Morgan County, Alabama
The most common soil here is Wynnville, on about 7% of the land: a fine sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Muskingum (Gorgas) and Barfield come next.
About 60% of the land drains well, and 17% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 28% of it.
USDA rates 78% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 70% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 10% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 29% 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 Morgan 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 D (very slow infiltration, high 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 Morgan 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wynnville fine sandy loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes, moderately eroded | 22K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Limestone rockland, rough | 22K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water | 15K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Muskingum (Gorgas) stony fine sandy loam, 20 to 45 percent slopes, very stony | 15K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hartsells fine sandy loam, 6 to 10 percent slopes, moderately eroded | 10K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hollywood silty clay | 9K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Enders (Townley) loam, 5 to 10 percent slopes, eroded | 8K | Well drained | D | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Linker fine sandy loam, 6 to 10 percent slopes, eroded | 8K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Stony rough land, muskingum soil material | 8K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Melvin silt loam | 7K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Waynesboro fine sandy loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes, eroded | 7K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Ooltewah silt loam | 7K | Somewhat poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Wynnville fine sandy loam, 5 to 10 percent slopes, moderately eroded | 6K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tupelo silt loam | 6K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Atkins silt loam | 6K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Pottsville shaly silt loam, steep | 6K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lindside silty clay loam | 6K | Somewhat poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Muskingum (Gorgas) stony fine sandy loam, 10 to 20 percent slopes, very stony | 6K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Philo-lindside soils, undifferentiated | 5K | Somewhat poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ketona silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionally ponded | 5K | Poorly drained | C/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 70% 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 78% 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.