Pike County, Arkansas
The most common soil here is Sherless, on about 21% of the land: a gravelly fine sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Littlefir and Peanutrock come next.
About 76% of the land drains well, and 11% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 10% of it.
USDA rates 94% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 52% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 16% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 52% 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 Pike 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 C (slow infiltration, moderate 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 Pike 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sherless-Littlefir-Nashoba complex, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 90K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Sherless-Littlefir complex, 1 to 8 percent slopes | 34K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Sherless-Littlefir-Nashoba complex, 15 to 35 percent slopes | 22K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Carnasaw-Sherless complex, 15 to 35 percent slopes, extremely stony | 14K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Peanutrock very gravelly fine sandy loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 11K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Peanutrock very gravelly fine sandy loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 11K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Pikecity silt loam, 1 to 8 percent slopes | 10K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Peanutrock very gravelly fine sandy loam, 15 to 35 percent slopes | 10K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water | 9K | D | Not rated | Not rated | |
| Dela fine sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 8K | Moderately well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tiak-Antoine complex, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 7K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Carnasaw-Zafra-Clebit complex, 15 to 35 percent slopes, moderately eroded, rubbly | 7K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bonnerdale fine sandy loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 7K | Somewhat poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Speer fine sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, rarely flooded | 7K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Somewhat limited |
| Guyton silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 7K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Peanutrock-Tiak complex, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 7K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Sherless-Nashoba complex, 3 to 8 percent slopes, extremely stony | 6K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Vaughn-Pikecreek complex, 0 to 3 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 6K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ochlockonee fine sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 5K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Carnasaw-Sherless complex, 8 to 15 percent slopes, extremely stony | 5K | Well drained | C | Somewhat 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 52% 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 94% 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.