Bradford County, Florida
The most common soil here is Pelham, on about 33% of the land: a loamy sand, gritty and loose. Sapelo and Plummer come next.
About 2% of the land drains well, and 94% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 91% of it.
USDA rates 94% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 91% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 10% of the land floods occasionally or more.
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 Bradford County, Florida, 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 Poorly drained and the dominant hydrologic group is B/D (varies with drainage). 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 Bradford County, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pelham complex, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 67K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sapelo sand | 23K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Surrency and Pantego soils, depressional | 13K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Plummer-Plummer wet, sands | 12K | Poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Mascotte sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 12K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Dorovan muck, frequently flooded | 6K | Very poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Albany fine sand, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 5K | Somewhat poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Pamlico and Croatan mucks | 5K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water | 5K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Pottsburg sand | 5K | Poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Leon sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 4K | Poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Grifton and Elloree soils, frequently flooded | 4K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Allanton loamy sand | 4K | Poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Surrency and Pantego soils, frequently flooded | 3K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ocilla fine sand, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 3K | Somewhat poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Pamlico and Croatan mucks, frequently flooded | 3K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Starke mucky fine sand, depressional | 2K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hurricane sand, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 2K | Somewhat poorly drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Blanton fine sand, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 2K | Moderately well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Fluvaquents-Ousley association, occasionally flooded | 2K | Very poorly drained | Not rated | Not rated |
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 91% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include poor drainage in some areas, flood-prone areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 94% 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.