Seminole County, Florida
The most common soil here is Basinger, on about 11% of the land: a fine sand, loose sand that holds almost no water. Myakka and EauGallie come next.
About 11% of the land drains well, and 58% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 58% of it.
USDA rates 79% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 57% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 13% of the land floods occasionally or more.
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 Seminole 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 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 Seminole 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Myakka and EauGallie fine sands | 30K | Poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Urban land, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 24K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Water | 23K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Basinger, Samsula, and Hontoon soils, depressional | 23K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tavares-Millhopper fine sands, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 15K | Moderately well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Astatula-Apopka fine sands, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 13K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Manatee, Floridana, and Holopaw soils, frequently flooded | 8K | Very poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Basinger and Smyrna fine sands, depressional | 8K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Nittaw, Okeelanta, and Basinger soils, frequently flooded | 8K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Pomello fine sand, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 6K | Moderately well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Basinger and Delray fine sands | 5K | Poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| EauGallie and Immokalee fine sands | 5K | Poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Felda and Manatee mucky fine sands, depressional | 5K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Immokalee sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 5K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Paola-St. Lucie sands, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 5K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Nittaw muck, occasionally flooded | 5K | Very poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Pompano fine sand, occasionally flooded | 5K | Poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| St. Johns and EauGallie fine sands | 4K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Adamsville-Sparr fine sands | 3K | Somewhat poorly drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Brighton, Samsula, and Sanibel mucks | 3K | Very poorly drained | A/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 57% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include poor drainage in some areas, flood-prone 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.