Benton County, Arkansas
The dominant drainage class is Moderately well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is D (very slow infiltration, high runoff). 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 Benton County, Arkansas.
| Soil Map Unit | Acres | Drainage | Hydro Group | Dwellings | Septic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clarksville extremely gravelly silt loam, 12 to 50 percent slopes | 132K | Excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Nixa very gravelly silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 87K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Captina silt loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 54K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tonti gravelly silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 45K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Nixa very gravelly silt loam, 8 to 12 percent slopes | 40K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Noark very gravelly silt loam, 20 to 40 percent slopes | 32K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water | 24K | Subaqueous | Not rated | Not rated | |
| Secesh gravelly silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 22K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Elsah soils, 0 to 3 percent slopes, occasionally and frequently flooded | 18K | Somewhat excessively drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Peridge silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 12K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Peridge silt loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 11K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Jay silt loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 11K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Taloka silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 9K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Britwater gravelly silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 7K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Noark very gravelly silt loam, 12 to 20 percent slopes | 6K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Healing silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 6K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ventris very gravelly silt loam, 15 to 40 percent slopes, rubbly | 6K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cherokee silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 5K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Linker fine sandy loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Waben very gravelly silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 4K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
What This Means
Building & Foundations
About 89% 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 89% 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.