Washington 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 Washington County, Arkansas.
| Soil Map Unit | Acres | Drainage | Hydro Group | Dwellings | Septic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Enders-Leesburg complex, 20 to 40 percent slopes | 95K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Enders-Leesburg complex, 8 to 20 percent slopes | 69K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Clarksville extremely gravelly silt loam, 12 to 60 percent slopes | 40K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hector-Mountainburg stony fine sandy loams, 3 to 40 percent slopes, rocky | 36K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Nixa very gravelly silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 33K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Allen-Hector complex, 20 to 40 percent slopes (nella) | 22K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Savannah fine sandy loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes, eroded | 20K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Captina silt loam, 3 to 6 percent slopes, eroded | 17K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Linker loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes, eroded | 17K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Pickwick silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes, eroded | 17K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Captina silt loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 14K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cleora fine sandy loam | 12K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Johnsburg silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 11K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Allen-Hector complex, 40 to 55 percent slopes (nella) | 11K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Baxter very gravelly silt loam, 20 to 45 percent slopes | 10K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Enders stony loam, 3 to 15 percent slopes | 10K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Fayetteville fine sandy loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes eroded | 7K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Elsah cobbly soils (ceda) | 7K | Excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sloan silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 7K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Razort loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 6K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
What This Means
Building & Foundations
About 93% 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 93% 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.