Van Buren 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 Van Buren County, Arkansas.
| Soil Map Unit | Acres | Drainage | Hydro Group | Dwellings | Septic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steprock-Mountainburg-Rock outcrop complex, 40 to 60 percent slopes | 56K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Steprock-Linker complex, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 50K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Enders-Steprock complex, 8 to 20 percent slopes | 46K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Steprock-Mountainburg complex, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 43K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Enders-Nella-Steprock complex, 8 to 20 percent slopes | 41K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Enders-Steprock complex, 20 to 40 percent slopes | 35K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Steprock-Mountainburg complex, 8 to 20 percent slopes | 30K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Enders-Nella-Steprock complex, 20 to 40 percent slopes | 30K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Kenn-Ceda complex, 0 to 3 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 20K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Enders gravelly fine sandy loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 14K | Well drained | D | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Steprock-Nella-Mountainburg complex, 20 to 40 percent slopes | 13K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Linker gravelly fine sandy loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 13K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Enders gravelly fine sandy loam, 8 to 12 percent slopes | 9K | Well drained | D | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Linker-Mountainburg gravelly fine sandy loams, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 9K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water | 8K | D | Not rated | Not rated | |
| Nella-Steprock complex, 20 to 40 percent slopes | 8K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Nauvoo fine sandy loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 6K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Spadra loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 5K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Linker-Mountainburg complex, 8 to 20 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cane loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 4K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
What This Means
Building & Foundations
About 63% 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 96% 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.