Winston County, Alabama
The most common soil here is Sipsey, on about 26% of the land: a loamy sand, gritty and loose. Bankhead and Wynnville come next.
About 86% of the land drains well; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 14% of it.
USDA rates 96% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 69% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 3% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 79% 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 Winston 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 Winston 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sipsey-Bankhead complex, 15 to 45 percent slopes | 114K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sipsey-Nauvoo-Hartsells fine sandy loams, 6 to 15 percent slopes | 66K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Bankhead-Rock outcrop-Leesburg complex, 15 to 60 percent slopes | 59K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Wynnville-Hartsells complex, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 27K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Wynnville and Albertville soils, 6 to 15 percent slopes | 25K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Sipsey-Albertville-Townley complex, 15 to 35 percent slopes | 19K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Brilliant extremely channery sandy loam, 6 to 45 percent slopes | 19K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bankhead fine sandy loam, 20 to 60 percent slopes, rocky | 16K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water | 12K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Albertville-Sipsey complex, 6 to 15 percent slopes | 11K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Kirkville sandy loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 7K | Moderately well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Savannah-Smithdale complex, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 5K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Nauvoo fine sandy loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Mooreville, frequently flooded-Spadra, occasionally flooded complex, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 3K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sunlight-Townley complex, 15 to 45 percent slopes | 3K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Whitwell-Swafford complex, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 3K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Townley silt loam, 6 to 15 percent slopes | 2K | Well drained | D | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Udorthents-Urban land complex | 2K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Albertville loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 2K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Savannah-Smithdale complex, 6 to 10 percent slopes | 2K | Moderately well drained | C | 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 69% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include shallow bedrock, steep slopes, flood-prone areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 96% 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.