Madison County, Alabama
The most common soil here is Barfield, on about 13% of the land: a silty clay loam, smooth and slightly sticky. Decatur and Dickson come next.
About 68% of the land drains well, and 17% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 23% of it.
USDA rates 63% 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: 14% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 19% 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 Madison 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 Madison 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rockland, limestone, steep | 66K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Decatur silty clay loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes, eroded | 65K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Abernathy-Emory silt loams, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 30K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bewleyville silt loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes, moderately eroded | 17K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Melvin silty clay loam | 16K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lindside silty clay loam | 14K | Somewhat poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rockland, limestone, hilly | 13K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Baxter (Fullerton) gravelly silt loam, 6 to 12 percent slopes, eroded | 12K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Dickson silt loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes | 12K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Guthrie silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, rarely flooded | 11K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Baxter (Fullerton) gravelly silt loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes, eroded | 11K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Lobelville silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 10K | Moderately well drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ooltewah silt loam | 9K | Somewhat poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ketona silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionally ponded | 8K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water | 7K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Stony steep land, muskingum soil material | 6K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tupelo silt loam | 6K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hermitage cherty silt loam, eroded, rolling | 6K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Dickson silt loam, eroded, undulating | 6K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Decatur silty clay, 6 to 10 percent slopes, severely eroded | 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 61% 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 63% 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.