Madison County, Arkansas
The most common soil here is Enders, on about 23% of the land: a gravelly fine sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Leesburg and Steprock come next.
About 89% of the land drains well; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 8% of it.
USDA rates 92% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 88% 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 22% 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 Madison 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 Madison 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Enders-Leesburg complex, 8 to 20 percent slopes | 101K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Enders-Leesburg complex, 20 to 40 percent slopes | 94K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Nella-Steprock-Mountainburg very stony loams, 20 to 40 percent slopes | 45K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Clarksville very gravelly silt loam, 20 to 50 percent slopes | 37K | Somewhat excessively drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Noark very gravelly silt loam, 20 to 40 percent slopes | 22K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Nella-Steprock-Mountainburg very stony loams, 40 to 60 percent slopes | 21K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Nixa very gravelly silt loam, 8 to 12 percent slopes | 19K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Nixa very gravelly silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 19K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Enders stony loam, 3 to 15 percent slopes | 14K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Nella stony loam, 8 to 20 percent slopes | 12K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Steprock gravelly loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 11K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Ceda cobbly fine sandy loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 11K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Leesburg stony loam, 8 to 12 percent slopes | 11K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Mountainburg stony loam, 3 to 20 percent slopes | 11K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Mountainburg very stony loam, 20 to 50 percent slopes | 10K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Linker loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 9K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Steprock stony loam, 3 to 12 percent slopes | 7K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Ceda gravelly fine sandy loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 7K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tonti gravelly silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 6K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Leadvale loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 6K | Moderately well 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 88% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include shallow bedrock, steep slopes, 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.