Lafayette, Little River, and Miller Counties, Arkansas
The most common soil here is Billyhaw, on about 8% of the land: a clay, sticky when wet and rock-hard when dry. Sacul and Bossier come next.
About 27% of the land drains well, and 48% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 49% of it.
USDA rates 88% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 73% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 14% 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 Lafayette, Little River, and Miller Counties, 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 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 Lafayette, Little River, and Miller Counties, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Billyhaw clay, 0 to 1 percent slopes, rarely flooded | 100K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Wrightsville silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 74K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bossier clay, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 71K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Guyton silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 62K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water | 44K | D | Not rated | Not rated | |
| Severn silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes, gently undulating, rarely flooded | 43K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sacul fine sandy loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 43K | Moderately well drained | D | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Dorcheat silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 37K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Felker silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 34K | Somewhat poorly drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Harleston fine sandy loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 31K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Smithdale fine sandy loam, 5 to 8 percent slopes | 27K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Ashford silty clay, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 27K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bowie fine sandy loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 25K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Bowie fine sandy loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 24K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Sacul fine sandy loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 24K | Moderately well drained | D | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Muskogee silt loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 24K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Amy silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 23K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rilla silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 19K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Adaton silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, rarely flooded | 19K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Kiomatia loamy fine sand, 0 to 3 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 19K | 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 73% 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 88% 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.