Broward County, Florida, East Part
The most common soil here is Hallandale, on about 12% of the land: a fine sand, loose sand that holds almost no water. Lauderhill and Margate come next.
About 7% of the land drains well, and 77% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 65% of it.
USDA rates 86% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 74% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: bedrock lies within 40 inches under 50% 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 Broward County, Florida, East Part, 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 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 Broward County, Florida, East Part. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lauderhill muck, frequently ponded, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 33K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hallandale fine sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 33K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Margate fine sand, occasionally ponded, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 29K | Poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water | 20K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Urban land, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 16K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Dania muck, frequently ponded, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 16K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Immokalee-Urban land complex | 13K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Immokalee fine sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 9K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Matlacha, limestone substratum-Urban land complex | 9K | Somewhat poorly drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Dade-Urban land complex | 9K | Well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Immokalee, limestone substratum-Urban land complex | 8K | Poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Udorthents, shaped | 8K | Somewhat poorly drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Duette-Urban land complex | 7K | Moderately well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Plantation, ponded-Matlacha-Urban land complex, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 7K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Matlacha gravelly fine sand, limestone substratum, 0 to 2 perent slopes | 6K | Somewhat poorly drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Pompano fine sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 6K | Poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Arents-Urban land complex | 6K | Somewhat poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hallandale-Urban land complex | 4K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Arents, organic substratum-Urban land complex | 4K | Somewhat poorly drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Basinger fine sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 3K | Poorly drained | A/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.
What This Means
Building & Foundations
About 74% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include shallow bedrock, poor drainage in some areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 86% 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.