White County, Arkansas
The most common soil here is Linker, on about 16% of the land: a fine sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Steprock and Leadvale come next.
About 42% of the land drains well, and 32% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 45% of it.
USDA rates 97% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 89% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 18% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 36% 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 White 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 White 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Linker fine sandy loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 83K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Leadvale silt loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 48K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Calhoun silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 41K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Kobel silty clay, frequently flooded | 41K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Calloway silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 38K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Steprock-Enders complex, 12 to 30 percent slopes | 37K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Linker gravelly fine sandy loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 35K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Steprock-Mountainburg complex, 8 to 12 percent slopes | 33K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Immanuel silt loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 25K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tichnor silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 24K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Enders-Steprock complex, 12 to 30 percent slopes | 22K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Leadvale silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 21K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Barling silt loam, occasionally flooded | 21K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Steprock-Linker complex, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 18K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Dewitt silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 16K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Jackport silty clay loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 16K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Mountainburg stony fine sandy loam, 1 to 12 percent slopes, rocky | 16K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Taft silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 14K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sidon loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 13K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Oaklimeter silt loam, frequently flooded | 13K | Moderately 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 89% 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 97% 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
Drainage is generally favorable for gardening. Adding compost and mulch will improve fertility and water retention. Test your soil's pH before planting — most vegetables prefer 6.0-7.0.