Soil survey area

Flagler County, Florida

Survey Area FL035• Florida
The short version

The most common soil here is Wabasso, on about 8% of the land: a fine sand, loose sand that holds almost no water. Pineda and Winder come next.

About 1% of the land drains well, and 91% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 88% 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: 9% 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 ground underfoot

The soils you're most likely standing on

The biggest named soils in Flagler County, Florida, each drawn five feet deep from its official USDA description, in its recorded colors.

Wabasso
8% of the area
Fine sand topsoil · poorly drained
Loose sand that holds almost no water.
Spodosols
Pineda
7% of the area
Fine sand topsoil · poorly drained
Loose sand that holds almost no water.
Alfisols
Winder
7% of the area
Loamy sand topsoil · poorly drained
Gritty and loose. Water runs straight through it.
Alfisols
Myakka
6% of the area
Sand topsoil · poorly drained
Loose sand that holds almost no water.
Spodosols
Riviera
5% of the area
Sand topsoil · very poorly drained
Loose sand that holds almost no water.
Alfisols
Favoretta
5% of the area
Clay topsoil · very poorly drained
Sticky when wet and rock-hard when dry. Drains slowly.
Mollisols

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 Spodosols — acidic forest soils with a distinctive leached layer, common under conifers. 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 Flagler County, Florida. Search your address to find the exact soil composition, drainage, and series details at your specific location.

Soil Map UnitAcresDrainageHydro GroupDwellingsSeptic
Hicoria, Riviera, and Gator soils, depressional 33K Very poorly drainedC/DVery limitedVery limited
Winder fine sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes 21K Poorly drainedC/DVery limitedVery limited
Wabasso fine sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes 20K Poorly drainedA/DVery limitedVery limited
Myakka-Myakka, wet, fine sands, 0 to 2 percent slopes 19K Poorly drainedA/DVery limitedVery limited
Pineda-Pineda, wet, fine sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes 18K Poorly drainedA/DVery limitedVery limited
Samsula and Hontoon soils, depressional 18K Very poorly drainedA/DVery limitedVery limited
Placid, Basinger, and St. Johns soils, depressional 16K Very poorly drainedA/DVery limitedVery limited
Smyrna fine sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes 16K Poorly drainedA/DVery limitedVery limited
Favoretta, Chobee, and Winder soils, frequently flooded 15K Very poorly drainedC/DVery limitedVery limited
Pineda-Wabasso complex 14K Poorly drainedC/DVery limitedVery limited
EauGallie fine sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes 13K Poorly drainedA/DVery limitedVery limited
Water 13K Not ratedNot rated
Riviera fine sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes 12K Poorly drainedA/DVery limitedVery limited
Pomona fine sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes 11K Poorly drainedB/DVery limitedVery limited
Immokalee fine sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes 10K Poorly drainedB/DVery limitedVery limited
Valkaria fine sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes 10K Poorly drainedA/DVery limitedVery limited
Malabar fine sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes 8K Poorly drainedA/DVery limitedVery limited
Favoretta clay 8K Poorly drainedDVery limitedVery limited
Udarents, moderately wet 6K Somewhat poorly drainedA/DVery limitedVery limited
Terra Ceia muck, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently flooded 5K Very poorly drainedA/DVery limitedVery 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.

Spodosols
Acidic forest soils with a leached layer. Common under conifers. Often have drainage issues from a compacted subsoil layer.
Entisols
Young soils with little development — found on floodplains, dunes, and steep slopes. Properties vary widely by setting.
Alfisols
Moderately weathered forest soils with clay-enriched subsoil. Productive for agriculture, generally good for building and septic.
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.

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.

Look Up a Specific Address

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