Levy County, Florida
The most common soil here is Candler, on about 11% of the land: a sand, loose sand that holds almost no water. Smyrna and Otela come next.
About 19% of the land drains well, and 61% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 58% of it.
USDA rates 93% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 64% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 12% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 24% 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 Levy 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 Poorly drained and the dominant hydrologic group is A (high infiltration, low runoff). The most common soil order is Alfisols — moderately leached forest soils with a clay-enriched subsoil. 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 Levy 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smyrna fine sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 64K | Poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Candler fine sand, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 60K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Waccasassa-Demory complex, 0 to 2 percent slopes, rarely flooded, rocky | 48K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Waters of the Gulf of America | 39K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Otela-Candler complex, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 38K | Moderately well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Wekiva fine sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 37K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Placid and Samsula soils, depressional | 37K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Jonesville-Otela-Seaboard complex, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 28K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Otela-Tavares complex, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 26K | Moderately well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Placid and Popash soils, depressional | 25K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tidewater muck | 23K | Very poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Shadeville-Otela complex, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 19K | Moderately well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Myakka sand | 17K | Poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Adamsville fine sand, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 15K | Somewhat poorly drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Pedro-Jonesville-Shadeville complex, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 14K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cypress Lake-Holopaw, limestone substratum, complex | 14K | Poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| EauGallie-Holopaw complex, limestone substratum | 14K | Poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Astatula fine sand, 1 to 8 percent slopes | 13K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Cracker mucky clay | 12K | Very poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Chobee muck, limestone substratum, frequently flooded | 11K | Very poorly drained | C/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 64% 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 93% 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.