Franklin County, Arkansas
The most common soil here is Mountainburg, on about 22% of the land: a cobbly fine sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Allen and Linker come next.
About 79% of the land drains well, and 8% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 16% of it.
USDA rates 84% 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: 5% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 45% 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 Franklin 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 Well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is D (very slow infiltration, high 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 Franklin 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mountainburg gravelly fine sandy loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 41K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Linker fine sandy loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 32K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Allen-Enders association, steep, (nella) | 24K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Mountainburg stony fine sandy loam, 1 to 12 percent slopes, rocky | 23K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Leadvale silt loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 16K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Allen-Enders association, rolling, (nella) | 15K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Allen-Holston association, very steep, (nella) | 14K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Leadvale silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 13K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Enders-Mountainburg association, 20 to 40 percent slopes | 11K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Allen-Mountainburg association, steep, (nella) | 11K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Falkner silt loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 10K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Montevallo-Mountainburg complex, 12 to 40 percent slopes | 10K | Somewhat excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bruno and Iuka soils | 9K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Allen-Mountainburg association, rolling, (nella) | 9K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Water | 8K | D | Not rated | Not rated | |
| Pickwick silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes, eroded | 8K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Mountainburg stony fine sandy loam, 12 to 40 percent slopes, rocky | 8K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Mountainburg-Rock outcrop complex, 20 to 65 percent slopes | 7K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Linker-Mountainburg gravelly fine sandy loams, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 6K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Allen-Enders association, very steep, (nella) | 5K | Well drained | B | 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 shallow bedrock, steep slopes, poor drainage in some areas, flood-prone areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 84% 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.