Hempstead County, Arkansas
The most common soil here is Sacul, on about 14% of the land: a very fine sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Sawyer and Oktibbeha come next.
About 24% of the land drains well, and 29% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 29% of it.
USDA rates 93% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 63% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 22% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 2% 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 Hempstead 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 Moderately 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 Hempstead 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sacul fine sandy loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 39K | Moderately well drained | D | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Sacul-Kirvin association, rolling | 33K | Moderately well drained | D | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Guyton silt loam, occasionally flooded | 28K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Savannah fine sandy loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 19K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Smithdale fine sandy loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 19K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Smithton fine sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 18K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sawyer loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 17K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sacul fine sandy loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 16K | Moderately well drained | D | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Una silty clay loam, occasionally flooded | 16K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tuscumbia clay, occasionally flooded | 13K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Oktibbeha clay, 8 to 12 percent slopes, eroded | 13K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ora fine sandy loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 12K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Millwood silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 12K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Oktibbeha silty clay loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes, eroded | 11K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water | 10K | D | Not rated | Not rated | |
| Bowie fine sandy loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 10K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Kirvin fine sandy loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 10K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Sawyer loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 10K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Briley loamy fine sand, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 10K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Kipling loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 10K | 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 63% 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 93% 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.