Madison County, Arkansas
The dominant drainage class is Well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is D (very slow infiltration, high runoff). 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.
| 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 |
What This Means
Building & Foundations
About 91% 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 95% 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.