Tallapoosa County, Alabama
The most common soil here is Pacolet, on about 16% of the land: a sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Madison and Rion come next.
About 83% of the land drains well, and 8% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 8% of it.
USDA rates 47% 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: 9% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 22% 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 Tallapoosa 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 Tallapoosa 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pacolet-Rion complex, 6 to 15 percent slopes, moderately eroded, stony | 64K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Gwinnett-Lloyd complex, 6 to 15 percent slopes, moderately eroded | 38K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Chewacla, Cartecay and Toccoa soils, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 32K | Somewhat poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Madison-Louisa complex, 15 to 30 percent slopes, moderately eroded | 32K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Madison fine sandy loam, 6 to 15 percent slopes, moderately eroded | 31K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Water | 29K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Pacolet-Rion complex, 15 to 25 percent slopes, moderately eroded, stony | 26K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Pacolet gravelly sandy loam, 3 to 10 percent slopes, moderately eroded | 26K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Gwinnett-Agricola complex, 15 to 25 percent slopes, moderately eroded | 23K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tallapoosa-Fruithurst complex, 15 to 40 percent slopes, moderately eroded | 22K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tallapoosa-Badin-Fruithurst complex, 6 to 15 percent slopes, moderately eroded | 18K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cecil sandy loam, 6 to 10 percent slopes, moderately eroded | 13K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Lloyd loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes, moderately eroded | 12K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Wedowee gravelly sandy loam, 6 to 15 percent slopes, moderately eroded | 11K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Madison fine sandy loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes, moderately eroded | 11K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Cecil sandy loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes, moderately eroded | 9K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Hard Labor loamy sand, 6 to 10 percent slopes | 9K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Mecklenburg gravelly loam, 6 to 15 percent slopes, moderately eroded | 7K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Mecklenburg gravelly sandy loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes, moderately eroded | 7K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Cowarts gravelly sandy loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 6K | Well drained | C | Somewhat 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 47% 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.