Calhoun County, Florida
The most common soil here is Dothan, on about 9% of the land: a sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Croatan and Lakeland come next.
About 33% of the land drains well, and 55% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 51% of it.
USDA rates 94% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 60% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 14% 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 Calhoun 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 Very poorly drained and the dominant hydrologic group is A/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 Calhoun 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Croatan, Surrency, and Pantego soils, depressional | 34K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Dothan sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 29K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Lakeland sand, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 23K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Alapaha loamy sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 21K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Brickyard clay loam, frequently flooded | 16K | Very poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Croatan, Kinston, and Surrency soils, frequently flooded | 16K | Very poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Fuquay loamy sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 13K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Blanton sand, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 12K | Well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Robertsdale fine sandy loam | 12K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Pamlico, Bibb, and Rutlege soils, frequently flooded | 12K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Leefield loamy sand, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 12K | Somewhat poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Pansey sandy loam | 11K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Foxworth sand, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 10K | Moderately well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Plummer sand, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 10K | Poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Albany loamy sand, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 9K | Somewhat poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Florala loamy sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 9K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Troup sand, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 9K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Wahee-Ochlockonee complex, commonly flooded | 8K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Stilson loamy sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 8K | Moderately well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Pottsburg sand | 8K | 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 60% 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.