Polk County, Arkansas
The most common soil here is Sherless, on about 23% of the land: a gravelly fine sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Nashoba and Bismarck come next.
About 91% of the land drains well, and 3% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 3% of it.
USDA rates 95% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 69% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 11% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 77% 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 Polk 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 Polk 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 complex, 8 to 15 percent slopes, stony | 62K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Sherless-Nashoba-Bismarck complex, 15 to 35 percent slopes, extremely stony | 48K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sherless-Littlefir complex, 1 to 8 percent slopes | 26K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Bengal-Bismarck-Yanush complex, 15 to 35 percent slopes | 25K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Kenn-Ceda complex, 0 to 3 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 25K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sherless-Nashoba complex, 8 to 15 percent slopes, stony | 25K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Yanush-Bigfork complex, 35 to 60 percent slopes, moderately eroded, very rocky, very rubbly | 24K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Carnasaw-Sherless complex, 15 to 35 percent slopes, rubbly | 22K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Nashoba-Bismarck complex, 15 to 35 percent slopes, rubbly | 21K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bismarck-Bengal-Bigfork complex, 35 to 60 percent slopes, rubbly | 19K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Octavia-Carnasaw-Caston complex, 35 to 60 percent slopes, rubbly | 17K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sherless-Nashoba complex, 1 to 8 percent slopes, stony | 16K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Bismarck-Nashoba-Sherless complex, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 16K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sherless-Littlefir complex, 15 to 35 percent slopes, extremely stony | 12K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bismarck-Nashoba-Sherless complex, 1 to 8 percent slopes, stony | 12K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bigfork-Yanush-Rock outcrop complex, 35 to 60 percent slopes, moderately eroded, very rubbly | 11K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Kenn gravelly fine sandy loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes occasionally flooded | 10K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Octavia-Caston-Pirum complex, 35 to 60 percent slopes, very rubbly | 10K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ceda very cobbly fine sandy loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 8K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Octavia-Carnasaw complex, 15 to 35 percent slopes, rubbly | 8K | Well drained | C | 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 69% 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.