Desha County, Arkansas
The most common soil here is Sharkey, on about 31% of the land: a clay, sticky when wet and rock-hard when dry. Desha and Hebert come next.
About 8% of the land drains well, and 81% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 71% of it.
USDA rates 83% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 82% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 17% 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 Desha 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 D (very slow infiltration, high runoff). The most common soil order is Inceptisols — young soils with minimal horizon development but more than Entisols. 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 Desha 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sharkey and Desha clays, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 126K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sharkey-Commerce-Coushatta association, frequently flooded | 84K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sharkey clay, 0 to 1 percent slopes, rarely flooded, south | 61K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water | 46K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Hebert silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 39K | Somewhat poorly drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Desha clay, 0 to 1 percent slopes, rarely flooded | 30K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Perry clay, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 24K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rilla silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 21K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| McGehee silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 13K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sharkey and Desha clays, gently undulating | 10K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rilla silt loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 7K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Tutwiler silt loam | 6K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Pits, borrow | 6K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Newellton clay, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 5K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Commerce silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 5K | Somewhat poorly drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sharkey and Desha silt loams | 4K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Levee | 4K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Coushatta complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 4K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Portland clay, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 3K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Newellton clay, gently undulating | 3K | Somewhat poorly drained | 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 82% 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 83% 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.