Lafayette County, Florida
The most common soil here is Chaires, on about 13% of the land: a fine sand, loose sand that holds almost no water. Penney and Leon 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 73% of it.
USDA rates all of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 77% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 11% 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 Lafayette 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 Lafayette 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pamlico and Dorovan soils, depressional | 42K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Chaires-Chaires, depressional complex | 36K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Leon fine sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 36K | Poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Otela-Penney complex, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 36K | Moderately well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Wesconnett and Lynn Haven soils, frequently ponded, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 32K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Penney sand, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 24K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Ridgewood-Hurricane complex, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 14K | Somewhat poorly drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Clara and Meadowbrook soils, frequently flooded | 13K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rawhide and Harbeson soils, depressional | 10K | Very poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sapelo-Chaires, depressional complex | 9K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Mouzon-Rawhide, depressional complex | 9K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Blanton-Ortega complex, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 8K | Moderately well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Albany-Ridgewood complex, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 8K | Somewhat poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Chaires, low-Meadowbrook complex | 8K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ortega fine sand, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 7K | Moderately well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Albany-Ousley-Meadowbrook complex, 0 to 5 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 6K | Somewhat poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Meadowbrook and Harbeson soils, depressional | 6K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Surrency, Plummer, and Clara soils, depressional | 5K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Fluvaquents, frequently flooded | 5K | Very poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Garcon-Albany-Meadowbrook complex, 0 to 5 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 5K | Somewhat poorly drained | B/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 77% 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 100% 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.