchee-Cowarts complex, 15 to 25 percent slopes, eroded | 29K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cowarts loamy sand, 5 to 15 percent slopes, eroded | 26K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Marvyn sandy loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes | 21K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Conecuh fine sandy loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 20K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Urbo-Una-Mooreville complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 18K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Uchee loamy sand, 5 to 15 percent slopes | 17K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Oktibbeha clay loam, 5 to 15 percent slopes, eroded | 10K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Luverne sandy loam, 5 to 15 percent slopes, eroded | 10K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Uchee loamy sand, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 10K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Lucy-Luverne complex, 5 to 15 percent slopes | 9K | Well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Blanton-Luverne complex, 12 to 25 percent slopes | 9K | Moderately well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Oktibbeha clay loam, 1 to 5 percent slopes, eroded | 9K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Eunola sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, rarely flooded | 8K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Luverne sandy loam, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 7K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Goldsboro loamy fine sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 7K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Dogue fine sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, rarely flooded | 6K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hannon-Maytag complex, 3 to 8 percent slopes, eroded | 6K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lynchburg fine sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, rarely flooded | 6K | 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 61% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include steep slopes, poor drainage in some areas, flood-prone areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 82% 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.