Everglades National Park, Florida
The most common soil here is Okaloacoochee, on about 8% of the land. Chickee and Keylargo come next.
About 0% of the land drains well, and 55% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 55% of it.
USDA rates 55% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 55% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 55% 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 Everglades National Park, 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 Histosols — organic soils (peat/muck) formed in wetlands. 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 Everglades National Park, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waters of the Gulf of America | 589K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Okaloacoochee-Chickee mucks, tidal, 0 to 1 percent slopes, very frequently flooded | 189K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Biscayne-Perrine-Rock outcrop complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 166K | Very poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Keylargo-Islamorada-Urban land complex, tidal, 0 to 2 percent slopes, very frequently flooded | 161K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Trout Cove-Lignumvitae-Rock outcrop complex, tidal, 0 to 1 percent slopes, very frequently flooded | 100K | Very poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Crandon Beach-Okaloacoochee-Chickee mucks, tidal, 0 to 1 percent slopes, very frequently flooded | 53K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rattlesnake Ridge-Biscayne-Vizcaya complex, 0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 16K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water | 8K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Gator Lake muck, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 8K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Keylargo-Cudjoe-Tavernier complex, tidal, 0 to 1 percent slopes, very frequently flooded | 6K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Macks Camp muck, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 6K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cooper town muck, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 6K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Shark Valley muck, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 2K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Perrine-Pennsuco-Rock outcrop complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 2K | Very poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Biscayne-Rattlesnake Ridge-Cooper Town complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 918 | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rattlesnake Ridge-Shark Valley-Hallandale complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 324 | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cooper Town-Perrine-Rattlesnake Ridge complex, 0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 316 | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Biscayne-Perrine-Urban land complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 316 | Very poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Baggs Cape-Ravenwood-Urban land complex, 0 to 2 percent slopes, rarely flooded | 243 | Somewhat poorly drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Keylargo-Islamorada mucks, tidal, 0 to 1 percent slopes, very frequently flooded | 217 | Very 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 55% 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 55% 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.