Martin County, Florida
The most common soil here is Riviera, on about 11% of the land: a sand, loose sand that holds almost no water. Wabasso and Waveland come next.
About 5% of the land drains well, and 73% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 72% of it.
USDA rates 79% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 74% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: bedrock lies within 40 inches under 3% 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 Martin 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/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 Martin 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water | 87K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Pineda-Riviera fine sands association, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 50K | Poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Waveland and Immokalee fine sands | 46K | Poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Wabasso sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 34K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Riviera fine sand, frequently ponded, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 32K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Oldsmar fine sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 16K | Poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Nettles sand | 15K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Malabar fine sand, high, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 14K | Poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lawnwood and Myakka fine sands | 13K | Poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Floridana fine sand, frequently ponded, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 12K | Very poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Paola and St. Lucie sands, 0 to 8 percent slopes | 10K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Pinellas fine sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 10K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Winder sand, frequently ponded, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 9K | Very poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Chobee muck, frequently ponded, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 7K | Very poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Salerno sand | 6K | Poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Placid and Basinger fine sands, depressional | 6K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cypress Lake fine sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 5K | Poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Waveland and Lawnwood fine sands, depressional | 5K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Udorthents, 0 to 35 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Gator and Tequesta mucks | 4K | 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 74% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include steep slopes, poor drainage in some areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 79% 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.