Big Cypress National Preserve, Florida

Survey Area FL622• Florida

The dominant drainage class is Very poorly drained and the dominant hydrologic group is A/D (varies with drainage). The most common soil order is Entisols — young soils with little profile development, often on floodplains or steep slopes. 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 Big Cypress National Preserve, Florida. 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
Biscayne-Rock outcrop complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently flooded	303K	Very poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Rattlesnake Ridge-Shark Valley-Hallandale complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently flooded	118K	Very poorly drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
Hallandale-Lostmans fine sands, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently flooded	106K	Very poorly drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
Cooper Town muck, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently flooded	84K	Very poorly drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
Boca sand, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently flooded	25K	Very poorly drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
Cooper Town-Perrine-Rattlesnake Ridge complex, 0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionally flooded	20K	Very poorly drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
Crandon Beach-Okaloacoochee-Chickee mucks, tidal, 0 to 1 percent slopes, very frequently flooded	18K	Very poorly drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
Hallandale-Boca fine sands, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently flooded	17K	Very poorly drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
Perrine marly silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently flooded	9K	Poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Big Cypress sand, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently flooded	5K	Very poorly drained	B/D	Very limited	Very limited
Okaloacoochee-Chickee mucks, tidal, 0 to 1 percent slopes, very frequently flooded	5K	Very poorly drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
Rattlesnake Ridge, 0 to 2 percent slopes, frequently flooded	4K	Poorly drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
Lostmans sand, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently flooded	4K	Very poorly drained	B/D	Very limited	Very limited
Tarpans fine sandy loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently flooded	3K	Very poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Romar Ranch-Big Cypress-Goddens Strand complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently flooded	2K	Very poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Boca-Big Cypress-Tarpans complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently flooded	1K	Very poorly drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
Ravenwood-Boca-Urban land complex, 0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionally flooded	1K	Very poorly drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Shark Valley muck, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently flooded	1K	Very poorly drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
Water-Isohyperthermic Anthroportic Udorthents complex, 0 to 35 percent slopes	1K			Not rated	Not rated
Goddens Strand muck, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently flooded	475	Very poorly drained	C/D	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.

Entisols

Young soils with little development — found on floodplains, dunes, and steep slopes. Properties vary widely by setting.

Mollisols

Fertile grassland soils with thick, dark topsoil. Among the best for agriculture, building, and gardening.

Histosols

Organic peat and muck soils formed in wetlands. Very poor for building (compressible) and septic. Often in regulated wetlands.

Alfisols

Moderately weathered forest soils with clay-enriched subsoil. Productive for agriculture, generally good for building and septic.

Inceptisols

Young but developing soils found in mountains and river terraces. Variable properties — check drainage and bedrock depth.

What This Means

Building & Foundations

About 99% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include shallow bedrock, poor drainage in some areas, flood-prone areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.

Septic Systems

About 99% of soils are rated "very limited" for septic absorption fields. Poorly drained soils can't absorb septic effluent effectively. Engineered or alternative systems are frequently required. Always get a professional perc test before purchasing land that needs septic.

Gardening & Agriculture

Many soils hold water for extended periods. Raised beds are highly recommended to improve drainage for vegetables. Well-adapted native plants and water-loving species will do best in natural conditions.