Monroe County, Keys Area, Florida
The most common soil here is Keylargo, on about 16% of the land. Isohyperthermic Udorthents and Cudjoe come next.
About 0% of the land drains well, and 67% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 76% of it.
USDA rates 82% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 82% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 61% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 58% 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 Monroe County, Keys Area, 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 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 Monroe County, Keys 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Isohyperthermic udorthents-Urban land complex, 0 to 2 percent slopes, rarely flooded | 13K | Somewhat poorly drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Keylargo muck, tidal, 0 to 1 percent slopes, very frequently flooded | 11K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Islamorada muck, tidal, 0 to 1 percent slopes, very frequently flooded | 7K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rock outcrop-Cudjoe complex, tidal, 0 to 1 percent slopes, very frequently flooded | 6K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Pennekamp gravelly muck-Urban land complex, 0 to 2 percent slopes, extremely stony, rarely flooded | 5K | Moderately well drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cudjoe marly silt loam, tidal, 0 to 1 percent slopes, very frequently flooded | 4K | Very poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Matecumbe muck, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 3K | Poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Urban land, 0 to 2 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 3K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Pennekamp gravelly muck, 0 to 2 percent slopes, extremely stony, rarely flooded | 3K | Moderately well drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lignumvitae marly silt loam, tidal, 0 to 1 percent slopes, very frequently flooded | 2K | Very poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Keyvaca very gravelly silt loam-Urban land complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes, extremely stony, rarely flooded | 2K | Moderately well drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Saddlebunch marly silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 1K | Very poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rock outcrop-Cudjoe complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes, very frequently flooded | 1K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Matecumbe muck-Urban land complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 974 | Poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rock outcrop-Tavernier complex, tidal, 0 to 1 percent slopes, very frequently flooded | 875 | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Keyvaca very gravelly silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, extremely stony, rarely flooded | 866 | Moderately well drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rock outcrop-Cudjoe, tidal-Urban land complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes, very frequently flooded | 692 | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Saddlebunch marly silt loam-Urban land complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 621 | Very poorly drained | Very limited | Very limited | |
| Rock outcrop-Cudjoe-Urban land complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes, very frequently flooded | 565 | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Keywest marly silt loam, tidal, 0 to 1 percent slopes, very frequently flooded | 521 | Very 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 82% 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 82% 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.