Palm Beach County Area, Florida
The dominant drainage class is Very poorly drained and the dominant hydrologic group is A/D (varies with drainage). 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 Palm Beach County Area, Florida.
| Soil Map Unit | Acres | Drainage | Hydro Group | Dwellings | Septic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Terra Ceia muck, drained, frequently ponded, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 226K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Pahokee muck, drained, frequently ponded, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 202K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water | 176K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Riviera fine sand, frequently ponded, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 88K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Riviera fine sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 76K | Poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lauderhill muck, drained, frequently ponded, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 67K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Myakka fine sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 46K | Poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Torry muck | 45K | Very poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Immokalee fine sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 28K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cypress Lake fine sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 28K | Poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Basinger fine sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 23K | Poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Okeelanta muck, drained, frequently ponded, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 23K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| St. Lucie-Paola-Urban land complex, 0 to 8 percent slopes | 22K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Holopaw fine sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 16K | Poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Pineda-Pineda, wet, fine sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 16K | Poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Okeechobee muck | 16K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Oldsmar sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 15K | Poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Arents-Urban land complex, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 13K | Somewhat poorly drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Basinger and Myakka sands, depressional | 13K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Wabasso fine sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 12K | Poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
What This Means
Building & Foundations
About 82% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include poor drainage in some areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 84% 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.