Sharp County, Arkansas
The most common soil here is Gepp, on about 34% of the land: a very gravelly silt loam, smooth, like flour. Boden and Doniphan come next.
About 97% of the land drains well; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 2% of it.
USDA rates 89% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 53% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 6% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 15% 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 Sharp 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 Sharp 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gepp very gravelly silt loam, 12 to 30 percent slopes | 65K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Gepp very gravelly silt loam, 8 to 12 percent slopes | 60K | Well drained | D | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Boden stony fine sandy loam, 8 to 20 percent slopes | 50K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Arkana-Moko complex, 3 to 12 percent slopes | 27K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Doniphan gravelly silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 19K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Boden fine sandy loam, 8 to 12 percent slopes | 19K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Portia fine sandy loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 18K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Gepp very gravelly silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 15K | Well drained | D | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Boden fine sandy loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 13K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Doniphan gravelly silt loam, 8 to 12 percent slopes | 12K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Sturkie silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 10K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Peridge silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 8K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Captina silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 8K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Razort loam, frequently flooded | 8K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Gassville gravelly silt loam, 3 to 12 percent slopes | 6K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lily fine sandy loam, 8 to 12 percent slopes | 6K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Clarksville very gravelly silt loam, 20 to 40 percent slopes | 5K | Somewhat excessively drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Brockwell fine sandy loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Portia fine sandy loam, 8 to 12 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Wideman loamy sand-Wideman fine sandy loam, frequently flooded | 5K | Excessively drained | A | 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 53% 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 89% 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.