Bradley County, Arkansas
The most common soil here is Amy, on about 18% of the land: a silt loam, smooth, like flour. Bibb and Savannah come next.
About 9% of the land drains well, and 68% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 65% of it.
USDA rates 95% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 88% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 35% of the land floods occasionally or more.
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 Bradley County, Arkansas, 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 Poorly drained and the dominant hydrologic group is C/D (varies with drainage). 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 Bradley County, Arkansas. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bibb silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 73K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Amy silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 43K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Amy silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 40K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Mixed alluvial land (guyton) | 31K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Chastain silty clay | 22K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Myatt-Kalmia complex, mound phase (amy, kalmia) | 18K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Savannah very fine sandy loam, nearly level phase | 17K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ochlockonee fine sandy loam (ouachita) | 16K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Saffell gravelly fine sandy loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes, moderately eroded | 15K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Pheba and Lewiston soils, level phases (pheba, pheba) | 13K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Stough-Kalmia complex, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 13K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Savannah very fine sandy loam, eroded nearly level phase | 12K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ruston fine sandy loam, eroded gently sloping phase | 7K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Iuka-Mantachie silt loams (ouachita, guyton) | 6K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Saffell gravelly fine sandy loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Stough very fine sandy loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 5K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Wilcox silty clay loam, level phase | 5K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Pheba and Lewiston soils, nearly level phases (pheba, pheba) | 4K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Wilcox silty clay loam, moderately steep phase | 4K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Prentiss very fine sandy loam, nearly level phase (savannah) | 4K | 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 88% 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 95% of soils are rated "very limited" for septic absorption fields. Poorly drained soils can't absorb septic effluent effectively. Engineered or alternative systems are frequently required. Always get a professional perc test before purchasing land that needs septic.
Gardening & Agriculture
Many soils hold water for extended periods. Raised beds are highly recommended to improve drainage for vegetables. Well-adapted native plants and water-loving species will do best in natural conditions.