Highlands County, Florida

Survey Area FL055• Florida

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 Highlands 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
Myakka fine sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes	84K	Poorly drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
Immokalee sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes	83K	Poorly drained	B/D	Very limited	Very limited
Basinger fine sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes	64K	Poorly drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
Water	49K			Not rated	Not rated
Basinger, St. Johns, and Placid soils	36K	Poorly drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
Astatula sand, 0 to 5 percent slopes	34K	Excessively drained	A	Not limited	Very limited
Satellite sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes	28K	Somewhat poorly drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Smyrna sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes	28K	Poorly drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
Felda fine sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes	25K	Poorly drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
Valkaria fine sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes	24K	Poorly drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
Kaliga muck, frequently ponded, 0 to 1 percent slopes	19K	Very poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Tequesta muck, frequently ponded, 0 to 1 percent slopes	18K	Very poorly drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
Samsula muck, frequently ponded, 0 to 1 percent slopes	17K	Very poorly drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
Basinger fine sand, frequently ponded, 0 to 1 percent slopes	16K	Poorly drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
Archbold sand, 0 to 5 percent slopes	13K	Moderately well drained	A	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Placid fine sand, frequently ponded, 0 to 1 percent slopes	13K	Very poorly drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
Hontoon muck, frequently ponded, 0 to 1 percent slopes	11K	Very poorly drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
Pomello sand, 0 to 5 percent slopes	11K	Somewhat poorly drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Gator muck, frequently ponded, 0 to 1 percent slopes	10K	Very poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Brighton muck	8K	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.

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.

Histosols

Organic peat and muck soils formed in wetlands. Very poor for building (compressible) and septic. Often in regulated wetlands.

Spodosols

Acidic forest soils with a leached layer. Common under conifers. Often have drainage issues from a compacted subsoil layer.

Inceptisols

Young but developing soils found in mountains and river terraces. Variable properties — check drainage and bedrock depth.

What This Means

Building & Foundations

About 83% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include poor drainage in some areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.

Septic Systems

About 91% 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.