Soil survey area

Logan County, Arkansas

Survey Area AR083• Arkansas
The short version

The most common soil here is Enders, on about 30% of the land: a gravelly fine sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Leadvale and Mountainburg come next.

About 63% of the land drains well, and 5% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 30% of it.

USDA rates 92% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 78% 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 32% 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 ground underfoot

The soils you're most likely standing on

The biggest named soils in Logan County, Arkansas, each drawn five feet deep from its official USDA description, in its recorded colors.

Enders
30% of the area
Gravelly fine sandy loam topsoil · well drained
Gritty and crumbly. Drains fast and warms early in spring.
Ultisols
Leadvale
21% of the area
Silt loam topsoil · moderately well drained
Smooth, like flour. Fertile and holds water well.
Ultisols
Mountainburg
12% of the area
Cobbly fine sandy loam topsoil · well drained
Gritty and crumbly. Drains fast and warms early in spring.
Ultisols
Linker
9% of the area
Fine sandy loam topsoil · well drained
Gritty and crumbly. Drains fast and warms early in spring.
Ultisols
Nella
7% of the area
Cobbly loam topsoil · well drained
A balanced mix that crumbles in your hand. The gardener's ideal.
Ultisols
Taft
5% of the area
Silt loam topsoil · somewhat poorly drained
Smooth, like flour. Fertile and holds water well.
Ultisols

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 Logan County, Arkansas. Search your address to find the exact soil composition, drainage, and series details at your specific location.

Soil Map UnitAcresDrainageHydro GroupDwellingsSeptic
Leadvale silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes 75K Moderately well drainedC/DVery limitedVery limited
Enders-Mountainburg complex, 20 to 40 percent slopes 53K Well drainedDVery limitedVery limited
Linker fine sandy loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes 43K Well drainedCVery limitedVery limited
Leadvale silt loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes 40K Moderately well drainedC/DVery limitedVery limited
Enders stony silt loam, 12 to 45 percent slopes 37K Well drainedDVery limitedVery limited
Enders gravelly silt loam, 8 to 20 percent slopes 32K Well drainedDSomewhat limitedVery limited
Nella-Enders complex, 20 to 40 percent slopes 22K Well drainedBVery limitedVery limited
Taft silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes 19K Somewhat poorly drainedC/DVery limitedVery limited
Enders-Mountainburg complex, 8 to 20 percent slopes 18K Well drainedDSomewhat limitedVery limited
Nella-Enders complex, 8 to 20 percent slopes 17K Well drainedBSomewhat limitedSomewhat limited
Water 14K DNot ratedNot rated
Mountainburg gravelly fine sandy loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes 13K Well drainedDVery limitedVery limited
Barling silt loam, occasionally flooded 10K Moderately well drainedCVery limitedVery limited
Spadra silt loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes, occasionally flooded 10K Well drainedBVery limitedVery limited
Mountainburg stony fine sandy loam, 1 to 12 percent slopes, rocky 8K Well drainedDVery limitedVery limited
Mountainburg gravelly fine sandy loam, 8 to 12 percent slopes 8K Well drainedDVery limitedVery limited
Enders silt loam, 8 to 20 percent slopes 7K Well drainedDSomewhat limitedVery limited
Cane fine sandy loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes 7K Moderately well drainedCVery limitedVery limited
Enders silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes 6K Well drainedDSomewhat limitedVery limited
Nella-Mountainburg association, steep 4K Well drainedBVery limitedVery 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.

Ultisols
Strongly weathered clay soils of the Southeast. Acidic and naturally low in nutrients. Clay subsoil can slow drainage.
Entisols
Young soils with little development — found on floodplains, dunes, and steep slopes. Properties vary widely by setting.
Mollisols
Fertile grassland soils with thick, dark topsoil. Among the best for agriculture, building, and gardening.
Alfisols
Moderately weathered forest soils with clay-enriched subsoil. Productive for agriculture, generally good for building and septic.

What This Means

Building & Foundations

About 78% 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 92% 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.

Look Up a Specific Address

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