Cleveland County, Arkansas
The most common soil here is Wehadkee, on about 17% of the land: a fine sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Caddo and Savannah come next.
About 12% of the land drains well, and 55% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 55% of it.
USDA rates 96% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 92% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 30% 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 Cleveland 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 Alfisols — moderately leached forest soils with a clay-enriched subsoil. 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 Cleveland 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Caddo silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 48K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Wehadkee soils, and Udifluvents | 39K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Savannah very fine sandy loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 33K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Wehadkee silt loam | 33K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Prentiss very fine sandy loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 23K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Pheba very fine sandy loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 22K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Wehadkee-Falaya association | 19K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tippah silt loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes, moderately eroded | 15K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tippah silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes, moderately eroded | 14K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Stough fine sandy loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 13K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Boswell loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes, eroded | 11K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ochlockonee-Wehadkee association (guyton) | 11K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Collins silt loam | 10K | Moderately well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Stough fine sandy loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 10K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ochlockonee very fine sandy loam | 9K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Saffell gravelly fine sandy loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 8K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Weston fine sandy loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 6K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Susquehanna very fine sandy loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes eroded | 5K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Boswell loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes, eroded | 4K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Pheba very fine sandy loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 4K | Somewhat 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 92% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include poor drainage in some areas, flood-prone areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 96% 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.