Miami-Dade County Area, Florida

Survey Area FL686• Florida

The dominant drainage class is Very poorly drained and the dominant hydrologic group is C/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 Miami-Dade County Area, 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
Urban land, 0 to 2 percent slopes	137K			Not rated	Not rated
Water	38K			Not rated	Not rated
Biscayne marly silt loam-Rock outcrop complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes	38K	Very poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Krome very gravelly marly loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes	37K	Moderately well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Shark Valley muck, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently flooded	37K	Very poorly drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
Udorthents, limestone substratum-Urban land complex, 0 to 2 percent slopes	33K	Somewhat poorly drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Perrine marly silt loam, frequnetly ponded, 0 to 1 percent slopes	33K	Very poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Rock outcrop-Vizcaya-Biscayne complex, frequently ponded, 0 to 1 percent slopes	30K	Very poorly drained		Very limited	Very limited
Cooper Town muck, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently flooded	28K	Very poorly drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
Waters of the Atlantic Ocean	24K			Not rated	Not rated
Krome very gravelly marly loam-Urban land complex, 0 to 2 percent slopes	22K	Moderately well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Udorthents-Water-Urban land complex, 0 to 60 percent slopes	20K	Well drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Macks Camp muck, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently flooded	19K	Very poorly drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
Chekika very gravelly marly loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes	19K	Somewhat poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Biscayne marly silt loam, frequently ponded, 0 to 1 percent slopes	15K	Poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Biscayne marly silt loam, drained, 0 to 1 percent slopes	13K	Very poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Shark Valley muck, ponded-Urban land complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes	9K	Very poorly drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
Lignumvitae marly silt loam, tidal, 0 to 1 percent slopes	9K	Very poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Keylargo muck, tidal, 0 to 1 percent slopes	9K	Very poorly drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
Perrine marly silt loam, drained, 0 to 1 percent slopes	8K	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.

Entisols

Young soils with little development — found on floodplains, dunes, and steep slopes. Properties vary widely by setting.

Histosols

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

Mollisols

Fertile grassland soils with thick, dark topsoil. Among the best for agriculture, building, and gardening.

Inceptisols

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

What This Means

Building & Foundations

About 65% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include shallow bedrock, steep slopes, poor drainage in some areas, flood-prone areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.

Septic Systems

About 65% 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.